When traveling aboard our charters, you can relax with the assurance that:
- All the required safety equipment is onboard
- We are fully licensed and insured.
- Captains and crew members are enrolled in a random drug testing consortium.
- Member National Association of Charter boat Operators (NACO).
Our Captains
Captain Bob Brown, Jr.
Sharing a Lifetime of Fishing Expertise in the Florida Keys and Lake Erie
Captain Bob Brown, Jr. has lived most of his life out on the water, growing up near a marina and enjoying numerous fishing trips with his father during his childhood. Eventually, he became a captain at the age of 18. He has been exploring the depths of the Florida Keys since the early 1970s.
In 1980, Captain Bob came to the Florida Keys and started Sundance Sportfishing, logging 200 to 300 fishing trips per year. Over many years, he has fished up and down the eastern seaboard, including the entire FL Keys and South Florida area as a guide and tournament fisherman. He has been guiding in the Marathon area exclusively for the past 30+ years and is a live bait, light-tackle expert. Captain Bob has been a consistent top performer in Tarpon, Sailfish, and Dolphin tournaments and has guided his anglers to a first and second place finish in the Marathon Habitat for Humanity Mother’s Day Dolphin Tournament.
In addition to his guiding expertise, Captain Bob has contributed to several magazines and newspapers as an outdoor writer. He’s also been featured on the Outdoor Channel’s weekly show “School of Fishing” as well as radio shows. He has completed numerous bad weather rescues of other boaters over the years. He has the experience to put you on the fish and keep you safe out on the ocean.
To sum it up: Captain Bob is an experienced, courteous, and hardworking guide who wants to put you on the fish of a lifetime! Even after 40+ years as a fishing guide, he still has a huge passion for fishing! Giving the customer a high-quality experience on the water every day is his mission.
To see the thrill in the person’s eyes when they hook that ‘bucket list’ fish of a lifetime, or to show young people the wonders of the ocean for the first time and plant the seeds of outdoor life in their minds are the main reasons I still love what I do after all these years.
Captain Bob Brown, Jr.
Captain Bob also runs a charter for our sister company Sundance Lake Erie Fishing Charters out of Lakeside Marblehead, Ohio. While he guides on Lake Erie - Captain Willie runs the Pursuit here in the Keys.
Captain William “Willie” O’Connell
Your Expert Guide with a Reputation Built on Excellence in the Florida Keys and Beyond
Captain Willie has traveled and fished the waters of the Gulf of México (up to 160 miles offshore), the Caribbean Sea, as well as parts of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Born and raised in Marathon, Florida, Willie has spent many years fishing and exploring the Florida Keys and far beyond. He has extensively fished the Bahamas, St. Thomas, Costa Rica, México, the Caribbean, the eastern coast of the U.S., Venezuela, Colombia, Aruba, and Curaçao. Throughout his travels, he has competed, placed, or won many tournaments, adding to his knowledge and experience.
Captain Willie has earned many credentials over the years in the water. He was licensed with the U.S. Coast Guard in 1987 and was a U.S. Merchant Marine Officer covering all navigable waters of the United States. He completed the Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW), which is a set of rules and standards recognized internationally. These guidelines spell out the skills and knowledge that mariners need to do their jobs safely while at sea. Willie is also a member of the Maritime Consortium, Inc.
Throughout his 30 years running boats as a first mate and captain, Captain Willie has worked with several clients who speak very highly of him.
Willie has treated our family members and our guests with the utmost courtesy. Everyone who has ever fished with us has raved about Willie…Willie is an expert…Willie has been tireless in his efforts to help make all experiences memorable…We have always set high standards of maintenance. Willie kept our boat spotless and in top-notch shape…We feel Willie is that unique combination of gentleman, worker, and expert fisherman…
Daniel J. Hibbeln
Captain Willie has experience operating a variety of yachts and boats, including makers Hatteras, Merritt, Bertram, and Tiara. Willie has been freelancing since 2013 - running different vessels, fishing, making boat deliveries, etc. He will captain the Pursuit while Captain Bob is guiding on Lake Erie. Willie has a passion for fishing and traveling at sea. He’s sure to make your trip exciting and memorable!
Captain —Jason Bell
A True “Conch”, born in Key West and raised in Marathon
A true “Conch”, born in Key West and raised in Marathon, Florida where he's stayed his entire life. Capt Jason is a Third generation Marathon, Florida Sportfishing Charter Captain and grew up on the water learning his Fishing skills passed down from his Family. He went to Marathon high school then (delete) [until 10th grade then got his GED] pursued his full-time charter fishing career., carrying on the Family heritage.
Whether it's chasing pelagics offshore, catching a variety of snapper and grouper on the Reefs and Wrecks, battling epic "Silver King" tarpon at the bridges or chasing Bucket list Sailfish on the edge of the reefs, Capt. Jason takes pride in showing guests a good time of what our local waters have to offer. His Professional attitude, attention to detail and willingness to calmly instruct the customers on how it's done, creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere and keeps the customers coming back for more. Capt Jason Bell is Truely One-of-a-kind!
Our Fleet
The Pursuit
Operated by Captain Bob and Captain Willie
Our boat, the Pursuit 3480 Center Console, is a top-tier vessel ideal for both tournament fishing and family fishing trips. Its center console is specifically designed to allow easy movement around the boat for fishing purposes. With a deep vee hull design, it provides a smooth riding experience, while its 600 horsepower engine ensures quick travel to fishing spots. The inclusion of a tuna tower also offers excellent visibility for spotting birds and working fish at a distance, which significantly boosts the chances of a successful catch.
The Pursuit 3480 Center Console
- Built in 2005. Completely remodeled in 2021.
- 34' 8" in length
- 10' beam
- Twin 300 HP Yamaha engines
- Center column design
- Tuna tower with helm controls
- Deep vee hull
- 3D Chirp depth finder and Humminbird integrated electronics
- 12 kW Radar and Sirius Marine Weather System
- Epirb offshore transmitter safety device
- Auto Pilot TR-1
- Marine Radios and Cell Phones on board at all times