Guest Reviews
What Our Guests Say
Families, first-timers and serious anglers have been fishing the Middle Keys with Captain Ben Zdan for years. Every review below comes straight from Google, written by guests who fished our reef, wreck, offshore and night lobster charters out of Key Colony Beach.
We went out in less than ideal conditions and they still put us on the bugs! Had a boat full and back at the dock before midnight! Top notch operation!
Had a great time and great guys who know what they’re doing! Made it happen even on a tight travel schedule, highly recommend!
Ben was a great guide. He gave good instructions and was patient with kids learning. Definitely recommend!
Captain Ben was amazing! We caught our four-person limit in no time, and the entire trip was an absolute blast. He knew exactly what he was doing and made the experience unforgettable. If you’re thinking about bully netting in the Keys, look no further! We will never come back to the Florida Keys without booking a trip with Lobster Bully Charters! Highly recommend Captain Ben to anyone looking for an awesome experience! 🦞🔥
Ben was extremely fun to go out lobster fishing with. He was upbeat, energetic, helpful and friendly. We all had a great time and Ben worked super hard to fill up our bag. We limited out and the lobsters were great. He told jokes and we laughed all night on his custom setup whaler which was perfect for catching lobster.
Ben was great. Got our limit of lobsters in no time! Thank you so much!
Thank You Captain Ben And First Mate Alan For An Amazing Fishing Experience! We Can’t Say Enough About Our Wonderful Charter! BenOFishal Is A First Class Operation , Super Efficient With Kindness , Care and Lots of Charisma! 2 People , 18 Mahi , 10 Blackfin Tuna …. so Much Fun And We Cant Wait To see you again soon!
Ben was a great capt.. had an amazing experience with him.. Very knowledgeable, highly enjoyed the trip and the conversation.. Will recommend him to everyone..thanks again
We went early morning charter for 5.5hrs mid July. Little too rough to go after tuna but enjoyed getting some good snapper. Captain and deck hand were pretty cool guys!
Ben was awesome. Limited out on lobsters in in 2 hours and was a great host in the process. Highly recommend
Fun time with Captain Ben & a group of friends. Bad weather came in & had to cut short the trip but Captain Ben was more than fair & adjusted our price. We still got several lobster. We will use Captain Ben again.
Absolutely one of the highlights of our trip to the Keys! Ben was AMAZING. He is incredibly knowledgeable, but what really made the night was how much fun he made the entire experience. You can tell immediately that he knows these waters and knows exactly what he’s doing. We had an absolute blast lobster bully netting with him. Ben was patient, personable, funny and made sure we were involved and having a great time the entire night. This wasn’t just another charter—it was a true Florida Keys experience and one we’ll be talking about for a long time. Highly recommend booking a trip with Ben. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Rash and Raffield families
Had a great trip with several yellow tail snapper. My wife and daughter were super involved in the fishing and enjoyed the experience! We will be back!
Ben and his crew are amazing! They worked their butts off to put us on fish. We had an awesome time catching tons of yellowtail and limiting out on tuna. Boat was very comfortable and made for a fun and relaxing day. I would highly recommend Benofishal Sportfishing for your next Marathon charter!
Ben is awesome! If you’ve never bully netted lobster at night or haven’t done it with a charter, I would recommend giving Ben a call. We limited out on lobster in no time and had a great time doing it. It was a ton of fun and I look forward to doing it again!
Captain Ben is as good as it gets! Got quick limits, really great guy and a great time. Super knowledgeable, learned a ton about bully netting and went home with a cooler full of lobster! Highly recommend
Had a great time Captain Ben was great we caught our limit in 2 hours he cleaned them for me before got back with my truck. Will go again next year also thanks for great experience see ya next trip
Wehad a great time with Capt Ben. He said after we tried bully netting we would never go diving for lobster again and he might be right. We managed a 4 person limit easily. This was the best evening we had during our stay and Capt Ben was funny and enterining enough to keep the converstaion and jokes going the entire trip. This is a fun and rewarding activity for the whole family to enjoy. Make sure to bring the kids!
Great team to fishi with! The crew put in the extra effort to make sure we got to accomplish our wish list. Everyone got to catch fish, laugh, and have a great time. Couldn't ask for more! We will definitely book again.
Captain Ben took us on a very unique fishing experience in Duck Keg, Fl. Drop netting spiny lobster was so much fun and Captain Ben knew exactly where to go to put us on the action. The next day we took the lobster to Porky’s restaurant where they cooked it up for us. I recommend everyone coming down to the keys try this! Go with the locals! They know what’s up!
Ben was great! Got our limit and definitely will be back. Had a blast!
I have been coming down to Marathon and Key Colony for years to go fishing. The charter I normally use was booked so I went out with Ben and his crew. Had an amazing day on the water and will be using Ben in the future. He also does Bullies netting charters too! Went out and hit our limit in just a few hours with 4 people on board. Thank you Ben for a great time!
Absolute world-class experience! We booked a 6-hour charter with Ben O'Fishal out of Marathon, and it completely exceeded our expectations from start to finish. Our group had a wide mix of experience levels, from seasoned anglers to total beginners, and Captain Alex and Jake couldn't have been more accommodating. Their patience, expert instruction, and incredible helpfulness made everyone feel comfortable and confident on the water. Not only did they put us on some great fish, we successfully reeled in a gorgeous mahi-mahi and a tuna. Everyone in our group left having learned so much more about both fishing and the local Marathon Key waters. This is easily one of the best charters we've ever been on. If you're visiting Marathon Key, checking out Ben O'Fishal is an absolute must!
Captains Ben, Alex and Sarah are true professionals with passion for delivering a great experience and tgen some. Good equipment, expert knowledge and fun, high character folks make for a memorable experience. Book now, you will, no doubt, be rewarded. Had a blast!! Already looking forward to my next adventure with Ben O'Fishal.
Fantastic trip with Captain Ben Zdan and Lobster Bully Charters! We limited out in just two hours and had an absolute blast. Captain Ben knew exactly where to go, and the country music was vibing the whole time. Pickup and drop-off from Duck Key was incredibly convenient. Highly recommend!
Five Stars all the way! We have 2 boats and they maxed out our limits! Very willing to help the kids and didn't even yell at me for missing the 10lb lobster the biggest he has ever seen. Definitely give them a shot you won't be disappointed!
If you’re looking for the best fishing and lobstering charter in the Keys, Captain Ben is the one to book! We had an incredible day on the water fishing and an amazing night lobstering. Both trips couldn’t have been a better experience!! Captain Ben and his team (Tyler) worked hard from start to finish to put us on the fish, 29 to be exact!! His knowledge of the area is seriously impressive. He made the trip so much fun while still making sure we had a successful day. You can tell he truly loves what he does, and it shows. The boat was spotless, the gear was top-notch, and everything was first class. Whether you’re an experienced fisherman or just looking for an unforgettable day on the water, I can’t recommend Ben O’Fishal Fishing Charter enough!!!! We went out with Captain Ben at night to lobster and it was an amazing experience! Again, he put on lots of lobster!! We made memories we’ll be talking about for years (and enjoyed an amazing late-night lobster dinner thanks to Captain Ben!). We’ll absolutely be back the next time we’re in the Keys. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 🐠🎣🐟🦞
We had an absolute blast bully netting for lobster with Captain Ben! From the moment we pushed off, his determination to get us on the lobster was unmatched. He worked tirelessly to spot them and make sure we had plenty of opportunities to bring home a great catch. What impressed us even more was how he handled a pop-up storm that rolled in during our trip. Captain Ben stayed completely calm, made quick safety decisions, and navigated us through the bad weather without a single hitch. You can tell he knows these waters inside and out, and keeping his crew safe is his top priority. If you're looking for a captain who works his tail off to put you on lobster while keeping you safe in any condition, Captain Ben is your guy. We’ll definitely be booking with him again!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Captain Ben is simply the real deal. From the moment we stepped on the boat, he treated us like family. By the end of the trip, it honestly felt like we had made a lifelong friend in the Keys. What really sets Ben apart is how generous he is with his knowledge. Whether we were talking about fishing, the local waters, marine life, or just life in the Keys, he took the time to answer every question and share years of experience. You can tell he genuinely loves what he does and wants his guests to have an amazing experience. He’s incredible with families and kids, making everyone feel welcome, comfortable, and involved. There’s never a dull moment, and he has a way of making every trip memorable. Whether you’re looking to catch trophy fish, fill the cooler, go bully netting, or experience just about anything the Florida Keys have to offer on the water, Captain Ben can do it all—and he does it at the highest level. I can’t say enough great things about Captain Ben and Benofishal Sportfishing. Professional, knowledgeable, hardworking, and one of the kindest people you’ll meet. If you’re considering booking a charter, don’t hesitate—you won’t just have a great trip, you’ll leave feeling like you’ve made a new friend. We can’t wait to come back!
We had a great time with Benofishal! The captain was friendly, knowledgeable, and made the trip enjoyable from start to finish. Everything was well organized, and they worked hard to make sure we had a great experience on the water. We’d definitely recommend them to anyone looking for a fun and memorable fishing trip, and we’d be happy to book with them again.
We had an amazing time on our fishing charter! Captain Ben and the mates, Sara and Tyler, were absolutely awesome. They were friendly, helpful, and made the whole experience so much fun. My boys especially loved it and had an incredible time! We would definitely recommend them and can’t wait to go fishing with them again! 🎣
The very best time me and my son have had in a long time. Captain Ben was great. First time me and my son have ever bully netted If you want to catch Lobster, this is the man you need to go with truly professional and great guy. Can’t wait to go again next year thanks again Captain Ben a great experience.
Captain Mike took us out on a day he doubted. Navigated the high waves masterfully and put us on fish when it was so rough, when you did hook one it was hard to keep you balance while reeling. They did great and we're wonderful. When one of our team got sick he road the waves back in to keep the up and down as smooth as possible. Got fish, had a good time and had a Captain that was really good. Mahi off the bucket list despite all odds !
This was one of the best fishing experiences we’ve ever had! We would absolutely book with Ben again if we have the chance to come back. Wonderful morning on the water!
Ben and Tyler were great to fish with. They both made sure that I and more importantly my son had a blast. Will book with them again next time we are in town.
Ben and Tyler were absolutely amazing for my group! We had a blast catching Yellowtail and just laighing. Highly recommend them!
Awesome time on the Ben O'Fishal! Comfortable ride on the bean bag chairs out to the reef and the wreck. Caught a 56 lb Amberjack and a ton of yellowtail. *Pro tip- take your catch to Lazy Days for dinner!
We had a great morning of fishing with Ben and his first mate Tyler. They were very professional and went out of their way to make sure we had a great time. I would highly recommend Ben as your guide in Marathon.
We had an amazing time on this fishing charter! Captain Ben was knowledgeable, friendly, and worked hard to put us on fish all day. Tyler was an excellent mate who was always helpful, kept everything running smoothly, and made the trip even more enjoyable. We caught plenty of fish and made some great memories. I highly recommend this charter and will definitely be booking again!
Wow we caught lots of fish. Ben is so knowledgeable and a local!
My son and I had a great time fishing with Ben. He worked us in on short notice and he and Tyler worked on getting us on a variety of species from yellowtail, mutton snapper and amberjack. We will contact him again when we get back down.
We had the BEST day with Ben and Tyler. Took our teen daughters to the keys for their first time and couldn’t have asked for a better experience. Super knowledgeable on where the fish are, caught a ton, brought a ton back to cook. 10/10 🤘
We called a week prior and even with slight weather changes, this crew worked us right in on time and ready. We had a blast. Highly recommend this boat and crew! Great Yellowtail Day!!!
Myself and my father had a amazing time out on the water with these boys today i highly recommend!
We booked a four-hour trip with Ben, and we had so much action that we caught more than enough fish within the first two hours! I can’t even imagine what happens on a full-day charter. On top of that, his first mate, Tyler, was extremely knowledgeable. He explained everything in detail and gave us lessons we can use even beyond this trip. Five stars, without a doubt!
We have fished with Ben for several years, him and his mates have always been personable, professional, and very knowledgeable about fishing the area. We highly recommend you trusting the benofishal with your next offshore charter. If google had 10 star review we would leave 11 stars.
My Mothers Day present! caught and caught and caught! 2 black groupers and limited out on yellowtail! Local born Captain Ben knows where the fish are! Mate Tyler is fabulous! You want for nothing! Highly recommend, you won’t be disappointed!
Captain Ben and his first mate, Tyler provided us with a fun and exciting day on the water! We caught a ton of snapper, grouper, and sharks 🤪 (that were released of course!). They were both extremely talented and hard working anglers! We can’t wait to get back out there with them in the next few weeks!
If you want a local that knows the waters, Captain Ben is your guide. We had a great time on his 4hr trip. Yellowtails and Groupers were the target with an ample amount of knowledge to be learned in such a short trip. Great time and utter most respect for his time on the water and his craft of being dialed in on the fish.
Had an amazing trip, fun trip..highly recommend. Alex and Ben great trip. See ya on our next trip.🎣
Awesome day with these guys. Tons of fish and food for days. Can’t wait to come back
Had the most amazing morning on the water. Started out and caught a week’s worth of beautiful yellowtail snapper. Kids loved it! Then headed out for bigger fish and caught three sailfish - at one point all three were on the line at the same time and we landed them all! Memorable trip and highly recommend booking with Ben O’fishal.
The guys were amazing and had us hitting Yellow-Striped snappers with every cast. Ended our half day with 3 sailfish in the boat. Best charter experience ever. Hands down. Highly recommend!
My 3 kids and I did the 3/4 day fishing with Alex and Tyler. We have done a lot of fishing charters here in our home state of Florida, as well as other areas in the country, and this was by far our best trip! These two guys were on it and knew exactly what to do, where to do, and when. They put us on a crazy amount of yellow tail, mackerel, a shark, two Amberjack - one got bit in half by a shark and the other one a beautiful 59”!! My boys and even prissy daughter had an absolute blast!!! Knowledgeable, professional, and very comfortable boating & fishing experience all around! We hope to be back in the summer!
If you’re looking for an unforgettable offshore fishing experience, Ben O’Fishal Sportfishing Charters is hands down the way to go. We’ve fished with them twice now, and both trips were nothing short of incredible. On our first trip, the action was nonstop—we landed 4 sailfish, 3 mahi mahi, 1 bonita, and 1 barracuda. The crew was professional, upbeat, and clearly knew exactly where to put us to get on fish. Everything was seamless from start to finish. Our second trip somehow topped the first. We caught 3 sailfish (including a huge one that Barb landed—an absolute thrill!), 2 blackfin tuna with the one Jeff caught being a really nice size, and 1 barracuda. The excitement, teamwork, and pure fun on the boat made it a trip we’ll be talking about for years. The captain and crew are top-notch—knowledgeable, patient, and genuinely passionate about what they do. Whether you’re an experienced angler or it’s your first time offshore, they make sure everyone has a blast and feels like part of the action. We can’t recommend Ben O’Fishal enough and will 100% be booking again. If epic catches, great vibes, and memories of a lifetime are what you’re after, this is the charter to choose! 🎣🌊
Had a great time fishing with these guys. Captain was clear about what fish was best to target based on the conditions. We had fun and caught fish. Mate was great.
Two charters with the family while down in Key Colony. Captain and crew were awesome. Found the fish and everyone had a great time. Highly recommended if fishing in the area.
Back out again today with Capt Ben & Cody. Another fun time. Fish cooperated at our second stop. Had a Sailfish on but he stole the bait & got away!
We had an awesome trip with Ben and Cody! The water and scenery were beautiful! Thank you so much for being patient with us during our first deep sea fishing experience and helping us reel in 26 yellowtail and 4 kingfish!! Wish that shark would have left the grouper for us! We learned so much and look forward to coming back again. We highly recommend Ben O'Fishal!
This was such a great experience, literally just hop on the boat and fish. Ben and his first mate Cody made the trip one to remember! I would highly recommend the Ben O’Fishal if you’re looking for a relaxing, fun filled adventure.
Another great trip! Third year in a row and captain Ben put us on the fish again! This year included a big sailfish. Can’t wait to go again next February.
1/2 day trip with Captain Ben and Cody was tremendous…My goals were to learn how to target sailfish using different techniques and catch a few fish for dinner….Ben was a great teacher/coach, answered all my questions and treated me to an awesome experience… First Mate Cody was also very knowledgeable and helpful, the chemistry he and Ben have on the boat when the fish are bitting is very impressive…I will certainly be back for another trip …
Did a half-day charter with Captain Ben and Alex and had the best time! We all caught fish (and almost a very persistent seagull) and had a lot of laughs and a lot of fun doing it. We were a group of 4 ladies and my wonderful husband and Captain Ben and Alex took excellent care of all of us. They gave us great instructions and directions and got us the fish for dinner we were hoping for. They also gave us great suggestions on where to take it to get it cooked up right (we're out of towners). Big, big THANK YOU to Captain Ben and Alex! Will absolutely charter with them the next time we're in the Keys and can't recommend them enough 😁👍
Fantastic fishing experience. Very knowledgeable and a pleasure to fish with. Great boat to fish on with young kids.
Ben and Cody were so freaking awesome! We had a group of 6 and we had a blast! Can’t wait to go again!
Had an excellent time fishing with Captain Ben and mate Cody today. They went out of their way to find the fish and make our trip memorable. We will do this again next year.
This is our second year with Ben. He did an awesome job. We did two trips with him, one full day and one half day caught a bunch of yellowtail and some King mackerels. This man knows how to find the fish and put you on them. Still had kids and a couple of first-timers. He was patient and coached them up so they were able to catch fish. It was a great experience once again. Can't wait to come back in the spring and kill sails with him.
We had 2 trips over a long weekend. Trip of a lifetime for our grandson Gus! Ben, Alex, and Cody were dedicated to accomplishing our goal for a big fish. Great time, Great people, Great fish!
Ben and his crew are a solid team, they put us on some big sail fish. Thanks guys
Went out with Ben today and had a fantastic trip! Fun guys to be around, great equipment and serious fisherman. Put us on good quality fish that we plan on cooking up fresh tonight. Will definitely fish with again.
Booked with Ben for a family fishing trip 10/13/25. Ben had some issues with his boat but made sure we were able to go out yet with the help of RD. Great guys. Kids caught yellow tail and went for some wreck fishing. Kept us going all day and will try anytime make sure u get fish. Will be booking with them next time we are in the keys.
We had an amazing time with BenOFishal Sportfishing Charters! Ben made sure we stayed on the fish, and both he and RD were awesome about keeping us baited and ready. As soon as our lines hit the water, we were getting bites, reeling them in, and they were right there getting fish off the hook and setting us back up fast. We even caught our limit! We highly recommend!
Really enjoyed the lobster charter with Captain Ben. He was friendly, knowledgeable, and made the whole experience exciting from start to finish. Highly recommend if you’re in the area!
Just came back from a charter with Ben and had an amazing time! Would love to do it again! He's super helpful when it comes time to catch the lobsters.
Capt Ben is extremely knowledgeable and had us on the lobster in no time. Extremely professional, nice, genuine guy. 100% recommended without hesitation. We will be back year after year with Ben.
We booked a lobster trip with Captain Ben, what a great trip and Captain! We did a night trip and caught our limit for a total of 18 lobsters! It was our 1st time ever going for lobster abs Captain Ben was a great teacher and very patient. I would definitely recommend his charter and we'll be back!
Our lobster charter exceeded expectations. The captain was professional, informative, and ensured a safe and enjoyable trip. The equipment and boat were well-maintained, and we appreciated the hands-on experience with lobster traps. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a unique and memorable excursion.
We had a terrific trip with Ben and Cody! We ended up with 42 yellowtail and a kingfish. The kiddos had a wonderful time, too! Boat is super comfortable, and equipment in great condition. Thanks for a great day!
Captain Ben is a great charter captain! We booked a bullnetting lobster trip with him and even with a minor hiccup, he was still able to get us on a ton of lobster! We had a blast with him and was extremely helpful teaching us. Highly recommend booking with captain Ben! 10/10 - would highly recommend!
Amazing Lobster Trip! Such a fun and unique experience! Ben was great — friendly, knowledgeable, and knew all the best spots. Gliding over the clear water at night, spotting lobsters under the lights, and scooping them up was a total thrill. Safe, well-run, and unforgettable. Highly recommend!
This was our second time fishing with Ben and he has been outstanding both times!! He was very patient and kind especially with me being an inexperienced fisherman. Thank you Ben!!
By far the best lobster guide out there! We drove 50 min from Islamorada to Marathon and it was worth every mile! Great trip, very knowledgeable and went home with a cooler full of Lobster. First time for our family and we loved it! Fun for the kids and adults. Captain Ben is A plus !
Had an awesome time! Ben took my wife and I out bully netting for the mini season. We caught our limits in no time. He was very patient teaching us how to net them. His passion and enthusiasm for lobstering was contagious. We had a blast and can’t wait to go back.
We had an incredible experience with Ben as our lobster bully netting guide! From the moment we got on the boat, he was professional, knowledgeable, and super friendly. Ben knew exactly where to go and gave us great tips and guidance throughout the night. Thanks to his expertise, we hit our limit in just 2 hours! It was not only productive but a lot of fun too. If you’re looking for someone who knows what they’re doing and will make sure you have a successful trip, Ben is your guy. Highly recommend!
Captain Ben and First mate Cody were very accommodating and on top of their game! They put us right on the fish and we nearly caught our limit of snappers in 3 hours. Just an amazing time and can’t wait to come back.
We come every year Ben never disappoints us we have had a blast making memories with him in the past years !! Thank you Ben snappers mahi-mahi you name it he’ll catch it!! You can’t wipe the smile off my son’s face after today !! Pictured is this year’s action and last year’s action!! We will see y’all again in 2026 !! The Drew Crew
Awesome 1/2 day on the water with Ben and Colin! We will definitely be back on our next trip!
Super knowledgeable, great with our little guys, and we fed the family all week long! Definitely the charter you want to take, even an experienced fisherman would learn something new on the trip… bravo Captain Ben!
Really great outing with Captain Ben and First Mate Colin. Both were very knowledgeable and friendly, and, even as novices, we caught a ton of fish. Looking forward to the next trip out!
Captain Ben and the first mate Collin both made our experience very enjoyable!
Best fishing experience I’ve been apart of, Collin and captain both amazing people, caught the biggest fish of my life, and tons of fish to take home to eat!
Great morning with Captain Ben and 1st mate Collin! Would highly recommend to anyone in the Keys looking for an experienced guide with a laid back vibe.
Captain Ben and first mate Colin were excellent. They made everything so easy and our most inexperienced angler, Ashley caught the largest yellow tail snapper at 22 inches. Caught a lot of yellowtail snapper today and one big amberjack one Keeper mahi and a bunch of shorts. It was a great trip. The next time we come back, we will be booking with Captain Ben again.
What a fantastic trip! Loved it! Highly recommend Ben and his crew mate Collin! Very knowledgeable, quick, friendly, and patient when answering questions. I learned a lot about fishing. Their boat was clean, comfortable, with enough space for our party of six.
Highly Recommend Ben if you are looking to hook onto some fish and have a good time doing it. We told Ben what kind of fish we wanted to catch and sure enough he put us on them!!
Plan Your Trip
Ready to Make Your Own Fish Story?
Pick your boat and trip, or call Captain Ben and he’ll match you with the right charter for your group and the season.
Marathon Fishing Charters
See all four boats side by side with rates for 4, 5.5 and 7 hour private charters.
Boats & RatesTrip Types
Reef trips for families, wreck fishing for big fish, or offshore for mahi, tuna and sailfish.
Compare TripsNight Lobster Trips
Four hours of bully netting for spiny lobster on our 17 foot Boston Whaler during lobster season.
Lobster Bully
