U.S.C.G. Licensed and Insured

Fishing has been at the hub of our family life, for as long as I can remember. I recall my dad telling of my early fishing days. We lived in Key West, on the water. At the age of four, my mom would place a life vest on me as if it were a part of my regular wearing apparel and my day would begin. I would fish all day in the canal behind our home until my mom made me come in and eat lunch. Then back to business. My dad says that he would look out at the seawall and see me swatting mosquitoes and casting in the dark. I don't remember those days too vividly, however I can't remember a time when I didn't have a rod in my hands. I do remember that the only thing that I ever wanted to be was a "fishing guide" like my dad.

I have a vivid picture of the first fish that I caught on a fly rod. My dad had been teaching me to cast with a little 6'6" number 4 flyrod. We spent the hot summer months in the mountains and I was casting and practicing floating a dry fly. Just then, a magic moment occurred. A small, (large to me) rainbow took the fly and I was now in the same league as my dad. I was only five years old. When I was six years old, I landed my first sailfish and my dad had it mounted for me. I still have it.

The following year I caught a 23# blackfin tuna and entered it in the Metropolitan South Florida Fishing Tournament. This was my first Met (as it is known) record fish and it got my competitive juices flowing. I knew that I wanted more, and dad would teach me. I worked odd jobs and when I could, I would work weekends as a mate on my dad's boat. These were not ordinary fishing trips to me, but rather an Olympic coach training me to be a top guide. That was a great learning experience and I was getting paid for something that I loved to do. I also worked as a mate on the downtown charter boats and finally made enough to buy my first boat. I spent the next three years commercial fishing and learning the local waters. This was a hard time for me. I would fish all day, sometime with little success, then come home and discuss the day with dad. He would give me this or that advice and I would incorporate it in my fishing the next day. It worked most of the time.

When I had accumulated enough time on the water to qualify for a captains license, I took the Coast Guard exam and passed it on the first try. I found out that having a license did not make me a guide. It took a lot of time and hard work for me to find my groove in the fishing world. For the next year I worked close with my dad and we often fished side by side. As time went by, I found my string getting longer and longer. I had paid my dues and was ready for the big time. In the summer of 1990, I accompanied my dad and older brother to the waters of Cape Cod, where I had my first experiences with the bluefin tunas. We use standup tackle because of its sensitivity and overall control. It was during this time that I began to have some ideas that I wanted to explore, with regards to tackle. After contacting Ken Carmen at "Biscayne Rod", a number of modifications were employed and the task of landing tunas in the 700# to 800# class became easier. Over the years, I have boated many bluefins up to and including my largest of 876#, on standup tackle.

In l993, I fished an angler by the name of Bud Hoffman and his sons in the light tackle division of the "Texaco Keys Classic". We led throughout most of the tournament but fell to second place in the last five minutes and that is where we finished. Dad always said that second place was the first loser, and I was determined to do better next year. In 1994, again fishing with Bud Hoffman, we managed to get it all together and we won the light tackle division. Dad fished the sailfish division and got 2nd place. In 1996, we again won first place in the light tackle division. In 1997, we won it again. In 1998, we won for the third consecutive time, a feat of which I am very proud, as this has never before been accomplished by anyone in this tournament. In 1999, we took 2nd place, but I will be back. The Met is the oldest and largest fishing tournament in the world and provides some of the most competitive fishing in the world. The tournament lasts for 5 months and is strictly a prestige tournament. That is, trophies only and no money. It draws fishermen from all over the world. During the past eight years I have guided anglers to over 100 trophy winning fish. In 1997, I tied with my dad for the most winners in the tournament and we shared the "Guide Achievement" trophy.

The "International Light Tackle Tournament" (known as I.L.T.T.) holds its annual event in Key West. In the six years that I have fished this tournament, I have posted two wins and come in second place one time.

In January of 1999, nearly 140 boats competed in the "S.K.A. Hogsbreath Kingfish Tournament". While fishing George Gonzalez, a 16 year old boy from Miami, we boated a 65.7# kingfish to take top honors in the tournament. This was the largest kingfish ever caught in a Florida S.K.A. sanctioned fishing tournament.

Quality fish on light tackle is of particular interest to me, and to date I have guided clients to more than 30 I.G.F.A. world records.

In recent years I have participated in several videos for television and have worked closely with tackle manufacturers in promotion of, and research and development of, their products. Please see "Capt. Rob Delph" home page and visit their sites.

I hope you have enjoyed your visit to this site and will come back often as I will update it from time to time.

Thank you.

Captain Rob Delph