Gin Clear Fishing Charters is a dedicated kite fishing and sailfish boat out of the West Palm Beach area, a 38 foot Smith custom express run by Captain R.J. Torsey, who has more than 25 years fishing these waters. It works the methods the Palm Beach sailfish season is built on, kite fishing, live baiting, and trolling, and with the Gulf Stream minutes from the dock at Lake Park, the lines are in the water quickly. For a small group set on sailfish, it is a focused, capable pick.
The verdict and where it ranks
At 7.8 Gin Clear is a strong choice and the fourth boat in the Palm Beach ranking, a genuine kite fishing specialist a step behind the leaders. The captain and the sailfish focus are the draw, and the 38 foot Smith is a comfortable, well rigged boat. The one mark against it, shared with most of the fleet, is that it does not post its prices. For posted rates the Tuna Wahoo boat is the pick, Lucky Dog is the other kite specialist, and the Island Time 52 foot Viking is the comfort choice. See the full Palm Beach ranking.
The boat
The Gin Clear is a 38 foot Smith custom express, a proper offshore fishing boat for up to 6 anglers, rigged with outriggers and downriggers for the kite and the troll and carrying a toilet aboard for the long days. At 38 feet it splits the difference between the port’s nimble 30 footers and the big 50 foot Viking: more room and a drier ride than the smaller boats, without the yacht class price of the largest. It is set up specifically for the sailfish fishing it does.
The fishing and what you target
This is a sailfish boat first. Off Palm Beach the Gulf Stream is a short run, so Gin Clear is on the pelagic grounds quickly, kite fishing live baits for sailfish, the winter and spring prize, with mahi mahi, wahoo, tuna, and snapper through the year. Sailfish are released; mahi build through spring; the reefs give up mutton and other snapper. Atlantic grouper is closed January 1 to April 30 before opening May 1, and the South Atlantic red snapper season was paused for 2026, so the boat leans on the pelagics and the open snapper.
Trips and prices
Gin Clear runs half and full day private charters for up to 6 anglers, with rods, reels, and tackle included. As with most of the Palm Beach fleet, it does not post a fixed price; you call for a quote, which is the one transparency knock against an otherwise focused operation. The short run to the Gulf Stream means even a half day gets real fishing time. Our cost guide and the walk on versus private guide help you weigh a private boat against a shared drift seat.
The crew
Captain R.J. Torsey has more than 25 years on the Palm Beach water, 20 of them running charters, and the reviews track the focus: anglers describe a captain who works hard to get the group on fish and takes the time to teach the kite fishing technique, with sailfish, mahi, and snapper the common catches. The sentiment is positive across the platforms, a solid record for a specialist boat.
Booking and what to know
Book direct or through a marketplace listing, ahead for the winter sailfish season, and ask for the rate and the trip that fits your group. The kite fishing is the draw, so the cooler months are the time to target sailfish. Bring food, drinks, sunscreen, and a cooler; rods, tackle, and the license are covered.
How we scored it
Gin Clear scores 7.8 on a focused sailfish specialist, a well rigged 38 foot boat, and a solid review record, held back mainly by prices it does not post. Captain and crew is its strongest factor. See how we scored this boat and the Palm Beach ranking for where it lands.