Q&A with Capt. Brandon Nelson

Date: April 22, 2026

Location: Key West, FL

Few people live the Yellowfin life as avidly as Captain Brandon Nelson of Lucky B Sportfishing. As a charter captain on opposite U.S. coasts (San Diego and Key West) and owner of multiple Yellowfins, Brandon’s pursuits range from hunting tarpon in the shallows to finding Pacific bluefin beyond the horizon, to name just a few. We sat down with the Yellowfin Brand Ambassador to discuss his adventurous life on the water and why he chooses Yellowfin day in and day out.

To book a day of epic charter fishing in San Diego or Key West, visit the Lucky B Sportfishing website!

What initially made you choose Yellowfin?

What drew me to Yellowfin was their continued commitment to building no nonsense, top tier, fishing machines. The high-quality build with second-to-none aesthetic made Yellowfin the clear choice in my book. A simple and high performance fishing machine that is built to withstand a rigorous charter schedule and provide easy upkeep to maintain a like-new condition year after year.

How do your Yellowfins stand out in both San Diego and Key West?

For San Diego, the newly redesigned 36 Offshore was the easy choice for my application. The triple Mercury V8 300s provide incredible performance and efficiency which is paramount for my business. The new layout of the 36 with the livewells, seating, and bow lounger make it the perfect ultra deluxe limited load 4-6 pack charter boat. We can carry plenty of live bait, provide lots of comfortable seating, and a deck layout that is unrivaled in its class. In the Florida Keys, the 24 CE is a staple in the charter industry as it provides best in class performance, whether I’m tarpon fishing in the backcountry or under the bridges, fishing inshore for grouper/snapper, or taking the family to the sandbar.

How does your 36 perform in rough conditions?

The 36 provides fishing opportunities in almost every operating condition. Apart from a small craft advisory (which you shouldn’t be out in anyways), the 36 enables us to miss fewer days of the season as I am able to fish through most conditions and still provide a comfortable experience to my clients.

What features consistently catch the attention of your guests?

My new 36 has been a real eye-catcher at the dock and among the fleet but there are a few things that clients really appreciate when stepping aboard the new boat. Comfortable seating is always at a premium on a true offshore fishing platform but the new bow lounger and rear facing mezzanine seat are vastly improved over the previous generation 36. It is very rare that we use beanbags anymore as most people find the factory seating options to be very comfortable even on longer runs. The abundance of insulated in-deck fish boxes and coolers is also always a remark as we are able to keep the deck clean of any additional fish bags or hard coolers.

What's the farthest offshore run you've made in your Yellowfin?

From San Diego, we have frequented Cortez and Tanner banks as part of our fall tuna fishery. These banks are 120-140 miles offshore from San Diego. In the lower Florida Keys, we have fished the Dry Tortugas and beyond which are a 100 plus miles from our dock in Little Torch Key. These runs would not be possible without a vessel that has proven itself time and time again as reliable and trustworthy. Having amassed over 10,000 hours throughout the last 10 years running Yellowfins, they have never let us down even in the slightest. This is a testament to building a quality lasting product coupled with an intimate operator knowledge and meticulously maintained platform.

How has your new 24 CE changed your approach?

With the 24 CE, I primarily focus on tarpon fishing during the spring season with occasional runs offshore during light winds for snapper, tuna, sailfish, and more. What I love about the boat is its ability to do many different things depending on conditions. Recently on a full day trip, we chased the tides and started in the backcountry catching tarpon, then ran to the reef for yellowtail snapper and mackerel, then even ventured offshore to catch two sailfish before stopping at a wreck on the way in to catch and release several permit. Thanks to its the range and ability to carry several different kinds of bait, the 24 CE made such a versatile trip possible. It’s able to conquer most inshore conditions, resulting in fewer missed days due to wind and an overall more comfortable experience for anglers.

What would you tell someone considering their first Yellowfin?

The whole Yellowfin ownership experience has been incredible for me over the last ten years. When you purchase a Yellowfin, you are investing not only in a boat but in yourself and your future. You can have peace of mind owning a Yellowfin with a company that stands by their product before, during, and after the sale along with the introduction into the Yellowfin family where you will join a distinct group who are proud to own a Yellowfin and what it represents.