Reviews

Early Bird Does Not Disappoint! Can't Wait to Return!

Once again, Captain Ross put us on the fish! My daughter caught her first yellow tail after the mate and captain taught her great finesse technique! We dined on several delicious recipes of our fish at a local restaurant that evening. I thought it could get no better until we caught some mahi mahi and later took a sunset cruise where Capt. Ross grilled our catch for the most beautiful sunset and delicious meal I could imagine! This is the best!!! Can't wait to return!!!

Suzanne N

Awesome fishing and hospitality!

We took a trip down to Islamorado in early September and Chartered the Early Bird with Captain Ross for a full day and a half day. Both days he put us right on top of the fish. The first day we caught a black fin tuna and caught our limit in Mahi Mahi. The second day we fished yellowtail and the mate taught us the finesse of catching them. We saw so many fish under the boat it seemed like we were looking at a natural aquarium. On our second night, the captain treated us to a beautiful sunset cruise and we grilled the fish we caught that day right on the back of the boat. All in all it was an amazing trip, and we couldn't have asked for a better Captain and Crew. Highly recommend this charter!

Elizabeth N

Great day of fishing with a knowledgable competent captain

Had a great day out on the water. Caught a lot of fish and the captain was very knowledgeable and friendly. When things got hectic and we had a lot of fish on captain didn't loose his cool and kept the fish coming in. Definitely recommend Early bird to anyone.

Thekidd

Do Not Miss This Opportunity ! ! !

3 of us took a "FULL DAY CHARTER" with Capt. Ross and his mate, Justin; two (2) guys who knew what they were doing. We left on time, were "bait-happy" in no time flat, and had our first Blackfin Tuna in the boat by 9:15; the sailfish that was professionally landed in the boat came a few hours later. Charter fishing isn't cheap, but for that "ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME" (or more) DO NOT MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY ! ! ! Granted, you can only crank in what takes the hook, and that varies from month to month. Capt. Ross was great at pre-charter reservations and asked SPECIFICALLY what we were interested in. He happily obliged. There were no errors, mistakes, or omissions in our charter and we are SO HAPPY that we hooked up with Capt. Ross and Justin. And he hooked us up with more than what we could have expected - even when the fishing was good! WE HAD A BLAST! Hopefully we can go again, and when we do, we will only be calling on Capt. Ross and Early Bird. They also filleted our catch on the dock and recommended a great place to have the tuna and dolphin prepared. Space is at a premium on the Early Bird; talk with Capt. Ross about the number of people you would like to bring. 3 or 4 people is good. More might be possible, but crowded. I only wish Trip Advisor had a 6th Green Dot...

Scott

Couldn't have had it any better!

My two buddies and I decided one night to get on a plane and head to somewhere warm and check things out. None of us have ever been fishing in this way at all. We meet captain Ross on the docks and the rest was history. Took us shark fishing the first night and we told him you get us on a shark and we will go fishing the next day also. He got us our shark then took us out the next morning First mate Justin came along and it was nothing short of a first class fishing trip with some awesome laid back guys who you could obviously tell new there stuff Caught three sail fish which we thought was cool and when we got back got told by everyone else on the dock that was awesome because no one else caught anything at all as this time of year it's slow. We will be back again soon and recommend the early bird to everyone!!

Hotrod

Top Shelf & Off the Charts !!!!

Unbelievable experience Spring Break 2014 on a fishing charter with my 2 boys (ages 13 & 11) onboard the charter boat Early Bird (sweet boat) with Captain Ross Early and his mate! I've billfished the coastal waters off Ocean City, MD, Virginia Beach, VA and Moorehead City, NC (giant bluefin tuna during winter months) with some of the Mid-Atlantic's best (and BIG NAME tournament winners) over the last 30+ years. With that being said, Captain Ross ranks right up there with the East Coast's best! He and is mate worked their tail's off, were so professional, knowledgable and quite polite. Needless to say, my boys and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and our day on the Early Bird with Captain Ross. We are in the process of planning our 2015 trip to Islamorada and will obviously book him as our 1st choice once again to take us fishing.

Jim Trimble

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Jim T

The beauty and "art" of kite fishing on The Early Bird!

Once again, we had an incredible experience with Captain Ross and his mate, Mikey! We booked 1 full day and 2 half days the week we were in the keys. The first full day was an experience of a life time! We were fishing for Sails that begin coming to the keys this time of year, using kites off of both riggers. This technique requires constant management and control of the lines, presenting live baits in a natural way, to lure the Pelagic fish, which have keen eyesight. Kite fishing is a great technique for targeting all types of species. Mahi mahi, tuna, wahoo, sailfish and marlin will all be attracted to the live bait that is strategically kept at the surface. It will also increase chances of witnessing the strike which adds to the fun. Captain Ross and Mikey worked in tandem, as in directing an orchestra, to help us hook 6 Sailfish, with the kites that morning. Unfortunately, I lost one, only to have a Mako Shark turn that one into brunch in a couple of bites - Incredible! After the excitement of watching the kites/balloons and releasing 5 Sails, we also caught Blackfin Tuna, Mahi Mahi and a number of other meat fish which make delicious meals. The other two half days were also successful with more great fishing! We ended the week on a perfect note being invited to participate in the annual blessing of the fleet - very moving. This place is amazingly beautiful and the best place to fish, especially with such a talented captain and mate! It's true, The Early Bird does get the...fish!

Suzanne N

Fishing beyond our expectations!

My husband & I were on our 6th wedding anniversary vaca in Islamorado, Fla keys, & we decided to try offshore fishing. We both fly fish fresh & salt water, but we had never tried offshore due to my propensity for motion sickness. Due to my apprehension & our desire to have an enjoyable experience, we were cautious on our guide & boat selection. We stayed at the Postcard Inn in which Ross Early of Early Bird charters is docked. So every evening, my husband & I would walk the docks & talk to the guides & see who was bringing in fish & who was always docked. It didn't take long for Ross & his first mate Mikey to stand out. Their boat was always coming in with fresh fish to clean & a kind word for the bystanders. Ross assured us if I got sick on the water he would bring us right back & only charge us for gas. We were sold. We met with the Ross & Mikey at 7am, & after a quick orientation of their well maintained vessel we set out fish. They stopped 15 minutes into the ride & set us up to catch dinner. They wanted to stay close to shore to begin to make sure I was going to be ok. ( I pre treated with Bronine, ginger & the sea bracelets). We immediately started catching yellow tail snapper, mangrove snapper, & a small shark. After 45 min of Mikey & Ross working fervently to keep us in fish we filled a cooler with dinner. They decided I was managing the motion of the boat (which was very choppy seas!) & we moved to deeper choppy waters for the big fish. After getting the outriggers set up & trolling the reef for 20 minutes we had a sailfish extravaganza! Three large sailfish on the lines at once! Bob & I danced the dance of fighting these fish for 15-20 minutes with Ross navigating the boat & yelling instructions non stop to keep our fish ON. Mikey was moving us & keeping our lines untangled & tight the entire time! They worked so well as a team & we landed two of the three! I can't say enough about the professionalism & kindness both Ross & Mikey showed us. We were all so pumped up & excited. We went in after only a 4 hour trip with the sailfish flag flying high as well as our spirits. We watched Ross clean our fish & we enjoyed them cooked at a local restaurant. The guys kept their boat clean & well maintained. They managed their boat on the water as competent profesionals. I felt safe & like they did every thing in their power to show Bob & I a memorable time. I would recommend this charter to anyone without hesitation! Tight Lines!!

Teastway

Don't bother calling anyone else, this is the boat you want to be on.

Went out with Ross and Mike twice this week. Even with the rough weather the first day they still put us on the fish. Ross never quit changing baits and did everything possible to make it happen. The next time out they did the same and we landed a great sailfish as well as some Mahi Mahi. You won't find two harder working guys. I can't wait to get back and do it again. Don't bother calling anyone else, this is the boat you want to be on. Thanks guys! See you next time!

Jasondavis

Great day fishing

We fish a lot and want to recognize the hard work and professionalism of these guys- especially Mike who really hustled to make our trip a success

Jim F