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Bill Schwalm
Captain

Bill Schwalm

St. James City, United States
Federal waters
10+ reviews
Capt. Bill runs trips out of St. James City aboard a 2022 Grady White 30' Marlin. These waters are known for Snappers and Groupers and he will show you how to catch them. With 15 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!

Charter

Rating

5.0
20 reviews
4.9
Boat & Equipment
5.0
Captain & Crew
4.9
Fishing Experience

All reviews (20)

Showing 1 – 5 of 20 reviews
  • Amy Amy
    Amy Amy
    us
    Illinois, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Captain Bill and our Fantastic Fishing Excursion

    6 Hour Trip • 3 adults

    We found Captain Bill by chance and boy were we lucky! What a great day. Captain Bill took care of us, and it made for a great day! His boat is beautiful; the equipment was superb; and Captain Bill took care of the rest. He loves working with kids and was excited to have our 13-year-old son on board. He really knows the waters and all the variety of fish. We caught a ton of smaller fish as we did a 6-hour excursion that kept us about 30 miles from shore. If you want the big grouper, first fish when they are in season and second, you need to go out much further. I would book Captain Bill again in a heartbeat.

    Response from Captain

    Amy, Brian, and JJ: Thank you so much for the kind review. I really enjoyed having you on board. It was great to watch JJ reel in some fish. Too bad there’s not a Scout badge for Saltwater fish cause he would get one for sure. Thanks again and hope to see you in the future. Capt. Bill

  • Joseph Balkovatz
    Joseph Balkovatz
    us
    Colorado, US
    Member since 2025
    5.0
    Verified

    Offshore

    6 Hour Trip • 4 adults

    Having fished offshore everywhere from the rugged coasts of Alaska to the tropical waters of the Dominican Republic, I can say with confidence that this experience was absolute first-rate! Captain Bill truly delivered for our family trip. He is the perfect blend of what you want: Experienced, Kind, Helpful, and Determined. Whether you are a seasoned angler or out with the family, his expertise and attitude make all the difference. If you're looking for a captain who is as dedicated to your success as he is, look no further. :-)

    Reported catch:
    Vermilion Snapper
    Response from Captain

    Joe, thank you for the great review! I’m happy that your family enjoyed the day and glad that last spot paid off for some nice snapper. Also, thanks for helping me spot the markers in the fog.Hope to see you some time next year. Kind regards, Capt Bill Schwalm

  • Bruce Loban
    Bruce Loban
    us
    Minnesota, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Capt Bill Schwalm

    8 Hour Trip • 5 adults

    Capt.had to deal with fog both on the way out and in ...he handled it like pro...when we got on the spot we caught so many fish a couple of my buddies had to stop because they were to tired of reeling in fish. Capr Bill has class,patience, and knowledge ,would highly recommend him to anyone ,My wife would have even enjoyed how comfortable his 30' boat is. Thank you Bill

    Response from Captain

    Bruce, thanks for the great review. Glad your group enjoyed the trip. Great bunch of guys. Yes, it was a little stressful in the fog, thanks for your help spotting the markers. By the way, I had 16,000 steps on my phone today. Take care, Capt Bill Schwalm

  • Keith Bollheimer
    Keith Bollheimer
    Repeat angler
    us
    Michigan, US
    Member since 2025
    2 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    February fishing trip

    6 Hour Trip • 4 adults

    Captain Bill was very helpful and very professional.. Made it a very interactive experience.. Went above and beyond. Excellent equipment and top of the line Grady White boat. Does this because he loves what he’s doing. Would recommend him to everyone

    Response from Captain

    Keith, thank you so much for the very nice review. I really enjoyed having your group on board yesterday Hope to see you again in the future. Capt Bill

  • Nancy Harders
    Nancy Harders
    Repeat angler
    us
    Nebraska, US
    Member since 2026
    2 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    Great trip

    Trip for Nancy • 3 adults

    The boat was very comfortable and clean The captain is very knowledgeable and friendly. He was able to get us on some very nice fish. We would go with him again.

    Reported catch:
    Yellowtail Snapper
    Red Grouper
    Vermilion Snapper
    Response from Captain

    Nancy, thanks for the nice review. I really enjoyed having you and Shawn on the Boat and especially happy to share a 50th anniversary experience with you folks.Hope to see you in the future. Capt Bill.

Real catches shared by our community

  • Better Days Charter Service
    Better Days Charter ServiceSt. James City, FL
    Assorted reef fish packed in a large cooler on a boat deck, including several colorful snapper-like fish.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    +2
    French Grunt
    Amy A.
    Amy A.
    We found Captain Bill by chance and boy were we lucky! What a great day. Captain Bill took care of us, and it made for a great day! His boat is beautiful; the equipment was superb; and Captain Bill took care of the rest. He loves working with kids and was excited to have our 13-year-old son on board. He really knows the waters and all the variety of fish. We caught a ton of smaller fish as we did a 6-hour excursion that kept us about 30 miles from shore. If you want the big grouper, first fish when they are in season and second, you need to go out much further. I would book Captain Bill again in a heartbeat.
  • Better Days Charter Service
    Better Days Charter ServiceSt. James City, FL
    A cooler filled with freshly caught Lane Snapper, packed with ice for preservation after a successful fishing trip.
    Fish 1
    Lane Snapper
    Bruce L.
    Bruce L.
    Capt.had to deal with fog both on the way out and in ...he handled it like pro...when we got on the spot we caught so many fish a couple of my buddies had to stop because they were to tired of reeling in fish. Capr Bill has class,patience, and knowledge ,would highly recommend him to anyone ,My wife would have even enjoyed how comfortable his 30' boat is. Thank you Bill
  • Better Days Charter Service
    Better Days Charter ServiceSt. James City, FL
    Two adult anglers pose on a waterfront dock with a large red-colored reef fish caught aboard Better Days Charters.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    +1
    Red Grouper
    Had a great day on the water catching lots of snappper and a “monster” 29” red grouper. What a way to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary!
  • Better Days Charter Service
    Better Days Charter ServiceSt. James City, FL
    An angler proudly displaying a large Grouper caught while fishing offshore, showcasing a beautiful day on the water.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    +1
    Gag Grouper
    Grandad and granddaughter off to a great start in the New Year. Big red grouper and lots of snapper 40 miles offshore.
  • Better Days Charter Service
    Better Days Charter ServiceSt. James City, FL
    Two anglers proudly displaying a large Grouper while fishing offshore, showcasing a successful day on the water.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    +2
    Scamp Grouper
    Great Day fishing with Tommy and his family.They caught some nice big grouper and lots of lane snapper on a 6 hour charter. Everyone had a fun time on a gorgeous SW Florida day. Hope to see them again soon. Capt. Bill Schwalm
  • Better Days Charter Service
    Better Days Charter ServiceSt. James City, FL
    A group of young anglers enjoying a day on a fishing boat, showcasing a relaxed atmosphere with fishing rods in the background.
    Fish 1
    Red Snapper
    Mike R.
    Mike R.
    Captain Bill made sure my kids had a great day on the water today! Great boat, great conversation, and great fishing! Thank you Cap!
  • Better Days Charter Service
    Better Days Charter ServiceSt. James City, FL
    Four adult anglers proudly display a group of large grouper aboard a center-console fishing boat offshore.
    Fish 1
    Red Grouper
    Smith Brothers annual fishing trip May 17 and 18 2025. Lots of grouper and snapper fishing 50-65 miles out in the Gulf. Great bunch of guys. Bunch of fish and a lot of laughs. Hope to see them again next year
  • Better Days Charter Service
    Better Days Charter ServiceSt. James City, FL
    Two anglers posing for a selfie on a fishing boat, enjoying a day out on the water.
    Fish 1
    Lane Snapper
    Matthew A.
    Matthew A.
    Captain Bill was fantastic.... a seasoned fisherman, an experienced captain and a super nice guy. The communication ahead of time was excellent. We were on fish all morning and were very comfortable on his well equipped Grady White. An overall great experience!
  • Better Days Charter Service
    Better Days Charter ServiceSt. James City, FL
    Group of anglers proudly displaying their catch of Red Snapper while out on a deep-sea fishing trip.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    +1
    Red Snapper
    Limits of American Red Snapper on every trip so far this summer. Season is open until Aug 28 2024 so book your trip now.
  • Better Days Charter Service
    Better Days Charter ServiceSt. James City, FL
    A fish swimming in the water, possibly a shark, captured during a fishing trip.
    Ryan G.
    Ryan G.
    What is more memorable? Catching a lot of fish? Or having a captain who makes it enjoyable to be on his boat? Fortunately, we had both! Bill's easy personality and his effort to call everyone by name made everyone feel comfortable. And we caught more than 75 fish on our 6 hour trip. We will be eating all the snapper we can handle for the next week. Also caught a 200 pound nurse shark. We look forward to hiring Bill again.

What's biting with Better Days Charter Service in St. James City

Top catches for November

Fishing reports

An angler reeling in two Snapper while fishing on a sunny day in open waters.

Fishing with Nancy & Shawn from Nebraska

Feb 9, 2026 • St. James City
Had a great day on the water catching lots of snappper and a “monster” 29” red grouper. What a way to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary!
Show more
An angler proudly displaying a large Grouper caught while fishing offshore, showcasing a beautiful day on the water.

New Year Fishing offshore

Jan 2, 2026 • St. James City
Grandad and granddaughter off to a great start in the New Year. Big red grouper and lots of snapper 40 miles offshore.
Show more
Two anglers proudly displaying a large Grouper caught during a deep-sea fishing trip.

Family fishing trip

Nov 9, 2025 • St. James City
Great Day fishing with Tommy and his family.They caught some nice big grouper and lots of lane snapper on a 6 hour charter. Everyone had a fun time on a gorgeous SW Florida day. Hope to see them again soon. Capt. Bill Schwalm
Show more
Four adult anglers proudly display a group of large grouper aboard a center-console fishing boat offshore.

Great Day fishing with Better Days Chart

May 17, 2025 • St. James City
Smith Brothers annual fishing trip May 17 and 18 2025. Lots of grouper and snapper fishing 50-65 miles out in the Gulf. Great bunch of guys. Bunch of fish and a lot of laughs. Hope to see them again next year
Show more
Group of anglers proudly displaying their catch of Red Snapper while out on a deep-sea fishing trip.

Red Snapper season is in full swing.

Jun 30, 2024 • St. James City
Limits of American Red Snapper on every trip so far this summer. Season is open until Aug 28 2024 so book your trip now.
Show more
An angler proudly displaying a freshly caught Grouper while fishing on a boat in open waters.

Great day of snapper fishing in the Gulf

Dec 5, 2023 • St. James City
Fishing with Capt Bill of Better Days Charters, the Plaskon Family headed 20 miles offshore to catch a load of lane snapper!
Show more