The Jig is Up Charters pairs a near faultless review record with one of the best rigged boats in Fort Walton Beach, which makes it one of the easiest bookings in the port. It is a veteran owned, owner run operation, fishing the MadAly, a 32 foot World Cat catamaran with twin engines, trolling motors, and downriggers, out of Okaloosa Island. Captain Bob runs the boat himself, and the reviews are deep and consistently strong. For a small group that wants a stable, well equipped boat and a hands on captain, it is a standout.
The verdict and where it ranks
At 7.9 The Jig is Up is a strong choice and ranks second in Fort Walton Beach, the owner run pick just behind the deeper, multi boat record of Salty Endeavors. The two trade strengths: Salty Endeavors has more reviews and more boats, while The Jig is Up has a single owner captain on a better rigged, more stable catamaran. The honest limits are the trip menu, which leans toward half day lengths, and a price that is quoted for four anglers, so a full group of six pays a per angler add on. For a comfortable cabin boat, Knotical Adventures is the step up, and for a patient family captain with a catch guarantee, Blue Water Escape is the other option. The full field is on the Fort Walton Beach ranking.
The boat
The MadAly is a 32 foot World Cat power catamaran rigged as a center console, running twin 350 horsepower Suzuki engines, with full navigation electronics, trolling motors, downriggers, a live well, and a toilet aboard. The two hulls are the story. A catamaran rides flatter and more stable than a monohull of the same length, with less roll at anchor over a wreck, which is a real comfort on a Gulf day and a recurring note in the reviews. The twin engines give it range and a margin of safety, and the rigging, with downriggers and trolling motors, lets it troll for pelagics as well as bottom fish. It is still an open boat, so a long day runs hot, but it is among the best equipped center consoles in the port.
The fishing and what you target
Out of Okaloosa Island the deep water is a short run through the nearby Destin Pass, and the MadAly fishes both the bottom and the troll. The targets are red snapper in its open season, amberjack and grouper on the reefs and wrecks, and king mackerel, mahi mahi, and sharks offshore, with the downriggers and trolling gear letting the boat work the pelagics. Red snapper is the summer headliner; the 2026 Gulf red snapper for-hire season runs June 1 to October 26, and gag grouper is closed for most of 2026, so confirm the open windows with Florida FWC before you book a season specific trip.
Trips and prices
The Jig is Up runs 4, 5, and 6 hour trips, all whole boat: the 6 hour is $950 for up to 4 anglers, with the shorter trips lower and additional anglers beyond the base extra, up to 6. Rods, reels, bait, tackle, and the license are included and the crew fillets your catch, with a customary tip extra. The menu leans toward half and three quarter day lengths rather than the long 8 and 10 hour offshore runs some boats offer, so it suits a group that wants a focused shorter trip. Confirm the per angler add on for a full group of six. Our cost guide and the party boat versus private charter guide work the math through.
The crew
Captain Bob runs the boat himself, and the operation is veteran owned, which the reviews reflect: a deep, near faultless record describing a captain who keeps the trip fun, safe, and well run, and a crew that works to put everyone on fish. As a single owner operator the experience is consistent, the same captain on every trip, which is the steadying strength behind the score. The record is both deep and positive, second in volume only to Salty Endeavors among the boats here.
Booking and what to know
Book direct or through FishingBooker, and confirm the trip length and the per angler rate for your group size with Captain Bob. The boat departs Okaloosa Island at 1201 Miracle Strip Parkway SE. Bring food, drinks, sunscreen, and a cooler with ice; the boat covers the rods, tackle, bait, and license, and the catamaran’s stable ride is a help if anyone in the group is unsure of their stomach.
How we scored it
The Jig is Up scores 7.9: a veteran owned, owner run charter on a stable, well rigged catamaran with a deep, near faultless record, held just below the top boat by a half day leaning trip menu and a per angler price structure. Boat and equipment is its strongest factor. See how we scored this boat and the Fort Walton Beach ranking for the field.