Meet
Captain Joel Brandenburg
Carrying a 70-year family legacy on the water. Over 15,000 GPS numbers passed down from generations of Captains, secret spots no one else has, learned over many decades.
Born Into It.
Four Generations Deep.
Ana Banana Fishing Company is a family business, and it didn't start last year. It started in 1957, when grandpa Captain John Scudder first ran charters out of the Florida Keys. Seventy years and four generations later, our family estimates we've guided more than 50,000 satisfied anglers on these same waters.
Captain Joel grew up in the wheelhouse. He learned the rhythms of the flats, the push of the tides, and the moods of every gamefish that swims the Keys, not from books or YouTube, but from his father and grandfather. The kind of knowledge that takes decades to build and minutes to share with the right client.
Today, Joel holds over 15,000 GPS numbers, secret spots passed down through generations of Captains in this family. Every flat, every channel, every reef, every wreck, every honey hole. The kind of waypoints no chart, no app, and no algorithm will ever have. They're earned, they're inherited, and they're how he puts you on fish.
He runs a 11-boat fleet out of Marathon, from the 17ft Mako skiff and other inshore center consoles for the flats, all the way up to the 50ft Bertram for serious deep sea runs to the Marathon Humps and the Cay Sal Banks. Whether you're a first-timer or a seasoned tournament angler, Joel meets you where you are. See all 11 vessels →
His philosophy: fish smart, respect the water, and we don't come home empty-handed. That's why anglers come back generation after generation, same as the captains.
For decades, Joel has written a regular column, "Captain Joel's Fishin' Holes", in Coastal Angler Magazine.
Every Water,
Every Target Species
From skinny-water flats to the deep blue offshore, four generations have taught us every fishery the Keys hold, and how to work it.
Flats Fishing
Sight-casting on the skinny water is where Captain Joel shines. Tarpon, Snook, Redfish, and Bonefish, the heartbeat of Keys fishing. Quiet approach, precision casts, and an eye for fish that only comes from decades on the water.
- Tarpon
- Snook
- Redfish
- Bonefish
- Triple Tail
Backcountry
The maze of mangrove creeks, islands, and channels behind the Keys holds fish that never see heavy pressure. Captain Joel knows every secret corner. Expect Snook, Redfish, Speckled Trout, Permit, and Jacks that will test any angler.
- Snook
- Redfish
- Speckled Trout
- Permit
- Jacks
- Black Drum
Nearshore
The nearshore reefs, wrecks, and patches around Marathon are teeming with life. Great for families, beginners, and anyone who wants steady action. Grouper, Snapper, Cobia, Barracuda, Pompano, these trips rarely disappoint.
- Grouper
- Snapper
- Cobia
- Barracuda
- Pompano
Offshore & Bluewater
Our offshore sportfish fleet (including the 50ft Bertram) runs far out into deep-sea waters, sometimes 30 miles to the Marathon Humps, an underwater mountain range near the Cay Sal Banks on the Bahamian border. Mahi, Blackfin Tuna, Wahoo, Sailfish, and electric deep-dropping for Swordfish and Tilefish.
- Mahi-Mahi
- Blackfin Tuna
- Wahoo & Sailfish
- Swordfish (deep drop)
- Tilefish
Proof Is in the Catch
The Family Album
Four generations on the water. Some of the oldest photos from the Brandenburg family's days fishing the Florida Keys.
Celebrities I've Fished
Seventy years on these waters has put a lot of famous folks on fish. Hall of Famers, world champions, rock stars, generals, and TV hosts have all stepped aboard with the family. A few of the names we've guided over the years:
- Nolan SchanuelFirst baseman / outfielder, Los Angeles Angels
- Coyote PetersonWorld-renowned wildlife show producer and host
- Maj. Gen. Steven P. WhitneyDirector of Headquarters, United States Space Force
- Aaron LewisFrontman of the band Staind
- Rusty ScottPitcher, St. Louis Cardinals
- Grant DesmeOutfielder, Oakland A's
- Billy BeaneEVP of baseball operations and minority owner, Oakland Athletics
- Bob McNallyWorld-renowned outdoors writer, photographer, and author
- Dioner NavarroCatcher, Chicago Cubs
- Sam Snead“Slammin' Sammy”, most PGA Tour wins in golf history
- Wade BoggsWorld Series winner and Hall of Fame baseball player
- Jose Wejebe“The Spanish Fly”, host of the Spanish Fly TV show
- Jim KellyNFL Hall of Fame Buffalo Bills quarterback
- Don DingmanHost of Hook the Future and Bahama Lobster Pirates
- Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf“Stormin' Norman”, American hero, MacDill AFB
- Gary RossingtonGuitarist, Lynyrd Skynyrd
- Ron SpomerOutdoors writer, photographer, host of Whitetail Revolution
- LeRoy SelmonNFL Hall of Fame lineman, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Jonathan QuickGoaltender, L.A. Kings & U.S. Olympic team, Stanley Cup winner
- Stu ApteIGFA Hall of Fame angler and fly-fishing authority
- Shawn Camp“The Camper”, pitcher, Philadelphia Phillies
- Luke SnyderHall of Fame bull rider, PBR
- Kip PardueLead actor in Remember the Titans
- Steve YerridFamed attorney, author, and founder of the Yerrid Foundation
- Bob GoalbyPro golfer and winner of the 1968 Masters
- Capt. Bill MillerMaster angler and host of the Hooked on Fishing show
- Scott ElartonPitcher, Kansas City Royals
- Chuck LamarGeneral Manager, Tampa Bay Rays
- Brian JohnsonLead singer, AC/DC
- Mike SellersFullback, Washington
- Glen PlaHost of Average Angler Adventures
- Allen CollinsGuitarist, Lynyrd Skynyrd
- Mike AlstottRunning back, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Roland MartinFishing TV host, most B.A.S.S. wins, IGFA Hall of Fame
- Alfonso RibeiroActor, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
- Lt. Gen. Bob NellerUSMC, MacDill AFB
- Scott MartinTV fishing host, son of Roland Martin
- Marc RzepczynskiPitcher, St. Louis Cardinals & World Series winner
- Bill DanceTV fishing host, IGFA Hall of Fame
- Sterling MarlinNASCAR driver
- Mike StanleyNY Yankees first baseman and Little League World Series coach
- Blair WigginsHost of Addictive Fishing
- Gen. Tommy FranksAmerican hero, MacDill AFB
- Ric Flair“Nature Boy”, pro wrestler
- Mike RichardsCenter, L.A. Kings, Stanley Cup winner
- Mark SosinFishing TV host, IGFA Hall of Fame
- Davin JosephRight guard, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Lefty KrehLegendary fly fisherman, IGFA Hall of Fame
- Brendon ClarkPro bull rider, PBR
- Martin St. LouisRight wing, Tampa Bay Lightning & Olympic hockey player
- John BuckCatcher, Kansas City Royals
- Joe MercurioHost of the Professional Tarpon Tournament Series
- Jon VoightAcademy Award-winning actor
- Jimi JamisonLead singer of Survivor, “Eye of the Tiger”
- Jon RauchPitcher, KC Royals, tallest MLB player in history at 6'11"
- Vincent LecavalierMVP and Stanley Cup winner, Tampa Bay Lightning
- Brad RichardsRight wing, Tampa Bay Lightning, Stanley Cup winner
- Jeff CarterCenter, L.A. Kings, Stanley Cup winner
- Nick TarnaskyNHL forward, Montreal Canadiens
- Jesse LitschPitcher, Toronto Blue Jays
- Doug WaechterPitcher, Tampa Bay Rays
- Steve ClevengerCatcher, Chicago Cubs
- Jason LaRueCatcher, Kansas City Royals
- Mike RenoLead singer, Loverboy
- Tom FoleyShortstop, Phillies & third-base coach, Tampa Bay Rays
- Don JanuaryPGA Tour pro golfer
- Tom McNallyOutdoorsman and outdoor editor of the Chicago Tribune for 40 years
- Steve DeBergQuarterback, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Shawn SchoffitPitcher, Toronto Blue Jays
- Joe JureviciusWide receiver, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Eric LittlejohnSecret Service agent who protected five U.S. presidents
- Col. John McDanielAmerican hero, founder of Wounded Warriors in Action
- Ian BecklesLineman, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Will HellerNFL tight end, Bucs, Lions, and Seahawks (2001-2012)
"Captain Joel is the real deal. We've fished with a lot of guides up and down the Keys, but nobody reads the water like he does. He put us on Tarpon within 20 minutes of leaving the dock. We were back before noon with a cooler full of fish and stories we'll tell forever. The No Fish, No Pay guarantee says everything you need to know about his confidence, and his results.", Verified Charter Guest, 5-Star Review
Ready to Fish with Captain Joel?
Call or email to book your trip. Year-round availability, all experience levels. No Fish, No Pay, guaranteed.
(305) 395-4212