Search
Daniel Zier
Captain

Daniel Zier

Stock Island, United States
Angler's choice
250+ reviews
I grew up fishing the Florida keys for over 40 years. Fishing is second nature to me. What I enjoy most is watching people catch big trophy fish. I love fishing so much I even go on my days off.
Todd M.
Todd M.
Captain

Charter

Rating

5.0
286 reviews
5.0
Boat & Equipment
5.0
Captain & Crew
5.0
Fishing Experience

What anglers say

100%
Good experience
100%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
97%
Appropriate for children
100%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish

All reviews (286)

Showing 1 – 5 of 286 reviews
  • Matthew Dunn
    Matthew Dunn
    Repeat angler
    us
    Massachusetts, US
    Member since 2026
    6 trips
    5.0
    Verified
    NEW

    Literally life-changing bucket-list experience

    6hr Goliath grouper and shark trip • 2 adults

    10-stars. Captain Dan runs an absolutely fantastic charter. The boat is fast, stable, and open. We were on Goliath Grouper within minutes of departing the dock. Very shortly after that, we were in a battle with a 7" Bull Shark, and then a Sand Shark, a pair of Lemon Sharks, and then another beautiful Grouper. Captain Dan is super personable, incredibly knowledgeable about the fishery and, really importantly to me, he did ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING with an immense amount of respect and humanity toward these animals. It is obvious he loves these creatures and one day on the water with Captain Dan and you will too. Seriously, rent this boat.

    Reported catch:
    Goliath Grouper
    Bull Shark
    Lemon Shark
    Response from Captain

    awesome review thank you!!

  • Antonio Marcos Rivera
    Antonio Marcos Rivera
    us
    Texas, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified
    NEW

    Highlight of our honeymoon! Fort Worth, Texas Highlight of our honeymoon! Fort Worth, Texas

    6hr Goliath grouper and shark trip • 2 adults

    My wife and I came down from Fort Worth Texas to visit the keys for our honeymoon. One of the stops along the way was a guided fishing tour. We are so happy we found Daniel near Key West, A true local, and a guide for over 25 years. His experience truly showed as we caught tons of sharks (over 200 lb Lemons and more). Two big grouper landed and hooked into a few more grouper that got away. And we saw an amazing display of life in the Florida waters! Huge Sharks Swimming all around the boat while hooked into trophy grouper! we also got to meet a massive grouper nicknamed Rollo! He had to be 500 pounds plus! What a massive and beautiful beast who came right up to my GoPro camera! Daniel was an amazing captain! Thank you so much for being part of what has been an awesome honeymoon! We will be back and we will give your name to everyone!

    Reported catch:
    Goliath Grouper
    Lemon Shark
    Response from Captain

    awesome thank you!!

  • Tim Kring
    Tim Kring
    us
    Tennessee, US
    Member since 2023
    5.0
    Verified

    Excellent Fishing Trip!!

    4hr tarpon trip • 4 adults

    Captain Dan delivered an outstanding fishing trip from start to finish. He was professional, knowledgeable, well-prepared, and clearly knows exactly where to put his guests on the fish. The action stayed steady all day, and we ended the trip with an incredible 13 sharks caught. Captain Dan made the experience enjoyable for everyone, whether you are an experienced angler or trying shark fishing for the first time. He explained what we were doing, kept the gear ready, and made every catch feel exciting. You can tell he genuinely enjoys being on the water and works hard to give his customers a memorable trip. If you are looking for an exciting fishing charter with a skilled captain who puts you on the action, I highly recommend Captain Dan. We will definitely be back for another

    Response from Captain

    awesome thank you

  • Allie Bizzell
    Allie Bizzell
    us
    Virginia, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Highly Recommend Capt. Dan

    4 Hr Trip – Kids Inshore Fishing • 3 adults

    If you’re considering a fishing trip, I can’t recommend Captain Dan highly enough! We recently spent a fantastic day out on the water with him, and it was an experience my two teenage boys will never forget. Each boy caught 2 sharks each and even got in the water to take a picture with one. From the moment we boarded the boat, it was clear that Captain Dan is not just skilled at fishing but also incredibly knowledgeable. He took the time to explain various fishing techniques and the types of fish/sharks we were targeting, making the experience educational as well as enjoyable. My boys were eager to learn, and Captain Dan’s patience was impressive. He answered all their questions, no matter how basic, and encouraged them every step of the way. Captain Dan took the time to connect with my kids. He made sure they felt comfortable, even when the fishing got tough at times. Instead of rushing, he patiently guided them through the process. Highly recommended. Would absolutely go out again with him in the future.

    Response from Captain

    thank you again

  • Will Saunders
    Will Saunders
    Repeat angler
    us
    Virginia, US
    Member since 2021
    6 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    Epic Day in the Keys

    3 Hr – close to home shark fishing • 2 adults

    Captain Dan is the man! Took us out to a couple of his fishing holes and hooked up instantly almost every time. His spots were more like aquariums with the amount of life swimming around. Dan knows his stuff and has a lot of experience out on the water. I really wanted to catch a Goliath Grouper and he let me know before we took off that we had a 99.99% chance of getting one with the conditions for the day. He wasn’t wrong went 2/3 on the grouper and then proceeded to catch all the nurse sharks you could want. Switched up to another spot that was holding all of Neptunes finest from giant goliath grouper to lemon sharks. It was amazing to see so many giants hanging out around the boat. Dan the man had a trash can of bait and kept the fish interested. Battled a really nice Lemon shark to end the day. A very epic trip that I will always remember.

    Reported catch:
    Nurse Shark
    Lemon Shark
    Response from Captain

    awesome thank you. hopefully we can do it again one day.

Real catches shared by our community

  • Key West Fishing Connection
    Key West Fishing ConnectionStock Island, FL
    Large redfish being landed alongside a fishing boat in clear green coastal water.
    Fish 1
    Bull Shark
    Daniel Z.
    Daniel Z.
    Great trip with captain Dan! He put us right on giant grouper and bull sharks!
  • Key West Fishing Connection
    Key West Fishing ConnectionStock Island, FL
    Angler releasing a large shark alongside a fishing boat in shallow coastal water.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    +1
    Lemon Shark
    Matthew D.
    Matthew D.
    10-stars. Captain Dan runs an absolutely fantastic charter. The boat is fast, stable, and open. We were on Goliath Grouper within minutes of departing the dock. Very shortly after that, we were in a battle with a 7" Bull Shark, and then a Sand Shark, a pair of Lemon Sharks, and then another beautiful Grouper. Captain Dan is super personable, incredibly knowledgeable about the fishery and, really importantly to me, he did ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING with an immense amount of respect and humanity toward these animals. It is obvious he loves these creatures and one day on the water with Captain Dan and you will too. Seriously, rent this boat.
  • Key West Fishing Connection
    Key West Fishing ConnectionStock Island, FL
    Adult angler holding a massive spotted grouper aboard a fishing boat offshore.
    Fish 1
    Goliath Grouper
    Today we fished a morning 4hr trip. The action was non stop. We caught 2 golith grouper, 4 lemon sharks, 2 sand sharks and 1 bull shark. Everything was caught and saftly released using circle hooks.
  • Key West Fishing Connection
    Key West Fishing ConnectionStock Island, FL
    Adult angler proudly holding a large red-colored reef fish aboard a boat in clear coastal waters.
    Fish 1
    Cubera Snapper
    Today we did some inshore snapper fishing. We caught mutton snapper, mangrove snapper, lane snapper and yellow tail snapper. The shark and Goliath grouper fishing has also been very good. Book a trip and let's go fishing!!
  • Key West Fishing Connection
    Key West Fishing ConnectionStock Island, FL
    Adult angler reaching over the side of a boat toward a large fish during an active offshore fishing moment.
    Fish 1
    Lemon Shark
    Greg V.
    Greg V.
    If you want a great fishing trip with a guide with a awesome personality, definitely contact captain Dan.
  • Key West Fishing Connection
    Key West Fishing ConnectionStock Island, FL
    Angler beside a center-console boat holding a large mottled grouper in the coastal water.
    Fish 1
    Goliath Grouper
    Big sharks and Goliath grouper!!! Today and yesterday we caught and released some monster fish. Mostly big lemon sharks, Goliath grouper and a few mangrove snapper.
  • Key West Fishing Connection
    Key West Fishing ConnectionStock Island, FL
    Angler holding a large mottled grouper beside a center-console fishing boat in open coastal waters.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    Goliath Grouper
    Antonio Marcos R.
    Antonio Marcos R.
    My wife and I came down from Fort Worth Texas to visit the keys for our honeymoon. One of the stops along the way was a guided fishing tour. We are so happy we found Daniel near Key West, A true local, and a guide for over 25 years. His experience truly showed as we caught tons of sharks (over 200 lb Lemons and more). Two big grouper landed and hooked into a few more grouper that got away. And we saw an amazing display of life in the Florida waters! Huge Sharks Swimming all around the boat while hooked into trophy grouper! we also got to meet a massive grouper nicknamed Rollo! He had to be 500 pounds plus! What a massive and beautiful beast who came right up to my GoPro camera! Daniel was an amazing captain! Thank you so much for being part of what has been an awesome honeymoon! We will be back and we will give your name to everyone!
  • Key West Fishing Connection
    Key West Fishing ConnectionStock Island, FL
    Angler reeling in a large shark while fishing in open waters, showcasing an exciting catch during a deep-sea fishing trip.
    Fish 1
    Bull Shark
    The last few days the shark and Goliath grouper fishing has been very good. We released bull sharks up to 300lbs and multiple Goliath grouper in the 100 to 200lb range.
  • Key West Fishing Connection
    Key West Fishing ConnectionStock Island, FL
    Angler reeling in a shark while fishing from a boat in clear waters, showcasing an exciting moment on the water.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    +1
    Blacktip Shark
    Tim K.
    Tim K.
    Captain Dan delivered an outstanding fishing trip from start to finish. He was professional, knowledgeable, well-prepared, and clearly knows exactly where to put his guests on the fish. The action stayed steady all day, and we ended the trip with an incredible 13 sharks caught. Captain Dan made the experience enjoyable for everyone, whether you are an experienced angler or trying shark fishing for the first time. He explained what we were doing, kept the gear ready, and made every catch feel exciting. You can tell he genuinely enjoys being on the water and works hard to give his customers a memorable trip. If you are looking for an exciting fishing charter with a skilled captain who puts you on the action, I highly recommend Captain Dan. We will definitely be back for another
  • Key West Fishing Connection
    Key West Fishing ConnectionStock Island, FL
    Two young anglers proudly displaying their catches of sharks while wading in clear waters, showcasing a successful fishing adventure.
    Fish 1
    Lemon Shark
    Yesterday we caught and released 2 Goliath grouper up to 100lbs and 8 big lemon sharks. The fishing here in key West has been amazing the last few days. Let's go catching!!

What's biting with Key West Fishing Connection in Stock Island

Top catches for November

Fishing reports

Adult angler holding a massive spotted grouper aboard a fishing boat offshore.

Goliath Grouper and Shark Action

Nov 4, 2026 • Stock Island
Today we fished a morning 4hr trip. The action was non stop. We caught 2 golith grouper, 4 lemon sharks, 2 sand sharks and 1 bull shark. Everything was caught and saftly released using circle hooks.
Show more
Adult angler proudly holding a large red-colored reef fish aboard a boat in clear coastal waters.

Inshore Snapper Trip: Mutton to Lane

Oct 29, 2026 • Stock Island
Today we did some inshore snapper fishing. We caught mutton snapper, mangrove snapper, lane snapper and yellow tail snapper. The shark and Goliath grouper fishing has also been very good. Book a trip and let's go fishing!!
Show more
Angler beside a center-console boat holding a large mottled grouper in the coastal water.

Lemon Sharks, Goliath Grouper & Snappers

Oct 20, 2026 • Stock Island
Big sharks and Goliath grouper!!! Today and yesterday we caught and released some monster fish. Mostly big lemon sharks, Goliath grouper and a few mangrove snapper.
Show more
Angler reeling in a large shark while fishing in open waters, showcasing an exciting catch during a deep-sea fishing trip.

Bull Sharks to 300 lbs and Goliath Group

Oct 4, 2026 • Stock Island
The last few days the shark and Goliath grouper fishing has been very good. We released bull sharks up to 300lbs and multiple Goliath grouper in the 100 to 200lb range.
Show more
Two young anglers proudly displaying their catches of sharks while wading in clear waters, showcasing a successful fishing adventure.

Goliath Grouper & Lemon Sharks Released

Sep 6, 2026 • Stock Island
Yesterday we caught and released 2 Goliath grouper up to 100lbs and 8 big lemon sharks. The fishing here in key West has been amazing the last few days. Let's go catching!!
Show more
Angler smiling while holding a large Goliath Grouper in shallow waters, showcasing a successful catch during a fishing trip.

Goliath Grouper, Sharks & Snapper Fun

Aug 29, 2026 • Stock Island
Today we ran 2 trips. The Goliath grouper and shark fishing was amazing. We released 2 big grouper up to 100lbs , released a few big lemon sharks and put some mangrove snapper in the cooler for dinner. Definitely a fun day on the water!! Let's go fishing. Key West shar fishing at it's best.
Show more