I am looking for information on a fishing trip for my son as a high school graduation present in two years. (Yes, I know it's a ways off, but since I know next to nothing on the subject, I thought I should start looking now.) We would probably want to fish for three days or so, both deep water fish and shallower species like tarpon and bonefish. I would probably prefer the Keys or the south-west coast area. Any help on where to look for information (such as an AR-type of forum) or charter recommendations would be very welcome.

Always catch a bunch of fish with Rich Houde
http://www.southboundsportfishing.com/

Thanks, Steve. Anyone else?

I like Lady Pamela out of Lauderdale. Bouncer Smith is good too, but booked pretty far ahead. Islamorada has many offshore and inshore charterboats, but I haven't used any of them.

Check out Over Under fishing charters, they have a website you can look at. I had a great trip with them out of Hatteras for bluefin this past February. I'm friends/neighbor of the owner--he has boats up and down the east coast including south Florida and the Keys.
I've also fished with Jim Sharp out of Big Pine Key who I recommend but it's been about 20 yrs. He was a long time operator there, might be retired but last I heard his son was running the business.

Thanks, guys. I appreciate the responses.

SDirks,

Try Geoff Colmes out of Islamorada. He specialises in fly fishing but we also used some jigs for speckled trout and stuff when the going was tough. He wont do any deep stuff but a day on the flats and a day in the back country is superb.

I would say that if you can get on the big tarpon in April/May with a fly then it's about as good as it gets.

K