Captain Andy Griffiths grew up in the Keys as the son of a commercial fisherman. During the 60's there were very few restrictions on fishing and very few fishermen. As the 70's came to a close, Captain Andy decided to finish college and re-evaluate his career options. Commercial fishing was hard work. Fluctuating seafood prices, bad weather, and difficulty finding good help for a crew made it difficult to pursue a future on the ocean.
Grouper fishing in Key West to Dry TortugasCaptain Andy knew that despite a college education, he wanted to stay working on a boat. He would often take college friends out on his 39 foot fishing boat that he built and they would be his "crew". They usually caught plenty to eat and take home while leaving Captain Andy enough to sell to make ends meet and pay for college. Eventually the friends started to contribute toward the expenses and Captain Andy's Charters was born.
In the mid 80's, Captain Andy built his dream boat. A 43 footer with a big bathroom and shower, huge galley, and a table for six. He put in seven bunks so if he took six passengers, everyone would have their own bunk. What made the trip unique was that Captain Andy went out on multi-day trips, (overnight). That's the secret to great fishing. You have to go far out, too far out to return to port the same day. But at the same time, there were islands way off shore to hide behind if the weather was a little windy. With a multi-day trip, you get to fish first thing in the morning, last thing in the evening, all day and all night if you want. Or you can visit Fort Jefferson National Monument in the Dry Tortugas. On long hot summer days some people like to snorkel the shallow water wrecks in the Dry Tortugas Park. Some play cards in the air conditioned cabin while waiting for the night action.
Mahi Mahi fishing in Key West FloridaThe trip became so popular that Captain Andy was starting to spend every day and night out on the water and his social life ashore was non existent. So, in the early 90's he built another boat and hired two captains. He was still turning away customers, many of them loyal repeaters who would not book early enough. So, Captain Andy built a third boat and was filled up again. Finally, in 2001, six years after building the third boat, and after recruiting another former commercial fisherman, Captain Andy built a fourth boat. And, you guessed it, he is full again. Captain Andy has plotted over 2000 "spots" while fishing over years. He still takes out a trip now now and then, but he is now mostly the manager. The four captains and two alternate captains that run the boats have extensive knowledge of fishing the local waters. The same customers return year after year always requesting the same captains.
As the economic times grew tougher Captain Andy decided that owners could still make money if they ran their own boats and took care of them so he is now making his captains owners. He maintains one boat for himself and now everyone is becoming an owner operator.
Andy Griffiths Charters
40 Key Haven Road, Key West, FL 33040
(305) 296-2639
http://www.fishandy.com/
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