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Richard Hastings
Captain

Richard Hastings

Islamorada, United States
50+ reviews
A New Hampshire native originally, Captain Richard spent years fishing the Colorado and Roaring Fork Rivers, even guiding there from 2014 to 2017. He moved down to Florida in 2015 and spent so much time on the productive inshore waters of the Everglades, that he decided to start his own business. A specialist in sight fishing, he loves teaching newcomers the tricks of the trade, and loves nothing more than seeing customers reel in the fish they've always dreamed of.

Charters

Rating

4.9
81 reviews
4.9
Boat & Equipment
4.9
Captain & Crew
4.8
Fishing Experience

What anglers say

95%
Good experience
100%
Friendly captain
99%
Recommend this charter
86%
Appropriate for children
100%
Satisfied with the boat
84%
Caught fish

All reviews (81)

Showing 1 – 5 of 81 reviews
  • Tim Gregory
    Tim Gregory
    us
    Oklahoma, US
    Member since 2025
    5.0
    Verified

    Rich is awesome!

    Sunset Bonefish and Permit • 2 adults • 1 child

    After several charter issues during my week in the keys i booked Rich for a final evening of trying to scratch off a Tarpon of my bucket list. He did that within a few minutes of leaving the dock BUT that is not why I would recommend him. He is extremely passionate about his fishery, he asked what I wanted out of the trip as well as letting me his expectations, he was great coaching me in the techniques that work in this fishery vs what I know from a lifetime of personal experience. In my opinion he is in the perfect zone of having many years of experience but yet not being burned out from the grind of a charter Captain. If I ever make it back and do a charter Rich will be my first call!

  • Christopher Baresh
    Christopher Baresh
    us
    New Jersey, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Wouldn’t look anywhere else!

    Half Day Trip • 2 adults

    Rich was awesome. I told him I was interested in crossing off catching a tarpon from by bucket list and within 15 minutes at our first stop I was able to put two boat side. You can tell Rich cares a lot about putting his clients on fish and making sure they have a great time doing so and is super knowledgable. If I come back this way I will definitely be booking another trip with Rich.

    Reported catch:
    Tarpon
  • Karl Wise
    Karl Wise
    us
    Florida, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Great trip and experience.

    Half Day Trip • 2 adults
  • Phillip Baker
    Phillip Baker
    Repeat angler
    us
    Florida, US
    Member since 2023
    2 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    Fishing with Richard

    Half Day Trip • 2 adults
  • Christian Johnson
    Christian Johnson
    us
    Georgia, US
    Member since 2025
    5.0
    Verified

    Perfect inshore trip

    Half Day Trip • 2 adults

    Rich was an absolutely incredible guide! He was extremely knowledgeable of the area and put us in some great spots to get on tarpon, bonefish, snook, permit, jacks, and barracuda. he’s also a great and patient instructor for fly fishing and explained very well the difference between freshwater vs saltwater techniques with heavier tackle. His demeanor the entire trip was positive and encouraging and his passion for what he does and being out on the water is infectious. 10/10 will book another trip with Rich the next time we come down!

Real catches shared by our community

  • Captain Rich Hastings
    Captain Rich HastingsIslamorada, FL
    An angler proudly displaying a large Permit while fishing on a skiff in clear waters, accompanied by a dog.
    Jay W.
    Jay W.
    great captain. worked hard. got me onto bones permit and tarpon. esdy to converse with well maintained gear.
  • Captain Rich Hastings
    Captain Rich HastingsIslamorada, FL
    Angler reeling in a Silverfish while enjoying a sunny day on the water, showcasing the thrill of fishing in a clear coastal environment.
    Tailers in the morning and finishing off with permit under the high sun
  • Captain Rich Hastings
    Captain Rich HastingsIslamorada, FL
    A young angler proudly displays a caught fish while standing on a boat, accompanied by an adult and a playful dog, enjoying a sunny day on the water.
    Fish 1
    Mangrove Snapper
    Melanie R.
    Melanie R.
    Great day on the water. A+ all around!
  • Captain Rich Hastings
    Captain Rich HastingsIslamorada, FL
    Angler reeling in a large Snook while fishing from a boat in a mangrove-lined waterway.
    Mark V.
    Mark V.
    Never fly fish this area before. Capt hasting did a great job of showing me how it works here. He got me to catch my first tarpon. Loved it. Will be back again next year with a little more experience
  • Captain Rich Hastings
    Captain Rich HastingsIslamorada, FL
    Adult angler proudly holding a large permit on a center-console boat over calm coastal waters.
    Mat D.
    Mat D.
  • Captain Rich Hastings
    Captain Rich HastingsIslamorada, FL
    Sunset over calm coastal waters with a silhouetted bridge and reflective ripples; no boat, anglers, or catch visible.
    Christian M.
    Christian M.
    Great Captian. One of the best trips I’ve been on fly fishing.
  • Captain Rich Hastings
    Captain Rich HastingsIslamorada, FL
    Solo angler proudly holding a large silver permit on the bow of a fishing boat in open coastal waters.
    Kurt V.
    Kurt V.
    Captain Rich and Tito were the best. Seriously stop looking for another charter in the area and book with Rich. We let him know we were after a Permit and he put us on the fish. Caught the fish of a lifetime and will be back! Thank you very much captain Rich!!
  • Captain Rich Hastings
    Captain Rich HastingsIslamorada, FL
    An angler proudly displaying a caught shark while fishing from a boat in clear waters.
    Fish 1
    Bonnethead Shark
    Terrence O.
    Terrence O.
    Captain Rich was great !!
  • Captain Rich Hastings
    Captain Rich HastingsIslamorada, FL
    Young angler in a life jacket proudly displaying a freshly caught silver fish aboard a small boat in shallow coastal waters.
    Fish 1
    Jack Crevalle
    Anthony A.
    Anthony A.
    We had a great time fishing with Captain Hastings!
  • Captain Rich Hastings
    Captain Rich HastingsIslamorada, FL
    An angler proudly displaying a colorful Yellowtail Snapper while fishing on a boat in calm waters.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    +1
    Lane Snapper
    Bill K.
    Bill K.

Our Fishing Locations

What's biting with Captain Rich Hastings in Islamorada

Cobia start to appear, sometimes in big schools. The mullet migration brings Sailfish close to the shore, along with the last of the Blackfin Tuna. This is also a great time for Trout and Redfish in the shallows.

Top catches for November

Fishing reports

Angler reeling in a Silverfish while enjoying a sunny day on the water, showcasing the thrill of fishing in a clear coastal environment.

Half day success

Aug 26, 2025 • Islamorada
Tailers in the morning and finishing off with permit under the high sun
Show more