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James Duncan III
Captain

James Duncan III

Islamorada, United States
50+ reviews
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.

Charter

Rating

4.9
73 reviews
4.9
Boat & Equipment
4.9
Captain & Crew
4.9
Fishing Experience

What anglers say

98%
Good experience
98%
Friendly captain
97%
Recommend this charter
96%
Appropriate for children
100%
Satisfied with the boat
94%
Caught fish

All reviews (73)

Showing 1 – 5 of 73 reviews
  • Joshua Tenney
    Joshua Tenney
    us
    Maryland, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Awesome experience all around

    4 Hour Trip – Inshore Sharks • 5 adults • 3 children

    Took my family of 5 including a 12,10 and 8 year old. We caught lots of fish. He put us on one spot and never had to leave. We caught plenty of fish with the lite rigs and tied into a lot where we needed the chair. Crew was great and knowledgeable. Great experience. Highly recommend this charter

    Reported catch:
    Ladyfish
    Nurse Shark
  • Christine Kirchhoff
    Christine Kirchhoff
    us
    Michigan, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Professional, Relaxed and Fun

    4 Hour Trip – Inshore Sharks • 3 adults • 1 child

    Capt. James and first mate Daniel were a great fit for us. We had a perfect afternoon that included patient, friendly guidance for my grandson to learn to fish. He caught lots of yellowtail, plus we had the thrill of hooking a HUGE shark that my daughter in law had the excitement of reeling up to the side of the boat. Would highly recommend choosing Bug for your charter excursion!

  • Joe Froud
    Joe Froud
    Repeat angler
    gb
    United Kingdom
    Member since 2022
    17 trips
    5.0
    Verified
    NEW

    GOLIATH!! 🐠💥

    4 Hour Trip – Inshore Sharks • 6 adults

    A trip NEVER tp be forgotten! Thanks James, Abbey & Josh 🙏🏻

  • Kamal Daraiseh
    Kamal Daraiseh
    us
    Arizona, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Amazing trip

    6 Hour Trip – Reef • 4 adults

    Danny and James are stellar people and even better fisherman. We were able to both snorkel, and fish out in the deep sea. Would absolutely come back and do it again!

    Reported catch:
    Blackfin Tuna
    Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
    Response from Captain

    thank you Kamal! had a great time with yall! come back soon!!!!

  • Andrew Partridge
    Andrew Partridge
    us
    Illinois, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Fantastic, friendly, hard-working crew

    4 Hour Trip – Inshore Sharks • 3 adults • 2 children

    Beautiful boat and really great guys. Gorgeous scenery. Caught 100+ lb nurse shark, yellowtail, big blue runners and others. Crew was great with my 10 and 12 yrs old boys. Crew knows their stuff and area and worked tirelessly to make sure we made some memories!

    Reported catch:
    Nurse Shark

Real catches shared by our community

  • Bug Sportfishing
    Bug SportfishingIslamorada, FL
    Adult angler holding a massive grouper in the open ocean during a close-up catch-and-release fishing moment.
    Fish 1
    Goliath Grouper
    Joe F.
    Joe F.
    A trip NEVER tp be forgotten! Thanks James, Abbey & Josh 🙏🏻
  • Bug Sportfishing
    Bug SportfishingIslamorada, FL
    A young angler and an adult proudly display a large Grouper while fishing on a boat in clear blue waters.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    +3
    Goliath Grouper
    Joshua T.
    Joshua T.
    Took my family of 5 including a 12,10 and 8 year old. We caught lots of fish. He put us on one spot and never had to leave. We caught plenty of fish with the lite rigs and tied into a lot where we needed the chair. Crew was great and knowledgeable. Great experience. Highly recommend this charter
  • Bug Sportfishing
    Bug SportfishingIslamorada, FL
    A proud moment for a family as they display their catch of two vibrant Mahi Mahi while fishing offshore.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    +1
    Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
    Kamal D.
    Kamal D.
    Danny and James are stellar people and even better fisherman. We were able to both snorkel, and fish out in the deep sea. Would absolutely come back and do it again!
  • Bug Sportfishing
    Bug SportfishingIslamorada, FL
    Two anglers proudly displaying a freshly caught fish while fishing offshore, showcasing a vibrant blue ocean backdrop.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    +1
    Blackfin Tuna
    Ronald V.
    Ronald V.
    We highly recommend this energetic and knowledgeable crew, on a boat that was a pleasure to fish on! Multi species and exciting strategies! Genuine commitment to deliver maximum value and fun.
  • Bug Sportfishing
    Bug SportfishingIslamorada, FL
    Two anglers display a small fish aboard a center-console boat on open ocean waters under a bright sunny sky.
    Fish 1
    Yellowtail Snapper
    Andrew P.
    Andrew P.
    Beautiful boat and really great guys. Gorgeous scenery. Caught 100+ lb nurse shark, yellowtail, big blue runners and others. Crew was great with my 10 and 12 yrs old boys. Crew knows their stuff and area and worked tirelessly to make sure we made some memories!
  • Bug Sportfishing
    Bug SportfishingIslamorada, FL
    A large fish, likely a Mackerel, displayed on a cleaning table at a marina, showcasing the fishing environment.
    Randall L.
    Randall L.
  • Bug Sportfishing
    Bug SportfishingIslamorada, FL
    A young angler is actively reeling in a fish while fishing from a boat in a scenic coastal environment.
    Ryan K.
    Ryan K.
    Bloat was great. Definitely had the right equipment. The exact kinda laid back but serious fisherman you wanna be with. Caught some cool sharks. Would absolutely recommend.
  • Bug Sportfishing
    Bug SportfishingIslamorada, FL
    A large shark is seen swimming near the surface of the water during a deep-sea fishing trip, showcasing the thrill of offshore fishing.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    Thresher Shark
    Robert P.
    Robert P.
    James is an excellent captain! He’s very personable and made the day memorable for my son (13yo) and daughter (20yo), who caught an awesome shark and a mackerel! James has excellent, well-maintained equipment, works hard to get you on fish and does a nice job communicating with clients leading up to the trip. You can’t find a better captain than “Bug” (James). If you’re thinking of a charter call him!
  • Bug Sportfishing
    Bug SportfishingIslamorada, FL
    A group of four anglers proudly displaying their catch of Mahi Mahi on a sunny day at the marina, showcasing a successful fishing trip.
    Fish 1
    Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
    Jose Luis D.
    Jose Luis D.
  • Bug Sportfishing
    Bug SportfishingIslamorada, FL
    Large hooked fish surging beside a boat in choppy open water during an active saltwater fishing trip.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    Bull Shark
    Gary Z.
    Gary Z.
    Capt James is the perfect balance of brilliant fishing knowledge, humor, personality and just spot on A1 technique. This guy is a gem and if you are lucky enough to book with him he may be the last Captain you ever seek out. Can’t wait to do it again. Thanks James!

What's biting with Bug Sportfishing in Islamorada

Cobia start to appear, sometimes in big schools. The mullet migration brings Sailfish close to the shore, along with the last of the Blackfin Tuna. This is also a great time for Trout and Redfish in the shallows.

Top catches for November

Fishing reports

Three anglers proudly displaying their catch of striped bass aboard a fishing boat, enjoying a sunny day on the water.

STRIPERS ON FIRE!!

May 1, 2021 • Islamorada
Fishing continues to heat up as the spring continues! Stripers are biting in the Raritan, last trip we caught 14 in just 3 hours! More bass are starting to show up in numbers along the beach and close to home as well. Plenty of large bluefish around making for some great sport on light tackle! A few reports of Giant tuna being sighted in the last week with one or two boats that managed to bring one back to the dock. Seabass is opening next week and then fluke the week after that! Its shaping up to be a great season so don't wait and book your dates now! still a few weekend slots open for the month of May but our calendar is filling up fast! Fair winds and following seas, Capt, James Duncan
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