Episode 168: Capt. Tommy Robinson - Key West to Apalachicola

I first heard the name Tommy Robinson nearly 38 years ago while fishing in Key West. Time and again, anglers spoke about Tommy and his brother, Chris—their reputation as exceptional fishermen extending far beyond Key West to the waters around Apalachicola on Florida's Forgotten Coast. Tommy was born in Richmond, VA but soon moved to Key West where the ocean shaped everyday life. His father, an OB-GYN, famously delivered renowned flats angler Will Benson, but it was the Robinson family's shared passions—diving and fishing—that truly defined Tommy's upbringing. Tommy and Chris began poling the flats at an early age, developing skills that would eventually become second nature. Tommy always knew he wanted to be a fishing guide, earning his captain's license at just 18 years old. He has never looked back. Many of his earliest clients came as referrals from the legendary guide Bob Montgomery, one of the true pioneers of flats fishing in Key West. Before long, Tommy had become captivated by tarpon and permit, dedicating himself to mastering two of the sport's most challenging gamefish. Eventually, another opportunity beckoned. Tommy learned to fly and went to work for Jimmy Buffett, transporting anglers throughout the Bahamas in search of vast schools of bonefish. It was a fitting chapter for someone whose life had always revolved around shallow water and adventure. When that chapter closed, Tommy moved into real estate in northern Florida. Yet fishing remained at the center of his life. He spent years guiding and exploring the waters around Apalachicola long before the area became widely recognized as one of Florida's premier fisheries. Today, he may be every bit as well known there as he is in Key West. More than 45 years after earning his captain's license, Tommy Robinson has never strayed far from the bow of a skiff. Guiding, fishing, and the sea remain woven into the fabric of his life—a lifetime spent chasing tides, reading water, and sharing some of the finest fisheries in the world with those fortunate enough to step aboard.