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: 6 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%
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Showing:
5 of 60 reviews
Brett P.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great trip!!

VERIFIED   4 Hour inshore Shark Trip on April 12, 2025
James was very open to targeting anything and after hearing of our previous slow days on the water he got us right on barracuda....
Brett P. recommends Bug Sportfishing
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Brett P. recommends Bug Sportfishing
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Salina M.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fishing with James

VERIFIED   NEW  Full Day Reef (8HR) on July 26, 2025
Salina M. recommends Bug Sportfishing
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Salina M. recommends Bug Sportfishing
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Jose L. D.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great team effort nice day fishing with family

VERIFIED   NEW  Full Day Reef (8HR) on July 20, 2025
Jose L. D. recommends Bug Sportfishing
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Jose L. D. recommends Bug Sportfishing
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Anders B.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Nothing less than perfect

VERIFIED   4 Hour inshore Shark Trip on April 14, 2025
What a nice captain. Great boat. So helpful, engaging, professional, kind.
Anders B. recommends Bug Sportfishing
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Anders B. recommends Bug Sportfishing
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Patrick K.

The captain canceled

VERIFIED   July 5, 2025
The charter operator canceled on trip date. This is an automated posting.
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful