Frequently Asked Questions on Orlando Fishing

Tipping and Gratuities

What kind of fishing do you do?

Where are you located?

How many people can you take?

Where and When do we meet?

What do I need to bring?

Can I bring my own fishing gear?

What are your rates for fishing trips?

When is Captain Keith Available?

What happens if the weather is bad?

What is the refund policy for cancellations other than weather?

Does Captain Keith have a "No Fish, No Pay" Guarantee?

How should I dress?

Can I keep fish?

Can I have a trophy fish mounted?

What restroom facilities are provided on The MTC?

Where are good places to stay in the area?

Can I bring alcohol on The MTC?

Does Captain Keith use bait, lures, or flies?

Tipping and Gratuities

I’m not sure how to approach this topic, but I’m asked about tipping so often I felt I should address it.  First, the most important thing to me is that I am thrilled you picked me to charter with—I know there are plenty of alternatives!  Second, it is important to me that you have a good time on our fishing trip.  Those are the two top things in my mind.

Tipping has become a standard in the industry, with some guides “measuring their success” by how much their tip is.  In my mind, a tip is secondary, but indicates that you think I performed in an exemplary manner in all aspects of the day.  My charter fees cover the cost of running my business, but with a minimum of actual personal income.  Without a tip I am basically  making not much more than minimum wage, so the tip becomes a serious part of my income.

Also remember that I often put in 12 hours of work for giving you an 8-hour charter, and for me it is a reward for a job well done.

In our industry it is also common to tip particularly well if you hook a challenging fish like a tarpon or sailfish, or any unusually special fish like a very large one or your best fish ever.

How much is appropriate?  I’ll leave that to you, and I have had clients that tipped little and others that tipped extravagantly, yet I believe they all had a great experience.  What is average?  Around 15%-20%, but it is up to you, and I am just happy you are fishing with me!

What kind of fishing do you do?

Captain Keith specializes in saltwater fishing only!  He feels that a guide can give you a true quality fishing experience only by specializing in a certain type of fishing.  He fishes Inshore for Redfish and Seatrout on the flats year-round, and nearshore for Tarpon, Kings, and more during the summer.  You can find more detailed descriptions of these types of fishing on the Info-Rates Page.

Where are you located?

For both Inshore fishing on the Flats, and Nearshore fishing out of Canaveral, the fishing grounds are located about 45 minutes to one hour from Orlando.  The places we will meet will vary depending on the weather and fish movements, but in general we will fish the Titusville area if we are fishing inshore, and Port Canaveral if we are fishing nearshore.

How many people can you take?

The MTC will legally hold three anglers and the captain, but only two anglers are recommended.  Top-of-the-line flats boats like The MTC  are designed to be small and get into shallow water quietly and will not hold a large party.   

If you have a larger party Captain Keith can set up other boats and captains to work with us on that day.  See more details on the Info-Rates Page.

Where and When do we meet?

Captain Keith will have you contact him a day or two before the charter to arrange a meeting place.  The actual launch sites vary day-to-day depending on weather, fishing pressure, and fish behavior.  Typical start times are 6:30 am for morning charters and 1:00 pm for afternoon charters, however, this will also change based on sunrise times, moon phases, and weather.

What do I need to bring?

Bring whatever you would like to snack on or drink during your charter (water, some snacks, Ice and cooler are provided--no coolers please due to the limited space on The MTC), sunscreen, polarized sunglasses and a hat.  You also might want to bring a camera.  Nearly everything else is provided, including fishing gear, lures, premium bait, and licenses.

Can I bring my own fishing gear?

Sure!  But please be aware that specific types of gear work best in this challenging fishing environment, and Captain Keith's gear is excellent and designed to maximize your chances at catching these wary fish.  If you do wish to use your own gear please let Captain Keith know so that he makes room on the boat.

What are your rates for fishing trips?

The rates vary depending on time of the charter and type of charter, and the details can be found on the Info-Rates Page. 

When is Captain Keith available?

The fishing in the area is year-round, with trophy gamefish a possibility on any day of the year.  However, Captain Keith tends to book up early, so make your reservations as early as you can.  You can easily request a charter by going to the Contact Us to Book a Charter page.

What do I need to do to reserve a date?

Go to the Contact Us to Book a CHarter page and get in touch with Captain Keith so that you and captain Keith can determine a date and details for your trip.  After you have a date, a $100 deposit is required to hold it.  This deposit can be paid  online through the secure PayPal system (you do not need a PayPal account, just a credit card and we don't ever see your number) or by check, which saves you the $10 processing fee.  The details for deposits are on the Info-Rates Page.

What happens if the weather is bad?

If we have inclement weather on the day of the charter, Captain Keith will discuss the options with you and a decision will be made.  If it is just uncomfortable, but safe, and there is a reasonable chance of catching fish, then the charter will go forward.  If you had planned on going Nearshore, but Inshore is still fishable on the flats, then the charter will move Inshore.  If there is ANY safety issue the charter will be cancelled, and all deposits and payments will be refunded.

What is the refund policy for cancellations other than weather?

If Captain Keith cancels the trip for any reason you will be given the option to go with another experienced captain that Captain Keith will arrange, or he will refund your deposit.  If you cancel the trip ten days or more before the charter date your deposit will be refunded, and if less than ten days it will be credited towards another date within a year.

Does Captain Keith have a "No Fish, No Pay" guarantee?

No.  This is because there are unscrupulous captains in our area that have abused this policy by fishing for small or non-game species, or actually fishing themselves to make sure the boat gets a fish!  A top captain does not need to use gimmicks to attract clients, nor do the fishing for them.  Most clients are aware that fishing changes day-to-day, with many variables to contend with, and a top captain will do his best to get you on fish.  While Captain Keith does not have a "Guarantee", he is known for being very experienced (many tricks in his bag), extremely successful, with "skunks" being extremely rare!

How should I dress?

You are in Florida!  Most of the year it is warm and you can dress in your favorite warm-weather fishing clothes or the same thing you would wear to a beach--feel free to catch some rays!  For the summer, items that are comfortable in heat and humidity, such as light fishing clothes or swimming suits, are suggested.  You will not usually be fishing close to any other boats, so high fashion is not a requirement.  In the winter you may need a jacket, and if windy or rainy weather is predicted, a rain-suit will make you more comfortable.

Can I keep fish?

No.  Captain Keith runs a Catch and Release charter service.  If you want a trophy mounted, Captain Keith works with some top-notch taxidermists that use modern techniques that do not require you to kill your trophy.

Can I have a trophy fish mounted?

Absolutely!  It is a great memento of your day.  In our modern age we no longer keep fish in order to have them mounted.  Let Captain Keith know that you want your trophy mounted and he will take the proper measurements and pictures required to give the needed information to the taxidermist.  The fish is then released, a taxidermist is selected (if you do not have your own Captain Keith will be happy to refer you to an honest, talented taxidermist), and you will get your trophy mount! 

What restroom facilities are provided on The MTC?

On the MTC there are no facilities, however, privacy arrangements are easily made to handle all types of requirements, and for even the most finicky we are usually no more than 20 minutes from a "proper" facility.

Where are good places to stay in the area?

In Orlando there is a Plethora of places to stay.  The same holds true for Cocoa Beach which is right near the fishing areas.  If you want to stay right where the fishing is, then here are some nice hotels in Titusville.

Hampton Inn Titusville/I95 Kennedy Space Center

Can I bring alcohol on The MTC?

Capt. Keith allows alcohol on The MTC, but there are a few considerations.  First, nothing can be in glass bottles, but must be in cans or plastic.  This is a requirement of the Canaveral National Seashore area where we do most of our fishing, plus a basic boating safety rule.  Secondly, Capt. Keith asks you to please consume alcohol sparingly due to its dehydration effects, an increase in seasickness, and the inherent danger of being inebriated on a boat brings--especially when you are dealing with sharp hooks and big, mean fish!

Does Captain Keith use bait, lures, or flies?

All of them!  After chasing these fish for over 30 years, I consider myself multi-dimensional.  I can fish challenging flies with expert anglers that appreciate the skills an experienced fly-fishing captain can bring, but I also can fish with bait for either less-experienced anglers or for other reasons such as poor weather conditions or targeting trophy-sized fish.  Whether you want to fish lures, flies, or baits, I can handle them all, and I'm always prepared to do what is necessary to give my clients a great day!

Fishing near Orlando, Florida!