ROBBIE RECKWERDT: SOMETHING'S FISHY IN ISLAMORADA

Robbie's Marina is an institution in Islamorada. Visitors to the laid-back marina can watch and feed wild tarpon from the dock, embark on fascinating tours, rent a kayak, hire a fishing guide, rent a boat and much more.

Robbie Reckwerdt, founder of Robbie's Safe Harbor Marine Enterprise Inc., based in Key West, is the man responsible for the Robbie's dynasty.

Prior to settling in the Florida Keys more than 30 years ago, Robbie and his wife Mona ran a tire and auto parts business in the Naples/Fort Myers area. However, during their time on the west coast of Florida, they entertained clients on weekends in the Florida Keys, taking them on fishing and diving excursions.

Soon, the weekend entertaining excursions became so enjoyable " ... we didn't like going home, so at age 35 we sold our business and retired for one year and moved to Islamorada," said Reckwerdt, who runs the Key West-based business. "We had the best year of our lives."

He recalls evenings spent reading books about the Keys in the couple's remodeled conch house on Lower Matecumbe and one day a week eating only from the fish and mollusks they harvested along the beaches and islands.

"We dined on fish, conch and lobster with our kids Michael and Jodi," he said.

After a year of retirement in the Keys, Robbie and Mona started the business of showing their clients, and friends that eventually became customers, the paradise of the Florida Keys - educating them about renting boats for fishing trips and having them feed their pet fish. Robbie says they showed their customers how to enjoy the Keys economically.

With the boats and equipment from their weekend trips, and solid financial advice from their accountant, they started their current business. Mona worked in sales while Robbie showed customers how and where to go. He took them fishing to the islands of Indian Key and Lignumvitae - trips still available out of Robbie's in Islamorada.

He credits Mona, his wife of 45 years, with being the best salesperson ever for keeping him busy from the wee morning hours until past midnight - particularly with night fishing trips.

"Then we had to hire help to enable us to keep up with the ever-expanding demand," he said.

He also credits the success of his business to his kids and grandchildren.

"Michael and Jodi grew up with the business, and now Michael and his wife Annie and my five grandchildren have furthered the services to make us one of the most popular and best spots in the Florida Keys," Robbie said. "Annie and Michael operate the marina for me."

Son Michael and daughter-in-law Annie officially bought Robbie's Marina in Islamorada in 1997. The business now has one party boat, one offshore boat and a recently acquired snorkel boat. The Captain Michael offshore boat is a vessel the Reckwerdt family holds near and dear, since Robbie and Michael custom built the boat at the Key West Marina.

Annie and Michael strive to maintain the old-time Keys feel at Robbie's in Islamorada by incorporating eco-tours into their schedule as well as running the Hungry Tarpon restaurant at the marina. They also add culture to the mix, bringing in artists on the weekends for shows.

"We wanted to make it more of a tourist attraction/destination within Islamorada, and adding the eco-tours and a cultural environment is allowing us to create that atmosphere," said Annie Reckwerdt. "We are very committed to maintaining Robbie's as a place where you come in and you feel you've stepped back in time to the Florida Keys of the past."

As for the fishy residents at Robbie's in Islamorada, the beloved tarpon, Robbie says they're part of the family just like a dog or cat might be.

"We have been feeding the tarpon for 31 years as pets that we love, and we hope and wish that each customer will feel the same," he said. "We know the kids love them - just watching them on the dock is proof enough."

Robbie's Marina is located at mile marker 77.5 bayside in Islamorada. For more information, visit www.robbies.com.