The Man. The Legend.
Born to Conquer the Deep
Captain Dane Karcher
Free Dive Champion • Native Floridian
A True Florida Waterman
Born and raised on Florida's Gulf Beaches, Captain Dane Karcher grew up in and on the water – surfing, fishing, and diving before most kids learned to ride a bike. He first learned to boat and fish at a young age on McKay's Creek, gigging mullet for his Dad's smoker. That's where the Salt Life grabbed hold and never let go.
His Dad built an aquatic retreat for the family in Key West, where young Dane speared and netted fish, selling the catch to local markets and restaurants. That hustle became a lifestyle, and that lifestyle became a legend.
The Free Dive Legend
People who know him think he's certifiable. Anyone who can hold their breath for what seems like forever, diving depths any normal person should only attempt with a tank, has got to be crazy. He often dives in 35 to 75 feet of water, holding his breath for 45 seconds to nearly 2 minutes. Tournament dives? That's 120 feet deep, breath held for up to 3 minutes.
He hunts large prey with his weapon of choice – a Riffe spear gun – aiming for the perfect head shot. Dodging sharks and barracudas while wrestling monster fish at extreme depths is just another Tuesday for Captain Dane.
"I get sucked into the hunt and forget I still have to swim all the way back to the top!"
— Captain Dane KarcherCapt. Dane has perfected his skills fishing the waters of Florida, Hawaii, Mexico, Panama, Costa Rica, Bahamas, and beyond. He's a highly respected professional athlete in Free Dive Sport Fishing – winning and placing at the top of many tournaments, featured on television shows, magazines, and newspapers.
He built his charter business to be #1 in the Tampa Bay area operating out of Johns Pass in Madeira Beach, Florida. And now he's back home – running Key West tours year-round, sharing his love for the Salt Life with every guest who steps aboard.
