The crystal clear waters around the Florida Keys are a true fishing paradise. The local fishery is known internationally as one of the best places in the world for anglers. Here to help you to make the best of it is Goliath Charters with Captain Craig Clopper.

He’ll take you out on his 18’ Hells Bay Neptune boat, which is suitable for all different styles of fishing. Its 115 HP Mercury Pro Xs engine, allowing it to go up to 45 knots, means you can get to different fishing grounds quickly. 

Captain Craig is more than happy to take you on different types of fishing trips when you go onto the water with him. Reef, wreck, and flats fishing are all possible on the different areas of water on the Florida Keys. Bonefish, Tarpon, Permit, Sharks, Goliath Grouper, Cobia, and are but a few of the species that you’ve got a great chance of catching.

Craig uses Shimano gear for a great angling feel. If you would like to go fly fishing or spearfishing simply contact him in advance and he’ll provide the equipment. He’ll also clean your fish for you once you’ve returned to the land.

You’ll need to buy a fishing license beforehand and take some refreshments along too. Apply some sunscreen and put your shades on as you get ready to face some world-class fishing in the sun.



Select date to see available trips and rates:

  • Private trip
    2 Hour – Permit Sweetheart Hours
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    2 Hour Trip, starts at 6:00 AM
    $400
    Let’s go out at first light to find these guys actively feeding. It’s my favorite time! It's your best chance!
  • Private trip
    2 Hour sunset Trip – Evening Tarpon
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    2 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 PM
    Seasonal trip Aug 17 - Jul 4
    $400
    When it comes to great game fishing, Tarpon is up there with the best. They put up a brave fight when you get one on your line, giving you some heart-pumping action as you try to reel it in. Night time is the optimal time to search for these as they love to hunt around dusk. Join Captain Craig for this action-packed evening of fishing where your skills will be put to the test!
  • Private trip
    2 Hour Trip – High Sun Flats
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    2 Hour Trip, starts at 12:00 PM
    $400
    Utilize the midday sun for sight fishing Bonefish and Permit on the shallow flats.
  • Private trip
    2 Hour Trip – Sandbar Adventure
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    2 Hour Trip, starts at 10:00 AM
    $400
    Let's hit the beach and also do some fishing!
  • Private trip
    2 Hour Trip – Sunset Shark
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    2 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 PM
    Seasonal trip Aug 17 - Jul 4
    $400
    When the sun starts to sink into the horizon the shark around the Florida Keys rise for their evening feast. Captain Craig will take you out at dusk to see if any of the Bull or Blacktip Sharks that roam the water are willing to chase after his lures. If they do, expect a tremendous and thrilling battle as you try to whisk them out of the water for the ultimate trophy photo!
  • Private trip
    2 Hour–Crack of Dawn Tarpon/Coffee
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    2 Hour Trip, starts at 6:00 AM
    $400
    While everyone else is sleeping in, come catch the early morning bite!
  • Private trip
    4 Hour Trip – Early Riser
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 6:00 AM
    $450
    Get on the water before everyone else. The best bite is first light!
  • Private trip
    4 Hour Trip – Sunset Fishing
    In demand! Last booked: 4 days ago
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 3:00 PM
    $450
    The best way to enjoy a sunset is while tarpon is bending a rod!
  • Private trip
    late riser morning trip
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    $450
There are 6 people looking at this charter.

About the Captain

Craig Clopper
Cudjoe Key, Florida, United States
2 Fishing Reports
48 Customer reviews
Response time 1 hour
Member since February 2020
Captain Craig Clopper has been fishing his entire life and has a passion for the outdoors. He always dreamed of fishing the Florida Keys and sharing his passion with others. Now he lives in The Keys and shares the dream with clients from around the globe. If you don’t find him on the flats you may find him in Alaska guiding the rivers of Alaska. Come join him!

About this listing

Targeted species

Barracuda (Great) Great Barracuda
Bonefish Bonefish
Cobia Cobia
Grouper (Goliath) Goliath Grouper

Boat specs

Hells Bay (Center console) originally built in 2010. Powered by a 115HP mercury engine, with a maximum cruising speed of 42 knots.

Length
18 ft
Capacity
3 persons

Types of fishing

Inshore Fishing
Nearshore Fishing
Reef Fishing
Wreck Fishing
Flats Fishing
Backcountry Fishing

Fishing techniques

Light Tackle
Heavy Tackle
Bottom Fishing
Trolling
Spinning
Jigging
Popping
Fly Fishing
Drift Fishing
Handline
Handline Giant Goliath Grouper

Amenities

GPS
Fishfinder
Live Bait Well
Wireless Trolling Motor
Ice Box

Trip includes

Rods, reels & tackle
Live Bait
Lures
Catch cleaning & filleting
Drinks
Fishing License
Fly Fishing Equipment

Cancellation policy

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.

Listing policies

Pickup agreed upon reservation
Transfer to/from departure site may be available and included in price depending on your location and distance from the dock.
Child Friendly
No Alcohol
Too busy catching fish
You Keep Catch
Catch and Release Allowed

Payment

Book with 30% deposit, pay rest to captain

When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 30% 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

Cudjoe Key Fishing Calendar

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Customer reviews

Rating Summary
Excellent
4.8 / 5
out of 5 stars from 47 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (28)
I definitely recommend booking with Captain Craig!
I definitely recommend booking with Captain Craig!
I definitely recommend booking with Captain Craig!
+25
Angler Rating
42
1
0
3
0
Anglers Claimed
Good experience
97%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
91%
Appropriate for children
89%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Catch intended fish
86%
Sort By:
Featured  
Showing:
5 of 47 reviews
Christian S.
Raccoon Ford, VA
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

I definitely recommend booking with Captain Craig!

VERIFIED   NEW  Goliath Grouper Trip on March 9, 2023
Captain Craig is a great caption that helped me catch 1 Tarpon 2 Nurse sharks, and 1 Blacktip shark. It was also great to hook...
Christian S. recommends Goliath Charters Summerland
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You found this review helpful
  Craig Clopper Captain replied

Thomas H.
Philadelphia, PA
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

March fishing trip

VERIFIED   NEW  late riser morning trip on March 5, 2023
Had a great day with my son the captain was great was very knowledgeable and put us on fish right away we would both go out...
Thomas H. recommends Goliath Charters Summerland
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Thomas H. recommends Goliath Charters Summerland
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You found this review helpful

Kate G.
Spokane, WA
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Captain Craig is the best!

VERIFIED   Goliath Grouper Trip on April 26, 2022
Well, Captain Craig is a wealth of knowledge and so awesome to fish with. He is kind and considerate and knows how to work...
Kate G. recommends Goliath Charters Summerland
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Kate G. recommends Goliath Charters Summerland
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You found this review helpful

Michael A.
Grove City, OH
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fishing with Craig

VERIFIED   NEW  4 Hour Trip – Sunset Fishing on March 21, 2023
Michael A. recommends Goliath Charters Summerland
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Michael A. recommends Goliath Charters Summerland
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You found this review helpful

Jose H.
Miami Beach, Florida
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Goliath Grouper Charter with Captain Craig

VERIFIED   Goliath Grouper Trip on July 9, 2022
This charter was absolutely amazing! Captain Craig was so personable and down to earth. He took out to the flats and helped...
Jose H. recommends Goliath Charters Summerland
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Jose H. recommends Goliath Charters Summerland
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You found this review helpful

FAQs about Goliath Charters Summerland

Goliath Charters Summerland offers the following trips to customers:
  • $400 per group, additional $100 per person after 2 guests - 2 Hour – Permit Sweetheart Hours (2 hours)
  • $400 per group, additional $100 per person after 2 guests - 2 Hour sunset Trip – Evening Tarpon (2 hours)
  • $400 per group, additional $100 per person after 2 guests - 2 Hour Trip – High Sun Flats (2 hours)
  • $400 per group, additional $100 per person after 2 guests - 2 Hour Trip – Sandbar Adventure (2 hours)
  • $400 per group, additional $100 per person after 2 guests - 2 Hour Trip – Sunset Shark (2 hours)
  • $400 per group, additional $100 per person after 2 guests - 2 Hour–Crack of Dawn Tarpon/Coffee (2 hours)
  • $450 per group, additional $100 per person after 2 guests - 4 Hour Trip – Early Riser (4 hours)
  • $450 per group, additional $100 per person after 2 guests - 4 Hour Trip – Sunset Fishing (4 hours)
  • $450 per group, additional $100 per person after 2 guests - late riser morning trip (4 hours)

When you book a trip with Goliath Charters Summerland, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • GPS
  • Fishfinder
  • Live Bait Well
  • Wireless Trolling Motor
  • Ice Box

Trips booked with Goliath Charters Summerland include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Live Bait
  • Lures
  • Catch cleaning & filleting
  • Drinks
  • Fishing License
  • Fly Fishing Equipment

Goliath Charters Summerland offers the following types of fishing:
  • Inshore Fishing
  • Nearshore Fishing
  • Reef Fishing
  • Wreck Fishing
  • Flats Fishing
  • Backcountry Fishing

Goliath Charters Summerland offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light Tackle
  • Heavy Tackle
  • Bottom Fishing
  • Trolling
  • Spinning
  • Jigging
  • Popping
  • Fly Fishing
  • Drift Fishing
  • Handline (Handline Giant Goliath Grouper)

Top targeted fish species with Goliath Charters Summerland include:
  • Barracuda (Great)
  • Bonefish
  • Cobia
  • Grouper (Goliath)
  • Jack Crevalle
  • Permit
  • Redfish
  • Snapper (Yellowtail)
  • Snook
  • Tarpon