Building Up Sports Academy – Captain Dave 

If you're looking for the perfect family adventure in the heart of Florida's freshwater canals, look no further than Captain Dave — he is truly one of a kind! From the very first cast to the last, Captain Dave made our family feel right at home on the water. He has a genuine gift with kids — patient, encouraging, and incredibly fun — keeping every little angler locked in and fired up from start to finish. The smiles on our children's faces were absolutely priceless as they turned the trip into their own little fishing tournament, competing to see who could land the next catch! What really sets Captain Dave apart is his deep knowledge of the water. He knows exactly where the fish are hiding and wasted no time getting us to the hot spots. Every catch and release was a celebration, and he took the time to educate the whole family on the different species we were reeling in — making the experience as educational as it was exciting. It felt less like a fishing trip and more like an outdoor classroom with a rod in your hand. As the afternoon wound down, Captain Dave treated us to a stunning canal sunset cruise that gave us the most breathtaking, magical family photo with a full Florida sunset as our backdrop. It's the kind of moment you frame and hang on the wall forever. Captain Dave isn't just a charter captain — he's a storyteller, a teacher, and a genuinely warm human being who pours his heart into every trip. This is a personal, unforgettable experience that the whole family will talk about for years to come. Highest possible recommendation. Book him. You won't regret a single second! 🎣🌅

Not all fishing charters are created equal—and this one set the bar high. We had an incredible sunset fishing trip with Captain Dave, and honestly, it was the highlight of our time on the water. From the moment we stepped on the boat, he made everyone feel welcome and comfortable. You can tell right away he knows his stuff—he shared tips, explained everything clearly, and made sure we were actually catching fish, not just sitting around waiting. What really stood out was how kind and patient he was the entire time. Whether you’re experienced or brand new, he meets you where you are and makes it fun. And the sunset? Unreal. Perfect ending to an already amazing trip. If you’re even thinking about booking a charter—do it with Captain Dave. You won’t regret it.

For my son and three grandchildren, they are used to fishing in northern Wisconsin so this was a special treat. They were super lucky and caught quite a few fish, including a peacock bass, which was a surprise to even the captain. They had a great time and talked about how wonderful the captain was, I would definitely recommend this adventure.

My husband and I booked with captain Dave to fish for peacock bass for our son and two friends. We did not catch peacock bass due to the cold snap a few weeks back, but did catch lots of other fish and had a great day. He did a great job taking us to different spots and helping the boys. I would book with him again for sure!

Captain Dave made a great fishing day for us. We caught 9 fish total. 4 different species. Catching a peacock bass was on my bucket list and Captain Dave made it happen. would highly recommend!