Search
John F
Captain

John F

Los Angeles, United States
50+ reviews
Captain John F began driving boats when he was a teenager back in the 1980s. But John wasn't always a captain. He worked as an IT Manager in the television and music business in Hollywood and founded an internet startup company. But his lifelong passion and love for fishing and boating prevailed and John decided to start his own charter company. That's how LA Sportfishing was born. Having over a decade of local knowledge, John enjoys introducing his friends and family to many different techniques and hot spots. His dedication and patience have made him a real threat to the fish!
Brian N.
Brian N.
Captain
John F.
John F.
Captain
David O.
David O.
Captain
Bryana C.
Bryana C.
First mate

Charters

Rating

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

What anglers say

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

All reviews (65)

Showing 1 – 5 of 65 reviews
  • Mark Whelan
    Mark Whelan
    Repeat angler
    us
    California, US
    Member since 2026
    2 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    amazing day fishing

    Extended FD – Offshore/Island/Local • 5 adults

    Best day fishing ever. Captain Brian and First Mate Robert are both awesome people and awesome fishermen. They are knowledgeable, kind, accommodating, and will get you all the fish you want. I’ve been on a few boats and mostly the crews have been on the arrogant side with little patience for people who don’t fish often. Captain Brian is the complete opposite of that. They love what they do and they want to share their depth of expertise with you, not shame you for not knowing everything. Brian and crew also handle the catch like I’ve never seen before. They are the gold standard. The fish is treated with respect and dispatched humanely in a way that ensures maximum freshness and flavor. Each fish is spiked (Ike Jime) according to Japanese tradition and also shinkei-jime where a wire is passed through the fish’s neural canal to limit the excretion of stress hormones into the flesh of the fish. I have never seem this level of attention to detail before. Brian is a master of his trade, an artist. If you want a booze cruise with a little fishing on the side, you can still book with these guys, you’ll have fun. But if you’re serious about the entire experience and learning the correct way to do things, Brian is your guy. We went out at the beginning of Labor Day weekend. We’re already planning the next trip. If you take a trip with Brian, you’ll never book with another boat again.

    Reported catch:
    Yellowtail Amberjack
    White Seabass
    Rockfish
    Calico Bass
    +3
  • Alma Cowley
    Alma Cowley
    us
    California, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Outstanding!

    Half Day Trip (AM) • 3 adults

    Captain John and Briana made sure that our group had an amazing experience - we all caught plenty of fish (39 of them!!!), watch the dolphins play alongside the boat…and even had a chance to reel in a mako shark!!! They both went above and beyond to make sure everything was taken care of…from baiting our lines, giving us all some “tricks and tips” to fileting our catch by the time we got back to the dock! I HIGHLY recommend booking a charter with them - I promise you will NOT be disappointed!

  • Andrew Chacon
    Andrew Chacon
    us
    California, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Best trip ever

    Half Day Trip (AM) • 6 adults

    First time taking family out and the Captain and crew were great. Highly recommend

  • Chelsea Crawford
    Chelsea Crawford
    us
    Texas, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    first time fishing

    Half Day Trip (AM) • 2 adults

    it was so much fun with the crew and us it had a blast would definitely do it again with

    Reported catch:
    Rockfish
  • Larry Louisiana
    Larry Louisiana
    us
    Minnesota, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    2 Sharks and a lot of Rockfish

    Half Day Trip (AM) • 2 adults

    had a great time the crew was awesome!

Real catches shared by our community

  • LA Sportfishing – Full Day and Extended Trips
    LA Sportfishing – Full Day and Extended TripsLos Angeles, CA
    Open fishing boat interior with multiple rods, stern seating, and a white fighting chair underway at sunset; the boat name “Fin Fetish II” is visible.
    Mark W.
    Mark W.
    Best day fishing ever. Captain Brian and First Mate Robert are both awesome people and awesome fishermen. They are knowledgeable, kind, accommodating, and will get you all the fish you want. I’ve been on a few boats and mostly the crews have been on the arrogant side with little patience for people who don’t fish often. Captain Brian is the complete opposite of that. They love what they do and they want to share their depth of expertise with you, not shame you for not knowing everything. Brian and crew also handle the catch like I’ve never seen before. They are the gold standard. The fish is treated with respect and dispatched humanely in a way that ensures maximum freshness and flavor. Each fish is spiked (Ike Jime) according to Japanese tradition and also shinkei-jime where a wire is passed through the fish’s neural canal to limit the excretion of stress hormones into the flesh of the fish. I have never seem this level of attention to detail before. Brian is a master of his trade, an artist. If you want a booze cruise with a little fishing on the side, you can still book with these guys, you’ll have fun. But if you’re serious about the entire experience and learning the correct way to do things, Brian is your guy. We went out at the beginning of Labor Day weekend. We’re already planning the next trip. If you take a trip with Brian, you’ll never book with another boat again.
  • LA Sportfishing
    LA SportfishingLos Angeles, CA
    Angler holding a freshly caught shark on a fishing boat, showcasing the catch against a backdrop of open water.
    Fish 1
    Mako Shark
    Larry L.
    Larry L.
    had a great time the crew was awesome!
  • LA Sportfishing
    LA SportfishingLos Angeles, CA
    Two anglers proudly displaying a large stingray while fishing on a boat, enjoying a sunny day on the water.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    Ray
    Chelsea C.
    Chelsea C.
    it was so much fun with the crew and us it had a blast would definitely do it again with
  • LA Sportfishing
    LA SportfishingLos Angeles, CA
    A group of anglers enjoying a fishing trip, with one person proudly displaying a vibrant Red Snapper while another prepares to cast.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    Vermilion Snapper
    Akin T.
    Akin T.
    Capt David and deck hand Chris were awesome. We chartered to celebrate my son’s 17th birthday. We caught about 30-40 lbs of fish in total during a half day trip. They cleaned and filet the fish. Wear layers, it is cold in the morning and hot during the day. Half day trips are good when you are with family. For big fish choose day trip or day and a half trip. For calm days, the catamaran boat is awesome for room and comfort. But that boat does take choppy seas, so try to stay away from the catamaran on choppy days. Overall great trip!
  • LA Sportfishing
    LA SportfishingLos Angeles, CA
    A variety of freshly caught fish, including Snapper and Grouper, displayed on a cleaning table aboard a fishing boat.
    Fish 1
    Red Snapper
    Charles M.
    Charles M.
    Took a half day charter with Captain Brian and Deck Boss Bri this morning and had an amazing time. We had 6 anglers, many first timers, and everyone caught multiple fish and had a blast. The crew worked extremely hard to get and keep us on fish and were very knowledgeable, friendly, and skilled. Highly recommend LA Sportfishing and look forward to heading out with them again!
  • LA Sportfishing
    LA SportfishingLos Angeles, CA
    Angler reeling in a fish from the stern of a boat on open water, with a deeply bent rod and active wake visible.
    Beverly A.
    Beverly A.
    Captain Brian and his mate Aria were awesome. We had never been deep sea fishing before but they had us covered. It was great having the boat to ourselves. They had top of the line equipment and the mate filleted all our fish for us. We had so much fun catching fish, they were biting and we left with over 30 fish !
  • LA Sportfishing
    LA SportfishingLos Angeles, CA
    A family group proudly displaying their catch of vibrant Red Rockfish while fishing off the coast.
    Fish 1
    Vermilion Snapper
    Ryne G.
    Ryne G.
    Great fishing trip. Hope to make it an annual event. Caught plenty of fish. Wonderful crew. Dave and Bryana were extremely knowledgeable and great with the kids.
  • LA Sportfishing
    LA SportfishingLos Angeles, CA
    Two anglers enjoying a day on the water, showcasing a relaxed atmosphere aboard a fishing boat.
    William F.
    William F.
    had a great time
  • LA Sportfishing
    LA SportfishingLos Angeles, CA
    Group of adult anglers posing inside a sportfishing boat, with the center console, railings, and upper deck visible.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    +1
    Flounder
    Corrie W.
    Corrie W.
    This was the best experience. I could have not asked for more! Wonderful crew and we had a blast!
  • LA Sportfishing
    LA SportfishingLos Angeles, CA
    Group of four anglers proudly displaying their catches of vibrant red rockfish while enjoying a day on the ocean.
    Fish 1
    Black Rockfish
    Cornelius F.
    Cornelius F.
    We had a blast, captain John was awesome and his crew was superfantastic. I will recommend this captain to my friends and family, we love you captain John we will see you soon.

Our Fishing Locations

What's biting with LA Sportfishing in Los Angeles

The season for catching a pelagic prize may be over, but you can continue to enjoy excellent fishing for Halibut, Rockfish, White Seabass, and Barracuda.

Top catches for November