Panama City Beach, FL

Meet Your
Captains and Crew

Fishing with Kelley Girl Charters

The Experienced Team Behind Kelley Girl Charters

When you fish with Kelley Girl Charters, you're in the hands of experienced professionals who've dedicated their lives to Panama City Beach waters. Our team combines decades of fishing expertise with genuine passion for teaching and sharing the sport of fishing.

Captain Mark Kelley

Owner & Head Captain | Lady Kelley

There's no place I'd rather be than on the water catching fish. After 40+ years, I still get excited every time a customer lands their first Red Snapper or battles a big Amberjack. This isn't just a job, it's a family legacy I'm honored to continue.

Experience & Credentials

Years on the Water: 40+ years as a professional charter captain

Background:

Started charter fishing with his father in 1976
Worked as deckhand learning every aspect of charter fishing
Became captain of the Kelley Girl in 1987
Purchased Kelley Girl from his father in Buddy Kelley 1995
Expanded fleet with Lady Kelley in 1996
Third generation of Kelley family fishermen (100+ year legacy)

Licenses & Certifications:

USCG Licensed Captain
CPR and First Aid Certified
FWC Compliant
Panama City Beach native with lifetime local knowledge

Fishing Charter Specialties

Captain Mark excels at:

Bottom Fishing - Expert at finding Red Snapper, Grouper, and Amberjack on structure
Private Reef Fishing - Exclusive access to reefs he's built over decades
Teaching Beginners - Patient instruction for first-timers and kids
Reading Conditions - Adjusting strategies based on weather, tides, and seasons
Locating Fish - Decades of GPS coordinates and local knowledge
Heavy Tackle Techniques - Up to 125# test line for deep water and big fish

Local Knowledge of Gulf Fishing

Captain Mark has fished virtually every reef, wreck, and productive spot within 50 miles of Panama City Beach. He keeps detailed logs of catches, conditions, and patterns, knowledge built over 40 years that benefits every customer.

Growing up on the Panama City Beach docks in the 1970s and 80s, Mark learned from some of the best captains in the business. He absorbed techniques, spots, and wisdom that can't be found in books or purchased with GPS coordinates.

His private artificial reefs are the crown jewel, exclusive fishing spots he's invested in building over the years that other charters simply cannot access.

Learn about our private reefs →

Personal Side

Family: Married to Denise (an educator) since 1987. They've raised two children who also love Bay County waters.
Bay County Roots: Third-generation Bay County resident. The family has fished these waters since 1943.

Personality: Known for his jovial spirit, quick wit, and infectious laughter. Mark genuinely loves people and loves sharing his passion for fishing.

Off the Water: When not running charters, Mark is often scouting new spots, maintaining his private reefs, or fishing in tournaments.

Fun Fact: Mark caught his first paycheck from fishing in 1976 at age 12, working on his father's boat. He knew then he'd make a career on the water.

What Customers Say About Captain Mark

"Captain Mark is the real deal. His knowledge of these waters is unmatched. He put us on fish all day, told great stories, and made sure everyone—including my 9-year-old—caught fish. You can tell he absolutely loves what he does."

Tom R., Ohio

"We've fished with a lot of captains in different ports. Mark is hands-down the best. His private reefs are incredible, his teaching is patient, and his enthusiasm never stops. Already booked our trip for next year!"

Jennifer L., Georgia

Captain Carson Kelley

Charter Captain | Fourth Generation

Growing up around these boats and fishing with my dad, I knew I'd be part of this family tradition. Now as a captain myself, there's nothing like seeing someone catch their first big fish and knowing I'm carrying on what my great-grandfather started in 1943.

The Fourth Generation Takes the Helm

Captain Carson Kelley represents the fourth generation of the Kelley family's connection to Panama City Beach fishing. Following in the footsteps of his great-grandfather Arnold Peel, grandfather Buddy Kelley, and father Captain Mark, Carson has earned his captain's license and now runs charters for Kelley Girl Charters.

Experience & Credentials

Background:

Grew up on the docks and aboard the family boats
Started as deckhand learning every aspect of charter fishing
Trained directly under Captain Mark's 40+ years of expertise
Now a licensed captain running his own charters
Carries forward 100+ years of family fishing knowledge

Licenses & Certifications:

USCG Licensed Captain
CPR and First Aid Certified
FWC Compliant
Fourth-generation Panama City Beach fisherman

Specialties

Captain Carson excels at:

Teaching New Anglers - Patient and enthusiastic with first-timers
Family Trips - Great with kids and multi-generational groups
Nearshore Fishing - Skilled at light tackle and nearshore species
Bottom Fishing - Trained in techniques for Snapper and Grouper
Shark Fishing - Exciting encounters perfect for younger anglers

The Legacy Continues

Carson grew up hearing stories from his father about learning from his grandfather Buddy, who learned from his grandfather Arnold Peel. Now Carson is living that legacy himself, combining traditional family knowledge with modern techniques. What this means for customers:

You're fishing with 100+ years of accumulated family wisdom
Carson has access to Captain Mark's private reef coordinates
He knows the family's "secret spots" passed down through generations
He brings youthful energy combined with deep-rooted knowledge

The Kelley family fishing tradition now spans from 1943 to today—over 80 years and four generations of dedication to Panama City Beach waters. Learn about our family story →

What Customers Say About Captain Carson

"Captain Carson was amazing with our kids! He's patient, funny, and clearly loves what he does. You can tell fishing is in his blood. Our 8-year-old is already asking when we can go back!"

Amy P., Alabama

"We fished with Captain Carson and had an incredible day. He knows these waters like the back of his hand—not surprising since it's literally his family legacy. Great catches and even better stories!"

Brian K., Louisiana

Griffin Hebert

Captain & Deckhand

My job is making sure your lines are ready, your bait is fresh, your fish are landed safely, and everyone has what they need to succeed. I love being part of these fishing adventures.

Role & Experience

Griffin serves as Captain and experienced deckhand on Lady Kelley Charters trips. His role is essential to ensuring smooth, successful fishing days. Experience:

8 years working Panama City Beach charter boats
Expert in bait preparation and rigging
Skilled in fish handling and identification
Knowledgeable about tackle, techniques, and local species

What Griffin Does

Before the Trip:

Prepares all tackle and gear
Rigs lines and leaders
Stocks live bait and ice
Ensures boat is ready and safe

During the Trip:

Helps guests with baiting hooks and setting lines
Assists with landing and gaffing fish
Keeps the deck organized and safe
Provides instruction on techniques
Photographs customers with their catches
Manages multiple lines while bottom fishing or trolling

After the Trip:

Helps customers with their catch
Coordinates fish cleaning
Cleans and maintains equipment
Preps for the next trip

Why a Great Deckhand Matters

Having an experienced deckhand like Griffin means:

More time fishing, less time rigging
Expert help landing big fish
Safety on deck while fighting fish
Someone dedicated to making sure everyone catches fish
Great photos of you with your catches

Griffin's attention to detail and customer service ensure that every aspect of your trip runs smoothly.

Three Captains, One Standard of Excellence

Our Commitment to You

Every Member of Our Crew Is Dedicated To:

Safety First

All captains and crew are trained in safety procedures
CPR and First Aid certified
Familiar with all emergency equipment
Vigilant about weather and sea conditions

Your Success

We genuinely want you to catch fish
We'll work hard all day to make it happen
We adjust techniques and locations to find the bite
We celebrate every catch with you

Teaching & Sharing

Patient instruction for beginners
Happy to share techniques with experienced anglers
We explain what we're doing and why
Kids receive special attention and encouragement

Making Memories

We capture photos of your catches
We share stories and local knowledge
We create an atmosphere of fun and excitement
We treat you like family

Read what our customers say

Our Team Approach

Why Our Crew Makes the Difference

At Kelley Girl Charters, you're not just getting a boat ride—you're getting a team dedicated to your success:

Your Captain (Mark, Carson, or Griffin):

Navigates to productive spots
Reads conditions and adjusts strategy
Operates all boat systems safely
Makes fishing decisions based on years of experience
Ensures USCG compliance and safety

First Mate (Griffin):

Manages all tackle and bait
Assists every angler on board
Handles fish safely and efficiently
Keeps deck organized and safe
Takes photos and creates memories

We Work as a Team So You Catch More Fish

With multiple experienced crew members aboard:

More individual attention for each guest
Faster rigging and line management
Better assistance landing fish
Safer deck operations with multiple sets of hands
More time with lines in the water

This is especially important on our larger boats where we can accommodate up to 20 guests.

See our boats

The Kelley Girl Charters Difference

What Sets Our Team Apart

Generational Knowledge

With Captain Carson now representing the fourth generation, you're fishing with a family that's accumulated over 100 years of wisdom about these waters.