Chelsea Charters welcomes you down to the Florida Keys and invites you out for an action-packed day on the water. Take on tasty reef fish and hard-fighting pelagic predators with an experienced crew and an awesome boat. Charter fishing doesn’t get any better than this!

The “Phoebe” is a 48’ Buddy Davis Custom Express which was expertly restored in 2017. She is powered by twin Cummins 450 HP engines and is licensed for up to 6 guests per trip. The vessel boasts a large, air-conditioned interior with a stereo and spacious seating where you can sit and relax. There’s also a private bathroom with a clean, functioning marine toilet on board.

The Phoebe is equipped with quality fishing equipment, all of which is maintained on a regular basis. She has outriggers for the best trolling spreads and her large cockpit also has a fighting chair to let you take on big game beasts like Marlin and Sailfish.

The boat is captained and owned by Captain Frank Drudi. With over 20 years of fishing expertise and countless hours at sea, Capt. Frank has the skills and the drive to give you a fun, productive day out. Your first mate, Jason, will be happy to fillet and bag your catch once you get back to the dock.

The productive waters of Islamorada hold a large variety of migratory pelagics and other great fish. During your trip, you can target Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, Snapper, Grouper, Sharks, Sailfish, and more. The crew of Phoebe caters to anglers of all ages and skill levels, regardless of if you’re just starting out or have been on the water your entire life.

All fishing equipment is provided, including both live and artificial bait and licenses for everyone onboard. Snacks and drinks are also included, so just bring your sunscreen, your camera, and plenty of energy for the day ahead!



Select date to see available trips and rates:

  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip (AM)
    In demand! Last booked: 6 days ago
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
    US $1,100
    Spend the morning fishing for a variety of tasty reef fish like Snappers and Groupers. You can also head further out to take on pelagic fish like Sharks, Mahi Mahi, and Wahoo.
  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip (PM)
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 12:00 PM
    US $1,100
    Spend the afternoon fishing the reefs of offshore waters for anything from Snapper to Sailfish on this exciting 4-hour trip.
  • Private trip
    3/4 Day Trip
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    6 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
    US $1,500
    With a couple more hours on the water, you can get in even more great catches of reef and pelagic fish. Snappers, Groupers, Sharks, and even Billfish are on the cards on this trip.
  • Private trip
    Full Day Trip
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
    US $1,700
    The sky's the limit with a full 8 hours onboard. Take on deep-water bottom fish like Vermillion Snapper and Snowy Grouper. Battle Billfish like Marlin and Sailfish. Go head to head with ferocious Sharks. If it swims and it bites, you can catch it!
  • Private trip
    Extended Full Day Trip - Swordfish
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    10 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
    US $2,200
    This is an all-out offshore extravaganza, heading out to the deepest waters to take on the ultimate monster of the deep - Swordfish. Daytime Swordfishing is one of the most extreme forms of angling out there and was pioneered right here in South Florida. This is not a trip for beginners!
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FAQs about Chelsea Charters – 48' Willis Craft

Chelsea Charters – 48' Willis Craft offers the following trips to customers:
  • US $1,100 per group - Half Day Trip (AM) (4 hours)
  • US $1,100 per group - Half Day Trip (PM) (4 hours)
  • US $1,500 per group - 3/4 Day Trip (6 hours)
  • US $1,700 per group - Full Day Trip (8 hours)
  • US $2,200 per group - Extended Full Day Trip - Swordfish (10 hours)

When you book a trip with Chelsea Charters – 48' Willis Craft, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • Toilet
  • Air Conditioning
  • Fighting Chair
  • GPS
  • Fishfinder
  • Bed
  • Flybridge
  • Live Bait Well
  • Kitchen
  • Refrigerator
  • Outriggers
  • Ice Box
  • Radar

Trips booked with Chelsea Charters – 48' Willis Craft include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Live Bait (Caught during the trip)
  • Lures
  • Catch cleaning & filleting
  • First Mate (20% gratuity not included in trip price)
  • Fishing License

Chelsea Charters – 48' Willis Craft offers the following types of fishing:
  • Nearshore Fishing
  • Offshore Fishing (Up to 28 miles)
  • Reef Fishing
  • Wreck Fishing

Chelsea Charters – 48' Willis Craft offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light Tackle
  • Heavy Tackle
  • Bottom Fishing
  • Trolling
  • Spinning
  • Jigging
  • Kite Fishing
  • Deep Sea Fishing

Top targeted fish species with Chelsea Charters – 48' Willis Craft include:
  • Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
  • Grouper (Gag)
  • Grouper (Snowy)
  • Marlin (Blue)
  • Sailfish
  • Shark (Blacktip)
  • Shark (Mako)
  • Snapper (Mutton)
  • Snapper (Red)
  • Snapper (Vermilion)
  • Snapper (Yellowtail)
  • Wahoo

Meet the Captain

Frank Drudi
Islamorada, Florida, United States
ID & license verified
115 Customer reviews
Response time 3 hours
Member since October 2014
Captain Frank Drudi has been running charters for over two decades and has been fishing since he was old enough to hold a rod. As the owner-operator of Chelsea Charters, Capt. Frank takes it upon himself to make sure that every trip aboard his vessel is fun, memorable and preferably bountiful. Let him show you just how good the fishing in the Keys really is.

About this listing

Targeted species

Dolphin (Mahi Mahi) Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
Grouper (Gag) Gag Grouper
Grouper (Snowy) Snowy Grouper
Marlin (Blue) Blue Marlin

Boat specs

Willis Craft (Sportfishing) originally built in 1966, and restored in 2017. Powered by 2 450HP Cummins engines, with a maximum cruising speed of 25 knots.

Length
48 ft
Capacity
6 persons

Types of fishing

Nearshore Fishing
Offshore Fishing
Up to 28 miles
Reef Fishing
Wreck Fishing

Fishing techniques

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

Amenities

Toilet
Air Conditioning
Fighting Chair
GPS
Fishfinder
Bed

Trip includes

Rods, reels & tackle
Live Bait
Caught during the trip
Lures
Catch cleaning & filleting
First Mate
20% gratuity not included in trip price
Fishing License

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 14 days prior to trip

You can cancel or modify your booking up to 14 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.

Listing policies

Pickup not included
Transfer to/from departure site is not included in trip rates.
Child Friendly
No min. age, life jackets supplied
You Keep Catch
Catch and Release Allowed

Payment

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
When paying the remaining balance with a credit card, an additional 3.5% charge will apply.

Islamorada Fishing Calendar

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Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.8 / 5
out of 5 stars from 115 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (153)
Gods guys good times
Gods guys good times
Gods guys good times
+150
Angler rating
101
6
1
2
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
94%
Friendly captain
98%
Recommend this charter
93%
Appropriate for children
96%
Satisfied with the boat
98%
Caught fish
90%
Sort by:
Featured  
Showing:
5 of 115 reviews
George B.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Rough seas, GREAT TIME!!!

VERIFIED   3/4 Day Trip on December 24, 2023
Capt. Frank did a fantastic job of putting us on the fish and 1sf Mate Zack was awesome. They were able to give us a crash...
George B. recommends Chelsea Charters – 48' Willis Craft
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James R.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Swordfish in the cooler

VERIFIED   Extended Full Day Trip - Swordfish on February 3, 2024
Had an amazing time fishing with Capt Frank and deckhand Zach. Caught a swordfish thanks to their expertise and knowledge....
James R. recommends Chelsea Charters – 48' Willis Craft
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Yev M.
Key West, Florida
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Half Day Trip with Captain Frank and First Mate Carson

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (PM) on April 10, 2023
What a trip to remember! 34 yellowtail snapper caught during our 4 hour trip. The crew did an absolutely amazing job. From...
Yev M. recommends Chelsea Charters – 48' Willis Craft
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Yev M. recommends Chelsea Charters – 48' Willis Craft
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Wesley P.
Miami, Florida
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Half Day! Great Family Day!

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (PM) on April 4, 2023
Had a great day with Captain Frank and Carson! Got into the Snapper an early and they were relentless in tracking them down!...
Wesley P. recommends Chelsea Charters – 48' Willis Craft
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Hank B.
Very good
4.0 / 5
Experience:
Very good
4.0 / 5
Boat
Very good
4.0 / 5
Crew
Very good
4.0 / 5
Overall

Gods guys good times

VERIFIED   Full Day Trip on February 17, 2024
We had a fantastic time with this crew and boat! Might be being selfish by not giving five stars because Zac was great and...
Hank B. recommends Chelsea Charters – 48' Willis Craft
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  Frank Drudi Captain replied