Kekoa Charters 

4.8
(342 reviews)
 
State licensed
 77522 Overseas Highway, Islamorada, FL 33036, United States–

Kekoa Charters 

Islamorada, FL, United States
–
27 ft
4
4.8
(342 reviews)

Kekoa Charters operates out of the sportfishing paradise of Islamorada, right in the heart of the Florida Keys. They offer a range of trips, targeting the A-list cast of table and sportfish that call the area home. Whether you’re after delicious food fare or hard-fighting game species, you won’t be disappointed fishing with these guys!

Spend your day aboard a 27 Robalo. The boat is rock-steady both on the move and anchored up thanks to her heavy V bottom carolina design. She has a covered top to keep Sunshine State’s tropical heat at bay, and a head for extra convenience on longer trips.

Kekoa Charters offers trips ranging from four to eight hours, either hitting the reefs or heading further out in search of bigger fish. Reef & wreck trips will bring in a huge range of Snappers, from Yellowtail to Yelloweye and from Red to Vermillion. You can also find bigger game like Goliath Grouper and Greater Amberjack if you really want a workout.

Fancy taking on the ocean’s top predators? Head offshore to battle Marlin, Tuna, Sailfish, and more! No matter the depth, these are some real monsters you’ll be taking on!

All trips come with tackle, bait, lures, and licenses. The captain onboard will work himself to the bone to get you on the fish and will even clean and fillet your fish at the end of the trip (15-20% gratuity is the industry standard).

The fishing is always good in the Keys, so pack your sunscreen, sunglasses, water, and camera, and climb aboard for a trip you will never forget! We will cater the type of trip for your crew. We offer laid-back to non-stop rod bending. See you soon!

Kekoa Charters operates out of the sportfishing paradise of Islamorada, right in the heart of the Florida Keys. They offer a range of trips, targeting the A-list cast of table and sportfish that call the area home. Whether you’re after delicious food fare or hard-fighting game species, you won’t be disappointed fishing with these guys!

Spend your day aboard a 27 Robalo. The boat is rock-steady both on the move and anchored up thanks to her heavy V bottom carolina design. She has a covered top to keep Sunshine State’s tropical heat at bay, and a head for extra convenience on longer trips.

Kekoa Charters offers trips ranging from four to eight hours, either hitting the reefs or heading further out in search of bigger fish. Reef & wreck trips will bring in a huge range of Snappers, from Yellowtail to Yelloweye and from Red to Vermillion. You can also find bigger game like Goliath Grouper and Greater Amberjack if you really want a workout.

Fancy taking on the ocean’s top predators? Head offshore to battle Marlin, Tuna, Sailfish, and more! No matter the depth, these are some real monsters you’ll be taking on!

All trips come with tackle, bait, lures, and licenses. The captain onboard will work himself to the bone to get you on the fish and will even clean and fillet your fish at the end of the trip (15-20% gratuity is the industry standard).

The fishing is always good in the Keys, so pack your sunscreen, sunglasses, water, and camera, and climb aboard for a trip you will never forget! We will cater the type of trip for your crew. We offer laid-back to non-stop rod bending. See you soon!

George Proenza Sr
Captain
George Proenza Sr
25 years of experience
ID & credentials verified
responds within an hour

Select date to see availability

Trip date:
Group Size:
October 2026
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Group Size
2 adults • 0 children
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1/4 Day Reef Trip
FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
2 hour trip multiple starting times (1:00 PM, 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM)
Barracuda (Great)
Grouper (Red)
Shark (Blacktip)
Snapper (Yellowtail)
+3
US $450
Entire boat: up to 4 people
Shark trip
FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
3 hour trip starts at 5:00 PM
Shark (Blacktip)
Shark (Tiger)
Shark (Nurse)
Shark (Bull)
+2
US $650
Entire boat: up to 4 people
Half Day Trip - Reef & Wreck (AM)
FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
4 hour trip starts at 7:00 AM
Barracuda (Great)
Amberjack
King Mackerel (Kingfish)
Little Tunny (False Albacore)
+8
US $850
Entire boat: up to 4 people
Half Day Trip - Reef & Wreck (PM)
FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
4 hour trip starts at 1:00 PM
Barracuda (Great)
Amberjack
Grouper (Goliath)
Snapper (Mangrove)
+8
US $850
Entire boat: up to 4 people
3/4 Day Trip - Reef & Wreck
FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
6 hour trip starts at 7:00 AM
Amberjack
Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
Grouper (Goliath)
Sailfish
+8
US $1,000
Entire boat: up to 4 people
3/4 Day Trip – Offshore
FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
6 hour trip starts at 7:00 AM
Barracuda (Great)
Amberjack
Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
King Mackerel (Kingfish)
+8
US $1,100
Entire boat: up to 4 people
Full Day Trip – Offshore
FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
8 hour trip starts at 7:00 AM
Amberjack
Cobia
Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
King Mackerel (Kingfish)
+8
US $1,250
Entire boat: up to 4 people
There is 1 person looking at this charter.

Customer reviews

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Rating

4.8
342 reviews
4.8
Boat & equipment
4.9
Captain & crew
4.8
Fishing Experience

Anglers' gallery (321)

What anglers say

96%
Great experience
93%
Family friendly
99%
Friendly captain
99%
Good boat
94%
Recommended
94%
Caught fish

Reviews (342)

  • Michael Cheung
    Michael Cheung
    us
    New York, US
    Member since 2023
    5.0
    Verified

    Experience of a lifetime!

    1/4 Day Reef Trip on August 23, 2023 • 6 adults • 2 children

    Doc and George are incredibly caring, welcoming, and knowledgeable. We had two young kids and two seniors in our group, and they ensured that we were having a fun and comfortable time throughout the trip. They taught us about various types of fish we had never seen before, and explained which ones we could keep and which ones needed to be released. My son enjoyed the experience so much that we requested an extension to the trip, and Doc and George kindly accommodated our request. The kids are already asking when we can come back, and we certainly will. Heartfelt gratitude to Doc and George for providing us with an unforgettable experience!

  • Tim Abrams
    Tim Abrams
    us
    Colorado, US
    Member since 2022
    5.0
    Verified

    What A Morning!

    1/4 Day Reef Trip on June 30, 2022 • 4 adults • 2 children

    Kekoa Charters and Captain George Proenza aka Doc got us into fish and fishing big time. My family of 4 were well taken care of and we booked a half day which was the perfect amount of time. We chose to do some reef fishing so we were quick to get out to the area. He had his gear already dialed in and we were off fishing like crazy from the second our anchor was dropped. Super cool dude with a ton of knowledge. He could even handle my 8 year old alpha kid / daughter no problem. All in all a great experience where we all look forward to coming down and looking Doc up on our next Keys trip! The photo included in the review is half our catch. Took it to Lazy Days for their platter "bring it they cook it" special, based on Doc's recommendation. Also a very good experience. Cheers Doc...see you soon!

  • Reinier Lopez
    Reinier Lopez
    us
    Florida, US
    Member since 2022
    5.0
    Verified

    Fishing day with Kekoa Charters

    3/4 Day Trip – Offshore on February 19, 2022 • 6 adults

    We had a great day today, when we were on our way to the keys the captain was in touch with us, we left docks in time, started off getting some live bait and then off to catching some king mackerel, the weather was great and the captain and his helper did awesome, they knew the right spots where the fish were, they knew how to handle the fish when it went under the boat so that they would not break the line, and they made sure we got back home with some nice fresh catch, the boat is big and has space for a big party(we were six plus the captain and his aid),I really recommend it and we are already planning our next trip with them. 😀

  • Brian Grimm
    Brian Grimm
    us
    Texas, US
    Member since 2022
    5.0
    Verified

    Great trip, met limit yellowtail

    Half Day Trip - Reef & Wreck (AM) on November 3, 2022 • 2 adults

    Can't say enough how pleased we are. In 1 1/2 hour met limit on yellowtail which is what we were after. Booked for birthday for husband who goes deep sea some. I havent been out in ages. Nothing fancy but boat does what is intended..get you to fish. That is what its about. Would book again. Lists a head, but a bucket with a seat will do the job. Glad I went. Real memory maker for us. Tip good, these guys work to make it happen. First mate Georgie was excellenf and patient. Although charter, it is not for the uptight. Get out there with right mindset,...epic. Very cool infeed.

  • Kelly Franks
    Kelly Franks
    us
    Michigan, US
    Member since 2023
    5.0
    Verified

    3/4 off shore. The Osborne's Pinckney, Mi

    3/4 Day Trip – Offshore on July 29, 2023 • 5 adults

    Would recommend this charter to anyone! My son's dream was to catch a Mahi Mahi and boy did Doc and Georgie make this happen. All 5 of us caught Mahi Mahi. I also had a nervous daughter on the boat with us and Georgie was able to talk to her and make her feel a little better. This was great experience! Thank you Doc and Georgie. We will be back!!

  • Mike Kennet
    Mike Kennet
    Repeat angler
    us
    Pennsylvania, US
    Member since 2023
    3 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    Half day wreck and reef trip

    Half Day Trip - Reef & Wreck (AM) on July 17, 2023 • 6 adults • 3 children

    Doc took us out for a half day and we had an excellent time. Started at a reef and caught all the snappers we cared to reel in which was great for the kids. Then went out to a wreck where we caught 3 Bonito and lost 3 more. We caught some other smaller snappers and blue runners at the wreck as well. Overall it was a great time and they were great with the kids.

  • Bob Rozanski
    Bob Rozanski
    Repeat angler
    us
    Missouri, US
    Member since 2022
    2 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    Outstanding time

    Half Day Trip - Reef & Wreck (AM) on January 6, 2022 • 5 adults • 3 children

    Boat Captain Doc and his first mate George are amazing. We chartered a private trip because of our three kids who had never fished except in lakes. Doc and George took their time explaining what everything was and how to use it. They made the trip very worthwhile and educational. The fish were biting today and we caught everything from snapper to a large amberjack. The kids were also excited to catch a shark. I don’t think we could have chartered a better boat or a better Captain.

  • Amy Hartl
    Amy Hartl
    us
    Pennsylvania, US
    Member since 2022
    5.0
    Verified

    AM trip with Doc and George

    1/4 Day Reef Trip on January 18, 2022 • 2 adults

    We did the 2 hour fishing trip at 8am. The seas were rough on the original date so we pushed a day. The trip was very fun! George and Doc were very helpful and understanding of my lack of fishing know-how. They taught me a lot and were patient. We caught a lot more fish than I expected, though none to take home, which was fine. We also reeled in a nurse shark, both terrifying and amazing! We'll definitely be reaching out to Doc and George for another trip

  • Paul Lisowski
    Paul Lisowski
    us
    Illinois, US
    Member since 2021
    5.0
    Verified

    GREAT 1/2 Day on Kekoa

    Half Day Trip - Reef & Wreck (AM) on December 20, 2021 • 3 adults • 2 children

    We booked a 1/2 day (4 hour) trip with Captain George and absolutely loved it and would highly recommend it to anyone. It was my 15 year old daughter and my 10 year old son along with me on the trip. Captain George and the first mate were so great with my kids. We are not the most experienced anglers, especially on the ocean, and they were very patient and helpful. They were not only helpful with the actual fishing but also answered all of my son’s many questions about fishing. They got us on the fish quickly and my daughter was able to catch a 100 lb. nurse shark in the first half hour. We moved onto a couple different spots and caught some snappers and a nice kingfish. We ended with my son catching a blacktip shark that they found by sight fishing. The boat was spacious and comfortable and we were very happy with everything. We will for sure book with Kekoa the next time we are in Islamorada.

  • Patricia Nigro
    Patricia Nigro
    Repeat angler
    us
    New Jersey, US
    Member since 2020
    2 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    February fishing trip

    3/4 Day Trip – Offshore on February 14, 2021 • 3 adults • 1 child

    This was, by far one of the greatest fishing charters we’ve ever experienced. Not only was Captain George extremely personable but his knowledge and experience fishing these waters was immense. It was none stop action from the moment first line was dropped. Both he and his first mate Georgie made sure both my boys experienced the very best fishing in the waters of Islamorada. They were genuinely both very excited as my kids pulled up fish after fish, as well as equally disappointed when some of those same fish got gobbled up by sharks as they got closer to the surface....something we thought was amazing to see. Throughout the trip their passion for fishing, as well as teaching, and sharing their knowledge was on display. I will definitely, be returning to Islamorada, and will most definitely be making Kekoa charters a must do on our list and so should you!

Rating

4.8
342 reviews
4.8
Boat & equipment
4.9
Captain & crew
4.8
Fishing Experience

Anglers' gallery (321)

What anglers say

96%
Great experience
93%
Family friendly
99%
Friendly captain
99%
Good boat
94%
Recommended
94%
Caught fish

All reviews (342)

Frequently mentioned
Showing 1 – 5 of 342 reviews
Michael Cheung
Michael Cheung
us
New York, US
Member since 2023
5.0
Verified
Experience of a lifetime!
1/4 Day Reef Trip on August 23, 2023 • 4 adults • 2 children

Doc and George are incredibly caring, welcoming, and knowledgeable. We had two young kids and two seniors in our group, and they ensured that we were having a fun and comfortable time throughout the trip. They taught us about various types of fish we had never seen before, and explained which ones we could keep and which ones needed to be released. My son enjoyed the experience so much that we requested an extension to the trip, and Doc and George kindly accommodated our request. The kids are already asking when we can come back, and we certainly will. Heartfelt gratitude to Doc and George for providing us with an unforgettable experience!

Reported catch:
Black Grouper
Mutton Snapper
Yellowtail Snapper
Dan Wagner
Dan Wagner
Repeat angler
us
Missouri, US
Member since 2023
2 trips
5.0
Verified
An awesome fishing trip
Half Day Trip - Reef & Wreck (PM) on March 15, 2025 • 2 adults

Caught about 30 fish in 4 hours, including 6 different species (yellow tail, grouper, two types of mackeral, barracuda, shark). Captain George and assisted by his son Georgie, are the best fishing guides we’ve had in the Keys.

Monica Taylor
Monica Taylor
Repeat angler
us
Florida, US
Member since 2023
2 trips
5.0
Verified
1/4 Trip Captain Doc
1/4 Day Reef Trip (PM) on May 16, 2023 • 3 adults

This was our first charter. We are so glad that we did it. Doc told us we were lucky Red Grouper season had just open. We took a short ride to a spot that was about twenty feet deep you could see the bottom. It was beautiful. Even though Doc had been with people for two prior trips so over ten hours. He still was very patient with us. He was kind, polite and funny. We had a great time catching Grouper. I would highly recommend going on a charter with him. Thanks again Captain Doc for the fun and memories. We see you again!

Reported catch:
Yellowtail Snapper
Michael Dreon
Michael Dreon
us
Michigan, US
Member since 2025
5.0
Verified
Lots of Action
Half Day Trip - Reef & Wreck (AM) on March 3, 2025 • 2 adults

We were on fish within 45 minutes of leaving the dock. Caught many yellowfin, and son hooked into a monster grouper. Crew knew how to fish and change strategies to catch whatever was there. Family had a great time.

Sara Goldberg
Sara Goldberg
Repeat angler
us
Florida, US
Member since 2022
2 trips
5.0
Verified
1/4 day (2 hours) Family Trip!
1/4 Day Reef Trip - 12:00 PM on July 29, 2022 • 2 adults • 3 children

What a great experience!!! My kids are 2,5, and 7 and my older kids had been asking to go fishing on a boat and to catch something we could eat. I was excited to find a 2 hour option, as I didn’t think our young kids would stay interested for much longer than that, but still was a little nervous about how this would go down - haha. Doc and George were AMAZING! They were beyond patient with my kids, taught the older boys the proper way to fish, and let my 2 year old reel in fish that they hooked! My husband and I even got to find a little bit because the kids were so engaged! Afterwards, Doc cleaned the fish and butchered the fish we caught and let my kids feed the tarpon by the dock with the remains. It was such a fun trip for all. My 2 year old keeps asking for “more fish,” and the older two asked if we can go back tomorrow! They can be a tough crowd but it was a blast!

FAQs about Kekoa Charters

Kekoa Charters offers the following trips to customers:
  • US $450 per group - 1/4 Day Reef Trip (2 hours)
  • US $450 per group - 1/4 Day Reef Trip - 3:00 PM (2 hours)
  • US $450 per group - 1/4 Day Reef Trip - 5:00 PM (2 hours)
  • US $650 per group - Shark trip (3 hours)
  • US $850 per group - Half Day Trip - Reef & Wreck (AM) (4 hours)
  • US $850 per group - Half Day Trip - Reef & Wreck (PM) (4 hours)
  • US $1,000 per group - 3/4 Day Trip - Reef & Wreck (6 hours)
  • US $1,100 per group - 3/4 Day Trip – Offshore (6 hours)
  • US $1,250 per group - Full Day Trip – Offshore (8 hours)
When you book a trip with Kekoa Charters, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • GPS
  • Fishfinder
  • Flybridge
  • Live bait well
  • Outriggers
  • Ice box
Trips booked with Kekoa Charters include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Live bait (Usually prepared in advance)
  • Lures
  • Catch cleaning & filleting
  • Fishing license
Kekoa Charters offers the following types of fishing:
  • Nearshore fishing
  • Offshore fishing
  • Reef fishing
  • Wreck fishing
Kekoa Charters offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light tackle
  • Heavy tackle
  • Bottom fishing
  • Trolling
  • Spinning
  • Jigging
  • Drift fishing
  • Deep sea fishing
Top targeted fish species with Kekoa Charters include:
  • Amberjack
  • Barracuda (Great)
  • Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
  • Grouper (Black)
  • Hogfish
  • Sailfish
  • Shark (Bull)
  • Snapper (Mutton)
  • Snapper (Yellowtail)
  • Swordfish
  • Tarpon
  • Tuna (Blackfin)

Your captain

George Proenza Sr
George Proenza Sr
Islamorada, Florida, United States
2 Fishing Reports
ID & license verified
342 Customer reviews
Typical response within an hour
Member since March 2018
Capt. George (Doc) Proenza has spent over 45 years following his passion for catching fish. He grew up fishing with his father and grandfather, then followed his love of the sport and started running charters. Capt. George has been living down in Islamorada for almost 30 years, and knows all the best spots for each fish species.
George Proenza Sr
George Proenza Sr
Fully verified
2
reports
342
reviews
2018
member since
~1h
response
Capt. George (Doc) Proenza has spent over 45 years following his passion for catching fish. He grew up fishing with his father and grandfather, then followed his love of the sport and started running charters. Capt. George has been living down in Islamorada for almost 30 years, and knows all the best spots for each fish species.

The fish you can target

Amberjack
Amberjack
Great Barracuda
Great Barracuda
Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
Black Grouper
Black Grouper
Hogfish
Hogfish
Sailfish
Sailfish
Bull Shark
Bull Shark
Mutton Snapper
Mutton Snapper
Yellowtail Snapper
Yellowtail Snapper
Swordfish
Swordfish
Tarpon
Tarpon
Blackfin Tuna
Blackfin Tuna
Amberjack
Amberjack
Great Barracuda
Great Barracuda
Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
Black Grouper
Black Grouper
Hogfish
Hogfish

Real catches by this captain

  • Experience of a lifetime!
    Michael C.
    Michael C.
  • Half day trip with Doc
    Kristin K.
    Kristin K.
  • 2 hour fun quick trip!
    Meghan I.
    Meghan I.
  • 3/4 off shore.  The Osborne's Pinckney, Mi
    Kelly F.
    Kelly F.
  • Half day wreck and reef trip
    Mike K.
    Mike K.
  • We will be back!!!
    Rossio S.
    Rossio S.
  • 1/2 Day Reef/Wreck
    Adam K.
    Adam K.
  • Half day
    Christopher M.
    Christopher M.
  • Islamorada brother in law’s getaway
    David  .
    David .
  • Great yellow tail action
    Wankin Y.
    Wankin Y.

What is the boat like?

Boat image
Boat category
Center console boats
Capacity
4 persons
Boat length
27 ft
Year built
1981
Restored in
2026
Boat manufacturer
Robalo
Boat type
Center console
Engine model
Yamaha
Powered by
2 x 150HP
Max cruising speed
43 knots

What kind of fishing will you do?

Nearshore Fishing
Offshore Fishing
Reef Fishing
Wreck Fishing

Which fishing techniques you can try

Light Tackle
Heavy Tackle
Bottom Fishing
Trolling
Spinning
Jigging
Drift Fishing
Deep Sea Fishing

Which amenities are available onboard

GPS
Fishfinder
Flybridge
Live bait well
Outriggers
Ice box
What's included in the trip price
Rods, reels & tackle
Live bait
Usually prepared in advance
Lures
Catch cleaning & filleting
Fishing license

How cancellations work

Free cancellation up to 7 days prior to trip
You can cancel or modify your booking up to 7 days before the trip date, free of charge. If you cancel or modify your booking later, or fail to show up, you'll forfeit 100% of what you've paid.
More details

What the listing policies are

Pickup not included
Transfer to/from departure site is not included in trip rates.
Child friendly
No min. age, contact for life jackets
You keep catch
Catch and release allowed

How you can pay

Book with 10% deposit, pay rest to captain
When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 10% deposit to guarantee your reservation.
The remaining balance is to be paid directly to the charter operator on or prior to your trip date in one of the following payment methods:
 Cash
 Visa
 Mastercard
 American Express
 PayPal
 Checks
When paying the remaining balance with a credit card, an additional 3% charge will apply.

What’s biting in Islamorada right now

AmberjackAmberjack
Barracuda (Great)Barracuda (Great)
Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
Grouper (Black)Grouper (Black)
HogfishHogfish
SailfishSailfish
Shark (Bull)Shark (Bull)
Snapper (Mutton)Snapper (Mutton)
Snapper (Yellowtail)Snapper (Yellowtail)
SwordfishSwordfish
TarponTarpon
Tuna (Blackfin)Tuna (Blackfin)

Compare similar fishing charters

Current
Kekoa Charters
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State licensed
4.8
(342)
27 ft
Group size 1 - 4
1 - 4
Fish 1
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+10
4 hour trip • 4 persons
US $850