Capt. Steven Lamp knows the waters of Key West better than almost anyone. As a professional fishing guide since 1994 and the founder of Dream Catcher Charters, he has built a career delivering top-tier experiences on the water. Over the decades, Capt. Lamp has run nearly 20 different bay boats, always hunting for the perfect blend of shallow-water stealth and open-water capability. Since 2007, he has trusted Yellowfin to get the job done. Today, his boat of choice is the Yellowfin 24 Carbon Elite (CE). We sat down with the veteran guide and Yellowfin Brand Ambassador to discuss his deep roots in the Key West sport fishing landscape, his demanding charter schedule, and exactly why the 24 CE is the ultimate tool for his team’s backcountry and coastal adventures
Tell us a bit about your background and history guiding down in Key West.
I started my career in the Coast Guard, learning heavy weather operations before working as a divemaster and commercial spear fisherman. After a diving accident in the early 1990s, I pivoted to flats fishing. I bought a skiff, learned the backcountry from Marathon to the Marquesas, and ran 240 charters my first year. Today, my team runs 1,200 to 1,800 charters annually, with some years pushing 2,000 trips. I need equipment that works just as hard as I do. Whether we are hunting tarpon in the shallows or pushing out to the reef, my gear has to be absolutely flawless and reliable every single day.
Why does our 24 Carbon Elite stand out for your pursuits?
Building this boat out of carbon fiber took a massive amount of weight out of an already exceptional hull. My 24 CEs usually weigh about 2,800 pounds fully rigged with the motor. That lightweight construction gives me an honest 11-inch draft with a full crew, allowing us to float shallower than my trolling motor can even pull us. Yet, the platform still maintains the classic running surface. When we face a stiff chop in the bay, the ride reminds me of a high-performance car. It delivers a perfect balance between technical shallow water performance and a smooth, dry ride.
How did your personal 24 CE "The Critter" come about?
The CE deck design features a convenient step-up compartment on the bow. I asked the team to split that space and add a small, seven-gallon aerated livewell right in the center. I keep ice in the adjacent compartments, which drops the livewell water temperature into the mid-60s, even on a blazing-hot summer day. It keeps my live shrimp and crabs incredibly frisky from dawn to dusk. Because that specialized well is the heart of my daily live bait operation, I naturally started calling the boat “The Critter.” It is a simple, highly effective modification that helps me and my guests catch more fish.
How does the 24 CE handle your "All In Wonder" charters?
The All In Wonder trip is exactly why I run this boat. In a single day, I can fish shallow flats for bonefish and permit, and then immediately run offshore to fish the reef if the weather holds. The 24 CE handles that transition beautifully. With a single outboard, the boat reaches speeds over 70 miles per hour, making long runs effortless. It responds perfectly to the right steering input and feels incredibly solid under your feet. It is an absolute driver’s boat at speed, and it earns my complete trust to get us home safely day in and day out.
What makes this boat the ultimate investment?
When you invest in a premium boat, you want uncompromised quality and absolute reliability. The 24 CE delivers unmatched craftsmanship and Yellowfin’s customer service builds lifelong loyalty. It has completely replaced my traditional flats skiff because it simply does more. You get a boat that hunts quietly in the backcountry but has the layout and stability to handle big water comfortably. At the end of the day, when you look at your boat sitting on the lift or the trailer and you can’t help but smile, you know you made the right choice.
How can people book a trip with you on one of your Yellowfins?
The best way for me to demonstrate the capabilities of my Yellowfins is to show you myself—on the water. Whether you’re in town and want to get on some fish or are looking for your next boat and want to sea trial a Yellowfin 24 CE or 36 Offshore, my team of experienced captains and I are happy to help. Visit my website to book your experience.