Simply The Best Fishing Charters

Simply The Best Fishing Charters is located at Wilson’s Wharf in Durban Harbor, South Africa. For those who are looking for an exclusive fishing excursion with a lot of fun, you have found the right place!

Book a trip and hop onboard to enjoy your adventure. The ‘Simply The Best’ will be your boat for the day. She is a 36’ John Butt catamaran with twin 200 HP Suzuki engines and plenty of space for up to 10 anglers. Simply The Best is rigged with Lowrance and Furuno electronics, along with professional accessories. With an enclosed portable toilet, an experienced skipper, and a deckhand on board, Simply The Best is a boat for you.

All trips are tailored to suit your specific needs. Both light and heavy tackle is brought on board for bottom fishing, trolling, and deep sea fishing. If you want to try fly fishing, just let the crew know and bring your favorite tackle. Bait, lures, and a complimentary fish cleaning service are also included.

Depending on what trip you decide to choose, you will be able to fish up to 25 miles out for Black, Blue, and Striped Marlin, as well as Wahoo, King Mackerel, Dorado, Snapper, and Geelbek.

The team will work hard to put you on the hottest bite. Even though you will be fishing with a lucky crew, there is no guarantee of fish. Just sit back, relax, and enjoy the adventure!



Select date to see available trips and rates:

  • Private trip
    3 Hr Trip – Harbor Fishing
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    3 Hour Trip, starts at 2:00 PM
    US $252
    This 3-hour trip will take you harbor fishing for Gunter, Garrick, Snapper, and Salmon.
  • Private trip
    3 Hr Trip – Backline (AM)
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    3 Hour Trip, starts at 6:00 AM
    US $284
    This morning trip will see you targeting Stumpnose, Queen and King Mackerel, as well as Shad.
  • Private trip
    4 Hr Trip – Harbor Fishing (PM)
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 2:00 PM
    US $284
    You'll be fishing for Harbour Gunter, Garick, and Snapper.
  • Private trip
    4 Hr Trip – Backline (PM)
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 2:00 PM
    US $315
    The captain will take you fishing for Shad, Stumpnose, Queen and King Mackerel.
  • Private trip
    5 Hr Trip – Harbor Fishing (AM)
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    5 Hour Trip, starts at 6:00 AM
    US $315
    On this trip, you'll be harbor fishing for a variety of inshore species.
  • Private trip
    5 Hr Trip – Harbor Fishing (PM)
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    5 Hour Trip, starts at 1:00 PM
    US $315
    On this trip, you'll be fishing the harbor waters for Gunter, Snapper, Salmon, and Garick.
  • Private trip
    5 Hr Trip – Backline (AM)
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    5 Hour Trip, starts at 6:00 AM
    US $347
    This morning trip will see you fishing for Shad, Stumpnose, Queen and King Mackerel.
  • Private trip
    5 Hr Trip – Backline (PM)
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    5 Hour Trip, starts at 1:00 PM
    US $347
    You'll be fishing for Shad, Stumpnose, Queen Mackerel, and King Mackerel.
  • Private trip
    4 Hr Trip – Deep Sea/Inshore (AM)
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 5:00 AM
    US $473
    Join the captain in the morning for 4 hours of inshore and deep sea fishing for the likes of Geelbek, Dagga, and Grouper, just to name a few.
  • Private trip
    4 Hr Trip – Deep Sea/Inshore (PM)
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 1:00 PM
    US $473
    On this trip, you'll be focusing on inshore and deep sea fishing for bottom species such as Geelbek, Dagga, Grouper, and more.
  • Private trip
    5 hour bottem reef fishing
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    5 Hour Trip, starts at 5:00 AM
    US $505
    Fishing reef for bottem feeders. Like grouper, geelbek, dagga salmon, musselcracker, slinger, soldiers, englismen, scotsmen, lantern, amerjack etc
  • Private trip
    5 Hr Trip – Geelbek (Night)
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    5 Hour Trip, starts at 5:00 PM
    Seasonal trip Jul 1 - Jan 1
    US $505
    This trip will take you night fishing for Geelbek/Cape Salmon.
  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip (AM)
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    5 Hour Trip, starts at 5:00 AM
    US $505
    This morning trip will see you concentrating on bottom and game fishing for various species that are in season and biting, such as Geelbek and Snapper. You will need about half an hour to get to the fishing grounds, that are up to 9 miles (15 km) out.
  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip (PM)
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    5 Hour Trip, starts at 1:00 PM
    US $505
    On this afternoon trip, you will be exploring the fishing grounds that are up to 9 miles (15 km) out. You will be game and bottom fishing for a variety of species, including Snapper and Geelbek.
  • Private trip
    6 Hr Trip – Deep Sea/Inshore (AM)
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    6 Hour Trip, starts at 5:00 AM
    US $536
    This trip will take you deep sea or inshore fishing for 6 hours for bottom or game species. King Mackerel, Queen Mackerel, Dorado, Wahoo, and various bottom species will be on the menu.
  • Private trip
    6 Hr Trip – Deep Sea/Inshore (PM)
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    6 Hour Trip, starts at 1:00 PM
    US $536
    On this afternoon trip, you'll be targeting Tuna, Mahi, Wahoo, King Mackerel or do some bottom fishing if that's what you prefer.
  • Private trip
    5 Hr Trip Game/Tuna/Deep Sea (AM)
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    5 Hour Trip, starts at 5:00 AM
    US $568
    The captain will take you deep sea fishing for game fish like Tuna, Dorado, Wahoo, King and Queen Mackerel or bottom fishing for various species. Combining both is also an option.
  • Private trip
    5 Hr Trip Game/Tuna/Deep Sea (PM)
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    5 Hour Trip, starts at 1:00 PM
    US $568
    Either fish for delicious bottom species or go for big game such as Tuna, Wahoo, Dorado, King and Queen Mackerel. Or why not both?
  • Private trip
    6 Hr Trip Game/Tuna/Deep Sea (AM)
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    6 Hour Trip, starts at 5:00 AM
    US $631
    On this 6-hour trip, you'll be focusing on catching Tuna, Wahoo, Mahi, King and Queen Mackerel or bottom fishing for a variety of species. Combining both is also possible.
  • Private trip
    6 Hr Trip Game/Tuna/Deep Sea (PM)
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    6 Hour Trip, starts at 1:00 PM
    US $631
    This afternoon trip will take you bottom fishing or catching big game species such as Wahoo, Mahi, Tuna, King and Queen Mackerel. You can also combine both.
  • Private trip
    8 hours reef fishing bottems
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 5:00 AM
    US $694
    Fishing reef for bottems like geelbek, dagga salmon, amerjack, slinger, soldiers, grouper (rocords) extra
  • Private trip
    8 Hr Trip – Game/Tuna/Deep Sea
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 5:00 AM
    US $726
    This trip will see you fishing for Tuna, Wahoo, Mahi, King and Queen Mackerel or a variety of bottom species. You can also combine both styles of fishing.
  • Private trip
    10 hours reef fishing bottems
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    10 Hour Trip, starts at 5:00 AM
    US $757
    Fishing reef for bottems fishing like geelbek, soldiers, dagga salmon, soldiers S, slinger, rocords(grouper) extra. Bottem rods and reels, squid, traces and sinkers supplied.
  • Private trip
    8 Hr Trip – Marlin/Tuna/Big Game
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 5:00 AM
    US $820
    On this 8-hour excursion, you'll be targeting the likes of Marlin, Tuna, Mahi, and Wahoo.
  • Private trip
    10 Hr Trip – Big Game/Bottom
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    10 Hour Trip, starts at 6:00 AM
    US $946
    You will need about 30 minutes to reach the fishing grounds, which are up to 25 miles (40 km) out. There, you will be targeting big game and bottom species, including Striped Marlin, Black Marlin, Dorado, Wahoo, King Mackerel, and maybe even Blue Marlin.
  • Private trip
    10 Hr Trip – Marlin/Tuna/Big Game
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    10 Hour Trip, starts at 5:00 AM
    US $946
    Ready for some amazing big game fishing? The captain will take you after Black, Blue, and Striped Marlin, as well as Sailfish and Tuna.
  • Private trip
    12 Hr Trip – Big Game/Bottom
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    12 Hour Trip, starts at 5:00 AM
    US $978
    Join the captain for 12 hours of big game fishing for Tuna, Dorado, Wahoo, Marlin, Sailfish and bottom fishing for Snapper and others.
  • Private trip
    8 hours deep drop
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 5:00 AM
    US $1,009
    Deep drop for hapuka and bluenose max 2 clients
  • Private trip
    12 Hr Trip – Marlin/Tuna/Big Game
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    12 Hour Trip, starts at 5:00 AM
    US $1,073
    On this 12-hour adventure, you'll be focusing on catching Black, Blue, and Striped Marlin, as well as Tuna and Sailfish.
  • Private trip
    15 Hr Trip – Marlin/Tuna/Big Game
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    15 Hour Trip, starts at 4:00 AM
    US $1,325
    This 15-hour trip will take you fishing for a variety of Marlin (Black, Blue, Striped), Tuna, and Sailfish.
There are 16 people looking at this charter.

FAQs about Simply The Best Fishing Charters

Simply The Best Fishing Charters offers the following trips to customers:
  • ZAR 4,800 per group - 3 Hr Trip – Harbor Fishing (3 hours)
  • ZAR 5,400 per group - 3 Hr Trip – Backline (AM) (3 hours)
  • ZAR 5,400 per group - 4 Hr Trip – Harbor Fishing (PM) (4 hours)
  • ZAR 6,000 per group - 4 Hr Trip – Backline (PM) (4 hours)
  • ZAR 6,000 per group - 5 Hr Trip – Harbor Fishing (AM) (5 hours)
  • ZAR 6,000 per group - 5 Hr Trip – Harbor Fishing (PM) (5 hours)
  • ZAR 6,600 per group - 5 Hr Trip – Backline (AM) (5 hours)
  • ZAR 6,600 per group - 5 Hr Trip – Backline (PM) (5 hours)
  • ZAR 9,000 per group - 4 Hr Trip – Deep Sea/Inshore (AM) (4 hours)
  • ZAR 9,000 per group - 4 Hr Trip – Deep Sea/Inshore (PM) (4 hours)
  • ZAR 9,600 per group - 5 hour bottem reef fishing (5 hours)
  • ZAR 9,600 per group - 5 Hr Trip – Geelbek (Night) (5 hours)
  • ZAR 9,600 per group - Half Day Trip (AM) (5 hours)
  • ZAR 9,600 per group - Half Day Trip (PM) (5 hours)
  • ZAR 10,200 per group - 6 Hr Trip – Deep Sea/Inshore (AM) (6 hours)
  • ZAR 10,200 per group - 6 Hr Trip – Deep Sea/Inshore (PM) (6 hours)
  • ZAR 10,800 per group - 5 Hr Trip Game/Tuna/Deep Sea (AM) (5 hours)
  • ZAR 10,800 per group - 5 Hr Trip Game/Tuna/Deep Sea (PM) (5 hours)
  • ZAR 12,000 per group - 6 Hr Trip Game/Tuna/Deep Sea (AM) (6 hours)
  • ZAR 12,000 per group - 6 Hr Trip Game/Tuna/Deep Sea (PM) (6 hours)
  • ZAR 13,200 per group - 8 hours reef fishing bottems (8 hours)
  • ZAR 13,800 per group - 8 Hr Trip – Game/Tuna/Deep Sea (8 hours)
  • ZAR 14,400 per group - 10 hours reef fishing bottems (10 hours)
  • ZAR 15,600 per group - 8 Hr Trip – Marlin/Tuna/Big Game (8 hours)
  • ZAR 18,000 per group - 10 Hr Trip – Big Game/Bottom (10 hours)
  • ZAR 18,000 per group - 10 Hr Trip – Marlin/Tuna/Big Game (10 hours)
  • ZAR 18,600 per group - 12 Hr Trip – Big Game/Bottom (12 hours)
  • ZAR 19,200 per group - 8 hours deep drop (8 hours)
  • ZAR 20,400 per group - 12 Hr Trip – Marlin/Tuna/Big Game (12 hours)
  • ZAR 25,200 per group - 15 Hr Trip – Marlin/Tuna/Big Game (15 hours)

When you book a trip with Simply The Best Fishing Charters, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • Toilet
  • GPS Lowrance
  • Fishfinder Lowrance
  • Live Bait Well
  • Outriggers
  • Radio

Trips booked with Simply The Best Fishing Charters include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Live Bait
  • Lures
  • Catch cleaning & filleting
  • First Mate

Simply The Best Fishing Charters offers the following types of fishing:
  • Nearshore Fishing
  • Offshore Fishing
  • Reef Fishing
  • Wreck Fishing
  • Flats Fishing

Simply The Best Fishing Charters offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light Tackle
  • Heavy Tackle
  • Bottom Fishing
  • Trolling
  • Fly Fishing (BYO tackle)
  • Drift Fishing
  • Deep Sea Fishing

Top targeted fish species with Simply The Best Fishing Charters include:
  • Amberjack
  • Bluenose Warehou
  • Bream (Black)
  • Cero Mackerel
  • Geelbek (Cape Salmon)
  • Grouper (Goliath)
  • Hapuka
  • King Mackerel (Kingfish)
  • Marlin (Black)
  • Marlin (Blue)
  • Marlin (Striped)
  • Wahoo

Meet the Captain

Jakes Van Den Berg
Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
17 Fishing Reports
ID & license verified
8 Customer reviews
Response time within an hour
Member since June 2014
Captain Jakes Van Den Berg has over three decades of fishing experience, which have gained him a vast knowledge and an impressive reputation. Jakes is a professional skipper who especially enjoys deep sea fishing and introducing his clients and friends to it. One of Jakes' favorite species of fish is Geelbek.

About this listing

Targeted species

Amberjack Amberjack
Bluenose Warehou Bluenose Warehou
Bream (Black) Black Bream
Cero Mackerel Cero Mackerel

Boat specs

John Butt (Catamaran) originally built in 2003, and restored in 2012. Powered by 2 200HP Suzuki 4 stroke engines, with a maximum cruising speed of 34 knots.

Length
36 ft
Capacity
10 persons

Types of fishing

Nearshore Fishing
Offshore Fishing
Reef Fishing
Wreck Fishing
Flats Fishing

Fishing techniques

Light Tackle
Heavy Tackle
Bottom Fishing
Trolling
Fly Fishing
BYO tackle
Drift Fishing
Deep Sea Fishing

Amenities

Toilet
GPS
Lowrance
Fishfinder
Lowrance
Live Bait Well
Outriggers
Radio

Trip includes

Rods, reels & tackle
Live Bait
Lures
Catch cleaning & filleting
First Mate

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 7 days prior to trip

You can cancel or modify your booking up to 7 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.

Listing policies

Pickup agreed upon reservation
Transfer to/from departure site may be available and included in price depending on your location and distance from the dock.
Child Friendly
You Keep Catch
Catch and Release Allowed

Payment

Book with 20% deposit, pay rest to captain

When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 20% 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
Bank Transfer

Durban Fishing Calendar

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Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
5.0 / 5
out of 5 stars from 8 reviews
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (8)
Best fishing trip ever
Best fishing trip ever
Best fishing trip ever
+5
Angler rating
5
0
0
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
100%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
63%
Appropriate for children
100%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
100%
Sort by:
Featured  
Showing:
5 of 8 reviews
DENNIS C.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Best fishing trip ever

VERIFIED   5 hour bottem reef fishing on December 12, 2023
Please do yourself a favour and book a trip with Simply the best charters. The skipper (Jakes) has vast knowledge of all facets...
DENNIS C. recommends Simply The Best Fishing Charters
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DENNIS C. recommends Simply The Best Fishing Charters
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Barney K.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Awesome fishing experience!

VERIFIED   5 Hr Trip Game/Tuna/Deep Sea (AM) on October 6, 2023
We had an amazing experience fishing with Capitan Jaked. He knew exactly when and where we need to be to catch the fish.
Barney K. recommends Simply The Best Fishing Charters
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Barney K. recommends Simply The Best Fishing Charters
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Jason B.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fishing with Jakes

VERIFIED   5 hour bottem reef fishing on December 24, 2023
Jason B. recommends Simply The Best Fishing Charters
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Jason B. recommends Simply The Best Fishing Charters
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Ryan B.
Durban, South Africa
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Absolutely amazing

VERIFIED   5 Hr Trip – Backline (AM) on October 8, 2022
Captain Jake was absolutely amazing on our trip, he and his crew Michael went out of their way to make the experience a truly...
Ryan B. recommends Simply The Best Fishing Charters
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Ryan B. recommends Simply The Best Fishing Charters
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Naude V. J.
Parys, South Africa
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fishimg with Simply the Best

5 Hr Trip Game/Tuna/Deep Sea (AM) on December 4, 2018
Family fishing Best trip ever, filled with fun and lots of fish Jakes are the best Captain and host we ever went...
Naude V. J. recommends Simply The Best Fishing Charters
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3 persons find this review helpful
You and 3 people found this review helpful
Naude V. J. recommends Simply The Best Fishing Charters
Mark review as helpful
3 persons find this review helpful
You and 3 people found this review helpful