November 11, 2023
Keys Weekly Best Fishing Guide 2023: Captain Kit Carson Wins
On November 11th, 2023, at Whale Harbor Restaurants & Marina, the Upper Keys made it official: Captain Kit Carson Mobley of DirtyBoat Charters is the Best Fishing Guide in the Upper Keys.
The Keys Weekly Best of Upper Keys awards are a people’s choice deal, voted on by the community. Winning Best Fishing Guide isn’t a plaque you buy. It’s a thumbs-up from the people who know Islamorada fishing best.
The award ceremony: Whale Harbor, November 11, 2023
The setting
- Location: Whale Harbor Restaurants & Marina
- Crowd: 180-plus attendees
- Mood: loud, buzzing, ready for the results
- Moment: first-time winners jumping out of their seats
The announcement
When “Capt. Kit Carson Mobley, Best Fishing Guide” was called, it landed as recognition for years of work on the water.
Captain Kit Carson Mobley accepts the Keys Weekly Best Fishing Guide award at the Whale Harbor ceremony on November 11, 2023. Photo by Doug Finger/Keys Weekly.
What Best Fishing Guide really means
This isn’t a corporate award or paid placement. It’s the Upper Keys saying a few things.
You catch fish
When people vote for Best Fishing Guide, they’re voting for results. They know who puts fish in the box.
You give people a good day
Fishing is about the whole trip, not just the catch. From the dock to the deep blue and back.
You represent Islamorada well
A fishing guide is an ambassador for the Upper Keys. This award says you do the job right.
You’re part of the community
The award puts DirtyBoat in good company with other local winners:
- Best Dive Shop: Capt. Slate’s Scuba Adventures
- Best Bar & Wings: Dillon’s Pub & Grill
- Best Art Gallery: Taylor Hale Studio & Gallery
- Best Seafood: Chef Michael’s
- Best Marine Services: LeBouef’s Marine
The road to Best Fishing Guide
This one was years in the making.
Tournament success
- 2022 Islamorada Sailfish Tournament: 300 points
- 2023 Cheeca Lodge Presidential: 100 points
- 2023 Islamorada Fishing Club: 100 points
- 2023 Florida Keys Gold Cup Series: 500 points
Trophy catches
- 463-pound Swordfish: featured in Keys Weekly
- Perfect 10 Sailfish: 10-for-10 personal best
- 4lb Tippet Challenge: world record attempts
Day-in, day-out work
- Daily charters: putting clients on fish, day after day
- Angler development: making good anglers great
- Local knowledge: over a decade of Islamorada experience
The captain behind the award
Captain Kit Carson Mobley
- Experience: over a decade guiding in the Upper Keys
- Philosophy: fishing should be fun, productive, and worth remembering
- Approach: technical chops plus people skills
- Reputation: known for putting clients on fish
The DirtyBoat advantage
- 42’ Liberty Express: tournament-proven platform
- Expert crew: mates who are anglers themselves
- Quality gear: custom rods, calibrated reels, sharp hooks
- Local intelligence: we know where the fish live
What this award means for your charter
Book with the Keys Weekly Best Fishing Guide and you get:
Community-backed results
The Upper Keys voted. This is the guide to fish with.
A proven track record
The award confirms what the tournament results already showed. We catch fish.
The full experience
We don’t just fish. We give you a day on the water worth talking about.
Local roots
We’re not visiting guides. We’re part of the Islamorada community.
DirtyBoat in the Upper Keys
Winning Best Fishing Guide puts DirtyBoat alongside other strong local businesses:
Local business standouts
- Dive: Capt. Slate’s Scuba Adventures
- Dining: Chef Michael’s (Best Seafood)
- Arts: Taylor Hale Studio & Gallery
- Fishing: DirtyBoat Charters
What it says about Islamorada
The Upper Keys is more than a fishing destination. From diving to dining to fishing, this place does things right.
Building on the award
A win like this isn’t a finish line. It’s a starting point.
Keeping it going
- More tournament success: building on the 500-point Gold Cup
- More trophy fish: chasing the next 463-pound monster
- More happy clients: making fishing memories
Community commitment
- Supporting local: local bait, local services
- Representing well: flying the flag for Islamorada fishing
- Giving back: sharing the success with the community
Your award-winning fishing experience
Ready to fish with the Keys Weekly Best Fishing Guide? We offer:
Charter specialties
- Sailfish expeditions: our tournament-proven specialty
- Swordfish hunts: targeting monsters like our 463-pounder
- Mixed bag trips: variety fishing for all skill levels
- Tournament preparation: get ready for competition
What sets us apart
- Award-winning guidance: Best Fishing Guide 2023
- Tournament credentials: 500-point Gold Cup team
- Trophy fish experience: we’ve caught the monsters
- Local roots: part of the Upper Keys fabric
Book your award-winning fishing experience with Captain Kit Carson and the DirtyBoat team, voted Best Fishing Guide in the Upper Keys by the people who know fishing best.
Featured in Keys Weekly: “Best of Upper Keys First Time Winners” - November 11, 2023
Targeted in this report