Family Tradition Charters 

4.9/5 (58 reviews)
 
State licensed
 63 Hotz Avenue, Grayton Beach, FL 32459, United States

Family Tradition Charters 

Up to 9 miles
Grayton Beach, FL, United States
19 ft
4
4.9/5 (58 reviews)

Grayton Beach has a fish with your name on it, so let Family Tradition Charters help you catch it! Having logged many hours on these tides, Captain Van is prepared to put you on fish.

Depending on conditions, you might hook into Amberjack, Cobia, Grouper, Almaco Jack, Mahi Mahi, Sailfish, Snapper, Gray Triggerfish, and anything else that bites. On the day of your trip, you're likely to troll and bottom fish using light or heavy tackle. Fish caught during the trip are yours to take home, so long as they're within the legal limit. The crew can even clean your catch for you. Have a cooler ready in the car!

Your day begins aboard a 19' Center console with room for 5 passengers. It comes with all the essentials no fishing machine can run without. You'll find rods, reels, and tackle waiting for you, along with lures. Live bait is available, but it's good to ask about this so you know if you'll be catching it yourself.

There's no need to buy a fishing license, so all you have to do is show up ready for a good time! Keep in mind that you may release some fish due to regulations. If you don't know what to expect, ask the captain.

Families making a day of it will be glad to know that kids are welcome aboard! It's always wise to bring snacks, drinks, sunglasses, and sunscreen (non-spray). Alcohol is allowed in moderation, just be sure to avoid hard liquor as well as glass bottles. Please use soft coolers only.

Your trip with Family Tradition Charters is just a click away, so why not make it happen?

Grayton Beach has a fish with your name on it, so let Family Tradition Charters help you catch it! Having logged many hours on these tides, Captain Van is prepared to put you on fish.

Depending on conditions, you might hook into Amberjack, Cobia, Grouper, Almaco Jack, Mahi Mahi, Sailfish, Snapper, Gray Triggerfish, and anything else that bites. On the day of your trip, you're likely to troll and bottom fish using light or heavy tackle. Fish caught during the trip are yours to take home, so long as they're within the legal limit. The crew can even clean your catch for you. Have a cooler ready in the car!

Your day begins aboard a 19' Center console with room for 5 passengers. It comes with all the essentials no fishing machine can run without. You'll find rods, reels, and tackle waiting for you, along with lures. Live bait is available, but it's good to ask about this so you know if you'll be catching it yourself.

There's no need to buy a fishing license, so all you have to do is show up ready for a good time! Keep in mind that you may release some fish due to regulations. If you don't know what to expect, ask the captain.

Families making a day of it will be glad to know that kids are welcome aboard! It's always wise to bring snacks, drinks, sunglasses, and sunscreen (non-spray). Alcohol is allowed in moderation, just be sure to avoid hard liquor as well as glass bottles. Please use soft coolers only.

Your trip with Family Tradition Charters is just a click away, so why not make it happen?

Van R. Butler III
Captain
Van R. Butler III
18 years of experience
ID & credentials verified
responds within an hour

Select date to see availability

Trip availability and prices

Trip date:
Group Size:
August 2026
SuMoTuWeThFrSa
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Group Size
2 adults • 0 children
Change
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3 Hour Trip
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
3 hour trip starts at 12:00 PM
Amberjack
Cobia
Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
Sailfish
+8
US $900
Entire boat: up to 4 people
4 Hour Trip
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
4 hour trip starts at 7:00 AM
Amberjack
Cobia
Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
King Mackerel (Kingfish)
+8
US $1,000
Entire boat: up to 4 people
6 Hour Trip
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
6 hour trip starts at 7:00 AM
Amberjack
Cobia
Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
Sailfish
+8
US $1,500
Entire boat: up to 4 people
There are 3 people looking at this charter.

Customer reviews

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Rating

4.9
58 reviews
4.8
Boat & equipment
4.9
Captain & crew
5.0
Fishing Experience

Anglers' gallery (95)

What anglers say

97%
Great experience
97%
Family friendly
97%
Friendly captain
100%
Good boat
95%
Recommended
100%
Caught fish

All reviews (58)

Frequently mentioned
Showing 15 of 58 reviews
Steven Wessner
Steven Wessner
us
Texas, US
Member since 2026
5.0
Verified
Captain Van is a seasoned professional!
4 Hour Trip on July 24, 20264 adults

Our originally scheduled half-day trip was a wash due to tropical storm Bertha. Captain Van rescheduled us later in the week and kept us updated each day on the conditions. When he thought it was safe to go, we were the first boat out of Grayton after the storm, and likely the only boat that got to fish that day. He was well-prepared, expertly handled the boat, put us on a bunch of fish, and we had a great time! We would definitely hire Captain Van again!

Reported catch:
Red Snapper
Red Grouper
Gray Triggerfish
Vermilion Snapper
Kylie Reimert
Kylie Reimert
us
Texas, US
Member since 2026
5.0
Verified
Great trip and highly recommend!
4 Hour Trip on June 25, 20261 adult1 child

We caught snapper, grouper and king mackerel. We had a great experience. Capt Van was accommodating and worked with us around a weather delay. He was very knowledgeable and had everything we needed for a great time and experience. Will be booking him again in the future!

Jeffrey Goss
Jeffrey Goss
us
Oklahoma, US
Member since 2026
5.0
Verified
New
August fishing trip
4 Hour Trip on August 30, 20262 adults

Reported catch:
Red Snapper
Red Grouper
Vermilion Snapper
John Millett
John Millett
us
Kansas, US
Member since 2026
4.7
Verified
best trip and captain we’’ve had.
3 Hour Trip on June 24, 20262 adults

I’ve done several fishing trips throughout Florida and this was by far was the best. We hit our red snapper and grouper limits in about 2 hours. Our captain was absolutely on the fish and a ton of fun. I highly recommend this opportunity to catch a ton of fish!

Reported catch:
Red Snapper
Red Grouper
Scamp Grouper
Michael Jones
Michael Jones
Repeat angler
us
Ohio, US
Member since 2024
2 trips
5.0
Verified
Van’s the Man
4 Hour Trip on July 28, 20262 adults2 children

Van is a one of a kind angler. Hard to come by these days. My 2 sons were on fish all morning. Fun Fun trip.

Reported catch:
Red Snapper
Vermilion Snapper
Red Grouper

FAQs about Family Tradition Charters

Family Tradition Charters offers the following trips to customers:
  • US $900 per group - 3 Hour Trip (3 hours)
  • US $1,000 per group - 4 Hour Trip (4 hours)
  • US $1,500 per group - 6 Hour Trip (6 hours)
When you book a trip with Family Tradition Charters, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • GPS
  • Fishfinder
  • Live bait well
  • Wireless trolling motor
Trips booked with Family Tradition Charters include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Live bait (Yes, fishing for live bait is usually part of the trip. We will usually make a stop just offshore to catch some live baits. Kids love it and it's a good way to acclimate for fishing offshore. Live baits also usually help with getting the fish to bite. )
  • Lures
  • Catch cleaning & filleting (No we don't charge for cleaning the fish. We will fillet the fish and put the fillets in ziplock bags with some ice. It's a good idea to bring a separate cooler for the fish if you don't want fish in your drink cooler. )
  • Fishing license (Customers are not required to have a fishing license. They are covered under my captain's license and there is no additional fee. )
Family Tradition Charters offers the following types of fishing:
  • Inshore fishing
  • Nearshore fishing
  • Offshore fishing (We fish within about a 10mile radius of the launching point from Grayton Beach. It's usually only about a 15-20 minute boat ride to the first fishing spot and then 5-10 minutes between different fishing spots once we get offshore and start fishing. )
  • Reef fishing
  • Wreck fishing
  • Flats fishing
Family Tradition Charters offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light tackle
  • Heavy tackle
  • Bottom fishing
  • Trolling
  • Spinning
  • Deep sea fishing
Top targeted fish species with Family Tradition Charters include:
  • Amberjack
  • Cobia
  • Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
  • Grouper (Gag)
  • Grouper (Red)
  • Grouper (Scamp)
  • Jack (Almaco)
  • Sailfish
  • Snapper (Mangrove)
  • Snapper (Red)
  • Snapper (Vermilion)
  • Triggerfish (Gray)

Your captain

Van R. Butler III
Van R. Butler III
Van R. Butler III

Grayton Beach, Florida, United States

2 Fishing Reports
ID & license verified
58 Customer reviews
Typical response within an hour
Member since May 2023

Get ready to embark on an unforgettable fishing expedition with the legendary Captain Van R. Butler III, a true veteran of the Gulf Waters off Grayton Beach. With over half a century of experience, his intimate connection to these waters runs deep, making him an excellent guide to unveil the hidden treasures of this pristine fishing paradise. Born and raised in Grayton Beach, Captain Van's passion for angling was sparked at a young age. With each passing year, his expertise has grown, and he's honed his skills to perfection. Whether you're a fan of bottom fishing or prefer the exhilaration of trolling, Captain Van has meticulously prepared for your adventure, aiming for a journey that exceeds all expectations.

2 Fishing Reports
ID & license verified
58 Customer reviews
Typical response within an hour
Member since May 2023

Get ready to embark on an unforgettable fishing expedition with the legendary Captain Van R. Butler III, a true veteran of the Gulf Waters off Grayton Beach. With over half a century of experience, his intimate connection to these waters runs deep, making him an excellent guide to unveil the hidden treasures of this pristine fishing paradise. Born and raised in Grayton Beach, Captain Van's passion for angling was sparked at a young age. With each passing year, his expertise has grown, and he's honed his skills to perfection. Whether you're a fan of bottom fishing or prefer the exhilaration of trolling, Captain Van has meticulously prepared for your adventure, aiming for a journey that exceeds all expectations.

The fish you can target

Amberjack
Amberjack
Cobia
Cobia
Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
Gag Grouper
Gag Grouper
Red Grouper
Red Grouper
Scamp Grouper
Scamp Grouper
Almaco Jack
Almaco Jack
Sailfish
Sailfish
Mangrove Snapper
Mangrove Snapper
Red Snapper
Red Snapper
Vermilion Snapper
Vermilion Snapper
Gray Triggerfish
Gray Triggerfish
Amberjack
Amberjack
Cobia
Cobia
Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
Gag Grouper
Gag Grouper
Red Grouper
Red Grouper

Real catches by this captain

  • Van’s the Man
    Michael J.
    Michael J.
  • June fishing trip
    Scott M.
    Scott M.
  • All time fishing with Cap’n Van
    Guy H.
    Guy H.
  • Definitely recommend Van Butler
    Dan W.
    Dan W.
  • Family Charter was probably the best charter I’ve ever gone on a fishing trip with
    James C.
    James C.
  • Awesome trip
    Jeffrey S.
    Jeffrey S.
  • Great trip with my daughters!
    Lanny F.
    Lanny F.
  • Great fishing trip!
    Brandon O.
    Brandon O.
  • Great day
    Andy L.
    Andy L.
  • Fishing with Van R.
    Jay G.
    Jay G.

What is the boat like?

Boat image
Boat category
Center console boats
Capacity
4 persons
Boat length
19 ft
Year built
2009
Boat manufacturer
Cape Horn
Boat type
Center console
Engine model
Yamaha
Powered by
1 x 150HP
Max cruising speed
30 knots

What kind of fishing will you do?

Inshore Fishing
Nearshore Fishing
Offshore Fishing
We fish within about a 10mile radius of the launching point from Grayton Beach. It's usually only about a 15-20 minute boat ride to the first fishing spot and then 5-10 minutes between different fishing spots once we get offshore and start fishing.
Reef Fishing
Wreck Fishing
Flats Fishing

Which fishing techniques you can try

Light Tackle
Heavy Tackle
Bottom Fishing
Trolling
Spinning
Deep Sea Fishing

Which amenities are available onboard

GPS
Fishfinder
Live bait well
Wireless trolling motor
What's included in the trip price
Rods, reels & tackle
Live bait
Yes, fishing for live bait is usually part of the trip. We will usually make a stop just offshore to catch some live baits. Kids love it and it's a good way to acclimate for fishing offshore. Live baits also usually help with getting the fish to bite.
Lures
Catch cleaning & filleting
No we don't charge for cleaning the fish. We will fillet the fish and put the fillets in ziplock bags with some ice. It's a good idea to bring a separate cooler for the fish if you don't want fish in your drink cooler.
Fishing license
Customers are not required to have a fishing license. They are covered under my captain's license and there is no additional fee.

How cancellations work

Free cancellation up to 3 days prior to trip

You can cancel or modify your booking up to 3 days before the trip date, free of charge. If you cancel or modify your booking later, or fail to show up, you'll forfeit 100% of what you've paid.

More details

What the listing policies are

Pickup not included

Transfer to/from departure site is not included in trip rates.

Child friendly
Most captains don't like taking kids, but I do.
You keep catch
Catch and release allowed

How you can pay

Pay online in full

Pay online in full through FishingBooker and save on credit card fees at the dock.

No additional fees.

Book with 10% deposit, pay rest to captain

When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 10% deposit to guarantee your reservation.

The remaining balance is to be paid directly to the charter operator on or prior to your trip date in one of the following payment methods:

 Cash

 Checks

Compare similar fishing charters

Current
Family Tradition Charters
Family Tradition Charters
State licensed
4.9
(58)
19 ft
Group size 1 - 4
1 - 4
Fish 1
Fish 2
+10
4 hour trip • 4 persons
US $1,000