St. James City has a fish with your name on it, so let Better Days Charter Service help you catch it! Having logged many hours on these tides, Captain Bill can tell you all about the local fishery.

Depending on the season, you might hook into Red Snapper, Lane Snapper, Yellowtail Snapper, Amberjack, Red Grouper, Gag Grouper, and who knows what else! On these trips, you can expect to bottom fish.

Families who love fishing together will be glad to know that kids are welcome aboard! If you don’t have a child-sized life vest of your own, be sure to ask if there’s one on board. And, you can’t go wrong with snacks so that nobody gets cranky on an empty stomach!

You’ll find yourself aboard a 28’ Grady-White offshore sport fishing boat that can carry up to 4 passengers. It has outriggers and all the essentials. There’s a toilet on board for your convenience. Your captain will provide top of the line Star rods and Shimano conventional reels and Penn Spinning reels. Live bait is available, but be sure to ask about it so you know if you’ll be catching it yourself.

The charter boat covers your fishing license, so all you have to do is look forward to your trip! Be mindful that some species may have special rules or limited seasons. If you don’t know what to expect, ask the captain. You can’t go wrong when you bring sunglasses, and sunscreen (non-spray). There will be some drinks on offer, but let the captain know if you wish to bring your own. Alcohol is allowed in moderation, just be sure to avoid hard liquor as well as glass bottles.

Now’s the time to experience fishing in St. James City for yourself, with Better Days Charter Service!



Trip availability and prices

  • Private trip
    4 Hour Trip (AM)
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    Price for up to 4 persons
    US $500
    This is a nearshore trip.
  • Private trip
    6 Hour Trip
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    6 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    Price for up to 4 persons
    US $750
    Run 20-30 miles offshore for Grouper and Snapper.
  • Private trip
    8 Hour Trip
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
    Price for up to 4 persons
    US $1,200
    Run 30-50 miles offshore to catch the big ones!
    Types of fishing
    Nearshore Fishing
    Offshore Fishing
    Fishing techniques
    Deep Sea Fishing
    Bottom Fishing
    Targeted fish
    Amberjack
    Amberjack
    Snapper (Red)
    Red Snapper
    Grouper (Gag)
    Gag Grouper
    Grouper (Red)
    Red Grouper
    Snapper (Yellowtail)
    Yellowtail Snapper
    Snapper (Lane)
    Lane Snapper
  • Private trip
    American Red Snapper trip
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    10 Hour Trip, starts at 6:00 AM
    Seasonal trip Jun 1 - Jun 30
    Price for up to 4 persons
    US $1,350
    June 1, 2024 is opening day of Red Snapper Season. All trips booked in the month of June will be 10 hour trips running 45-70 miles into the Gulf of Mexico.
    Types of fishing
    Offshore Fishing
    Fishing techniques
    Deep Sea Fishing
    Targeted fish
    Snapper (Red)
    Red Snapper
    Grouper (Red)
    Red Grouper
    Grouper (Scamp)
    Scamp Grouper
There are 3 people looking at this charter.

Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
5.0 / 5
out of 5 stars from 6 reviews
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (11)
Did not disappoint
Did not disappoint
Did not disappoint
+8
Angler rating
6
0
0
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
60%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
100%
Appropriate for children
100%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
100%
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Featured  
Showing:
5 of 6 reviews
Ryan G.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Personal Approach and Lots of Fish

VERIFIED   6 Hour Trip on June 25, 2024
What is more memorable? Catching a lot of fish? Or having a captain who makes it enjoyable to be on his boat? Fortunately,...
Ryan G. recommends Better Days Charter Service
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You and 1 other person found this review helpful
Ryan G. recommends Better Days Charter Service
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful

Sean S.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Awesome Trip with Capt. Bill!

VERIFIED   6 Hour Trip on April 18, 2024
Captain Bill‘s charter was awesome! Bill is a great guy and very personable. He was extremely helpful for the duration of...
Sean S. recommends Better Days Charter Service
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Sean S. recommends Better Days Charter Service
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Matthew A.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Did not disappoint

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip (AM) on September 14, 2024
Captain Bill was fantastic…. a seasoned fisherman, an experienced captain and a super nice guy. The communication ahead of...
Matthew A. recommends Better Days Charter Service
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  Bill Schwalm Captain replied

Jeff N.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Overall great trip!

VERIFIED   6 Hour Trip on March 21, 2024
Bill was a great captain. He shared some great info about the area and told some great stories. Boat and equipment were top...
Jeff N. recommends Better Days Charter Service
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Jeff N. recommends Better Days Charter Service
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Gary S.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great time !

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip (AM) on May 21, 2024
Great guy ! And we caught fish . Had a blast . Will use him next time .
Gary S. recommends Better Days Charter Service
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  Bill Schwalm Captain replied

FAQs about Better Days Charter Service

Better Days Charter Service offers the following trips to customers:
  • US $500 per group - 4 Hour Trip (AM) (4 hours)
  • US $750 per group - 6 Hour Trip (6 hours)
  • US $1,200 per group - 8 Hour Trip (8 hours)
  • US $1,350 per group - American Red Snapper trip (10 hours)

When you book a trip with Better Days Charter Service, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • Toilet
  • GPS
  • Fishfinder
  • Live Bait Well
  • Outriggers
  • Radar

Trips booked with Better Days Charter Service include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Live Bait
  • Catch cleaning & filleting
  • Drinks (Water and Gatorade provided at no charge)
  • Fishing License

Better Days Charter Service offers the following types of fishing:
  • Nearshore Fishing
  • Offshore Fishing
  • Reef Fishing

Better Days Charter Service offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Bottom Fishing
  • Spinning
  • Jigging
  • Deep Sea Fishing

Top targeted fish species with Better Days Charter Service include:
  • Amberjack
  • Grouper (Gag)
  • Grouper (Red)
  • Grouper (Scamp)
  • Snapper (Lane)
  • Snapper (Red)
  • Snapper (Vermilion)
  • Snapper (Yellowtail)
  • Triggerfish (Gray)

Your captain

Bill Schwalm
St. James City, Florida, United States
2 Fishing Reports
ID & license verified
6 Customer reviews
Response time within an hour
Member since February 2018
Capt. Bill runs trips out of St. James City aboard a 28’ Grady-White. These waters are known for Snappers and Groupers and he will show you how to catch them. With 13 years of experience, he has a trick or two up his sleeve, and the only way to learn is to join him out on the water!

The fish you can target

Amberjack Amberjack
Grouper (Gag) Gag Grouper
Grouper (Red) Red Grouper
Grouper (Scamp) Scamp Grouper

What the boat is like

Boat Image
Boat category
Sportfishing boats
Capacity
4 persons
Boat length
28 ft
Year built
2005
Restored in
2023
Boat manufacturer
Grady-White
Boat type
Sportfishing

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

Which types of fishing are offered

Nearshore Fishing
Offshore Fishing
Reef Fishing

Which fishing techniques you can try

Bottom Fishing
Spinning
Jigging
Deep Sea Fishing

Which amenities are available onboard

Toilet
GPS
Fishfinder
Live Bait Well
Outriggers
Radar

What’s included in the trip price

Rods, reels & tackle
Live Bait
Catch cleaning & filleting
Drinks
Water and Gatorade provided at no charge
Fishing License

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.

What the listing policies are

Pickup not included
Transfer to/from departure site is not included in trip rates.
Child Friendly
You Keep Catch

How you can pay

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
Visa
Mastercard
When paying the remaining balance with a credit card, an additional 3% charge will apply.

What’s biting in St. James City right now

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