Ivory Keys Charters
Ivory Keys Charters
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.
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.
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Customer reviews
Rating
Anglers' gallery (294)
What anglers say
Reviews (199)
Jacob Martinez•
Wisconsin, USMember since 20265.0VerifiedCaptian Gary is the man
Half Day Trip on May 21, 2026 • 2 adultsWe booked the half day trip with Captain Gary and had a blast!! It was a great time on the water even though the fishing was tricky. We still made the best of it an caught: tarpon: ✔️ trout: ✔️ snook: ✔️ black drum: ✔️. The black drum on the flats was something we didnt expect to run into but they were a blast to sight cast at and hook into! Captain Gary was a great guide and I will definitely be booking with him again when I come back to the keys.
Chuck Phillips•Florida, USMember since 20265.0VerifiedGreat Captain, Uncooperative Weather
Half Day Trip on April 23, 2026 • 2 adultsHad a great time on the water with Capt Gary. Great job helping us older, unexperienced fishermen have an enjoyable outing. He tried his best to get us on fish, but the wind got the best of us. Will try again next trip. Thanks Capt Gary!
Thomas EkasoneRepeat angler•Virginia, US•Member since 20223 trips5.0VerifiedNewdefinitely an experience!
3/4 Day Trip on August 21, 2026 • 2 adultsCapt Gary was very knowledgeable and took us to all different parts of the Everglades just to make sure we were able to catch what were supposed too! definitely a challenge, but we had a blast! Thank you for everything!!
Lewis GriffinRepeat angler•Oklahoma, US•Member since 20244 trips5.0VerifiedIncredibly knowledgeable captain
3/4 Day Trip on December 27, 2025 • 3 adults • 1 childCaptain Gary was awesome! I’ve gotten to fish in Puerto Rico, Bahamas, Mexico and various places in the U.S. this past year and I would venture to say he’s the most knowledgeable captain I’ve had, he was great with teaching my son some tips on casting. He was great. I cannot say enough good things about him. Definitely recommend booking with him!
Joshua Elder•Florida, USMember since 20245.0VerifiedGreat Charter... Gary was awesome
3/4 Day Trip on July 15, 2026 • 3 adults • 1 childTook my two son's out with Gary and we had a blast. We all caught fish and Gary was laid back, patient, and helpful. Exactly what we were looking for and made out Keys trip perfect
Michael McgowenRepeat angler•North Carolina, US•Member since 20252 trips5.0VerifiedIslamorada Backcountry Fishing
Half Day Trip on October 15, 2025 • 2 adultsIf you are looking for a captain that not only knows the backcountry waters, but also has the best demeanor, them captain Gary is your charter. Gary works at putting you on the fish, and imparts a wealth of knowledge to boot. I only hope we can get back down here, and go out eith him again-fantastic find!
Stephen Weimer•Texas, USMember since 20265.0VerifiedMonster Snook, son killed it!
3/4 Day Trip on July 22, 2026 • 2 adultsGreat guide and teacher! Would recommend multi day trips to get all that Gary has to share. We even landed my PB Snook!
Daniel GattisRepeat angler•North Carolina, US•Member since 20263 trips5.0VerifiedAbsolutely Legit!!!!!!
Full Day Trip on March 12, 2026 • 2 adults • 1 childGary is the real deal back country guy. If you’re looking for a guide that knows skinny water he’s. The most experienced guid ive ever fished with. He is a cool guy too! Good vibes! Great Time! Great Fishing!
Kade Falline•Minnesota, USMember since 20255.0VerifiedFun day out fishing
3/4 Day Trip on November 6, 2025 • 2 adultswe caught a lot of fish and worked on our casting skills while also learning a lot about Everglades
- Sean MoriartyRepeat angler•Colorado, US•Member since 20245 trips5.0Verified
A REAL GUIDE
Half Day Trip on June 30, 2025 • 1 adultIf 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.
Rating
Anglers' gallery (294)
What anglers say
All reviews (199)
We booked the half day trip with Captain Gary and had a blast!! It was a great time on the water even though the fishing was tricky. We still made the best of it an caught: tarpon: ✔️ trout: ✔️ snook: ✔️ black drum: ✔️. The black drum on the flats was something we didnt expect to run into but they were a blast to sight cast at and hook into! Captain Gary was a great guide and I will definitely be booking with him again when I come back to the keys.
We had an awesome day on the water. Captain Gary is a good dude and we had a blast. He worked hard to get us on snook, tarpon, trout, and jacks. We cannot recommend Captain Gary enough and we are looking forward to the next trip!
Had a great time on the water with Capt Gary. Great job helping us older, unexperienced fishermen have an enjoyable outing. He tried his best to get us on fish, but the wind got the best of us. Will try again next trip. Thanks Capt Gary!
Capt Gary was very knowledgeable and took us to all different parts of the Everglades just to make sure we were able to catch what were supposed too! definitely a challenge, but we had a blast! Thank you for everything!!
Captain Gary was awesome! I’ve gotten to fish in Puerto Rico, Bahamas, Mexico and various places in the U.S. this past year and I would venture to say he’s the most knowledgeable captain I’ve had, he was great with teaching my son some tips on casting. He was great. I cannot say enough good things about him. Definitely recommend booking with him!
FAQs about Ivory Keys Charters
- US $600 per group, additional US $100 per person after 2 guests - Half Day Trip (4 hours)
- US $750 per group, additional US $100 per person after 2 guests - 3/4 Day Trip (6 hours)
- US $900 per group, additional US $100 per person after 2 guests - Full Day Trip (8 hours)
- GPS
- Fishfinder
- Live bait well
- Rods, reels & tackle
- Live bait
- Lures
- Catch cleaning & filleting
- Fishing license
- Fly fishing equipment
- Inshore fishing
- Nearshore fishing
- Reef fishing
- Wreck fishing
- Flats fishing
- Backcountry fishing
- Light tackle
- Heavy tackle
- Trolling
- Spinning
- Fly fishing
- Bonefish
- Cobia
- Grouper (Goliath)
- Grouper (Red)
- Permit
- Redfish
- Snapper (Mangrove)
- Snook
- Speckled Trout
- Tarpon
Your captain
Islamorada, Florida, United States
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.
Real catches by this captain
What is the boat like?
What kind of fishing will you do?
Which fishing techniques you can try
Which amenities are available onboard
How cancellations work
If it is unsafe to travel, you may still cancel free of charge or change the date(s) of your booking.
What the listing policies are
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.
How you can pay
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
Bonefish
Cobia
Grouper (Goliath)
Grouper (Red)
Permit
Redfish
Snapper (Mangrove)
Snook
Speckled Trout
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