James Scott
Captain

James Scott

Destin, United States
Angler's choice
250+ reviews
Captan James is a longtime angler with a great personality. He loves working outdoors and has a desire to always improve. Charters are extremely work-intensive but can also be very rewarding. He loves to see smiles on his clients' faces, especially the kids. The captain lived in the Philippines for 5 years where he honed his fishing skills. He has the knowledge and the drive to make sure each trip is successful. His main goal is safety first, and a great adventure as a close second.

Charter

Rating

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

What anglers say

96%
Good experience
100%
Friendly captain
98%
Recommend this charter
92%
Appropriate for children
100%
Satisfied with the boat
91%
Caught fish

All reviews (466)

Showing 1 – 5 of 466 reviews
  • Liz Reddmann
    Liz Reddmann
    Repeat angler
    us
    Arkansas, US
    Member since 2023
    2 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    The Best Captain!!

    Bad weather short trip • 3 adults • 1 child

    We’ve been out with Captain James before, but this time we decided to bring our 8 year old son along for his very first deep sea fishing trip. Recent storms left the water extremely rough, and unfortunately, the motion got the best of us and we all ended up seasick. But Captain James handled it like an absolute pro! He prioritized our comfort, pivoted quickly, and moved us in closer to shore where the water was much calmer so we could keep fishing safely. He was patient, engaging, and so fantastic with our son. It takes a truly top tier captain to turn a day of rough weather into an absolute blast. We had the best time and can’t recommend him enough!!

  • Michael Galloway
    Michael Galloway
    us
    Missouri, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Great Experience!

    6 Hour Trip – Offshore • 2 adults

    If you’re looking for a top-tier offshore fishing experience in Destin, look no further than Captain James! From start to finish, Captain James was exceptionally professional and communicative. He made coordination effortless and kept us informed every step of the way. Once on board, it was immediately clear how much pride he takes in his operation—his boat is pristine, amazingly clean, and meticulously organized. What truly set the trip apart, though, was Captain James himself. He’s incredibly friendly, thoughtful, and genuinely focused on making sure everyone on board has a fantastic, safe, and memorable trip. He tailored the experience to us and made sure we were on the fish and having a blast the entire time. Hands down one of the best charter experiences we’ve had in Destin. We can't wait to book our next trip with Captain James!

    Reported catch:
    Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
  • Robert Anderson
    Robert Anderson
    us
    Georgia, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Amazing Trip!

    8 Hour Trip – Going Big • 4 adults • 1 child

    If you are looking for an incredible day on the water, look no further than Captain James with Apex Charters. We recently headed out for a deep-sea charter with him, and it was an absolutely stellar experience from start to finish. ​Captain James is the definition of a professional. He was incredibly honest right from the start, setting clear expectations for the day so we knew exactly what to look forward to. His patience and demeanor were outstanding, and he was especially great with the kids on board, making sure they felt involved and comfortable throughout the trip. ​The fishing was nothing short of spectacular. Thanks to his expertise and local knowledge, we had an action-packed day, bringing in over 30 Mahi, 5 Bonita—including a beautiful 11-pounder—and a nice Triggerfish to round it out. ​Whether you are a seasoned angler or planning a family outing, Captain James provides a top-tier service. We couldn't have asked for a better Captain and are already looking forward to our next trip with him. Highly recommended!

    Reported catch:
    Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
    Gray Triggerfish
  • Cammie Neatherland
    Cammie Neatherland
    us
    Louisiana, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Fun trip.

    6 Hour Trip – Offshore • 3 adults • 1 child

    We had an amazing deep-sea fishing trip with Captain James! He took my 7-year-old son out fishing and was incredibly patient, kind, and encouraging the entire time. He made sure my son felt comfortable and had a great experience on the water. Captain James did an excellent job keeping us on the fish all day. We caught amberjack, red snapper, and mahi-mahi, and the action never seemed to stop. His knowledge, professionalism, and friendly attitude made the trip enjoyable from start to finish. If you're looking for a great fishing guide, especially for families with young kids, I highly recommend Captain James. We'll definitely be booking another trip with him!

    Reported catch:
    Amberjack
    Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
    Red Snapper
    Cobia
    Response from Captain

    Thanks for an awesome review. Your son was amazing for 7 years old. Non stop reeling, even with a blister on his reeling hand, we was beast mode all day.. He is definitely a special breed that you dont see in kids now a days. Tough, focused, and was all about catching fishing, no complaints and no social media. Great parenting. We definitely will have to get back out on another trip next time you are in the area. Captain James

  • Kailee Lee
    Kailee Lee
    us
    Tennessee, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    Bad weather short trip • 2 adults

    We had an incredible experience with Apex Charters! The captain was friendly, knowledgeable, and made the entire trip so much fun from start to finish. You can tell they genuinely care about giving their guests a great day on the water. The boat was clean, everything was well organized, and they worked hard to keep us on fish. Whether you’re an experienced fisherman or just looking for a fun day out, Apex Charters is really the perfect choice. We made some amazing memories and are already talking about booking another trip soon. Thank you for such a great experience—we highly recommend Apex Charters to anyone looking for a fantastic day on the water! 🎣☀️🐟

    Response from Captain

    That is a awesome review. Thank you . We try to make sure each trip meet expectations and that it is a very positive experience. We definitely need to get back out and get after some of the bigger Mahi. Looking forward to our next Adventure. Captain James Scott

Real catches shared by our community

  • Apex Charters And Rentals
    Apex Charters And RentalsDestin, FL
    Great trip for Mahi
    Cory N.
    Cory N.
  • Apex Charters And Rentals
    Apex Charters And RentalsDestin, FL
    Had a blast!
    Colin S.
    Colin S.
  • Apex Charters And Rentals
    Apex Charters And RentalsDestin, FL
    First offshore trip
    Dylan G.
    Dylan G.
  • Apex Charters And Rentals
    Apex Charters And RentalsDestin, FL
    Amazing fishing experience
    Nathan L.
    Nathan L.
  • Apex Charters And Rentals
    Apex Charters And RentalsDestin, FL
    Apex Charters
    Tim T.
    Tim T.
  • Apex Charters And Rentals
    Apex Charters And RentalsDestin, FL
    great trip with great captain
    Chris E.
    Chris E.
  • Apex Charters And Rentals
    Apex Charters And RentalsDestin, FL
    August fishing trip
    Mason H.
    Mason H.
  • Apex Charters And Rentals
    Apex Charters And RentalsDestin, FL
    captain James was top notch
    Brad S.
    Brad S.
  • Apex Charters And Rentals
    Apex Charters And RentalsDestin, FL
    First Destin Charter was Great!
    Gary B.
    Gary B.
  • Apex Charters And Rentals
    Apex Charters And RentalsDestin, FL
    The Best Captain!!
    Liz R.
    Liz R.

What's biting with Apex Charters And Rentals in Destin

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