Lucky Dog Sportfishing is a dedicated sailfish and mahi boat out of the West Palm Beach area, a 32 foot Ricky Gillikin Carolina built and rigged for the kite fishing the Gulf Stream calls for. Captain Bob Lorello has more than 40 years on these waters, the boat is kept spotless, and the reviews are full of anglers who came for sailfish and left happy. For a small group that wants a captain who specializes in exactly the fishing Palm Beach is known for, it is a strong pick.
The verdict and where it ranks
At 8.0 Lucky Dog is a strong choice and the second private boat in the ranking, behind Tuna Wahoo. The draw is a 40 year captain and a boat purpose built for kite fishing the sailfish season. Two things hold it a step back: it does not post its prices, so you call for a quote, and it is a smaller 32 footer, so for a big comfortable boat the Island Time 52 foot Viking is the call, with Gin Clear the other kite fishing specialist. See the full Palm Beach ranking.
The boat
The Lucky Dog is a 32 foot Ricky Gillikin Carolina, a hull type built for the offshore troll and the kite, rigged with a live well, outriggers, and downriggers for the live bait fishing the sailfish season needs. Reviewers single out how clean and well kept it is, which says something about how it is run. As a 32 footer it is a fishing boat, not a cruiser, so it is at its best with a small group working hard rather than a large party looking for cabin comfort on a long day.
The fishing and what you target
This is a Gulf Stream boat, on the sailfish and mahi grounds minutes from the inlet. The targets are sailfish, mahi mahi, king mackerel, cobia, and barracuda, with wahoo and the occasional marlin on the long runs, fished by kite, troll, and live bait. Sailfish are the winter and spring prize, December into April, kite fished and released; mahi build through spring. 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 pelagics and reef snapper.
Trips and prices
Lucky Dog runs a half day of about 4 hours, good for families and a first taste of offshore, and a full day of 8 hours that ranges farther for the better pelagic fishing. The one knock on transparency is that it does not post a fixed price; you call for a quote. The boat is private for up to 6 anglers, with gear and licenses included. Our cost guide gives the typical range, and the walk on versus private guide covers the choice between a private boat and a shared drift seat.
The crew
Captain Bob Lorello is the boat. More than 40 years fishing off West Palm Beach, he draws reviews that call him a master of the trade and a patient teacher, the kind of captain who makes a beginner comfortable and still puts a serious angler on fish. The sentiment is consistent and positive across the platforms, and the spotless boat is a recurring theme. As an owner run boat, the captain you read about is the one running your trip.
Booking and what to know
Book by phone or a marketplace listing, ahead for the winter sailfish season, and ask for the rate and the trip length that fits your group. Keep the party small for comfort, and bring food, drinks, sunscreen, and a cooler; the gear and the license are covered. The Gulf Stream is a short run, so even a half day gets real fishing time.
How we scored it
Lucky Dog scores 8.0 on a standout 40 year captain, a purpose built kite fishing boat, and a consistent review record, held below the top by prices it does not post and a smaller boat than the port’s big sportfishers. Captain and crew is its strongest factor. See how we scored this boat and the Palm Beach ranking for where it lands.