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Local Lifestyle Charter Company
Captain

Local Lifestyle Charter Company

New Smyrna Beach, United States
50+ reviews
I've been fortunate enough to fish all over the world, from bluewater offshore trips to inshore hotspots in different countries and along the U.S. coast. Out of everywhere I've fished, New Smyrna Beach is the place I chose to call home. The mix of inshore, nearshore, and offshore opportunity here is hard to beat, and it's where I decided to build my charter business and my life. I earned my U.S. Coast Guard 100-Ton Master Captain license and turned a lifelong passion into a full-time career on the water. I'm also the founder of The Florida Saltwater Fishing Expo at the Ocean Center, which I helped create to bring anglers, families, and the fishing community together to learn, connect, and grow. What drives me in this business is simple: I love helping people catch fish, learn something new, and see why I chose this area as home after fishing so many other places. Whether it's a first-time trip or a regular outing, my goal is for every guest to step off the boat feeling like they've just had one of their best days on the water.

Charter

Rating

5.0
56 reviews
5.0
Boat & Equipment
5.0
Captain & Crew
5.0
Fishing Experience

What anglers say

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

All reviews (56)

Showing 1 – 5 of 56 reviews
  • Kellee Spahr
    Kellee Spahr
    Repeat angler
    us
    Kentucky, US
    •
    Member since 2020
    •
    6 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    Best Trip Ever!!

    Fall Fishing trip (4 hour) • 3 adults

    Captain Eric went above and beyond to make our fishing charter an unforgettable experience for me and the kids. From start to finish, he was knowledgeable, patient, and genuinely focused on making sure we had a great time. If you’re looking for a fishing charter in the New Smyrna Beach area, I highly recommend Captain Eric. He’ll be getting all of our future business and referrals!

    Reported catch:
    Snook
    Black Drum
    Redfish
    Response from Captain

    Thank you! till next time🤙🏼

  • Tom Mattingly
    Tom Mattingly
    us
    Missouri, US
    •
    Member since 2022
    5.0
    Verified

    3/4 day with Captain Eric

    6 Hour Trip | Morning • 3 adults • 1 child

    Eric knows what he's doing. We wanted shark fishing and he delivered. First we got to chase the shark bait. Bonita. That is one scrappy fish. Ten times the fight of a largemouth. Then the sharks. What a blast!!! We had to double team the rigs, because they did not want to be caught!!! Got our limit and moved on to some non-stop action on trout, bluefish, etc.. Just a great day with a great Captain. I've been boating for years and have never seen that kind of skill driving a boat. His first mate Dalton kept us baited, rigged, gaffed the big ones, and was just doing all the " dirty work" for us all day. At the end of the day Eric cleaned our catch and bagged it up for us. I would give him ten stars if I could.

    Reported catch:
    Bluefish (Tailor)
    Speckled Trout
    Response from Captain

    Thank you so much! I had a blast too.

  • Ken Jacobs
    Ken Jacobs
    us
    Florida, US
    •
    Member since 2023
    5.0
    Verified

    Fishing trip in August

    Fall Fishing trip (4 hour) • 2 adults
  • Kevin Reagan
    Kevin Reagan
    us
    Ohio, US
    •
    Member since 2023
    5.0
    Verified

    Fishing trip in June

    Night-Time Snook Fishing • 4 adults
  • Michelle Krause
    Michelle Krause
    us
    Wisconsin, US
    •
    Member since 2023
    5.0
    Verified

    Better Than Could Have Imagined

    4 Hour Trip (PM) • 4 adults

    Our son wanted a big bite and a fish with a fight and he got just that with Captain Eric! My son was able to fight and reel to the boat a Tarpon. We also caught 3 Red Drums, 2 Jack Crevalles, and some Mangrove Snappers. Not only did we catch some amazing fish, we were able to see dolphins, manatees, a pufferfish swam by, sea turtles by his dock, and when my daughter was tired of fishing she enjoyed the company of the puppy! It was beyond what we could have asked for! If you are looking for a fishing carter look no further, go with Captain Eric and Down South Fishing Company! Real people that will make you feel comfortable from the second you book! Captain Eric is friendly and will talk you through how to get the catch to the boat so you do not lose it! Believe me, this is worth the experience!

    Reported catch:
    Mangrove Snapper
    Tarpon
    Redfish
    Black Drum
    Response from Captain

    Thanks!

Real catches shared by our community

  • Florida Saltwater Fishing Charters
    Florida Saltwater Fishing ChartersNew Smyrna Beach, FL
    Best Trip Ever!!
    Kellee S.
    Kellee S.
  • Florida Saltwater Fishing Charters
    Florida Saltwater Fishing ChartersNew Smyrna Beach, FL
    Fishing with Eric
    Glenngood D.
    Glenngood D.
  • Florida Saltwater Fishing Charters
    Florida Saltwater Fishing ChartersNew Smyrna Beach, FL
    6 hour inshore trip
    William L.
    William L.
  • Florida Saltwater Fishing Charters
    Florida Saltwater Fishing ChartersNew Smyrna Beach, FL
    Great captain!
    Jerry H.
    Jerry H.
  • Florida Saltwater Fishing Charters
    Florida Saltwater Fishing ChartersNew Smyrna Beach, FL
    October fishing trip
    James E.
    James E.
  • Florida Saltwater Fishing Charters
    Florida Saltwater Fishing ChartersNew Smyrna Beach, FL
    September fishing trip
    Julian S.
    Julian S.
  • Florida Saltwater Fishing Charters
    Florida Saltwater Fishing ChartersNew Smyrna Beach, FL
    August fishing trip
    Rick W.
    Rick W.
  • Florida Saltwater Fishing Charters
    Florida Saltwater Fishing ChartersNew Smyrna Beach, FL
    3/4 day with Captain Eric
    Tom M.
    Tom M.
  • Florida Saltwater Fishing Charters
    Florida Saltwater Fishing ChartersNew Smyrna Beach, FL
    Excellent half day trip with Captain Eric
    Casey W.
    Casey W.
  • Florida Saltwater Fishing Charters
    Florida Saltwater Fishing ChartersNew Smyrna Beach, FL
    3/4 day with captain Eric
    Chase B.
    Chase B.

What's biting with Florida Saltwater Fishing Charters in New Smyrna Beach

The fall mullet run attracts migratory fish close to shore. If you're after a Bull Redfish, this is the time to go for it. Don't miss the annual FishStock festival for tournaments, panels, and bargains. 

Top catches for September

Fishing reports

An angler proudly displaying a large Redfish while seated on a boat, with a scenic water backdrop.

Big Bull Reds never disappoint

May 22, 2024 • New Smyrna Beach
The snook got the best of us today but we chased down some monster redfish and the customer couldnt have been more happy. The fight these big guys put up was unmatched to his usual catches.
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An angler proudly displays a large Redfish while seated on a boat, showcasing a beautiful sunset backdrop.

Fish of A Lifetime

Jun 20, 2023 • New Smyrna Beach
What a dinosaur of a redfish! This big guy was 47” long and over 40lbs!
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