Captain
James Duncan III

Member since March 2021 Islamorada, United States
Background
Being born into a fishing family, I have been on the water and around boats for my entire life. As soon as I was able to walk, my father taught me how to cast and I would spend hours casting behind my house in Point Pleasant, NJ. My family moved to South Florida when I was still young, which opened up a whole new world to me, where I was able to spend every second I could either on or near the water. As a teenager, I started working at a marina on the fuel dock which eventually branched into working as a mate for private boats and on charters. After that, I spent several years as the captain running a corporate sportfishing program competing in Marlin tournaments up and down the east coast of the US. After operating a successful sportfishing charter in New Jersey for several years, I came to realize Islamorada is truly where I call home. I have always been passionate about being a fisherman and have known from a very young age that this is what I was meant to do.
Techniques
Growing up fishing all over the united states has introduced me to lots of different techniques so the best way to describe my fishing style is somewhere in-between south Florida light tackle with a heavy dose of northeast influence. Whether its early spring striped bass, mid season fluke, or chasing tuna and marlin; I always try to make the most of every opportunity. Whenever I’m fishing for our target species I am always ready for the chance to encounter something special, like bluefin tuna while fishing for striped bass or keeping a fresh shark bait out while fishing for seabass and fluke. I thoroughly enjoy fishing artificials for inshore species,Slow pitch jigging is one of my favorite techniques. Chunking for tuna is one of my specialties, I will never turn down an opportunity to go offshore. While we carry tackle from light to heavy I prefer to use tackle on the slightly lighter side of things to increase the fun factor, Fishing is about having fun and making memories!

Hey, I'm Captain James Duncan III

Islamorada, United States
Background
Being born into a fishing family, I have been on the water and around boats for my entire life. As soon as I was able to walk, my father taught me how to cast and I would spend hours casting behind my house in Point Pleasant, NJ. My family moved to South Florida when I was still young, which opened up a whole new world to me, where I was able to spend every second I could either on or near the water. As a teenager, I started working at a marina on the fuel dock which eventually branched into working as a mate for private boats and on charters. After that, I spent several years as the captain running a corporate sportfishing program competing in Marlin tournaments up and down the east coast of the US. After operating a successful sportfishing charter in New Jersey for several years, I came to realize Islamorada is truly where I call home. I have always been passionate about being a fisherman and have known from a very young age that this is what I was meant to do.
Techniques
Growing up fishing all over the united states has introduced me to lots of different techniques so the best way to describe my fishing style is somewhere in-between south Florida light tackle with a heavy dose of northeast influence. Whether its early spring striped bass, mid season fluke, or chasing tuna and marlin; I always try to make the most of every opportunity. Whenever I’m fishing for our target species I am always ready for the chance to encounter something special, like bluefin tuna while fishing for striped bass or keeping a fresh shark bait out while fishing for seabass and fluke. I thoroughly enjoy fishing artificials for inshore species,Slow pitch jigging is one of my favorite techniques. Chunking for tuna is one of my specialties, I will never turn down an opportunity to go offshore. While we carry tackle from light to heavy I prefer to use tackle on the slightly lighter side of things to increase the fun factor, Fishing is about having fun and making memories!

My Charter Listing

Excellent
4.9 / 5
(60 reviews)
Islamorada
 Last booking: 5 days ago
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $600

Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.9 / 5
out of 5 stars from 60 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (56)
Guaranteed Great Time With Bug!
Guaranteed Great Time With Bug!
Great team effort nice day fishing with family
+53
Angler rating
53
0
0
1
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
98%
Friendly captain
98%
Recommend this charter
88%
Appropriate for children
96%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
94%
Sort by:
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Showing:
5 of 60 reviews
Robert P.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Guaranteed Great Time With Bug!

VERIFIED   NEW  4 Hour inshore Shark Trip on July 29, 2025
James is an excellent captain!  He’s very personable and made the day memorable for my son (13yo) and daughter (20yo), who...
Robert P. recommends Bug Sportfishing
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Robert P. recommends Bug Sportfishing
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Beth T.
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Experience:
Very good
4.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great Time and Lots of Action

VERIFIED   4 Hour inshore Shark Trip on March 20, 2025
From the moment Capt. James reached out before our trip to check in and see if we had any requests, to our final goodbye at...
Beth T. recommends Bug Sportfishing
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful
Beth T. recommends Bug Sportfishing
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful

Renee C.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great captain, excellent day!

VERIFIED   4 Hour inshore Shark Trip on June 21, 2025
Captain James was very personable and knowledgeable. He really knows his stuff and took the extra time to give our son and...
Renee C. recommends Bug Sportfishing
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Renee C. recommends Bug Sportfishing
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Gary Z.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Best Charter on FB.

VERIFIED   4 Hour inshore Shark Trip on July 3, 2025
Capt James is the perfect balance of brilliant fishing knowledge, humor, personality and just spot on A1 technique.  This...
Gary Z. recommends Bug Sportfishing
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Gary Z. recommends Bug Sportfishing
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Simon G.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

What a great afternoon with James

VERIFIED   4 Hour inshore Shark Trip on April 23, 2025
James was a great captain, and the boat was very well driven and equipped. James knew exactly where to go to find the...
Simon G. recommends Bug Sportfishing
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Simon G. recommends Bug Sportfishing
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