Ivory Keys Charters 

4.9/5 (184 reviews)
 
State licensed
 83413 Overseas Highway, Islamorada, FL 33036, United States

Ivory Keys Charters offers exclusive fishing adventures with two amazingly successful captains on the waters of Islamorada, Florida. Captains Gary Skrobeck and Skip Paxton offer a wide variety of saltwater fishing from the nearshore flats to the ocean side reefs to the far reaches of the Everglades National Park.

Fishing is done aboard their 19’ Angler center console originally built in 1972 and restored in 2016. Powered by a 90 HP Yamaha engine, with a maximum cruising speed of 30 knots, the vessel transports up to three anglers and the captain to the fishing destination with ease. It features a T-top for shade but you are advised to still bring along a long-sleeved t-shirt, sunglasses, and sunscreen.

On board the boat, you will find life jackets for safety, a GPS and a fishfinder to locate the best fishing spots, a livewell to store the live bait, and fly fishing equipment.

Islamorada fishing is excellent as it offers very shallow water fishing for Snook, Redfish, Trout, Permit, Bonefish, and Tarpon. If you would like to venture further out to the reefs, you can target a variety of Grouper and Snapper that populate these underwater structures.

Ivory Keys Charters will include all the fishing gear needed to make a trip productive. They carry conventional rods and reels as well as fly fishing equipment, ice, a variety of tackle, and bait. Your fishing license is included, too, and if you wish to take some fish home, your captain can clean and fillet the catch so you get to enjoy it for dinner!

Summer months can get very buggy so this is something that should also be taken into consideration. Be smart, dress appropriate, plan to be out in the sun and in the outdoors for the day. Hats, sunglasses with polarized lenses, light long-sleeved shirts, and comfortable shoes are preferred.

Gary Skrobeck & Skip Paxton

Captain

Gary Skrobeck & Skip Paxton

51 years of experience
 ID & credentials verified

Highlights

 Fishing License
 Live Bait
 You Keep Catch
 Catch cleaning & filleting
 Rods, reels & tackle

Plan your trip

Trip Date:
Days:
Group Size:
Almost there...
Half Day Trip
Low rate deposit non-refundable
4 Hour Trip, starts at 7:30 AM
Price for 2 people
US $597 
3/4 Day Trip
Low rate deposit non-refundable
6 Hour Trip, starts at 7:30 AM
Price for 2 people
US $697 
Full Day Trip
Low rate deposit non-refundable
8 Hour Trip, starts at 7:30 AM
Price for 2 people
US $849 
There are 4 people looking at this charter.

Customer reviews

Rating summary

4.9/5
out of 5 stars from 184 reviews
Boat
4.9/5
Crew
5.0/5
Experience
4.9/5

Photos & videos by reviewers (263)

A REAL GUIDE
A REAL GUIDE
A REAL GUIDE
+260

Angler rating

176
3
2
1
0

Anglers claimed

Good experience

97%

Appropriate for children

87%

Friendly captain

100%

Satisfied with the boat

99%

Recommend this charter

97%

Caught fish

90%

Showing 1 - 5 of 184 reviews
Sean M.
Sean M.
5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

A REAL GUIDE

VERIFIED
NEW

Half Day Trip on June 30, 2025

If you’re looking for the real deal in Islamorada, your search ends here. Captain Gary and his son deliver exactly what you’d hope for—and more. As the owner of a booking platform myself, I’ve seen it all, and this father-and-son duo is exactly the kind of team I’d be proud to have representing our brand. Gary is the definition of a true guide. He’s not just a guy with a boat and a rod—he’s friendly, real, deeply knowledgeable, and fully committed to giving you the best experience possible. From the moment we stepped aboard, it was clear we were in expert hands. Islamorada is known as the Sportfishing Capital of the World, and Gary lives up to that legacy. Whether you’re an experienced angler or new to the water, he brings the right energy, insight, and work ethic to make your trip unforgettable. If you’re dreaming of landing a Florida Keys Grand Slam, this is your guy. Don’t settle for just a boat ride—fish with someone who truly cares. Book your trip. You’ll leave with a full cooler, a bigger smile, and zero regrets.

If you’re looking for the real deal in Islamorada, your search ends here. Captain Gary and his son deliver exactly what you’d hope for—and more. As the owner of a booking platform myself, I’ve seen it all, and this father-and-son duo is exactly the kind of team I’d be proud to have representing our brand. Gary is the definition of a true guide. He’s not just a guy with a boat and a rod—he’s friendly, real, deeply knowledgeable, and fully committed to giving you the best experience possible....  

Review media 0
Review media 1
Review media 0
Review media 1
Review media 2
Review media 3
 Sean M. recommends Ivory Keys Charters

Paul A.
Paul A.
5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

Top Notch experienced Captain

VERIFIED
NEW

Half Day Trip on June 25, 2025

Capt. SKIP brings incredible experience to your backcountry fishing charter, he was very patient with my son and two newbies and helped teach and coach them and caught some nice fish on a windy day. He also had a good sense of humor and wit that added to the trip. I’ve been fishing and coming to the keys for 35 years and lived here for 20, Capt. Skip is a real pro. Thank you!

Capt. SKIP brings incredible experience to your backcountry fishing charter, he was very patient with my son and two newbies and helped teach and coach them and caught some nice fish on a windy day. He also had a good sense of humor and wit that added to the trip. I’ve been fishing and coming to the keys for 35 years and lived here for 20, Capt. Skip is a real pro. Thank you!  

Review media 0
Review media 1
Review media 2
Review media 3
 Paul A. recommends Ivory Keys Charters
1 person finds this review helpful

Keith W.
Keith W.
5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

Great Experience

VERIFIED
NEW

Half Day Trip on June 28, 2025

My son and I had a great time. We had to work at it, but the Capt put us in places to catch snook, tarpon and redfish.

My son and I had a great time. We had to work at it, but the Capt put us in places to catch snook, tarpon and redfish.  

 Keith W. recommends Ivory Keys Charters

Andrew E.
Andrew E.
5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

Windy day, caught out limit

VERIFIED

3/4 Day Trip on April 19, 2025

Fished with Captain Skip on Saturday, April 19th. Windy as heck so we couldn't get everywhere we wanted to. Found a few spots and hit a nice speckled trout hole and limited out while also catching alot of fish. Recommend fishing with these guys

Fished with Captain Skip on Saturday, April 19th. Windy as heck so we couldn't get everywhere we wanted to. Found a few spots and hit a nice speckled trout hole and limited out while also catching alot of fish. Recommend fishing with these guys  

 Andrew E. recommends Ivory Keys Charters

Chris C.
Chris C.
5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

Great day on the water

VERIFIED

3/4 Day Trip on June 7, 2025

We fished hard. Captain put us in some great spots. Ended the day slaying trout. Gary is very knowledgeable and a master of his craft. We will be back for another day on the water.

We fished hard. Captain put us in some great spots. Ended the day slaying trout. Gary is very knowledgeable and a master of his craft. We will be back for another day on the water.  

Review media 0
Review media 1
Review media 2
 Chris C. recommends Ivory Keys Charters

...

FAQs about Ivory Keys Charters

What are the trip rates for Ivory Keys Charters?

Ivory Keys Charters offers the following trips to customers:

  • US $597 per group, additional US $97 per person after 2 guests - Half Day Trip (4 hours)
  • US $697 per group, additional US $97 per person after 2 guests - 3/4 Day Trip (6 hours)
  • US $849 per group, additional US $100 per person after 2 guests - Full Day Trip (8 hours)
Which amenities are available onboard with Ivory Keys Charters?

When you book a trip with Ivory Keys Charters, you can expect the following amenities onboard:

  • GPS
  • Fishfinder
  • Live Bait Well
What's included in the trip price with Ivory Keys Charters?

Trips booked with Ivory Keys Charters include:

  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Live Bait
  • Lures
  • Catch cleaning & filleting
  • Fishing License
  • Fly Fishing Equipment
What types of fishing does Ivory Keys Charters offer?

Ivory Keys Charters offers the following types of fishing:

  • Inshore Fishing
  • Nearshore Fishing
  • Reef Fishing
  • Wreck Fishing
  • Flats Fishing
  • Backcountry Fishing
What fishing techniques does Ivory Keys Charters offer?

Ivory Keys Charters offers the following fishing techniques:

  • Light Tackle
  • Heavy Tackle
  • Trolling
  • Spinning
  • Fly Fishing
Which fish species can I catch with Ivory Keys Charters?

Top targeted fish species with Ivory Keys Charters include:

  • Bonefish
  • Cobia
  • Grouper (Goliath)
  • Grouper (Red)
  • Permit
  • Redfish
  • Snapper (Mangrove)
  • Snook
  • Spotted Seatrout
  • Tarpon

Meet your captain

Gary Skrobeck & Skip Paxton

Islamorada, Florida, United States

ID & license verified
184 Customer reviews
Response time 4 hours
Member since July 2017

Captain Skip has over 40 years of fishing experience, numerous tournament wins, and previously held world records. He is a well-known backcountry guide who loves shallow water fishing. Captain Gary is a native of Islamorada. He has fished these water his whole life and is extremely dedicated to providing a memorable Everglades experience.

Fish you can target

Bonefish
Bonefish
Cobia
Cobia
Goliath Grouper
Goliath Grouper
Red Grouper
Red Grouper
Permit
Permit
Redfish
Redfish
Mangrove Snapper
Mangrove Snapper
Snook
Snook
Spotted Seatrout
Spotted Seatrout
Tarpon
Tarpon

Your boat

Boat Image
Boat category
Center console boats
Capacity
3 persons
Boat length
18 ft
Year built
2018
Boat manufacturer
Hell's Bay
Boat type
Bay boat

Engine model
Yamaha
Powered by
1 x 90HP
Max cruising speed
30 knots

Where you can fish

Inshore Fishing

Nearshore Fishing

Reef Fishing

Wreck Fishing

Flats Fishing

Backcountry Fishing

How you can fish

Light Tackle

Heavy Tackle

Trolling

Spinning

Fly Fishing

What's on board

GPS

Fishfinder

Live Bait Well

Included in the price

Rods, reels & tackle

Live Bait

Lures

Catch cleaning & filleting

Fishing License

Fly Fishing Equipment

How cancellations work

Deposit non-refundable

If it is unsafe to travel, you may still cancel free of charge or change the date(s) of your booking.

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.

You Keep Catch

Catch and Release Allowed

Catch and Release Mandatory

How to pay

Book with 15% deposit, pay rest to captain

When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 15% 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

 Checks

What’s biting in Islamorada right now

BonefishBonefish
CobiaCobia
Grouper (Goliath)Grouper (Goliath)
Grouper (Red)Grouper (Red)
PermitPermit
RedfishRedfish
Snapper (Mangrove)Snapper (Mangrove)
SnookSnook
Spotted SeatroutSpotted Seatrout
TarponTarpon
4 people are looking at this charter.