Team Reel Grace – Destin FWB

Team Reel Grace

Captain Cliff Atwell

Captain Cliff Atwell and his first mate (his son!) have been out on the water together for over 25 years. Their family-focused trips offer the perfect mix of patience, fun and friendly competition. Because as Captain Cliff says, “Everybody wants to win!”

Fast Facts

Boat Capacity: 6

What is your boat named after? It has a double meaning–my daughter's name is Eliza Grace. I also really believe that the grace of God has gotten me where I am today.

How to book:

Call now website

A person on a boat holds up a large fish caught on a fishing rod, wearing a fishing belt, with the ocean and blue sky in the background.

Two people on a boat work together to reel in a fish, one holding the fishing rod and the other assisting, with blue sky and ocean in the background.

A person stands on a boat holding a bent fishing rod, appearing to reel in a catch under a bright blue sky.

Two people on a boat, one holding a fishing rod and the other raising a large fish, with the ocean and blue sky in the background.

Two men wearing blue shirts and sunglasses sit at the helm of a boat, steering and smiling as they travel across the water on a sunny day.

A white motor yacht cruises quickly across calm blue ocean water under a partly cloudy sky.

Team Reel Grace is the best because we’ve mastered the perfect combo: tight lines, sharp skills and a whole lot of grace! We don’t just fish, we outsmart what swims.

- Ciara, 16

Get to know your team

Captain Cliff

When did you fall in love with fishing?

At 15 I knew I was going to be a boat captain. There was no doubt in my mind what I was going to do.

How many years have you been a captain?

40 years

If you could describe your fishing trips in one word, what would it be?

Absolutely blessed. Every day is a blessing on here.

Tell us about your first mate.

My first mate has grown up on the water with me. He's amazing. And yes, he’s my son! At 2 years old he started to ride with me in the bridge of that boat. At 5, he was untangling lines and taking fish off.

What sets you apart from other teams?

We're going to win because we’re a father and son team who think alike. And we're going to be able to compete because we have the knowledge–we've been here a long time.

Is there anything you haven't seen out there on the water?

A mermaid. Still looking.

First Mate Austin

Austin will go down in history as the youngest deckhand in Destin-Fort Walton Beach history, helping out on deck by the time he was 5 years old. He’s patient and loves to teach teens about fishing the Gulf.