Our Staff | Blue Water Charters Key West

Chris Leitkowski, has a lifetime of experience on the ocean and in the construction industry, currently he owns and operates several businesses in Connecticut and currently divides his time between business interests in Connecticut and Key West.

Chris has always been an avid outdoorsman and an ocean enthusiast from the time he could walk. He is a seasoned fisherman with both rod and reel along with the spear in the inshore and offshore varieties, a world traveled SCUBA diver. Chris is a life member of the IGFA (International Game Fish Association) and NRA (National Rifleman Association).

He also plays an active part in conserving the natural resources within his home state of Connecticut, he is a founding member of the Woodsman Land Trust, that’s purpose is for the preservation of hunting, fishing, and forestry along with developing habitat for fish, waterfowl, and all wildlife.

Chris with good friend Dale Dupuis
and 924lb Giant Tuna.

Captain Bob

Captain Bob was born and raised, next to the Stewart River, a tributary cold water trout stream of Lake Superior, on the North Shore of Minnesota. Self taught at the age of 4, catching Rainbow, German Brown, and Speckled Brook Trout. First on live bait, then graduating to flyfishing. By the time he was 12, after 2 years of trying, he finally caught his first Steelhead,
(a migratory Rainbow Trout), through the years he has caught upwards of 200 Steelhead, the largest being a 12.5#, 33" male out the Devil's track River. By the time he was 15 he was starting to fish Lake Superior for Lake Trout, Steelhead, and Chinook, Atlantic, Coho Salmon. Techniques used were shorecasting, trolling, and bottom jigging (at depths up to 250'), sometimes through the ice. Many times trolling in the winter when the lake wasn't frozen. Brrrrrrr.

It is no wonder that you now find him in Key West, Florida. Having trolled in water that was 34 degrees, the older and wiser Captain Bob prefers fishing in water that is generally at least twice that warm. The many other reasons are the extreme diversity, and tenacious fighting ability of the fish species that inhabit the Florida Keys local waters. After 10 years of chasing fish, in Key West area waters, some of these that he has adapted to catching, are Offshore species such as, Blackfin Tuna, Wahoo, Kingfish, Sailfish, Marlin, and his favorite the Mahi-Mahi. Reef and wreck species including Grouper, Cobia, and all the variety of Snappers. Of course Sharks
and Barracudas are also caught in these waters. Many other species have been caught , far too numerous to list. These species can be caught trolling offshore in the deep blue sea, or next to the reef's edge. Also available is the hands-on experience of catching fish on the many patch reefs and wrecks. Captain Bob has been an avid boater since the age of 12. He has had his U.S. Coast Guard issued OUPV(six-pac) Captain's license for over six years, and has recently upgraded his credentials to the Ocean Master's license. After having fished for nearly forty years, he understands the dedication and patience it takes to land the Big one. One thing is for sure, in a days fishing, you will probably be worn out before he is.