Fin-Tastic Charters
Backcountry Fishing Trips
Capt. Mike Patterson
22’ Pathfinder
Born in Baltimore, Maryland, and raised in Westminster, Mike began fishing in a small stream behind his house at the age of 4.
Growing up in Maryland gave him many opportunities to fish in ponds, streams, lakes, the Atlantic Ocean, and, let’s not forget, the Chesapeake Bay.
Mike’s career choice was to be an electrician, but at the age of 26, Mike had a terrible accident. Mike was still limited as to the things he could do, so with his love for the water, Mike changed his career and learned to scuba dive and soon became a dive instructor. With his knowledge of fishing, diving, and love for the water, he moved to Islamorada, “The Sportfishing Capital of the World”, in the Florida Keys, and ran a dive shop and soon after bought an offshore boat and started a Fishing Charter business. Sailfish became his fish of choice.
Looking for fishing trip adventures in The Florida Keys?
Fin-Tastic Charter is the best backcountry fishing charter in Islamorada
Mike competed in every tournament in town and won 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place in almost every tournament that he competed in. So then it was time to try backcountry and flats fishing; after 1 year, Mike sold his offshore boat and became a full-time Backcountry Fishing Guide, winning many backcountry tournaments and still backcountry fishing today.
Mike has had the opportunity to be a Fishing Guide for a past President, sports heroes, actors, senators, and some very interesting fishermen and enjoys every minute of it. You could sit for hours and hear all the interesting stories that Mike has to offer about events, people, and some pretty interesting situations he has come to find himself in. This is what led Mike to The American Outdoorsman, and is very honored to be a member of the “Pro Staff”. He is looking forward to bringing his passion and knowledge of fishing to The American Outdoorsman.
Mike has been a fishing guide for about 30 years now. He made a full recovery from his near-death accident, and by looking at him today, you would never know that it even happened. He continues to live his life to the fullest and is thankful for every day he has.
If you want to experience our Fin-Tastic Charters with Capt. Mike Patterson, contact us!
Fin-Tastic Charters:
Backcountry Fishing in The Florida Keys
Captain Phil Leonard
18’ Action Craft
Born and raised in southern West Virginia, the fishing bug bit Captain Phil at an early age, catching everything from Creek Chubs on cane poles to Rainbow Trout on fly rods in rivers and ponds.
After serving in the U.S. Army as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne, he landed in North Carolina selling salvage auto parts. There he spent time on the coast fishing for King Mackerel and doing some commercial Grouper fishing.
Captain Phil started charter fishing inshore for East Coast Sports on Topsail Island, along with doing some commercial Blue Fin Tuna fishing.
After talking with a friend about the fantastic fishing in the Florida Keys, his next move was to head south with his wife Krista Gray. Captain Phil started running offshore boats for Main Attraction in Marathon before going back to inshore fishing, this time for Fin-Tastic Charters out of Robbie’s Marina.
Having two sons, two stepdaughters, and five grandchildren (three boys and two girls), he loves taking children fishing. Fishing with Captain Phil is more like fishing with your buddy.
If you want to experience our Fin-Tastic Charters with Capt. Phil Leonard, contact us!
FIN-TASTIC CHARTER BOAT:
THE BEST BACKCOUNTRY FISHING IN ISLAMORADA, FLORIDA