LET’S GO FISHING!

The Captain

Fort Lauderdale Fishing Charters Hollywood, FL

My Name Is

Captain Vinnie.

I started fishing in South Florida since I was 4 years old. My mother taught me how to fish in fresh water for bluegill and catfish; I have always loved fishing and have always been fascinated with fish.

When I turned 12 I started getting into saltwater fishing with my dad, my family had a house in Key Largo where we had a 25-foot center console boat and we would go out fishing the reefs and offshore waters of Key Largo.

Every now and then we would go down to the local charter boat dock in Islamorada where we had a few friends in the charter boat industry. I would love to see what the catch of the day was and ask them many questions about fishing, wondering one day if I would be as good as them.

Within the next few years, I developed a serious love for fishing. I started working on fishing charter boats by the age of 17 and obtained my first private job at 19. I worked on a charter boat in the Bahamas fishing tournaments for blue marlins. We fished in many of the billfish tournaments and came close to many top finishes. This was a great opportunity to learn things about rigging tackle and baits as well as boat handling and maintenance.

I obtained my 100 ton my Captain’s License soon after I returned and began looking for jobs. It was very hard to get hired because of my young age and lack of experience.

I soon decided to go into fishing charter business with a friend of mine whose dad let us use his boat for charter, it was a small boat (only 24 feet), but it was an opportunity. We were in business for about 3 years and then decided to go out own way. In those 3 years, I gained a lot of knowledge about how to treat customers and how the charter boat industry works.

My dad and I started looking for a boat to buy; he could see I was very serious about fishing and wanted to make a career out of it. We were very fortunate to find the YB Normal, a 43-foot Custom Sportfish. This was the perfect boat built in Key West specifically for charter. We eventually were lucky enough to find dock space in Fort Lauderdale at the world famous Bahi Mar and the rest is history

FISHING ON

YB Normal

The YB Normal is a 43’ Torres sportfishing boat which has seen regular maintenance since the day she was built and makes for the perfect place for groups of 6 anglers to enjoy a great day’s fishing. She has a comfortable, air-conditioned interior with a bathroom, galley, and plenty of space to relax in between bites.

She is also loaded with a literal boatload of equipment and tech to make sure you get some great catches. The latest electronics from Garmin and Furuno will sound out the deep and have you always fishing in the right spot. Outriggers and downriggers will maximize your spread and target species, and a fighting chair will let you hold your own against whatever you hook.

  •  Toilet
  •  Child Friendly
  •  Air Conditioning
  •  Ice Box
  •  Rods, reels & tackle
  •  Fighting Chair

Lisa WLisa W
23:22 31 Aug 24
We had a great turnout on our fishing trip today. It was our first time taking our young boys (11yrs & 8yrs old) offshore fishing and they did amazing due to the tremendous patience and outstanding help of Captain Vinnie and his first mate. Caught black fin tuna, snapper, Bonita, a barracuda and great memories.
Holly MasedaHolly Maseda
12:18 15 Aug 24
Had an Amazing Day Fishing with Captain Vinnie and his Mate Steve on YB Normal. We booked an all day charter. My daughter came into town for her birthday and he didn't disappoint. The equipment top notch, he was prepared and ready for us with live bait and hooks ready to go. His cabin had AC and was a nice escape to get out of the hot sun. There are 5 of us on the boat and within minutes of the first sight of fish all 5 of us had fish on the line. We couldn't catch them fast enough. We had 12 dolphin within 20 minutes.Total catch for the day was 20 dolphin 3 tuna a Wahoo. And the prize for the day was a sail fish.Couldn't have asked for anything better. Thank you for giving my family memories to remember forever.
Christian HofmannChristian Hofmann
08:32 09 Aug 24
Capt. Vinnie and Steve are true fishing professionals. Since we arrived to the boat me and my family felt in the right hands for a great adventure. They made sure that we had lots of action. 10 out of 5
Charles SwartzCharles Swartz
16:48 27 Jul 24
These guys are awesome we went on a 4 hour tour and it was sweet
PatrickGT3RSPatrickGT3RS
11:10 14 Jul 24
It was a pleasure to meet Vinnie And SteveAnd it was a Great Fishing Trip.I Hope we See us soon!
Hayley JarrioHayley Jarrio
15:06 11 Jul 24
Amazing time! Captain Vinnie knew exactly where the fish were! Steve was super helpful and both made for a great trip! Highly recommend!
Reza AzadiReza Azadi
16:46 09 Jul 24
Great experience. Plan on a longer charter next time. Great host to kids
Joe HansmannJoe Hansmann
04:43 09 Jul 24
We had a blast with Vinnie and 1st mate Steve. Caught the biggest wahoo of my life. 60" 80 lbs!My wife girls also got to real in kings, tuna, maceral, and barracuda.
Nick BerryNick Berry
19:00 02 Jul 24
We had a blast on this charter. Our group of six had plenty of room and the equipment was great. We reeled in a 7’ sand bar shark too! Captain Vinnie and crew put us on the fish and on the sharks. We will be returning to Y B Normal when back in town.
Dr Alex WhoDr Alex Who
12:04 18 Jun 24
YB Normal fishing charter, with Captain Vinnie at the wheel is a trip of a lifetime. The experience was beyond anything we expected, Captain and mate had such expertise and knowledge of their craft that it was an art. YB Normal 8hr charter is definitely highly recommended if you want great big catch!!!. Captain Vinnie knew exactly where the fish are and how to get them on the boat!!!. Thank you dearly from the surfing chef.
John LewisJohn Lewis
13:10 24 Apr 24
We did the 6 hour afternoon trip with Vinnie and 1st mate Fischer and had a fantastic time.  Everything was ready when we arrived.  We made it out to the starting place, which took around 35-45 minutes.  We started with Kites and some live bait that was given free to Vinnie, so we didn’t get charged for it, which was nice.  We started hooking into fish starting with Bonita and then we caught an absolute hog of a barracuda, which they estimated around 35 pounds and a rarity for the large size.  After that, I hooked into a hammerhead and was given the option to chase it, so we did for a solid 30 minutes until the hook popped out.  But what an experience on light tackle.  We did some more kite fishing and then trolled after the live bait ran out.  We started hooking into fish quickly and after an absolutely chaotic set, came away with a Sailfish, Blackfin, King Mackerel and two jacks for good measure.  Vinnie got us on fish and Fisher was a moving tornado, keeping all the gear in line and in the water fishing. We made our way back and got into port right at 6 hours.  We had our fish cleaned and got some great pictures and memories along the way. I picked this boat, based on the reviews of others on Fishing Booker, but also because of the results of the captain.  Not all days are going to be productive on the water, but I felt like we crushed it.
Ordinary SethOrdinary Seth
00:21 18 Apr 24
A Thrilling Fishing Adventure with Captain Vinnie on the YB Normal.If you’re looking for an unforgettable fishing experience, look no further than Captain Vinnie and crew. From the moment we stepped on board, their expertise and enthusiasm set the tone for an incredible journey.Day one was nothing short of exhilarating. We reeled in a bounty of tuna, a couple mahi, a very nice sailfish, and even encountered some toothy critters. Captain Vinnie’s knowledge of the waters and Mate Jeff’s assistance ensured that every catch was a memorable one.Day two brought even more excitement as we nearly reached our limit for yellowtails and added a few more tunas for the freezer. The seamless coordination between Captain and Mate made the entire experience smooth and enjoyable.Overall, our trip aboard the YB Normal exceeded all expectations. The boat had ample room and a wide beam making the ride comfortable. Their professionalism, skill, and passion for fishing shone through, resulting in a successful and thrilling expedition. I can’t recommend them highly enough for anyone seeking an unforgettable fishing adventure.
Amber NoelAmber Noel
00:49 05 Apr 24
10/10 recommend this crew for your next trip! We took out our three small kids (3, 6, 8) for a 4-hr afternoon trip and they had a blast. This was our first time not doing in shore and I was super skeptical about getting sea sick. Vinnie kept an eye on the forecast and assured us the winds were in our favor and the seas would be calm. Glad we took his advice! Captain Vinnie and his first mate Jeff kept them all on fish and made sure mom and dad caught some too. We caught 10 tuna and 2 Bonita fish, never a dual moment. The boat had a cabin with AC to get them out of the heat, a fridge and cooler, and a bathroom — all wins with kids. We always appreciate a talkative crew AND people who like kids. Great day all around. Looking forward to coming back to Ft. Lauderdale and fishing again!
Christine GeorgeChristine George
10:25 12 Apr 23
These guys were amazing!! We did a 6 hour morning charter and had a great day fishing catching some waho, kingfish, and our once in a lifetime catch, a Sailfish!! Highly recommend these guys!!
Dustin SperlichDustin Sperlich
00:36 13 Jan 23
Had a great day fishing for tuna with these guys. They are super friendly and actually explain and teach what they are doing. Older boat that was well maintained. They are knowledgeable about manny different species and have been doing it for a long time. Will definitely book again if I am in the area!
Philip YananPhilip Yanan
19:49 28 Dec 22
Had a great outing with Captain Vinnie and Mate Hector. Caught a BUNCH of snapper, a few nice big trigger fish and couple bonita. They were very helpful! Hector was especially helpful with the kids! Would definitely use them again!
MandoMando
14:57 27 Jun 22
We had an awesome experience with YB Normal Charter. Captain Vinny was attentive and professional. First Mate Hector truly made my sons 10th birthday a memorable one! They made my son feel like he was one of the crew!
js_loader