Captain
Hoyt Watkins

Member since March 2023 Summerland Key, United States
Background
I fell in love with fishing at 4 years old and never looked back; I've been fishing all over Florida since. As an Eagle Scout, I began my fishing career with the Boy Scouts of America of Summerland Key in 2012, taking groups of 8 fishing in the nearby waters. I've learned a lot over the years, found tons of fishing grounds in the area, know the seasons and conditions for what target species, and know the waterways well. I've fished with both kids and adults in high and low winds, rain or shine, maintaining a safe, fun fishing experience for all to enjoy. I have been successful and enjoy deep-dropping, wreck fishing, reef fishing, deep-reef, inshore, offshore, tarpon, spearfishing, and kite-fishing…from the waters of Marathon through the Lower Keys, down and around Key West. I want to share my passion and knowledge with my guests and show an incredible, memorable experience to inspire conservation and a love for fishing.
Techniques
Top water predator fishing using large stick baits and huge top water explosion from jacks, barracudas and sharks. Bottom fishing for big snappers and groupers using light tackle conventional reels, thin braided line and lively fresh baits. Drifting live or small dead baits in the chum slick targeting big snapper, mackerels, barracudas, jacks. Inshore live bait fishing over the reefs for large snappers and big jacks. If the wind is high, we can always go run in the backcountry and target sharks from a kite, which is live bait, top water bite. Big explosion and huge drag pulls!!

Hey, I'm Captain Hoyt Watkins

Summerland Key, United States
Background
I fell in love with fishing at 4 years old and never looked back; I've been fishing all over Florida since. As an Eagle Scout, I began my fishing career with the Boy Scouts of America of Summerland Key in 2012, taking groups of 8 fishing in the nearby waters. I've learned a lot over the years, found tons of fishing grounds in the area, know the seasons and conditions for what target species, and know the waterways well. I've fished with both kids and adults in high and low winds, rain or shine, maintaining a safe, fun fishing experience for all to enjoy. I have been successful and enjoy deep-dropping, wreck fishing, reef fishing, deep-reef, inshore, offshore, tarpon, spearfishing, and kite-fishing…from the waters of Marathon through the Lower Keys, down and around Key West. I want to share my passion and knowledge with my guests and show an incredible, memorable experience to inspire conservation and a love for fishing.
Techniques
Top water predator fishing using large stick baits and huge top water explosion from jacks, barracudas and sharks. Bottom fishing for big snappers and groupers using light tackle conventional reels, thin braided line and lively fresh baits. Drifting live or small dead baits in the chum slick targeting big snapper, mackerels, barracudas, jacks. Inshore live bait fishing over the reefs for large snappers and big jacks. If the wind is high, we can always go run in the backcountry and target sharks from a kite, which is live bait, top water bite. Big explosion and huge drag pulls!!
Our Team
Joseph W.
Captain
Priscilla W.
Captain

My Charter Listing

Excellent
5.0 / 5
(161 reviews)
Summerland Key
 3 bookings in the past week.
Trips from US $500

Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
5.0 / 5
out of 5 stars from 161 reviews
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (264)
Great time !!
Great time !!
great fish catching trip!
+261
Angler rating
158
0
0
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
98%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
98%
Appropriate for children
99%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
100%
Sort by:
Featured  
Showing:
5 of 161 reviews
Peter M.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great time !!

VERIFIED   NEW  4 Hour Trip on June 5, 2026
Captain Hoyt was incredible. He was very knowledgeable about the wildlife we encountered, The fish I caught and he was just...
Peter M. recommends Sandbar Somewhere Charter
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
Peter M. recommends Sandbar Somewhere Charter
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful

Janet C.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Best 18th Birthday Ever!

VERIFIED   NEW  4 Hour Trip on June 6, 2026
Excellent experience from start to finish. The guide was knowledgeable, professional, and made sure we were comfortable and...
Janet C. recommends Sandbar Somewhere Charter
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
Janet C. recommends Sandbar Somewhere Charter
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful

Jennifer L.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Snapper snapper snapper!!!!!

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip on April 1, 2026
My family and I had a fantastic time with Captain Hoyt. We were communicating before the fishing trip because the wind in the...
Jennifer L. recommends Sandbar Somewhere Charter
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
Jennifer L. recommends Sandbar Somewhere Charter
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful

Tom B.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Not so favorable weather conditions.

VERIFIED   NEW  4 Hour Trip on May 17, 2026
Storms rolling through, high winds and choppy seas, the Captain was still able to get us on the fish. My wife and I had a great...
Tom B. recommends Sandbar Somewhere Charter
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
  Hoyt Watkins Captain replied

Mike W.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Couldnโ€™t find a better captain!

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip on November 19, 2025
Captain Hoyte was a joy to spend the day with. His knowledge of not only fishing but local history of the area was outstanding!...
Mike W. recommends Sandbar Somewhere Charter
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
Mike W. recommends Sandbar Somewhere Charter
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful