Unlike Contacting Uber
We’ll be spending the day together. Only minutes with an Uber driver.
This Charter Captain has a driver’s license, too. And a United States Coast Guard Merchant Mariner license, and as for me, decades of experience also.
Don’t think of going on a private charter boat like calling an Uber driver. We don’t have an App for that. At least I don’t. And I don’t want one! I’m in the people business first.
WE’RE OUT TO HAVE FUN!
It’s a learning/doing/adventure, in Jacksonville Florida, for a fisherman. Not just some boat ride!
But, you’ll still see Bald Eagles, Pink Spoonbills, Dolphins, and Manatees. You’ll learn local N.E. Florida history, and folklore too.
Your Ride
My 20’ HANKO side console, aptly named “FLAT BOTTOM GIRL”, was built over the course of 7 months in Berwick, La. I had planned on having this boat built by HANKO for many years. It’s designed for inshore fishing for 2 persons. We have actual room to fish. True Anglers appreciate that.
Many boats are NOT designed to be charter boats. They are cramped, with no room to do battle. Let alone having too many people aboard.
And being all welded 3/16” aluminum has it not shy of shallow water, oyster shell, and hard bottom. Outfitted with a 90hp Suzuki outboard tweaked for shallow water “get up and go.”
Comfortable SeaDek, 36v Power Pole Move trolling motor, a 12” SIMRAD sounder/chartplotter/GPS connected to aerial satellite photo software. A baitwell for your live shrimp, and two soft-sided coolers full of ice. One for fish, one for lunches.
LEAN & MEAN. And all the proper “light tackle” you’ll need for a day’s fishing adventure.
MORE DETAILS: Your next Jacksonville inshore fishing guide
What’s New (ish)
As a full-time fishing guide, I’ve been taking clients fishing in Jacksonville, Florida since 1996. At 63 yrs. old, I’ve dropped and retrieved my anchor multiple thousands of times. From back in my offshore reef fishing days to fishing the St. Johns River. Pulling 20-40’ of chain and anchor, and 150 feet PLUS of anchor line, needed to ‘stay put’ in our excessive current. With a loaded 26’ boat and a crew of 4 people. All that has taken its toll on me.
So, as of May of 2025, I made a change. “We’re going shallow, salt marsh, bayou, creek, estuary, backcountry fishing.” Whatever you want to call it. It’s 180 from what I used to do, with 4 people on a 26’ deep-V boat, with 265 horses on the stern. No more clients unable to take the choppy inlet, or offshore waters.
“I can’t stand even getting waked any longer, and the river isn’t for me on those crazy weekends full of boats everywhere!” Don’t worry, you won’t need seasick pills to be taken the night before, on my charter days.
MORE DETAILS: Best time of year, for Fish and Human’s alike
As of Oct. 1
For 30 years, I’ve advised visiting fishermen to always have a backup day in mind. Because, as of October 1, we start getting weather fronts passing through the area at closer intervals. In the deep summer, a front can pass by, and we’ll hardly notice it. Every day is just H-O-T. All we care about is how bad the daily thunderstorms will be, that start around noon, DAILY, as the cooler ocean air collides with the extremely hot land mass air.
So as of Oct. 1st, have a wiggle room day available. It may be that a ‘front’ is passing by and it’s ‘Small Craft Advisory’ with high winds. That will affect our ability to inshore fish. But, two days later, it can be calm and very fishable. It’s a change in season I relish!! After long 100 degree, 100% humidity summer days.
MORE DETAILS: Best time of year, for Fish and Human’s alike
Book Your Day in Advance
Back when I got started in the charter fishing biz, I booked dates 3-6 months in advance, commonly.
In today’s world? I feel lucky to get 36 hours in advance. I’ll help you choose a good day, if we can talk about it. My saying is: “the more advance notice you give, the longer I’m thinking about your day.”
Which is beneficial. I’m looking at weather, tides, and where to go according to those factors. Keeping up with bait availability, what kind of bait, how much. A lot goes through my mind as your day approaches.
VERSUS, a call the night before at 7:30pm, for a 7am departure the next morning. Which still can be done, but you kinda get what ya get. If there’s a weather, bait, or tide issue.
MORE DETAILS: Bait, or Artificials?
Get in Touch
Email: je*******@***il.com
Phone: (904) 642-9546
Website: www.captdaves.com
Instagram / Reports: @captdavessportfishing
YouTube channel: Capt. Dave’s Sport Fishing