Carl Bish
Captain

Carl Bish

Marathon, Sjedinjene Države
100+ reviews
I earned my first Captain’s License at the age of 20 and immediately began operating charters on the Great Lakes. On Lake Ontario, we fished for King Salmon, Steelhead, Atlantic Salmon, and Lake Trout. Walleye ruled Lake Erie, so we went after them, while Smallmouth Bass always made for a fun trip. During the offseason, I taught science at a high school. The two careers soon became complementary, as I focused on providing family-oriented trips designed to introduce children to sport fishing. I ran this service each summer during the fishing season until selling it in 2015 and moving to the Florida Keys. Here in the Keys, I continue to focus on family-oriented fishing in a relaxed, “go out and have fun” style. I enjoy educating families about the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and the surrounding ecosystem. Onboard, our goal is to fish up the food chain, or as our slogan says: “Start with a shrimp… end with a monster!”

Charter

Rating

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

What anglers say

98%
Dobro iskustvo
100%
Prijatan kapetan
100%
Preporučite ovaj čarter
98%
Prikladno za decu
100%
Zadovoljni brodom
96%
Uhvate ribe

All reviews (230)

Showing 1 – 5 of 230 reviews
  • Jason Burrell
    Jason Burrell
    us
    Florida, Сједињене Државе
    Član od 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Fishing with Carl

    3 Hr – Morning Family Fishing • 2 adults

    Took my son fishing for the first time in the keys. Capt. was great , very professional , on time, communicated with me the night before on where to meet and check for any needs. Trip went great put us on fish, assisted throughout the whole trip. Would definitely recommend.

    Reported catch:
    Yellowtail Snapper
    Response from Captain

    I appreciate your business. It was a pleasure fishing with your crew!!!

  • Jeremy  Tompkins
    Jeremy Tompkins
    us
    Florida, Сједињене Државе
    Član od 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Fun trip with Cap’t Carl

    3 Hr – Morning Family Fishing • 4 adults

    Even though it was a tough day on the water, Captain Carl took us to spots that still produced some great fish! We went home with enough to eat and more, all while having fun along the way.

    Reported catch:
    Mangrove Snapper
    Response from Captain

    Thank you for choosing to fish with Foodchain Fishing, it was a pleasure spending the morning on the water with your crew!!!

  • Steve Snyder
    Steve Snyder
    us
    Severna Karolina, Сједињене Државе
    Član od 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Great Keys fishing!

    3 Hr – Morning Family Fishing • 1 adult

    Capt Carl put me on fish right away and taught me much. Lots of info on local waters and describing the various rigs used. Recommended local eateries as well. 10 out of 10 experience.

    Reported catch:
    Yellowtail Snapper
    Response from Captain

    Steve, thank you for choosing Foodchain Fishing. I had a good time fishing with you!

  • Joseph Sanfilippo
    Joseph Sanfilippo
    us
    Njujork, Сједињене Државе
    Član od 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    great captain!

    3 Hr – Morning Family Fishing • 4 adults • 1 child

    I've been on lots f charter boats and cappy carl is one of the best! do not hesitate to book you trip with him especially if you have young kids!!

    Response from Captain

    Thank you for choosing Foodchain Fishing!

  • Ryan Wilkinson
    Ryan Wilkinson
    Repeat angler
    us
    Konektikat, Сједињене Државе
    Član od 2018
    2 putovanja
    5.0
    Verified

    Great Day!

    Half Day Trip (PM) • 2 adults

    Captain Carl took my wife and I out into the Gulf and provided an amazing day of fishing. It was clear to the both of us that Captain Carl had a vast knowledge of the waters and of fishing in general. He was always proactive with moving to a new spot if we weren’t catching any fish at our current location. He was quick to share his knowledge of the biodiversity present in the keys, and the history behind the islands. The day progressed to a point where the Captain and my wife had a system down where she would catch the fish, swing it over the gunnel, Capt would take it off and re-bait the hook, and she was back fishing within the minute. We were able to limit out on Mangrove snapper, and even hooked up to a monster grouper! Capt made the day feel less like a charter booked through a website, and more like an afternoon fishing with a friend. This day truly made our honeymoon even better and is a day we won’t soon forget!

    Response from Captain

    Thank you for choosing to spend time on your honeymoon to fish with me! Wish you both the best and I look forward to fishing with you again in the future!

Real catches shared by our community

  • Foodchain Fishing
    Foodchain FishingMarathon, FL
    Fun trip with Cap’t Carl
    Jeremy  T.
    Jeremy T.
  • Foodchain Fishing
    Foodchain FishingMarathon, FL
    Capt. Carl was awesome!
    Zach M.
    Zach M.
  • Foodchain Fishing
    Foodchain FishingMarathon, FL
    Great time
    Ted G.
    Ted G.
  • Foodchain Fishing
    Foodchain FishingMarathon, FL
    Food Chain: our catch straight to the table!
    Joel B.
    Joel B.
  • Foodchain Fishing
    Foodchain FishingMarathon, FL
    Captain Carl was the best!
    Nicholas F.
    Nicholas F.
  • Foodchain Fishing
    Foodchain FishingMarathon, FL
    Lots of fish and great day on the water
    Kris D.
    Kris D.
  • Foodchain Fishing
    Foodchain FishingMarathon, FL
    Absolutely great for what we were looking for.
    Dan T.
    Dan T.
  • Foodchain Fishing
    Foodchain FishingMarathon, FL
    Great Day!
    Ryan W.
    Ryan W.
  • Foodchain Fishing
    Foodchain FishingMarathon, FL
    Great fishing!
    Brian P.
    Brian P.
  • Foodchain Fishing
    Foodchain FishingMarathon, FL
    Great time fishing near Marathon
    Matthew B.
    Matthew B.

What's biting with Foodchain Fishing in Marathon

Kiša konačno popušta u oktobru, a temperatura se vraća na razumnih 29 stepeni. Tuna je u ovo doba godine na vrhuncu, sa Yellowfin i Blackfin vrstama koje dobro grizu na pučini, dok su Tarpon i Snook i dalje brojni u plićacima.

Top catches for oktobar

Fishing reports

A large grouper is being reeled in during a fishing trip, showcasing the excitement of the catch in clear blue waters.

Mangroves and Sharks: Keys Morning Bite

sep 26, 2026 • Marathon
Our Central Florida crew came with two requests: mangroves for the dinner table and sharks for the ladies. Mission accomplished! We even had some bonus entertainment, with feeding dolphins on the way out and a sea turtle stopping by for a visit. We worked our way up the FOOD CHAIN, caught everything prescribed and then some. Just another beautiful fall morning fishing the Florida Keys!
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A young angler proudly displaying a large Permit caught during a fishing trip on a boat.

Foodchain Fishing focused on families!

maj 18, 2024 • Marathon
We had three **hidden content** trips this week. All three were evening trips with great fishing. Our 3-4 hour trips are just enough time to catch dinner and enjoy a fantastic Florida Keys sunset. We found plenty of snapper and caught several sharks, some sea trout and even a couple of African Pompano! Most of the fish gobbled up shrimp or chunks of Ballyhoo,
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A variety of fish, including several species of bass, neatly laid out on a cleaning table, showcasing a successful fishing trip.

Big Winter Snapper on the Calm Side of M

feb 14, 2024 • Marathon
The weather this year has been challenging. We have had a lot of wind here in the Florida Keys, some weeks we have only been able to fish a day or two. Foodchain Fishing has made it our craft to fish the Gulf side of Marathon in the winter time. We have perfected techniques to catch plenty of Mangrove (Gray) Snapper, Mackerel and Yellowjacks for the dining pleasures of our clients. We also regularly tie into large sharks or Goliath Grouper for the sport of it. Our clients really enjoy the consistent action on light tackle as well as the calmer water that is found on the Gulf side this time of year. We are finding the fish on the grass patches north of Marathon. The technique that is the most fun is throwing a baited jig on a 15 pound leader out into the chum slick. As the bait sinks the smaller fish bat the bait around attracting the attention of the larger snapper. The snapper shoots in and grabs the bait and swims off, as the line is stripping from the open spool the patient fisherperson waits until they believe the fish has eaten the bait and then simply closes the bail, as the line draws tight the sharp hook finds its mark and the fight is on! Today the bite was mostly Snapper, and big snapper at that, so we just stayed right with them. Other days the Mackerel show up in the chum slick and we will cast bucktail jigs tipped with bait and retrieve it rapidly, enticing vicious strikes and ballistic runs. At the end of every trip our clients are happy with the fun fishing action and thankful that they had fished on the calm side of Marathon.
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Two anglers proudly displaying a catch of Mahi Mahi on a cleaning table after a successful night fishing trip.

Birthday Fishing

feb 12, 2024 • Marathon
This couple from Michigan fished a short 3 hour sunset trip. What could be a better gift for your husband than a saltwater fishing trip? This crew enjoyed me fishing with the wife while the birthday boy was allowed to “fend” for himself. I’d say he did okay!!!
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A young angler proudly displaying a large Grouper while fishing on a boat, showcasing a beautiful day on the water.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year 2024

dec 27, 2023 • Marathon
Good fishing on the calmer gulf side this week! This great fishing will continue through the winter!
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A family poses with their catch of several Snapper displayed on a table after a successful fishing trip.

Fall winds, dropping temps hot Snapper B

okt 19, 2023 • Marathon
Mom, dad and daughters alwys make for an exciting trip. Autumn winds have arrived so to keep our crews comfortable and provide a good time we used the island geography of our area to our advantage. Our trip started with an 11 mile run out to a group of islands to the north west. Oit first spot was on the windward side of the island. The island was diverting the direction of the tide and we immediately noticed the presence of much cooler water. We pulled the throttle back in 4 feet of water and the idled in a bit closer, finally dropping the anchor in about 30 inches of water. The bite was slow at first with lots of weeds. We changed up the tactics and put a bobber on the 8 year olds rod. Within 20 minutes of dropping the chum bag we were yelling " Bobber Down"! Things got busy as we converted the other lines from jigging to bobbers. Meanwhile we had a few sharks circling our boat so we threw a bait out on the heavy lifter. Back on the bobber side of the boat the young girls bobber went down the reel started screaming then the bopper went 6 feet into the air as a monster tarpon let us know that he meant business. The fight was short lived as the 12# snapper leader did not stand a chance against the beast. Returning to snapper fishing and adding a few to the bucket. Action was hot and on the shark side of the boat we saw a huge swirl then a plume of mud but the sharck rod did not move. The shark sliced the 11 inch bait right behind the hook leaving just the head. Replaced the bait and it was not long until the drag on the heavy lifter was singing. The shark was a small blacktip much smaller than the larger lemon we had seen earlier. With big predators in our slick the snapper bite shut off so we deicided to make a move to the deeper, leeward side of the island. The ladies were really getting a kick out of fishing with the bobbers, so we adjusted the hook to bobber lead and the action continued. Our 8 year old fishing champion nailed the biggest snapper of the trip. As a captain I really enjoy a family trip like this where the skill level varies and we can facilitate the fun of fishing for the entire crew.
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