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Lew Hilgenberg
Lew Hilgenberg
us
Ohio, US
Member since 2021
5.0
Verified

PM Half day with Captain Buddy

Half Day Trip4 adults2 children

I’m not sure how to start this review. Captain buddy has been in the business a long time and you can tell he still loves what he is doing. Fishing was a littl slow at times but the fun and thrill of each catch absolutely made the trip worthwhile. Captain Buddy was kind, great with our kids (12 and 11), taught us exactly how to land the fish we were going for, and never once made us feel like he was there to just collect a pay day. The tropical storm changed our initial plans but Captain Buddy was very accommodating to make sure we got our trip in. My kids had such a great time that they are already talking about doing this again and again. A huge thank you to Captain Buddy for helping make our vacation to the keys this year one we won’t soon forget! -Hilgenberg Family

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Current
Captain Buddy LaPointe
Captain Buddy LaPointe
State licensed
4.9
(299)
21 ft
Group size 1 - 4
1 - 4
Fish 1
Fish 2
+9
4 hour trip • 4 persons
US $695

Rating

4.9
299 reviews
4.9
Boat & Equipment
5.0
Captain & Crew
4.9
Fishing Experience

What anglers say

  • 100%
    Great experience
  • 97%
    Family friendly
  • 100%
    Friendly captain
  • 100%
    Good boat
  • 99%
    Recommended
  • 95%
    Caught fish

All reviews (299)

Showing 1 – 5 of 299 reviews
  • Blane Baker
    Blane Baker
    us
    Indiana, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified
    NEW

    Fantastic excursion with a FANTASTIC Captain

    Half Day Trip • 2 adults

    Captain Buddy was waiting for us at the dock with a smile on his face and was as eager to get out and fish as we were. We fished in the bay where there was snapper, pin, and grouper. He was extemely knowledgeable of the area and of the fish and how to catch them. Captain Buddy is AWESOME. My dad was 66 and he helped him set his bait and made sure the ride wasnt to rough. He let him sit on a cooler too so he didnt have to stand up all the time. If fish werent biting, we would relocate to a knew spot. It was amazing and a truly memorably moment with my dad.

    Reported Catch
    Mangrove Snapper
    Snook
  • Nick Prakas
    Nick Prakas
    us
    Florida, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Captain Buddy Knows His Stuff!

    Half Day Trip (PM) • 2 adults

    We had an incredible morning on the water with Captain Buddy LaPointe! We caught a ton of snapper, and to top it all off, we spent the end of the trip battling a 5-foot lemon shark and got some great photos. Buddy did an outstanding job of teaching us throughout the trip while making sure everyone was having a great time. If you’re looking for a knowledgeable captain who knows how to put you on fish and create a memorable experience, I can’t recommend Buddy enough. We’ll definitely be back!

    Response from Captain

    Thank you Nick for your kind review. I really appreciated the trip, your generous tip, the great photos, and the opportunity to get to share time on the water with you and Jordan. I am already looking forward to our next fishing adventue together. 😃 Til next tide, Capt Buddy

  • Josh Moore
    Josh Moore
    us
    Illinois, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    One word - Awesome!

    Half Day Trip • 3 adults • 1 child

    Had an absolute blast with Captain Buddy in Marathon! My boys (12 and 15) and I are experienced Bass fishermen from northern IL, and Buddy blew us away. He was awesome from the start and put us right on the action. We caught nine different species and ended the day landing two large lemon sharks, which the boys loved. ​Buddy is incredibly friendly and makes you feel like family on the boat. A phenomenal, fantastic experience all around. Book with him—you won't regret it!

  • Tim B
    Tim B
    us
    Texas, US
    Member since 2025
    5.0
    Verified

    Great Half Day of Fishing

    Half Day Trip • 2 adults

    My daughter and I fished the half day (AM trip) with Captain Buddy on Oct 20 and had a great and productive time fishing. Captain Buddy is very friendly, knowledgeable and likes to pass on his experience and tricks to catch the various types of fish. We started off catching snapper that we took some to a local restaurant to cook for dinner and froze the rest. We also caught some houndfish. We moved on to catching some baracuda and my daughter caught a lemon shark about 80 lbs that was exciting to watch her reel in. Lastly, we moved on to try for tarpon. We hooked a couple of sizable tarpon around 15 lbs that snapped the lines after breaching surface but all-in  -all it was a fun time fishing with Captain Buddy. I definitely recommend booking a charter with Captain Buddy.

    Reported Catch
    Great Barracuda
    Mangrove Snapper
    Response from Captain

    Thank you for your kind review Tim. It was fun making memories with the two of you that day. I hope we can get together again on your next visit to the Keys. Capt Buddy

  • Mary Dierbeck
    Mary Dierbeck
    us
    Minnesota, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified
    NEW

    Bucket List trip was over the top!

    Half Day Trip • 2 adults

    Captain Buddy was amazing 👏 took us to fish a couple of places. We caught snapper, grouper, a protected Goliath Grouper plus a lemon shark. Being a novice, Buddy kept me baited up and cast the line for me. It was "over the top"...so fun, just do it!

    Reported Catch
    Goliath Grouper
    Mangrove Snapper