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Hoyt Watkins
Captain

Hoyt Watkins

Summerland Key, United States
100+ reviews
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.
Joseph W.
Joseph W.
Captain
Priscilla W.
Priscilla W.
Captain

Charter

Rating

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

What anglers say

98%
Good experience
100%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
99%
Appropriate for children
100%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish

All reviews (174)

Showing 1 – 5 of 174 reviews
  • Wendy Plew
    Wendy Plew
    us
    Michigan, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    An Unforgettable and Personalized Family Fishing Trip!

    4 Hour Trip • 4 adults • 1 child

    We had an amazing charter fishing trip with Captain Hoyt! We caught lots of mangrove snapper, and one of our kids even caught a shark! We also saw dolphins and turtles, which made the day even more memorable. After we caught all our fish, Captain Hoyt took us to an island where we could swim and relax. He was patient, attentive, and happy to tailor the day to whatever our family preferred. It was a very personalized experience and absolutely worth it. By far, this was one of the best fishing experiences we’ve ever had. We highly recommend Captain Hoyt and can’t wait to go again!

    Reported catch:
    Mangrove Snapper
  • Paige Hopewell
    Paige Hopewell
    us
    Indiana, US
    Member since 2021
    5.0
    Verified

    Awesome trip for kids and adults with lots of fish!

    4 Hour Trip • 4 adults • 3 children

    This was a great experience for our family. Captain Hoyt was amazing with the kids...super patient and attentive (kids aged 13, 13 and 11). I don't know how many lines he happily baited for us today. We caught enough mangrove snapper for a delicious dinner for 5 (dad stayed back but loved the dinner) as well as a big barracuda, lizard fish (a first for us) as well as other species. He also stopped to show us a wreck on the way back. And we saw some turtles! On the way back to homebase, one of my twins said he knew it was going to be fun, but today's charter was way more fun than he ever expected. We are already planning our next trip back down so we can go back out with Captain Hoyt.

    Reported catch:
    Great Barracuda
    Mangrove Snapper
    Response from Captain

    thank you very much for the review. glad you had a wonderful trip 😊

  • Peter Moceo
    Peter Moceo
    us
    Georgia, US
    Member since 2023
    5.0
    Verified

    Great time !!

    4 Hour Trip • 2 adults

    Captain Hoyt was incredible. He was very knowledgeable about the wildlife we encountered, The fish I caught and he was just a super nice guy. If I lived down there, he and I would probably be friends. My wife and I felt like we knew him forever. The weather was overcast and we ran into a rain storm on the way back and got soaked - we laughed the whole way back. In all fairness it rained all week and the sun didn’t come out until we left on Saturday. Captain Hoyt, made the trip even when it rained. What a great time we had. I will request him again and tell all my friends if they go down that way, ask for Captain Hoyt ….

    Reported catch:
    Mangrove Snapper
    Mutton Snapper
    Lane Snapper
  • Janet Carpenter
    Janet Carpenter
    us
    Florida, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Best 18th Birthday Ever!

    4 Hour Trip • 3 adults

    Excellent experience from start to finish. The guide was knowledgeable, professional, and made sure we were comfortable and prepared. The boat was clean,well-maintained, and well equipped. We were able to catch multiple fish. Overall, the 4-hour trip was well worth it and exceeded our expectations. I would highly recommend this fishing guide to anyone looking for a great day on the water, whether you're new to fishing or a seasoned angler. I look forward to booking another trip in the future. Justin Mahaffey, Jr.

    Reported catch:
    Mangrove Snapper
    Great Barracuda
    Lemon Shark
  • Gerald Joseph
    Gerald Joseph
    us
    Michigan, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    first goliath

    6 Hour Trip • 2 adults

    The trip started slow but capt hoyt knew all the spots. left the slow spot and hit fish immediately. filled the cooler full of snapper, a couple grunts and some speckled. then we shot over to the grouper spot. caught my first goliath after a hefty fight. caught a ton more snapper and red grouper. then my wife had a huge goliath on she fought for 30 mins on light tackle. awesome trip. cool captain. now we are eating our fresh catch at tonio’s which was awesome

Real catches shared by our community

  • Sandbar Somewhere Charter
    Sandbar Somewhere CharterSummerland Key, FL
    Adult angler holding a large spotted grouper aboard a boat in clear coastal waters.
    Fish 1
    Red Grouper
    Jill G.
    Jill G.
    we has the beat time .. caught a variety of fish Absolute best fishing trip highly recommmed
  • Sandbar Somewhere Charter
    Sandbar Somewhere CharterSummerland Key, FL
    Angler proudly holding a large grouper aboard a fishing boat in open coastal waters.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    Red Grouper
    Snappers and groupers out in the gulf . What a great time with this couple from Ohio
  • Sandbar Somewhere Charter
    Sandbar Somewhere CharterSummerland Key, FL
    Large display of multiple reef fish arranged on an iced dockside fillet table, with an angler partially visible beside the catch.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    +1
    Mangrove Snapper
    Jim Z.
    Jim Z.
    great from booking to finish ultimate professional highly recommended will definitely book with Capt Hoyt again
  • Sandbar Somewhere Charter
    Sandbar Somewhere CharterSummerland Key, FL
    Angler proudly displaying a freshly caught fish while enjoying a day on the water.
    Fish 1
    Mangrove Snapper
    Preston W.
    Preston W.
    Had a great time with Captain Hoyt. He was super knowledgeable, not only about fishing, but about the surrounding area He was very professional got us on some mangrove snapper quick I highly recommend him!
  • Sandbar Somewhere Charter
    Sandbar Somewhere CharterSummerland Key, FL
    A young angler is reeling in a shark while fishing from a boat, showcasing an exciting moment on the water.
    Fish 1
    Hammerhead Shark
    Wendy P.
    Wendy P.
    We had an amazing charter fishing trip with Captain Hoyt! We caught lots of mangrove snapper, and one of our kids even caught a shark! We also saw dolphins and turtles, which made the day even more memorable. After we caught all our fish, Captain Hoyt took us to an island where we could swim and relax. He was patient, attentive, and happy to tailor the day to whatever our family preferred. It was a very personalized experience and absolutely worth it. By far, this was one of the best fishing experiences we’ve ever had. We highly recommend Captain Hoyt and can’t wait to go again!
  • Sandbar Somewhere Charter
    Sandbar Somewhere CharterSummerland Key, FL
    Angler actively fishing from a boat in open coastal waters with a rod and reel.
    Melissa .
    Melissa .
    Our family had a great day on the water with Captain Hoyt. The highlight was our 19 year old son catching a 7ft lemon shark. Thanks Captain!
  • Sandbar Somewhere Charter
    Sandbar Somewhere CharterSummerland Key, FL
    A young angler proudly displaying a large Barracuda while fishing with family on a boat.
    Fish 1
    Great Barracuda
    Paige H.
    Paige H.
    This was a great experience for our family. Captain Hoyt was amazing with the kids...super patient and attentive (kids aged 13, 13 and 11). I don't know how many lines he happily baited for us today. We caught enough mangrove snapper for a delicious dinner for 5 (dad stayed back but loved the dinner) as well as a big barracuda, lizard fish (a first for us) as well as other species. He also stopped to show us a wreck on the way back. And we saw some turtles! On the way back to homebase, one of my twins said he knew it was going to be fun, but today's charter was way more fun than he ever expected. We are already planning our next trip back down so we can go back out with Captain Hoyt.
  • Sandbar Somewhere Charter
    Sandbar Somewhere CharterSummerland Key, FL
    A young angler proudly displaying a large Snapper while fishing on a boat in clear blue waters.
    Fish 1
    Mutton Snapper
    One big ol lemon shark and a cooler full of mangroves to eat what a great 4 hr trip .
  • Sandbar Somewhere Charter
    Sandbar Somewhere CharterSummerland Key, FL
    An angler proudly displaying a freshly caught fish while fishing on a boat in open waters.
    Fish 1
    Red Grouper
    Peter M.
    Peter M.
    Captain Hoyt was incredible. He was very knowledgeable about the wildlife we encountered, The fish I caught and he was just a super nice guy. If I lived down there, he and I would probably be friends. My wife and I felt like we knew him forever. The weather was overcast and we ran into a rain storm on the way back and got soaked - we laughed the whole way back. In all fairness it rained all week and the sun didn’t come out until we left on Saturday. Captain Hoyt, made the trip even when it rained. What a great time we had. I will request him again and tell all my friends if they go down that way, ask for Captain Hoyt ….
  • Sandbar Somewhere Charter
    Sandbar Somewhere CharterSummerland Key, FL
    Two anglers proudly displaying a large Grouper caught during a fishing trip in clear waters.
    Fish 1
    Gag Grouper
    Alan K.
    Alan K.
    Captain Hoyt was an awesome host and even though it was pretty windy he still put us on lots of fish and made us very comfortable

What's biting with Sandbar Somewhere Charter in Summerland Key

Top catches for November

Fishing reports

Adult angler holding a snapper aboard a small center-console fishing boat in clear coastal waters.

Gulf Snappers and Groupers with Ohio Gue

Nov 3, 2026 • Summerland Key
Snappers and groupers out in the gulf . What a great time with this couple from Ohio
Show more
A young angler proudly displaying a large Snapper while fishing on a boat in clear blue waters.

Summer sharks and snapper

Jun 6, 2026 • Summerland Key
One big ol lemon shark and a cooler full of mangroves to eat what a great 4 hr trip .
Show more
A family enjoying a successful fishing trip, with a young angler proudly holding a fish on a calm day out on the water.

Kentucky Gentlemen and big snappers

Apr 7, 2026 • Summerland Key
Great day of bent rods for this family fishing trip . Lots of mangroves snappers a couple botten head sharks . Non stop action . And beautiful spring weather. These are the trips that people remember for a life time .
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A variety of fish, including Snapper, displayed on ice at a cleaning station by the water's edge.

Mangroves attack

Aug 7, 2025 • Summerland Key
Killer moring filling the box with tasty treats !!!
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Angler proudly displaying a freshly caught Snapper while fishing on a sunny day in open waters.

Snappers and claim seas

Apr 1, 2025 • Summerland Key
The last round of fishing trips brought in a wide variety of species on light tackle rods. Lots of wonderful snappers were caught . Mangroves are starting to move around so the big ones are show face now. Steady action for all ages .
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A fish is seen breaking the surface of the water while being reeled in during a fishing trip, showcasing the excitement of the catch.

Released grouper. Fun days

Feb 3, 2025 • Summerland Key
Got to play tug of war with some nice groupers. They all swam free . And we got a mixed bag of snappers as well what a grwat day.
Show more