posted by admin on Apr 30

22# Blackfin Tuna

I have been fishing Keys’ waters for close to 20 years, at least once a year and usually fourteen days at a stretch and I have no doubt that the two best light tackle charter boats are Coolwater and Outcast.

Over the years I have enjoyed the best fishing of my life with these guys, who will always go that extra yard to ensure I have a great day. On our annual ‘Boys’ Trip’ (last two weeks in April each year, don’t ask they are already busy) we fish Coolwater and Outcast and they have never yet failed to reach maximum expectation.

Roy Marlow and I came out top for three years out of five in the Key West Classic Light Tackle Tournament, where the task of catching permit, tarpon and sailfish, all on 12lb test tackle, with no repeat captures until a ‘slam’ is achieved, is possibly the ultimate angling test. Complete harmony between captain and anglers is 100% essential and we managed that without any compromise.

The boats are excellent, fitted out with state-of-the-art navigation and fish-finding aids and top-drawer tackle. These guys are even mega-fussy about hooks and don’t skimp by using cheap rubbish.

Don’t think though that Coolwater and Outcast are only suitable for experienced anglers: I have recommended many anglers, from the UK and abroad, even from the USA, to fish with them and virtually every one of those anglers has let me know what a great time they had and stories of massive catches. It didn’t surprise me, of course, as I’ve had that experience plenty of times.

Several of my TV shows have featured action aboard these two boats and we have shown huge tarpon, massive sharks, superb sailfish and offshore action plus great catches of reef fish.

I can honestly say, hand on heart, that I have no reservations whatsoever in recommending these two operations. From where I stand, they are the bee’s knees.

Keith Arthur; Presenter Sky Sports’ television fishing show “Tight Lines”, Talksport Radio’s “Fisherman’s Blues” and weekly columnist in the UK’s largest selling angling weekly, Angling Times.

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