Captain and Crew
Captain Doug Richards has a U.S. Coast Guard masters license and has been fishing professionally full time in excess of 7 years. He has over 17 years experience in the fishing and diving industry. His love of the water brought him to the Gulf Coast 12 years ago. He saw a need for a family friendly experience. His clients range from the seasoned fishermen to novice families that just want a positive fishing trip. Mom, dad and the children will enjoy fishing like they never thought possible. He plans each trip with the customers in mind even down to the weather and sea conditions. If he feels your family would do better on a calmer day he will reschedule so that your experience will be one that your group will enjoy.
The Lighten Up charter boat is a 26 ft diesel center console with a tower
which provides plenty of room to walk around to the front when a fish
is hooked or to just walk about and view the water . The tower enables the
capt to sight for fish and to control the boat from the top. With its heavy
inboard diesel engine, the weight of the boat is centered providing
stability and a smoother ride in the water.
Captain Richards sitting in top of his tower searching the waters for activity
such as bonita crashing bait, cobia, Spanish Mackerel blitzing, tarpon
rolling, and bait balls.During the cobia run this tower provides a much needed height advantage to search and look for the cobia as they migrate east to west. It also enables searching for bait and fish activity.