Captain
Bart Smith

Member since May 2020 Fernandina Beach, United States
Background
I have always had a love of the water since I can remember. Seafaring captains run in my family – my father, great grandfather, and great-great-grandfather were all sea captains of various sailing ships. I started out in 8' dings and small sailing prams around my home town of Interlaken New Jersey. Shortly after graduating high school I joined and served 5 years in the US Coast Guard. Fishing has always been a passion from light tackle for Largemouth Bass and Carp to surf fishing for Striped Bass and Bluefish off the beach and jetties of the Jersey Shore. Five years ago I decided to put my passion into a career and got my Captain's license and started guiding part-time around the beautiful Amelia Island.
Techniques
I prefer light to heavy tackle with live shrimp and mud minnows. I do a lot of blue crabs and cut bait in and around the Saint Mary's jetties for large Bull Reds. I also do quite a bit inshore with slip floats and drifting live bait over oyster beds. The Amelia Island area is so diverse we could be inshore and offshore within minutes depending on the weather, tides, and fish bite.

Hey, I'm Captain Bart Smith

Fernandina Beach, United States
Background
I have always had a love of the water since I can remember. Seafaring captains run in my family – my father, great grandfather, and great-great-grandfather were all sea captains of various sailing ships. I started out in 8' dings and small sailing prams around my home town of Interlaken New Jersey. Shortly after graduating high school I joined and served 5 years in the US Coast Guard. Fishing has always been a passion from light tackle for Largemouth Bass and Carp to surf fishing for Striped Bass and Bluefish off the beach and jetties of the Jersey Shore. Five years ago I decided to put my passion into a career and got my Captain's license and started guiding part-time around the beautiful Amelia Island.
Techniques
I prefer light to heavy tackle with live shrimp and mud minnows. I do a lot of blue crabs and cut bait in and around the Saint Mary's jetties for large Bull Reds. I also do quite a bit inshore with slip floats and drifting live bait over oyster beds. The Amelia Island area is so diverse we could be inshore and offshore within minutes depending on the weather, tides, and fish bite.
Verified

My Charter Listing

Excellent
4.9 / 5
(112 reviews)
Fernandina Beach
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $300

Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.9 / 5
out of 5 stars from 112 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (238)
Fishing with Bart
Had a Blast! (3hr evening trip)
Had a Blast! (3hr evening trip)
+235
Angler rating
104
8
0
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
98%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
99%
Appropriate for children
99%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
91%
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Showing:
5 of 112 reviews
Dominic C.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great for novice fishers

VERIFIED   Evening Fishing Trip on April 19, 2025
Bart is a one stop shop. He has everything you need for fishing. He had the boat ready to go with live bait and rods ready...
Dominic C. recommends Fernandina Fishing Charters
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Tara P.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Memories and dinner!

VERIFIED   Evening Fishing Trip on September 14, 2024
Captain Bart put us on the fish right away and we caught a variety both inshore and at the Jetties. Highlight was a great red...
Tara P. recommends Fernandina Fishing Charters
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful
Tara P. recommends Fernandina Fishing Charters
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful

Shameria T.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Had a Blast! (3hr evening trip)

VERIFIED   Evening Fishing Trip on July 12, 2025
Captain Bart is amazing! He took my 9 year old son and I out for the evening. My kid asked a thousand questions and...
Shameria T. recommends Fernandina Fishing Charters
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Traci H.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Awesome day on the water

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (AM) on August 9, 2025
Captain Bart was amazing. He knows the area well. We caught flounder, rock fish, lady fish, croakers, trout, and a couple of...
Traci H. recommends Fernandina Fishing Charters
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Traci H. recommends Fernandina Fishing Charters
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Justin C.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Bart's the Best

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (PM) on August 2, 2025
We had inclement weather, he accommodated, fishing conditions were mediocre but we still caught plenty, he was baiting all...
Justin C. recommends Fernandina Fishing Charters
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  Bart Smith Captain replied