Captain Luis Cabrera — Islamorada Flats
Fly Fishing Guide — Florida Keys
About
Captain Luis Cabrera is a second-generation Florida Keys fishing guide who grew up poling flats skiffs across the backcountry waters of Islamorada and the Everglades before he was old enough to hold a commercial captain's license. His father guided in the Keys for thirty years, and Luis absorbed the art of reading tides, spotting fish, and understanding the seasonal movements of bonefish, permit, and tarpon from an age when most children were learning to ride bicycles. Today, with eighteen years as a licensed captain and guide, Luis is recognized as one of the most skilled and consistent guides working the Middle Keys flats.
Luis is a permit specialist, a distinction that carries particular weight in the fly fishing world because permit are widely considered the most difficult shallow-water gamefish to catch on a fly. His success rate on permit exceeds the industry average by a significant margin, a result of his uncanny ability to spot tailing fish at distance, his precise boat positioning, and his deep understanding of permit feeding behavior on different bottom types and in different tidal conditions. His clients have achieved more grand slams — bonefish, permit, and tarpon in a single day — than those of any other guide in the Middle Keys over the past five seasons.
Luis operates a state-of-the-art technical poling skiff equipped with the latest in shallow-water technology, and his tackle room is stocked with flies, leaders, and accessories specifically curated for Keys flats fishing.
Specialties
Permit on the flyTarpon fishingBonefish flatsGrand slam specialistTechnical poling skiffEverglades backcountrySight casting instruction
5.0/5 on Google(105 reviews)
What Anglers Say
“My son and I had a great experience over two trips…. caught a ton of fish. Capt Ed was the best. Highly recommend.”
James p.
“My son and I fished with captain ed and captain david over two days. Everything was perfect. Both captains delivered, both were great with my son still learning to fish, and the Everglades park they fish in is unbelievable. Catching a 5 ft bull shark was the highlight of our entire trip to the keys. Thank you guys!”
Matthew p.
“We had Capt Ed and he was excellent! This was my kids first experience fishing in salt water and they already want to go back. Capt was very professional, friendly and knowledgeable. He was so polite and helpful with our kids, answering all their questions. We caught multiple fish species, watched dolphins feed on bait fish, watched manatees and oh yeah caught a shark! Highly recommend to anyone looking for a fun family friendly experience! I’m sure all the captains are great but I’d ask for Ed.”
Staton p.
Quick Facts
- Location
- Florida Keys
- Experience
- 18+ years
- Daily Rate
- $800/day (1-2 anglers)
- Specialties
- Permit on the fly, Tarpon fishing, Bonefish flats, Grand slam specialist, Technical poling skiff, Everglades backcountry, Sight casting instruction
Book a Trip
Contact Captain Luis Cabrera — Islamorada Flats directly to book your guided trip.