Mark's History on Islamorada
Mark Cockerham’s parents and grandparents moved to Islamorada in the late 1950s. Mark grew up fishing and exploring the many islands, flats and channels of the Florida Keys and Florida Bay.
Mark’s mother and father were partners in the original Bud N’ Mary’s Marina development. Working with a man by the name of Jack Kurtz, Cockerham’s parents, Max and Donna, owned the Mercury dealership and service department and Sea Craft and Anna Capris boat dealerships that were housed in the barn at Bud N’ Mary’s.
In the early 1970s, the Cockerhams built Max’s Marine in Islamorada (where the Square Grouper now sits). They sold it in 2006.
Mark Cockerham has been guiding full time ever since. Cockerham’s fishing career is measured in world records and tournament victories. His fishing resume is unmatched.
Cockerham holds four light tackle world records as an angler— 2, 4, and 6 pound for bonefish and the permit 2-pound record. He has also guided clients to two other records.
Cockerham’s tournament resume is extensive. Beyond the numbers of victories, Mark has put up incredible daily catch numbers.
The best example was the day in November 2019 when Captain Mark Cockerham led a team of two anglers to release 465 redfish in a single day… in a tournament. Cockerham is also an accomplished fly fishing guide.
