About Your Trip

Water Type

Inshore, Flats

Skill Levels

Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Weather

You won’t lose your deposit if the trip is canceled due to weather.

About Your Trip

Captain Ben invites you to experience the excitement of sight fishing on the legendary flats of the Florida Keys. Step aboard our well-equipped charter boat and embark on an unforgettable adventure. As Captain Ben quietly pushes the boat across shallow flats you will have the opportunity to see fish and present them your fly, lure, or bait. Captain Ben will give you his best guidance in how to retrieve and manipulate whatever is on the end of your line in the most appealing way to the fish you are stalking. The adrenaline rush when witnessing a fish chase down your offering and start ripping line off your reel is truly unforgettable.

Fly Fishing:
Saltwater fly fishing is an intense pursuit that has taken hold of many anglers in todays fishing community. It is undeniably a more technical method of targeting fish than most others but offers an extremely high degree of satisfaction and accomplishment when you're hooked up on that bucket list fish you've been pursuing. It is important to keep in mind that saltwater fly fishing differs greatly in many ways compared to fresh water. In most scenarios you will be casting to an individual or small group of fish and ideally witness one of them take the fly. It is important to make sure you are well prepared prior to your trip in order to make the most out of the opportunities the fish give us. Here's a short list of tips that will help you excel in the saltwater environment:

- Learn and become proficient at using a double haul cast. You Tube is a great teacher for this one.
- Practice casting in wind the windier the better.
- Practice consistently hitting a basketball sized target from 50 feet away.
- Practice backhand casting and casting with a minimal amount of false casts.
- Practice strip setting.

Spinning Gear
Utilizing spin gear is another great way to target flat fishes. Depending on the fish being targeted and specific location being fished Captain Ben will set you up with the best possible artificial lure or bait for the job. While spin fishing we utilize a variety of different techniques including sight casting, blind casting, live bait drifting, and more. On cloudy days when sight fishing is difficult or not effective, utilizing spin gear is a great way to make sure you still land some nice fish.

Amenities

Water Type

Inshore, Flats

Skill Levels

Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Tackle

All rods, reels, and tackle are included.

Fish Cleaning

This guide will clean your catch for you.

Beer

Feel free to enjoy responsibly, but please no glass.

Live Bait

Live bait is included for this trip.

Location

This guide can be flexible with the departure location.

Weather

You won’t lose your deposit if the trip is canceled due to weather.

Kid Friendly

This trip can cater to kids.

Flexible Cancelation

This trip can be canceled up to 14 days before the trip.

Physicality

This trip requires an average level of physical activity.

Boat Restroom

No, this boat does not have a bathroom on board.

Disability Friendly

This trip is not suited for those with disabilities.

Lunch

Please provide your own food / snacks.

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Pricing Matrix

	4 Hours	6 Hours	8 Hours
1 Person	$550.00	$650.00	$750.00
2 People	$550.00	$650.00	$750.00

Pay $100 as a deposit today, with the balance due on the day of the trip.

You're in good hands

Book your trip with confidence — We only work with the best local guides that know where to put you on fish.

Reserve Your Trip

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You're in good hands

Book your trip with confidence — We only work with the best local guides that know where to put you on fish.

About Your Guide

Certified Damn Good Guides offer 10/10 trips. Guides earn this badge through quality reviews, quick and responsive communication, and low cancellation rates.

Ben M.

Certified Damn Good Guide

Certified Damn Good Guides offer 10/10 trips. Guides earn this badge through quality reviews, quick and responsive communication, and low cancellation rates.

Independent Guide

Veteran

Talkative

Laid-back

Instructional

Quality

About Your Guide

Ben M.

Certified Damn Good Guide

Independent Guide

Climb aboard with Captain Ben for an unforgettable flats fishing adventure in the breathtaking Lower Florida Keys! From stalking tailing Bonefish and Permit in the shallows to hunting massive Tarpon during their legendary migration, Captain Ben knows these waters like the back of his hand.

His journey as an angler started at just 13, fishing side by side with his older brother, who became both his mentor and fishing companion. Those early days on the water shaped his passion, but in 2019, Ben faced an unimaginable loss when his brother passed away. Determined to honor his memory, he turned his love for fishing into a way of life, guiding anglers through the same waters they once explored together.

Before becoming a full-time guide, Captain Ben served five years as a Reconnaissance Marine, sharpening his skills in navigation, adaptability, and perseverance—traits that now make him an exceptional guide. Whether you're a seasoned fly angler or new to the sport, Ben's patience, expertise, and deep respect for the ocean create the perfect experience. With him at the helm, you're not just booking a fishing trip—you're stepping into a story of passion, resilience, and unforgettable moments on the water.

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Start Location & Lodging Options

Your guide can be flexible with your start location.

You can work with your guide after booking to set a more specific start location in the area.

Big Pine Key, Florida

Areas Fished

About Your Boat

Boat photo for Summerland Key Flats Fishing

Boat Type: Skiff
Boat Manufacturer: Maverick
Year Built: 2003
Boat Length: 17'

About Your Boat

Boat Type: Skiff
Boat Manufacturer: Maverick
Year Built: 2003
Boat Length: 17'
Boat Restroom: No
Engine Manufacturer: Yamaha
Total Horsepower: 70
Number of Engines: 1
Additional Amenities: GPS, Fishfinder, Ice Box

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Trip Details & Amenities

Water Type

Inshore, Flats

Skill Levels

Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Tackle

All rods, reels, and tackle are included.

Fish Cleaning

This guide will clean your catch for you.

Beer

Feel free to enjoy responsibly, but please no glass.

Live Bait

Live bait is included for this trip.

Location

This guide can be flexible with the departure location.

Weather

You won’t lose your deposit if the trip is canceled due to weather.

Kid Friendly

This trip can cater to kids.

Flexible Cancelation

This trip can be canceled up to 14 days before the trip.

Physicality

This trip requires an average level of physical activity.

Boat Restroom

No, this boat does not have a bathroom on board.

Disability Friendly

This trip is not suited for those with disabilities.

Lunch

Please provide your own food / snacks.

Target Species

Color-coded seasonality below is based on .

View Full Species Seasonality Chart »

Get it while it's HOT!
This species is in play.
You might get lucky (as long as things are in-season).
Couldn't tell ya! (no data)

Techniques

Artificial Lure Fishing
Fly Fishing
Light Tackle Fishing
Live Bait Fishing
Sight Casting

Everything Else to Know

Sunscreen
Polarized Sunglasses
Life Jackets for Children 6 and Under
Food/Drink (Bottled Water/Iced Cooler Will Be Provided)
Hat/Long Sleeve Shirt(Recommended)
Microfiber Cloth for Sunglasses(Recommended)

You're all set! You don't need to buy a license for this trip.

We use a cashless autopay system. We'll send you a boarding pass, and on the day of the trip, your guide will scan your boarding pass to automatically transfer the remaining balance. The only cash needed is to tip your guide (we recommend 20%).

Cancel for free up to 14 days before the trip and receive credit back to your account. Cancelling within 14 of the trip will forfeit your deposit to the guide. Day-of cancellations and no-shows will be charged the full balance of the trip to their card.

In the event of inclement weather you'll be covered by out 100% Weather Guarantee and will not lose your deposit.

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First Time Booking with Us?

Captain Experiences is home to 2,000+ quality, vetted fishing and hunting guides across the US and beyond. Our mission is to Unlock the Outdoors by making it quick and easy to book the trip of a lifetime every time with our Damn Good Guides.

We vet our guides and only partner with the best of the best. Our guides do their very best to keep you safe, show you a great time, and send you home with a memorable experience shared with family and friends.

Once you've paid your deposit at checkout, we'll send you a QR Code boarding pass. Just show your guide your boarding pass on the day of the trip, they'll scan it, the remaining balance will transfer automatically, and you'll be all set to get out there. Just make sure you bring a cash tip for the guide!

In the event of inclement weather, our guides will check the conditions and make the final call on whether its safe to go on the trip. If they decide the trip needs to be postponed, we'll work closely with you to reschedule or provide a credit for the full deposit, which can be applied to any of our trips in the US and beyond.

Each trip's price is determined by the guide and reflects all associated costs. A significant factor in pricing is often the type of boat and the corresponding fuel expenses. Additional costs may include leases, marina or slip fees, bait, and the expenses involved in providing and maintaining the necessary gear for your trip.

After booking your trip, we'll connect you directly with your guide to discuss additional details. In the meantime, our team is here to answer any questions via email, text, or phone.