Richard Surber
Captain

Richard Surber

Palmetto, United States
Federal waters
25+ reviews
I grew up on the water in Tierra Verde, Florida. My family operated a bait and tackle shop from the time I was 8 to 18. I built and operated a 28' Shrimp boat. Every weekend involved some form of boating, scuba diving, or fishing. When I was 15, I built a 28′ Shrimp trawler on my own. I have been running boats ever since high school.

Charters

Rating

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

What anglers say

97%
Recommend this charter

All reviews (33)

Showing 1 – 5 of 33 reviews
  • EUGENE REEDY
    EUGENE REEDY
    us
    Wisconsin, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Had a great experience Richard was a great captain

    Full Day Offshore – Up to 30 Miles • 2 adults

    You won’t be disappointed great captain and I would fish with him again

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

    Hi Eugene, thanks for a great day on thr water. I appreciate the review and hope we can do it again!

  • Jason Easterling
    Jason Easterling
    Repeat angler
    us
    Florida, US
    Member since 2020
    2 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    June fishing trip

    Full Day Offshore – Up to 30 Miles • 5 adults • 1 child
    Reported catch:
    Red Snapper
    Gag Grouper
    Red Grouper
  • George Meadows
    George Meadows
    Repeat angler
    us
    Florida, US
    Member since 2020
    12 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    A Great Day in July

    Full Day Offshore – Up to 30 Miles • 3 adults

    I've been slacking leaving this review since the trip was 2 days before our summer family vacation and August has gotten away from me. We had an absolute wonderful with Capt Richard and his first mate at the end of July! We wanted to get out and attempt catching a few red snappers before the season ended. This charter did not disappoint as we caught red snappers, groupers, a huge triggerfish, sharks and many more. The boat and crew were phenomenal. The captain did not tarry long when the bite slowed and moved several times throughout the day to keep the action steady. We have enjoyed our snappers and groupers since our return from our vacation. Needless to say, we will be back for more. Thank you to Capt Richard and crew

    Reported catch:
    Red Snapper
  • Jeff Hunter
    Jeff Hunter
    us
    Florida, US
    Member since 2022
    5.0
    Verified

    Fishing with Richard

    Full Day Offshore – Up to 30 Miles • 2 adults

    Captain Rich and his first mate Ray (R & R) were great. High-tech boat with sonar and auto-pilot to sit right on the spots to get fish. 30’ boat with about a 7 or 8’ beam. Comfortable ride and stable in the waves. Limited out on grouper quickly and some really nice snapper. Out near 60 miles and pulling up big boys from 150’ was a righteous workout. Great time. Would definitely go with these gentlemen again.

    Reported catch:
    Amberjack
    Red Snapper
    Mangrove Snapper
    Vermilion Snapper
    +1
    Response from Captain

    Thank you Jeff for a great trip! You and your son were a pleasure to fish with! Hope to see you on the water again very soon!

  • Joshua Conner
    Joshua Conner
    us
    Louisiana, US
    Member since 2021
    5.0
    Verified

    Full Day Offshore – Up to 30 Miles

    Full Day Offshore – Up to 30 Miles • 5 adults • 2 children

    Had an awesome day with Capt Richard and Dylan. It was our first time offshore fishing and they made it a memorable trip. We didnt bring limits of fish home but we definitely caught plenty and still managed to bring home two nice grouper and a few snapper. Seas were not very good today but the boat handled it well. Capt Richard did his best to put us on the fish and had the conditions been better there's no doubt we woulda caught even more. If your questioning who to book a trip with look no further. Capt Richard is the way to go!!!

    Response from Captain

    Joshua, You and your family were a pleasure on and off the water. I really enjoyed the trip. I wish the weather would have been a little more cooperative. Hope to see and your crew again very soon! Thank you for taking the time to write a review. I really appreciated it. Sincerely, Captain Richard Surber

Real catches shared by our community

  • Angler proudly displaying a large Grouper while fishing on a boat in open waters.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    +1
    Red Grouper
    EUGENE R.
    EUGENE R.
    You won’t be disappointed great captain and I would fish with him again
  • An angler proudly displaying a large Mahi Mahi while fishing offshore, showcasing the vibrant colors of the fish against the ocean backdrop.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    +3
    Red Snapper
    Red Snapper and Red Grouper
  • Teen angler giving a thumbs-up aboard a boat at dusk, with calm open water and a dramatic evening sky in the background.
    Kevin M.
    Kevin M.
  • Two anglers pose aboard an offshore fishing boat while displaying a large grouper catch against the open ocean.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    +1
    Red Hind
    Jeff H.
    Jeff H.
    Captain Rich and his first mate Ray (R & R) were great. High-tech boat with sonar and auto-pilot to sit right on the spots to get fish. 30’ boat with about a 7 or 8’ beam. Comfortable ride and stable in the waves. Limited out on grouper quickly and some really nice snapper. Out near 60 miles and pulling up big boys from 150’ was a righteous workout. Great time. Would definitely go with these gentlemen again.
  • Angler holding a large spotted grouper aboard a center-console fishing boat offshore.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    +3
    Red Grouper
    Pete G.
    Pete G.
  • A mother and child enjoying a sunset on a fishing boat, with fishing rods visible in the background.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    +3
    Gray Triggerfish
    George M.
    George M.
    I've been slacking leaving this review since the trip was 2 days before our summer family vacation and August has gotten away from me. We had an absolute wonderful with Capt Richard and his first mate at the end of July! We wanted to get out and attempt catching a few red snappers before the season ended. This charter did not disappoint as we caught red snappers, groupers, a huge triggerfish, sharks and many more. The boat and crew were phenomenal. The captain did not tarry long when the bite slowed and moved several times throughout the day to keep the action steady. We have enjoyed our snappers and groupers since our return from our vacation. Needless to say, we will be back for more. Thank you to Capt Richard and crew
  • A family poses proudly with their catch of Red Snapper and Grouper on the dock after a successful fishing trip.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    +1
    Red Snapper
    Barb S.
    Barb S.
    Had a great day off-shore fishing with Captain Richard. He knows where to find fish and how to catch them. The boat and equipment are top notch. We limited out on red snapper and grouper.
  • Adult angler proudly holding a large red grouper aboard a center-console fishing boat in open ocean waters.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    +4
    Red Grouper
    Kolby W.
    Kolby W.
    I highly recommend Captain Richard and first mate Dillion. I had the privilege of going out with my son, brother-in-law and 3 nephews. They put us on the fish all day, top quality boat and equipment. We will definitely go out with them again.
  • Two young anglers proudly displaying their catches of red grouper in a grassy yard after a successful fishing trip.
    Fish 1
    Red Grouper
    Joshua C.
    Joshua C.
    Had an awesome day with Capt Richard and Dylan. It was our first time offshore fishing and they made it a memorable trip. We didnt bring limits of fish home but we definitely caught plenty and still managed to bring home two nice grouper and a few snapper. Seas were not very good today but the boat handled it well. Capt Richard did his best to put us on the fish and had the conditions been better there's no doubt we woulda caught even more. If your questioning who to book a trip with look no further. Capt Richard is the way to go!!!
  • Large mixed catch of red snapper, grouper, and smaller reef fish stored in a boat fish box.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    +3
    Red Snapper
    Zach D.
    Zach D.
    Cannot recommend Captain Richard and Down2Fish Charters enough! 5/5 stars!!!! Extremely knowledgeable, kind, and fun! His vessel is the nicest in the area and makes getting to all the spots a breeze! He put us on fish all day long, and we were able to limit out on Red Snapper and Red Grouper! Cannot wait to be back on the water with Down2Fish

Our Fishing Locations

What's biting with Down2Fish Charters – 30' Robalo in Palmetto

Top catches for November