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Bart Smith
Captain

Bart Smith

Fernandina Beach, United States
Angler's choice
100+ reviews
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.

Charter

Rating

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

What anglers say

98%
Good experience
100%
Friendly captain
99%
Recommend this charter
99%
Appropriate for children
100%
Satisfied with the boat
93%
Caught fish

All reviews (129)

Showing 1 – 5 of 129 reviews
  • Ariane Swain
    Ariane Swain
    us
    Georgia, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified
    NEW

    Best time, best captain, and a big catch!

    2 Hour Kids Trip - 3:00 PM • 4 adults • 2 children

    Took my 12 and 5 year old sons out with Captain Bart and had the best time. He was incredibly patient and juggled the chaos my boys bring exceptionally well. We caught a huge red fish and took it home for dinner! Very happy I booked this and my boys are already begging to go again.

    Response from Captain

    Thank you so much! it was a pleasure having you and your boys on the Reel-Mar. Look forward to seeing you guys again!

  • Michael Fierfelder
    Michael Fierfelder
    us
    Florida, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Awesome fishing trip!

    4 Hour Half Day Trip (AM) • 2 adults • 1 child

    Overall it was a great experience. there were a few hiccups early on but Captain Bart more than made up for it. He helped my son with all aspects of fishing and by the end of the trip he was baiting his own line. We caught more fish than we could count including 3 different types of sharks! We also left with some filets to have for lunch. Would highly recommend Captain Bart for your next fishing charter.

    Reported catch:
    Black Drum
    Flounder
    Bonnethead Shark
    Response from Captain

    Thank you so much, it was a pleasure having you on the Reel-Mar.

  • Cecil Jennings
    Cecil Jennings
    us
    Georgia, US
    Member since 2026
    4.7
    Verified

    Fun 2-hour afternoon trip

    2 Hour Kids Trip - 4:00 PM • 2 adults

    My wife (inexperienced angler) and I (casual angler) booked a 2-hr afternoon inshore trip. The trip was enjoyable and productive. Together we caught about 10-15 fish including sand trout, speckled trout, bluefish, whiting, jack cravelle, and toadfish. My wife hooked about a 4-foot bonnethead shark. Together we fought it for about 15 minutes before it broke the line! Big fun! Bart (our Captain) was patient and accommodating! Would definitely book with Reel-Mar Charters again! Thanks for a great trip Bart!

    Response from Captain

    Thank you so much! It was a pleasure having you on the Reel-Mar.

  • Josh Laskowski
    Josh Laskowski
    us
    Georgia, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Awesome trip

    4 Hour Half Day Trip (AM) - 9:00 AM • 2 adults

    Celebrated Fathers Day and my son’s birthday catching Reds, Flounder, Sheephead and Black drums. Captain Bart was knowledgeable and took us to great spots where everything was biting. Highly recommend!!

    Reported catch:
    Black Drum
    Redfish
    Flounder
    Sheepshead
    Response from Captain

    Thank you so much for the kind review. it was a pleasure having you guys on the Reel-Mar.

  • Nathan Callaway
    Nathan Callaway
    us
    Alabama, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Perfect experience

    2 Hour Shark Fish Trip Afternoon • 2 adults

    Captain was fantastic . He worked with my 10yo son the whole time to help him catch fish . Absolute blast! 💯 recommend

    Reported catch:
    Black Drum
    Response from Captain

    Thank you so much,it was a pleasure having you and Jay on the Reel-Mar.

Real catches shared by our community

  • Fernandina Fishing Charters
    Fernandina Fishing ChartersFernandina Beach, FL
    amazing Trip
    Kevin D.
    Kevin D.
  • Fernandina Fishing Charters
    Fernandina Fishing ChartersFernandina Beach, FL
    Enjoyable
    Don C.
    Don C.
  • Fernandina Fishing Charters
    Fernandina Fishing ChartersFernandina Beach, FL
    Awesome fishing trip!
    Michael F.
    Michael F.
  • Fernandina Fishing Charters
    Fernandina Fishing ChartersFernandina Beach, FL
    Perfect experience
    Nathan C.
    Nathan C.
  • Fernandina Fishing Charters
    Fernandina Fishing ChartersFernandina Beach, FL
    Really patient captain for a couple new to fishing
    Erik J.
    Erik J.
  • Fernandina Fishing Charters
    Fernandina Fishing ChartersFernandina Beach, FL
    Awesome trip
    Josh L.
    Josh L.
  • Fernandina Fishing Charters
    Fernandina Fishing ChartersFernandina Beach, FL
    Fishing with Bart
    John P.
    John P.
  • Fernandina Fishing Charters
    Fernandina Fishing ChartersFernandina Beach, FL
    April fishing trip
    Brian J.
    Brian J.
  • Fernandina Fishing Charters
    Fernandina Fishing ChartersFernandina Beach, FL
    Great trip. Highly recommend!
    Jon C.
    Jon C.
  • Fernandina Fishing Charters
    Fernandina Fishing ChartersFernandina Beach, FL
    March fishing trip
    Derrick B.
    Derrick B.

What's biting with Fernandina Fishing Charters in Fernandina Beach

Jetty fishing stays strong, with huge bull Redfish and Shark species on offer. Hardcore anglers should come visit for the chance to battle the last of the Tarpon – don't miss your chance to hook the 'Silver King!'
 

Top catches for October

Fishing reports

Angler proudly displaying a large striped bass while fishing from a boat on a sunny day.

Bull Reds Chew Incoming Tide — 35" Monst

Sep 19, 2026 • Fernandina Beach
We had a slow start on an out going tide. Once the tide changed and started coming back in ,it was game on! Bull Reds were chewing it up. 7 nice fish, 3 in the slot and and monster at 35"s.
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Angler proudly displaying a Black Sea Bass while fishing on a charter boat.

Black Drum Bite at St. Marys Jetties Nor

Sep 5, 2026 • Fernandina Beach
Black Drum were the catch of the day! Nice bite on the north side of the st Mary's jetties.
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A proud father and son duo displaying their catch of a large Spanish Mackerel and a smaller fish while enjoying a day on the water.

Spanish Mackerel Bite, Tarpon and Jacks

Sep 5, 2026 • Fernandina Beach
Spanish mackerel were biting, Lots of bait fish with tarpon,jack Cravel, blue runners and lady fish. Saw a massive school of Red Fish but wasn't able to land any. Epic day on the water. We had a blast!!
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Two anglers displaying their catch of flounder on a board at the dock, showcasing a successful day of fishing.

Flounder flounder, flounder

Jul 25, 2026 • Fernandina Beach
Fish the St. Mary's jetties today, very calm seas and a light breeze out of the South Southeast Southwest. Good bite on the flounder. Caught six nice ones. Five were keepers. No reds unfortunately. Another great day on the water.
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Angler proudly displaying a Black Drum caught while fishing on a boat, showcasing a sunny day on the water.

Had to pay the Tax man!!

Jun 22, 2026 • Fernandina Beach
Had a fairly good bite on the start of an incoming tide. St Mary's jetties were slow at first but once we moved into deeper 40 foot water we hooked a couple of nice reds. Unfortunately one was Eaten by a shark and the other was lost at the side of the boat. Some nice trout, black drum and flounder were found in some of the inshore creeks.
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An angler proudly displaying a large Redfish while fishing on a boat in a scenic coastal environment.

29" Red Fish

May 31, 2026 • Fernandina Beach
We had a good morning with beautiful weather. Wind was lite out of south west. Started on the top of an incoming tide. Fished tiger Island and had a lot of luck with 8 flounder in the out going creeks. Two were keepers and also caught a nice 18" and 15" spotted sea trout. Then finished up the morning with a 29" over slot red fish. Great morning with wonderful weather.
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