Bug Sportfishing 

4.9/5 (61 reviews)
 
State licensed
 Overseas Highway 84001, Islamorada, FL 33036, United States

Bug Sportfishing 

 
State licensed
4.9/5 (61 reviews)
map-thumbnail
Overseas Highway 84001
Islamorada, FL, United States
You may qualify for a Loyalty Program discount with Bug Sportfishing. To check if you can use a Loyalty Program discount for your selected dates, please sign in.

Bug Sportfishing welcomes you aboard!

  Growing up fishing all over the United States has introduced Captain James to lots of different techniques. The best way to describe his fishing style is somewhere in-between south Florida light tackle with a heavy dose of northeast influence. Whether you’re fishing for tarpon in the pass or sailfish on the reef, Capt. James always tries to make the most of every opportunity.

  You’ll be fishing aboard the BUG, a 31' Contender Fisharound. The Bug is fast, comfortable, and fuel-efficient with twin 300 horsepower Yamaha Outboards. The Bug features a fully open cockpit offering 360-degree fishability and outfitted with the latest gear. With a single level deck, marlin tower and all the newest Garmin electronics, as well as FLIR night-vision you are prepared for anything that swims.

  Whenever you’re fishing for your target species, the crew is always ready for the chance to encounter something special. Capt. James thoroughly enjoys fishing artificials for inshore species and slow pitch jigging is one of his favorite techniques.

  Beginners are always welcome and the crew will make sure your trip suits your skill level. While they carry all the tackle you may need, the crew prefers to use tackle on the lighter side of things to increase the fun factor

For Bug Sportfishing, catching fish is about having fun and making memories. See you at the dock!

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Customer reviews

Rating summary

4.9/5
out of 5 stars from 61 reviews
Boat
4.9/5
Crew
4.9/5
Experience
4.9/5

Photos & videos by reviewers (57)

Awesome captain
Guaranteed Great Time With Bug!
Guaranteed Great Time With Bug!
+54

Angler rating

54
0
0
1
0

Anglers claimed

Good experience

98%

Appropriate for children

96%

Friendly captain

98%

Satisfied with the boat

100%

Recommend this charter

89%

Caught fish

94%

Showing 1 - 5 of 61 reviews
Showing: 5 of 61 reviews
Robert Pardue
Robert Pardue
5.0
Verified
Guaranteed Great Time With Bug!
4 Hour inshore Shark Trip on July 29, 20254 adults
James is an excellent captain! He’s very personable and made the day memorable for my son (13yo) and daughter (20yo), who caught an awesome shark and a mackerel! James has excellent, well-maintained equipment, works hard to get you on fish and does a nice job communicating with clients leading up to the trip. You can’t find a better captain than “Bug” (James). If you’re thinking of a charter call him!
Review media 0
Review media 1
Reported catch:
Nurse Shark
0
Beth Thompson-Webb
Beth Thompson-Webb
4.7
Verified
Great Time and Lots of Action
4 Hour inshore Shark Trip on March 20, 20252 adults
From the moment Capt. James reached out before our trip to check in and see if we had any requests, to our final goodbye at the dock, he was kind, engaging, and genuinely invested in making sure we had a great time. He even picked us up and dropped us off at our dock at no extra charge! James gave great recommendations on what to fish for based on what was biting that day. Even though we booked a shark trip, we started with barracuda on a tide break before switching to sharks—which was perfect since I think we would’ve gotten bored with just one type of fishing. It’s clear Capt. James loves what he does, and his excitement was contagious—I’m not sure what was more fun, catching fish or hearing him cheer us on! A captain’s attitude can make or break a trip, no matter how many fish you catch, and James is top-notch. Plus, the boat was spotless and super comfortable. I can’t wait to get back to Islamorada just to fish with Capt. James again!
1
Ryan Ksobiech
Ryan Ksobiech
5.0
Verified
New
Awesome captain
4 Hour inshore Shark Trip on October 23, 20252 adults
Bloat was great. Definitely had the right equipment. The exact kinda laid back but serious fisherman you wanna be with. Caught some cool sharks. Would absolutely recommend.
Review media 0
Reported catch:
Nurse Shark
0
Renee Cubbon
Renee Cubbon
5.0
Verified
Great captain, excellent day!
4 Hour inshore Shark Trip on June 21, 20254 adults
Captain James was very personable and knowledgeable. He really knows his stuff and took the extra time to give our son and his friend lots of tips and tricks to help him in his other fishing efforts. He also directed us to a restaurant to prepare our day’s catch and they were fantastic!
0
Gary Zeidman
Gary Zeidman
5.0
Verified
Best Charter on FB.
4 Hour inshore Shark Trip on July 3, 20252 adults
Capt James is the perfect balance of brilliant fishing knowledge, humor, personality and just spot on A1 technique. This guy is a gem and if you are lucky enough to book with him he may be the last Captain you ever seek out. Can’t wait to do it again. Thanks James!
Review media 0
Review media 1
Reported catch:
Lemon Shark
Nurse Shark
0

Trip availability and prices

Trip Date:
Days:
Group Size:
Select date to see availability
November 2025
SuMoTuWeThFrSa
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Number of days
1
Group Size
2 adults • 0 children
Change
Almost there...
4 Hour inshore Shark Trip
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
4 Hour Trip, starts at 3:00 PM
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US $600 
Entire boat: up to 6 people
Morning snappers (4hr) (AM)
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
4 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
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US $1,000 
Entire boat: up to 6 people
Afternoon Snappers (4HR) (PM)
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
4 Hour Trip, starts at 12:30 PM
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US $1,000 
Entire boat: up to 6 people
Half Day Reef (6HR)
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
6 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
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US $1,400 
Entire boat: up to 6 people
Full Day Reef (8HR)
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
8 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
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US $1,600 
Entire boat: up to 6 people
There are 5 people looking at this charter.

Customer reviews

Rating summary

4.9/5
out of 5 stars from 61 reviews
Boat
4.9/5
Crew
4.9/5
Experience
4.9/5

Photos & videos by reviewers (57)

Awesome captain
Guaranteed Great Time With Bug!
Guaranteed Great Time With Bug!
+54

Angler rating

54
0
0
1
0

Anglers claimed

Good experience

98%

Appropriate for children

96%

Friendly captain

98%

Satisfied with the boat

100%

Recommend this charter

89%

Caught fish

94%

Showing 1 - 5 of 61 reviews
Showing: 5 of 61 reviews
Robert Pardue
Robert Pardue
5.0
Verified
Guaranteed Great Time With Bug!
4 Hour inshore Shark Trip on July 29, 20254 adults
James is an excellent captain! He’s very personable and made the day memorable for my son (13yo) and daughter (20yo), who caught an awesome shark and a mackerel! James has excellent, well-maintained equipment, works hard to get you on fish and does a nice job communicating with clients leading up to the trip. You can’t find a better captain than “Bug” (James). If you’re thinking of a charter call him!
Review media 0
Review media 1
Reported catch:
Nurse Shark
0
Beth Thompson-Webb
Beth Thompson-Webb
4.7
Verified
Great Time and Lots of Action
4 Hour inshore Shark Trip on March 20, 20252 adults
From the moment Capt. James reached out before our trip to check in and see if we had any requests, to our final goodbye at the dock, he was kind, engaging, and genuinely invested in making sure we had a great time. He even picked us up and dropped us off at our dock at no extra charge! James gave great recommendations on what to fish for based on what was biting that day. Even though we booked a shark trip, we started with barracuda on a tide break before switching to sharks—which was perfect since I think we would’ve gotten bored with just one type of fishing. It’s clear Capt. James loves what he does, and his excitement was contagious—I’m not sure what was more fun, catching fish or hearing him cheer us on! A captain’s attitude can make or break a trip, no matter how many fish you catch, and James is top-notch. Plus, the boat was spotless and super comfortable. I can’t wait to get back to Islamorada just to fish with Capt. James again!
1
Ryan Ksobiech
Ryan Ksobiech
5.0
Verified
New
Awesome captain
4 Hour inshore Shark Trip on October 23, 20252 adults
Bloat was great. Definitely had the right equipment. The exact kinda laid back but serious fisherman you wanna be with. Caught some cool sharks. Would absolutely recommend.
Review media 0
Reported catch:
Nurse Shark
0
Renee Cubbon
Renee Cubbon
5.0
Verified
Great captain, excellent day!
4 Hour inshore Shark Trip on June 21, 20254 adults
Captain James was very personable and knowledgeable. He really knows his stuff and took the extra time to give our son and his friend lots of tips and tricks to help him in his other fishing efforts. He also directed us to a restaurant to prepare our day’s catch and they were fantastic!
0
Gary Zeidman
Gary Zeidman
5.0
Verified
Best Charter on FB.
4 Hour inshore Shark Trip on July 3, 20252 adults
Capt James is the perfect balance of brilliant fishing knowledge, humor, personality and just spot on A1 technique. This guy is a gem and if you are lucky enough to book with him he may be the last Captain you ever seek out. Can’t wait to do it again. Thanks James!
Review media 0
Review media 1
Reported catch:
Lemon Shark
Nurse Shark
0

FAQs about Bug Sportfishing

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The fish you can target

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What is the boat like?

Boat Image
Boat category
Sportfishing boats
Capacity
6 persons
Boat length
32 ft
Year built
2007
Boat manufacturer
CONTENDER
Boat type
Sportfishing

Engine model
YAMAHA
Powered by
2 x 300HP
Max cruising speed
35 knots
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