I apologise for not getting this review in sooner and for it’s length, but I wanted to make sure I found the right words to express my families experience with Captain Del Rio.  Prior to our vacation I searched FishingBooker, Google, and several other areas for reviews on different fishing companies in the Marco Island area. After taking everything into consideration (reviews, pricing, availability, etc) we decided on Captain Del Rio…..and we couldn’t be happier!!

Pre Trip: I contacted Captain Del Rio shortly after booking our trip 3 months before our vacation and received a response within hours.  Throughout the lead up to our trip I messaged him with questions, items to bring, what to expect and just to see how fishing had been going.  He was quick to respond each and every time with helpful information, clear directions and nice pictures.  He made sure we were comfortable with everything that was going to happen and made sure we came prepared for the late July Florida weather.

Trip: Captain Del Rio made sure the weather was decent (as mush as possible for Florida in July) before having us meet him at the public boat launch.  The launch is public, but has well maintained facilities, plenty of free parking and is convenient to anywhere in Marco Island.  Captain Del Rio was on time, ready to go and got us out to the fish quickly.  His boat and fishing equipment are clean, fast, well maintained and plenty big enough for all four of us to fish.

We were not experienced fisherman by any means (especially my 2 sons), but Captain Del Rio had us catching fish within minutes of setting anchor.  We started by trying for Spanish Mackerel, but ended up filling our live well with bait fish. After we tried several other spots looking for Snook, Redfish, or anything else we could find.  However, our luck was short lived and soon we were just waiting.  The fish, the weather, the full moon, who knows what else but everything was not co-operating.  Captain Del Rio still made it fun and taught us all some new things.  Unfortunately, the weather got the best of that day and caused our trip to be cut short.  The disappointment of ending early and not catching the “big” fish everyone was looking for was as thick as the Florida air.  Captain Del Rio had done everything he could, including trying any and all special spots he knew.  The lightning had made it unsafe to fish or even return to the boat launch we got picked up from, and although it was awkward taking a Lyft/Uber from Captain Del Rio’s home I am thankful he didn’t take any chances with my families safety!

Post Trip: This in my opinion was were Captain Del Rio was the best!  Not that his fishing skills weren’t great, but he handled a disappointed group (especially a 6 year old) as well as anyone could have.  We all knew it is “fishing” not “catching” no matter what any captain will say and were happy with the fish we had seen, but ending early was a buzz kill.

This is not where our story ended though.  Captain Del Rio reached out the next day to apologise for the fish not biting and the weather, none of which he had any control over.  He made it clear he was known for “catching” and felt bad we didn’t get to do that.  He knew getting to Marco Island was special for us and we might not be back soon, so he offered (if weather permitted) to take me and my sons (my father in law had already returned to Denver) back out fishing before we left.  This was no guarantee as he had clients each day and the weather is always an issue in July, but he made the offer which he didn’t have to do and most other captains wouldn’t have done.

The day before we left, Captain Del Rio texted and said if we could be at the boat launch at 3 pm he would “like to fish with us.”  I knew before this message, but the way he phrased that text made me sure I had picked the right guy for my families fishing trip.  Our first trip ended roughly an hour early because of the weather. Captain Del Rio took us fishing again for over 3 hours and this time we went “catching.”  He taught us even more, had us laughing and helped us (mainly me) remember through song that “everything is great…because I am on vacation!!” It truly was the laugh I needed at the end of a stressful but enjoyable family vacation.

Overall…..I couldn’t recommend Captain Del Rio enough! Not only can you get a truly skilled fishing captain that will ensure your safety and enjoyment, you might end up with a friend just like my family did!