Ft. Lauderdale Sport Fishing Charters - About Hooked Up

(Click here to discover what its like to fish with us.)

Hi, My name is Taco. I’ve been fishing the waters in South Florida since the mid 70’s in the canals and intercoastal waterways, for snook, tarpon, jacks and whatever I could get to bite my hook. When I got older, I bought myself a 25’ Open Fisherman and started fishing the waters off the Ft. Lauderdale coast. As time went on, I started asking some of the local fishermen questions about fishing techniques and different strategies for catching fish and was soon catching more and more.

Before I knew it I had people asking me questions about sport fishing. In fact, I started taking more people fishing on my charter boat, at my expense. Then one day, my wife suggested I try to get a job on one of the Sport Fishing Charter Boats. Well, I got lucky and Captain Lindsey Forde gave me a break. At the time I thought he was a real demanding hardass. But, looking back on it now, he got me going in the right direction. Captain Forde is now a well-respected Captain in the South Florida community. After a couple of years with Captain Forde, I started getting more job offers.

So off I went to fish the Bahamas Blue Marlin tournaments with Captain Paul Roadhouse. After a few tournaments we hit the jackpot and won one of the Bahamas Bill Fish Tournaments, and I was hooked! So, I started traveling to St. Thomas, Turk and Cacaos, Mexico, Venezuela and all through the Bahamas. It was great and I was catching more and bigger fish than I ever imagined I would. But it was taking its toll on my marriage.

I came back to the Ft. Lauderdale fishing charter docks and landed a great job on the Happy Day Today. This job kept me fishing about 400 to 450 half-day trips a year. Another advantage of this job was Captains Rick Brady and Tommy Zack. Captains Brady and Zack both did things differently and expected everyday be fished as though we were fishing a tournament. I learned a lot about bait presentation and keeping things organized and staying calm with multiple fish on line. They both fine-tuned me as both a mate and a captain.

After 7 + years on the Happy Day Today, I knew the time had come for me to start my own charter business, and I am loving every minute of it. I have combined the experience of over 6 different captains I have the utmost respect for, and my knowledge and crazy personality to make my charter boat a huge success. So, you are invited to come aboard the Hooked Up, but be prepared for a lot of laughs and some great South Florida sport fishing!

Captain Taco Perez

Captain Mike Johnson joined the Hooked Up team in December 2003. Mike grew up here in Ft. Lauderdale fishing with his grandfather and father so he knows all of the fishing spots. Mike has also fished the BBC and has several tournament wins and places. But, best of all, Mike is a great fisherman, he has a super personality and he loves working on the Hooked Up. After being in the business for so long, I had started to get burned out but now I can honestly say Mike has made the business fun again. So come on by and experience a day on the Hooked Up with us, you will not be disappointed.

Captain Taco Perez