Captain-provided. Not independently verified by Unreel Charters.
Insurance is self-reported by the captain and has not been verified by Unreel Charters. We recommend confirming directly with the captain before you book.
Capt. Dave specializes in calm, picturesque saltmarsh and river, light tackle trips for two anglers aboard a purpose-built 2025 Hanko Metal Works 20' super shallow draft, all welded heavy-alloy side console boat. Open with lots of room, bow casting deck, Power Pole MOVE 36v Trolling motor, 12'' Simrad, baitwell, SeaDek padded, and seats.
Previous Angling experience very helpful. Must be mobile, Tackle handling experience a bonus, for success. ''Bass Anglers enjoy this style of saltwater fishing.'' Redfish, SeaTrout, Flounder, Sheepshead, Black Drum, and many other saltwater species.
No problem keeping all species for a fine meal, as per open seasons and size & bag limits.
No seasick pills ever needed! Spin/baitcasting, Jigs, Slip Floats, Bottom fishing. St. Johns River, Salt marsh creeks, 365 days a year, since 1996
30+ years guiding
Fishing Reports
The Killing of the Charter Fishing Industry Jacksonville, FL.
The Killing of the Charter Fishing Industry
“I saw the writing on the wall, years ago. And then the rules kept changing.”
When I started my full-time charter business back in 1996. I had a great start. I was a long-time member of one of the oldest sport fishing clubs in Florida. So, I knew hundreds of people. They were my network. I held multiple officer positions in the club. So members saw my smiling face every Thursday evening. And as word spread. I stayed busy. And not long after, instead of fishing out of just one boat. I fished out of three. My personal 23’ center console, a 17’ shallow water flat bottom center console, I shared with my Dad. And I ran a local dealership’s 21’ center console Bay boat. In which I received a brand new demo boat, every 6-9 months. So, I had the pick of 3 boats according to what kind of charter trip I’d be doing that day. Be it offshore fishing, St. Johns River Inlet fishing, or fishing the estuaries in the shallow creeks. Each had a different rate, different passenger count, and different species we’d be targeting.
I had a friend that was a ex-newspaper man. And he started the very first monthly fishing newspaper/magazine in Jacksonville, Florida. I wrote upwards of two articles a month, and gave him photos to scan and add to the content. This also included a “free” ad in his monthly publication. And yet another network partner that referred me to others. Back then, the Jacksonville Convention and Visitors Bureau was membership based. And for $100 a year, you could be a member. I had a great relationship with the membership representative. And we talked a lot. She always recommended me. And that grew into writing blog posts on their website. Which didn’t hurt, either.
My Dad was always dabbling in entrepreneurship, for as long as I can remember. And he said to me, “get yourself an ad in the BellSouth Yellow Pages.” Does anyone even remember the Yellow Pages? It was a phone book for local business’. And the White Pages, is where
Very Soon, We’ll Be Fishin' Cool, Jacksonville FL.
It’s 9/23/2026 right now, and here in Jacksonville, Florida, it’s not as bad as it was a month ago. We’re finally feeling cooler air temps. Just two days ago I was up a creek in shallow water, catching one Flounder after another, plus some Seatrout and Redfish, casting a double-rig of soft plastics on jigheads. The water temp was down 6 degrees from just 10 days earlier.
No, it’s not really the air temp that controls the water temps. It’s the Atlantic Ocean. As we move into the fall season, ocean currents change, and the local coastal water temps change with them. There’s also the length of the days. “Length of days, it’s all about the length of days, Dave.” That’s what my ole “sea daddy,” Capt. Randall Dyal, used to preach to me.
Sea daddy: a fishing mentor, the kind of guy who probably forgot more than most people will ever know.
Capt. Randall was a lifelong commercial fisherman and a successful “great white hunter.” He traveled North America in search of trophy whitetail deer and wild turkey, and he passed on to me the knowledge he gained. That quote was part of it. Capt. Randall is gone now, but I can still pull up on a certain spot in the St. Johns River and hear him say, “Look for that break in the bottom, and only fish it 2 hours after low tide at the Inlet.”
I Have My Own Sayings Too
“When booking a fishing charter starting Oct. 1st, always have a back-up date too.”
During the heat of summer, there can be 7 days between weather fronts. We barely notice them, because every day is basically the same: hot, hot, hot, with someone in the county getting a late-afternoon thunderstorm between 1 and 6pm that’s so wicked you want nothing to do with it out on the water.
All that starts to change around October. The days between “fronts” get closer and closer, and those weather changes can bring big winds, a fisherman’s nemesis! Say you picked a great tide day but the wind is blowing 25 knots. It’s gonna be one tough, long day on the water.
Starting October 1, Ti
LURES versus BAIT Jacksonville, FL.
Generally, best times for Lures in N.E. Florida (Because I get asked by many Bass Fishermen)
It’s not really about exact times, as in morning, afternoon, or evenings. But rather local water temps. Which means, time of year. When targeting Redfish, Speckled Sea Trout, and Flounder. (the predator species in the saltmarsh) Artificials aka: Lures can be used, but not with a high success rate in the summer. The deep summer doldrums are generally the toughest time to “trick” those species. The saltmarsh is stuffed with all kinds of baitfish and crustaceans. From tiny glass minnows, finger Mullet, Fiddler Crabs, Blue Crabs, and Shrimp. The saltmarsh is a banquet for the Redfish, Trout, Ladyfish, Flounder, Black Drum, and Sheepshead, Sand Perch, Pinfish, Jack Crealle, Mangrove Snappers, Skates, and the most hated of all. Hardhead Catfish. Your Lure has a lot of competition. So you better have the experience and the knowledge of how to work those lures, where to place a cast, and be willing to grind hard, all day, in the summer.
So, what’s the best tactic?
To quote a Gulf Coast Angler I’m subscribed to on Youtube. Who has more Speckled Trout catches than anyone ever could in N.E. Florida, 12 months a year. He always says “save the soft plastic lures for the cooler water. Suck it up, and buy lots of expensive bait, if you want to put fish box in the summer.” Now that’s the Gulf Coast, basically 180 degrees different from the Atlantic Coast of Florida. Because he has access to some of the most prime Trout baits money can buy! And that’s a small 3″ live Croaker! Trout absolutely love a live Croaker. I have fished live Croakers, myself. One’s I had to catch myself, on hook and line. The biggest problem is, they are never 3 inches. A small Croaker in N.E. Florida is 6-10 inches. And we have to catch them first. And unlike the guy I watch on Youtube who buys them 80 at a time from a Shrimper, who keeps them alive at a marina, in big bait tanks. They aren’t cheap.
Here in Jackson
Trips & Pricing
Kids 2hr. Fishing Charter$260
2 hours
THESE TRIPS ARE LIMITED. SEND CAPT. DAVE A MESSAGE TO RESERVE FIRST.
Capt. Dave's famous kids fishing charter is designed for young anglers under 10. This fun and educational trip introduces childr
Standard Day Charter$600
6 hours
Fish the tides with Capt. Dave, a 30-year Jacksonville fishing guide, on a private Jacksonville fishing charter across the St. Johns River and surrounding salt marsh. This 6-hour trip offers a full fi
It was a great fishing trip. Capt Dave is a great captain which our girls truly enjoyed the trip. He knows his areas to fish and did awesome of encouraging our girls to try fishing. We loved our trip because our girls learned about of fishing, saw dolphins, boats and caught several fish and sting ray. If you are ever in the Jacksonville area and like to do a fishing tour, Capt Dave is your guy.
Capt Dave is one of the most knowledgeable fishing guides/charter service's that that you can possibly find. Experience speaks in volumes and with over 24 years of experience you'll hear it loud and clear when Dave puts you on giant "Brutus T" Red fish, Jack Crevalle , Trout, you name it. If it swims in the St Johns river ask Dave and you better be ready to battle with it. Oh yea sharks are no stranger to that river too!!! Dave's custom built 26' aluminum center console was built for fishing comfort. whether for the novice angler or the old salt you and your party will appreciate the room provided while your fighting the "big one" Capt Dave is a great guy and he will make you feel welcome from the minute you step on board to when he is handing you your bag of fillets. Passenger safety is number one priority for all his clients and has numerous repeat clientele. This is no fish tale folks, give him a call and book while you can!!!
Caught the biggest fish of my life! Capt Dave was a patient and entertaining guide-- I'm a total amateur: he taught me a lot, and answered my endless string of questions without missing a beat. My boyfriend, an experienced angler, also had fun and caught plenty of fish. He was impressed with the Capt's bait and tackle, and selection of fishing spots. It was a beautiful and fun day- great scenery, good company, and excellent fishing for all ability levels! We will definitely be back.
Been out with Capt Dave with the kids for several years in a row now. Did the 2 hour kids trip. Every time has been a blast. Past two years Capt Dave took us out behind the shrimp trawlers to see the sharks and dolphins as they feed on the released fish from the trawlers nets. What an experience! Never seen so many dolphins and sharks up close. They would come up right next to the boat, more then we could keep track of. Even did a catch and release on a shark. Never knew a shark would be so much work bringing in.
Other times we went fishing out by the rock jetties. Kids had a good time catching fish. Capt Dave was patient and great with the kids. Always went the extra mile to make sure they had a good trip. Two hours was just about the right amount of time with the kids. Highly recommended.
We had an awesome time with Dave 2 weeks ago. When we weren't catching fish in one spot, he moved us to another until we found a place that just kept on giving until we ran out of bait! The man knows Jacksonville fishing. And if you can't tell from the videos, dude is a character. Always telling a story or giving good information. Never a dull moment on the Jetty Wolf, I would definitely do it again.
Michael Minton
3 days ago
★★★★★via the captain's website
He told me he wanted me to catch the biggest fish of my life.....the rod doubled over and it was in fact the biggest fish of my life (monster RB)...been on the Jettywolf many times and looking forward to many more!
Ruth Huebner
3 days ago
★★★★★via the captain's website
Three of us went out and had a good time fishing and listening to more fish stories than seemingly possible. Captain Dave knows his fish and how to catch them.
rhonda herrmann
3 days ago
★★★★★via the captain's website
Took the kids 15y and 4yr, both got seasick but Captain Dave not only handled well but with the shorter on open water experience took us up river for sightseeing and a bit of history it was a great end
Aaron Martz
3 days ago
★★★★★via the captain's website
Went out with Dave again today, we split a day with a solo trip and then followed it up with a kids trip, went home with about 12 pounds of fish after they were filleted. Also my son had a blast trolling for Mackerel. Thank you Dave for another great day. Will be back soon
Cindy Martin
3 days ago
★★★★★via the captain's website
Thank you for an great experience, excellent Captain, and exceptionally clean vessel. We'll be back.
Frequently asked questions
What should I bring?
Sunscreen, Polarized sunglasses, a hat, soft-soled closed-toe shoes, and any food or drinks you'd like (no glass). Dress per temp. & conditions. NO coolers, leave in your vehicle. All drinks, food, bring in just a plastic bag. Your items go in my cooler w/ ice. No backpacks, or large items, as storage is limited.
Do I need a fishing license?
Your state mandated fishing license is provided, and is part of your charter rate.
Are kids welcome?
Children 10 and older can do a multi hour charter. Kids are considered one of the two passenger maximum on this charter.
Do you clean and bag the catch?
Most captains fillet and bag your catch after the trip, often for a small gratuity. Confirm with your captain.
Do I need fishing experience?
Yes, the more fishing experience you have, the higher your success will be.
What will we target?
It depends on the season and conditions. Local N.E. Florida inshore saltwater species. Ask Capt. Dave about species.
What is included in my fishing charter?
All fishing trips include tackle, baits, ice, coolers, USCG safety equipment, and licenses. You may bring drinks and snacks in a plastic bag to go in the cooler. No carry-on coolers or large bags — space is limited on the boat.
What should I bring for my fishing trip?
Bring drinks (no glass), sunglasses, hats, and wear soft-soled closed-toe shoes. A plastic grocery bag with snacks and drinks can go in the cooler. Larger bags and coolers should be left behind in your vehicle.
Do I need fishing experience on a charter?
Fishing experience is very helpful — the more fishing and tackle-handling experience you have, the better (no different than golfing). You must be mobile: standing, casting, and battling fish means being able to move around the boat deck.
What types of fish can I catch in Jacksonville?
Depending on the season, anglers target Redfish, Seatrout, Flounder, Black Drum, Sheepshead, and more. Capt. Dave knows the local spots and techniques to help guests catch fish year-round.
When is the best time of year for fishing in Jacksonville?
Inshore fishing is most productive October through May, with the winter months of December through February being outstanding.
Can kids join a fishing charter?
Kids 10 and older can join a regular 4 to 6 hour charter, and count as one of the two anglers. For children under 10, Capt. Dave runs a 2 hour Kids Trip: 2 children under 10 and one adult, or 2 adults and one child under 10.
Can I bring alcohol?
Insurance companies frown on alcohol on the boat. The suggestion is to save it for celebrating on land once we return.
How does fish cleaning work?
Capt. Dave fillets and bags your fish on a gratuity basis 'after the charter is over', and the boat is on the trailer. Your stored cooler can keep all the leftover ice for transport.
Cancellation Policy
Full refund if we cancel for weather. Less credit card fees. 3.8%Capt. Dave knowing the safest local weather conditions, is the one who makes the call, the morning of trip.Usually, just a postponed departure time is all that maybe required. No matter, unless notified. Show up at departure time and location. Of course, Capt. Dave's Sport Fishing can not be held responsible for weather affected charter duration hours.
Contact Capt. Dave
Message Capt. Dave
Ask about availability, group size, or trip details.
