Learn to be a charter fishing mate
Real experience. Real boats. Real training.
Learn from the Pros. Elevate your skills with hands on training. Increase your earning potential. Max 6 students per class.
Train Hard. Fish Smart. Earn More.
Learn From the Pros. Work Like a Pro. Earn Like a Pro.
Step into a hands-on, on the water training program designed to prepare you for a career in the fishing industry. This 40-hour course gives you the skills needed to step on almost any charter fishing boat with the confidence to perform at a high level on deck—and get hired.
This isn’t a classroom. It’s practical, on-the-water training built around what actually happens on a charter.
What You’ll Learn
Rod and reel setup (Re-spooling reels with Dacron backing and mono top shot)
Knots, crimping, twisting wire, and leader building (mono, fluorocarbon, wire)
Bait rigging and lure preparation
Trolling spreads and teaser positioning
Hooking fish and assisting clients
Catching live bait
Fish handling, gaffing, and deck management
Using down riggers and out riggers
Boat awareness and working efficiently under pressure
Customer interaction and service (how to earn bigger tips)
Selling taxidermy
Understanding your captain
Why This Course Matters
Great mates don’t just fish—they think ahead, move with purpose, and deliver an experience.
In this course, you’ll learn how to:
Stand out to captains
Work efficiently and confidently
Increase your value on every trip
Maximize your earning potential
What Makes This Different
Small class size (max 6 students) for real hands-on experience
Taught by experienced professionals—not theory-based instructors
On-the-water training in real conditions
Focus on both technical skills AND customer experience
Who This Is For
Beginners looking to break into the charter industry
Current mates wanting to level up their skills
Anyone serious about working on a fishing boat and getting paid for it
Everyone who is passionate about fishing and wants to learn more
Limited Availability
With only 6 spots per class, this program fills quickly.
What’s Included
Your tuition covers more than just training—it’s a full, immersive experience designed to set you up for success.
Included in the Course:
6 nights lodging at Sugarloaf Lodge (private room)
Breakfast and lunch for all 5 training days
2 group dinners (Dante’s & South of the Seven)
2 three-quarter day (6-hour) charter fishing trips
3 full-day (8-hour) charter fishing trips
Hands-on, on-the-water training with experienced professionals
Access to and inclusion in the consortium
What’s Not Included
Travel to and from Key West
Transportation during your stay
Learn to Catch Bait. Keep It Alive. Fish It Right.
This intensive 5-day course is built for those serious about mastering the most effective method in offshore fishing—live baiting. From catching bait to presenting it perfectly, you’ll gain the hands-on experience needed to consistently produce fish.
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
Where and how to catch live bait
Proper live well setup (pump size, plumbing, flow and circulation)
Storing and maintaining bait overnight
Rigging and fishing live baits effectively
Throwing a cast net
Kite fishing techniques
Slow trolling live baits
Sight fishing and live chumming
Selecting target species based on season and conditions
ON-THE-WATER TRAINING (MAJORITY OF COURSE)
This is a hands-on, boat-based course where you’ll spend the majority of your time actively fishing and learning in real conditions:
2 Days Wreck Fishing – targeting structure-oriented species using live bait
3 Days Blue Water Fishing – targeting pelagic species offshore
WHY THIS COURSE MATTERS
Live bait is the difference between hoping… and producing.
When you know how to:
Catch the right bait
Keep it alive and healthy
Present it naturally
You dramatically increase your chances of success—and your value on any boat.
WHO THIS IS FOR
Aspiring mates
Current mates looking to level up
Serious anglers wanting to fish at a higher level
REAL TRAINING. REAL RESULTS.
This isn’t theory. It’s repetition, experience, and learning by doing—on the water, where it matters.
Master live baiting and take your fishing—and earning potential—to the next level.
Dial in Your Spread. Trigger More Bites. Catch More Fish.
This 5-day intensive course is built to take your trolling game to the next level. Spend five full 8-hour days on the water learning how to fine-tune your spread based on target species, conditions, and real-time adjustments.
This is where average anglers separate from those who consistently produce.
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
Building and adjusting a trolling spread for different species and sea conditions
Bait-and-switch techniques and hooking fish off teasers
Fishing with circle hooks vs. J hooks
Rigging dead ballyhoo, mullet, and mackerel
Lure and bait combinations
Tying Bimini twists and wind-on leaders
Drag settings and outrigger release clip tension
How and when to drop back baits to fish in your trolling spread
ADVANCED TECHNIQUES
High-speed trolling
All-lure fishing strategies
Grouper trolling
Trolling for live pitch baits
Trolling with a kite
HANDS-ON, REAL-WORLD TRAINING
This is a boat-based, fully immersive course. You’ll spend your time actively fishing, adjusting spreads, and learning how to respond to changing conditions in real time.
No guesswork. No theory. Just repetition, refinement, and results.
WHO THIS IS FOR
Mates looking to sharpen their trolling skills
Anglers ready to move beyond the basics
Anyone serious about becoming more effective offshore
MASTER THE SPREAD. CONTROL THE OUTCOME.
When you understand how to build and adjust your spread, you stop hoping for bites—and start creating them. Mates who pay attention to all the small details consistently have more bites and see more fired up fish in their spread.
Take control of your trolling game and fish at a higher level. A gentle pause from the pace of everyday life. The Reset Retreat is designed to help you slow down, reconnect, and return to yourself—through guided experiences, restorative space, and time to simply be.
FAQs
What forms of payment do you accept?
1
We offer flexible payment options to make enrollment easy. We accept debit and credit cards, cash, and checks, as well as electronic payments including PayPal, Zelle, Venmo, and Cash App.
What’s included in the 40 hour basic mate training course?
2
6 nights lodging at Sugarloaf Lodge (private room)
Breakfast and lunch for all 5 training days
2 group dinners (Dante’s Key West & South of the Seven)
2 three-quarter day (6-hour) charter fishing trips
3 full-day (8-hour) charter fishing trips
Hands-on, on-the-water training with experienced professionals
Access to and inclusion in the consortium
can my dad enroll in the course even if he’s not pursuing a fishing career?
3
Absolutely. While the program is designed for those looking to become charter fishing mates, it’s also a great fit for anyone who simply wants to improve their fishing skills and spend real time on the water. Whether your goal is a career or just becoming a more capable angler, you’ll get hands-on experience, clear instruction, and a professional approach that makes the most of every day on the boat.
Will you offer courses outside of Key West?
4
Yes. While our primary training location is Key West, we plan to expand to additional locations. Upcoming courses are expected along the Gulf Coast, likely out of Venice, LA, as well as the Outer Banks in North Carolina. These locations provide unique fishing environments and opportunities to train in different conditions. Be sure to check back for updates on new course dates and locations.