James Gibson Charters LLC 

4.9/5 (173 reviews)
 
State licensed
 John Ringling Causeway 920, Sarasota, FL 34236, United States

James Gibson Charters LLC 

 
State licensed
4.9/5 (173 reviews)
map-thumbnail
John Ringling Causeway 920
Sarasota, FL, United States

Looking for an adventure that really showcases what the waters of West Florida have to offer? Captain James Gibson is an inshore fishing fanatic, and he can’t wait to introduce you to the incredible species here. A local fisherman, Capt. James specializes in targeting Floridian-famous fish such as Snook, Redfish, and the mighty “Silver King” (Tarpon). Come aboard James Gibson Charters to discover that inshore fishing is just as exciting as any offshore excursion!

Capt. James was born and raised on the west coast of Florida, and has been fishing the plentiful waters of Sarasota, Bradenton, and Tampa Bay for over 15 years. He’s passionate about inshore fishing, and loves nothing more than sharing this passion with other anglers. No matter your age or skill level, he’ll help you discover your love for fishing Florida’s shallows!

You’ll be casting off from your captain’s 22’ Pathfinder. She can accommodate up to 5 guests, but your captain recommends 3 for comfort. If you’d like to bring kids aboard, they are more than welcome to join in the fun. Just let him know in advance. He’ll make sure your group is decked out with life jackets, as well as drinking water and a cooler for your snacks.

Depending on when you visit and what you’d like to target, Capt. James will happily cater your trip to your preferences. You can spend your whole day fishing, or mix it up with some island hopping and dolphin-watching. You can choose to hook the much-sought-after Tarpon from May through August, or go after other inshore favorites such as Snapper, Trout, Redfish, and Snook. Your trip can look exactly how you’d like it to.

Capt. James will make sure you’re equipped with rods, reels, tackle, and live bait, which he’ll usually prepare before each trip. Your fishing license will also be included. Just bring your favorite snacks and drinks, and get ready to discover what makes West Florida’s inshore fishing so incredible!

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Customer reviews

Rating summary

4.9/5
out of 5 stars from 173 reviews
Boat
4.9/5
Crew
5.0/5
Experience
4.9/5

Photos & videos by reviewers (284)

Perfect morning of fishing
Awesome early August Day on the water
Awesome early August Day on the water
+281

Angler rating

162
7
1
0
0

Anglers claimed

Good experience

99%

Appropriate for children

100%

Friendly captain

100%

Satisfied with the boat

100%

Recommend this charter

98%

Caught fish

97%

Showing 1 - 5 of 173 reviews
Showing: 5 of 173 reviews
Bernie Switzer
Bernie Switzer
5.0
Verified
Good Time Catchin’ Fish w/ My Sons
Half Day Trip (PM) on April 16, 20251 adult2 children
We went out inland fishing with Capt. James and had a great time. Capt. James was a great guy, great to my 10 and 13 year olds, and he got us on fish at every stop. We spent the first hour on some speckled sea trout. Caught about a dozen and kept 7 of them that were 15+ inches. Caught a couple good sized catfish and a stinky needle fish. Then we spent the rest of the time hitting multiple spots along mangrove edges hitting some snook. Really fun fish to catch. They hit hard and fight hard. We didn’t get to keep any since they need to be at least 27 inches, but had fun catching a few each that were between 20-23”. All in all it was a great time. My boys loved it, and we all enjoyed the trout fillets that night that Capt James sent us home with. Salt, pepper and Italian seasoning on the pan seared fillets, then served with a white wine, garlic lemon butter parsley sauce. Absolutely amazing.
Review media 0
Review media 1
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Response from Captain
April 17, 2025
Thanks Bernie!
0
Patrick Castellanos
Patrick Castellanos
5.0
Verified
Best time we've had in FL
Half Day Trip (PM) on March 20, 20255 adults
Captian James is super friendly and extremely knowledgeable. We had some newbies and he was very patient and helpful. We caught a lot of fish and got some great insights on the fishing in Sarasota. I highly recommend going out fishing with Captian James.
Review media 0
Review media 1
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Reported catch:
Redfish
Spotted Seatrout
Response from Captain
March 21, 2025
Thanks Pat!
0
Austin Davis
Austin Davis
5.0
Verified
Perfect morning of fishing
4 Hour Trip (AM) MAX 2 on October 4, 20251 adult
Couldn’t have asked for a better day!
Review media 0
Reported catch:
Snook
Redfish
Spotted Seatrout
Jack Crevalle
+1
0
Jayson Whiteside
Jayson Whiteside
4.7
Verified
Awesome early August Day on the water
Half Day Trip (AM) on August 8, 20252 adults2 children
My 11 year old daughter and I had a fantastic day on the water. Captain James put us on the fish very quickly and kept the day exciting.
Review media 0
Review media 1
Review media 1
Reported catch:
Snook
Spotted Seatrout
Gag Grouper
Mangrove Snapper
Response from Captain
August 10, 2025
Thanks Jayson
0
Eric Saheli
Eric Saheli
5.0
Verified
Great afternoon
2 Person Half Day Fishing Trip (PM) on March 25, 20252 adults
Had a great time with Capt James. He didn’t waste anytime getting us the on fish. Very knowledgeable and friendly. Look forward to another charter with him in the future.
Review media 0
Response from Captain
March 26, 2025
Thanks Eric
0

Trip availability and prices

Trip Date:
Days:
Group Size:
Select date to see availability
December 2025
SuMoTuWeThFrSa
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Number of days
1
Group Size
2 adults • 0 children
Change
Almost there...
2 Hour – Inshore Catch & Release
FREE Cancellation 1 day notice
2 Hour Trip
starts at 12:00 PM
US $300
Entire boat: up to 3 people
3 Hour Sunset Fishing
FREE Cancellation 1 day notice
3 Hour Trip
starts at 5:00 PM
US $450
Entire boat: 2 people
4 Hour Trip (AM) MAX 2
FREE Cancellation 1 day notice
4 Hour Trip
starts at 8:00 AM
US $550
Entire boat: up to 5 people
2 Person Half Day Fishing Trip (PM)
FREE Cancellation 1 day notice
4 Hour Trip
starts at 12:00 PM
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US $550
Entire boat: up to 5 people
Half Day Trip (AM)
FREE Cancellation 1 day notice
4 Hour Trip
starts at 8:00 AM
US $600
Entire boat: up to 3 people
Half Day Trip (PM)
FREE Cancellation 1 day notice
4 Hour Trip
starts at 1:00 PM
US $600
Entire boat: up to 3 people
Night Snook Fishing - 4 Hours
FREE Cancellation 1 day notice
4 Hour Trip
starts at 7:00 PM
Seasonal trip
Aug 5 - Nov 30
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US $600
Entire boat: up to 3 people
Afternoon Tarpon Charter
FREE Cancellation 1 day notice
4 Hour Trip
starts at 3:00 PM
Seasonal trip
May 10 - Aug 15
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US $650
Entire boat: up to 4 people
3/4 Day Fishing Trip
FREE Cancellation 1 day notice
6 Hour Trip
starts at 8:00 AM
US $750
Entire boat: up to 3 people
Sarasota Tarpon Charter
FREE Cancellation 1 day notice
6 Hour Trip
starts at 6:30 AM
Seasonal trip
May 10 - Aug 10
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US $850
Entire boat: up to 4 people
Full Day Trip
FREE Cancellation 1 day notice
8 Hour Trip
starts at 8:00 AM
US $900
Entire boat: up to 3 people
There are 3 people looking at this charter.

Customer reviews

Rating summary

4.9/5
out of 5 stars from 173 reviews
Boat
4.9/5
Crew
5.0/5
Experience
4.9/5

Photos & videos by reviewers (284)

Perfect morning of fishing
Awesome early August Day on the water
Awesome early August Day on the water
+281

Angler rating

162
7
1
0
0

Anglers claimed

Good experience

99%

Appropriate for children

100%

Friendly captain

100%

Satisfied with the boat

100%

Recommend this charter

98%

Caught fish

97%

Showing 1 - 5 of 173 reviews
Showing: 5 of 173 reviews
Bernie Switzer
Bernie Switzer
5.0
Verified
Good Time Catchin’ Fish w/ My Sons
Half Day Trip (PM) on April 16, 20251 adult2 children
We went out inland fishing with Capt. James and had a great time. Capt. James was a great guy, great to my 10 and 13 year olds, and he got us on fish at every stop. We spent the first hour on some speckled sea trout. Caught about a dozen and kept 7 of them that were 15+ inches. Caught a couple good sized catfish and a stinky needle fish. Then we spent the rest of the time hitting multiple spots along mangrove edges hitting some snook. Really fun fish to catch. They hit hard and fight hard. We didn’t get to keep any since they need to be at least 27 inches, but had fun catching a few each that were between 20-23”. All in all it was a great time. My boys loved it, and we all enjoyed the trout fillets that night that Capt James sent us home with. Salt, pepper and Italian seasoning on the pan seared fillets, then served with a white wine, garlic lemon butter parsley sauce. Absolutely amazing.
Review media 0
Review media 1
Review media 2
Response from Captain
April 17, 2025
Thanks Bernie!
0
Patrick Castellanos
Patrick Castellanos
5.0
Verified
Best time we've had in FL
Half Day Trip (PM) on March 20, 20255 adults
Captian James is super friendly and extremely knowledgeable. We had some newbies and he was very patient and helpful. We caught a lot of fish and got some great insights on the fishing in Sarasota. I highly recommend going out fishing with Captian James.
Review media 0
Review media 1
Review media 2
Review media 3
Reported catch:
Redfish
Spotted Seatrout
Response from Captain
March 21, 2025
Thanks Pat!
0
Austin Davis
Austin Davis
5.0
Verified
Perfect morning of fishing
4 Hour Trip (AM) MAX 2 on October 4, 20251 adult
Couldn’t have asked for a better day!
Review media 0
Reported catch:
Snook
Redfish
Spotted Seatrout
Jack Crevalle
+1
0
Jayson Whiteside
Jayson Whiteside
4.7
Verified
Awesome early August Day on the water
Half Day Trip (AM) on August 8, 20252 adults2 children
My 11 year old daughter and I had a fantastic day on the water. Captain James put us on the fish very quickly and kept the day exciting.
Review media 0
Review media 1
Review media 1
Reported catch:
Snook
Spotted Seatrout
Gag Grouper
Mangrove Snapper
Response from Captain
August 10, 2025
Thanks Jayson
0
Eric Saheli
Eric Saheli
5.0
Verified
Great afternoon
2 Person Half Day Fishing Trip (PM) on March 25, 20252 adults
Had a great time with Capt James. He didn’t waste anytime getting us the on fish. Very knowledgeable and friendly. Look forward to another charter with him in the future.
Review media 0
Response from Captain
March 26, 2025
Thanks Eric
0

FAQs about James Gibson Charters LLC

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The fish you can target

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What is the boat like?

Boat Image
Boat category
Center console boats
Capacity
5 persons
Boat length
22 ft
Year built
2006
Boat manufacturer
Pathfinder
Boat type
Bay boat

Engine model
Yamaha
Powered by
1 x 150HP
Max cruising speed
45 knots
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