Captain
Dan Ballard

Member since November 2014 New Smyrna Beach, United States
Background
A Floridian born and raised, Captain Dan comes from a family of fishermen and has been involved in fishing for as long as he can remember. A member of the Florida Fishing Guides Association and US Coast Guard licensed charter fishing captain, he has more than 25 years of experience with fishing on Florida's east coast. He is a devoted offshore fisherman and a big fan of bottom fishing and trolling.
Techniques
Bottom fishing and trolling!

Hey, I'm Captain Dan Ballard

New Smyrna Beach, United States
Background
A Floridian born and raised, Captain Dan comes from a family of fishermen and has been involved in fishing for as long as he can remember. A member of the Florida Fishing Guides Association and US Coast Guard licensed charter fishing captain, he has more than 25 years of experience with fishing on Florida's east coast. He is a devoted offshore fisherman and a big fan of bottom fishing and trolling.
Techniques
Bottom fishing and trolling!
42
Reviews
8
Fishing Reports
Verified

My Charter Listing

Holy Smokes Fishing Charters

Federally permitted
Excellent
4.9 / 5
(42 reviews)
New Smyrna Beach
Trips from US $450

Fishing Reports

Offshore Bite
Offshore Bite
Dec 27, 2016 New Smyrna Beach
All offshore trips have been nice. If the wind is low we go! We are limiting out on Vermilions. Nice size black sea bass, Trigger fish, also a couple of Lane snapper and Mutton snapper. Some really nice Cobia showed up as well last week. The inshore bite is good as well. Black drum and Sheepshead are the main stay. Some Reds and Snook can still be found in key spots. Capt. Dan
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Snook and Reds at Ponce
Snook and Reds at Ponce
Nov 21, 2015 New Smyrna Beach
Ponce inlet is loaded with snook and reds right now! Live bait will do the trick!
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Nice Mahi
Nice Mahi
Apr 4, 2015 New Smyrna Beach
Headed out early Sat morning, Port Canaveral, hit 150ft dropped in our spread. Hit 300ft, shotgun goes off, naked ballyhoo way out! Big Bull gaffer in the boat. Short time later couple peanuts in the boat! Over all nice day!!
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Got one!
Got one!
Mar 21, 2015 New Smyrna Beach
Went out of Port Canaveral early had good reports of Mahi bite is on. Long story short we had 3 knock downs and one OK bull Mahi. Everyone had same out come. One here one there. No size. So we switched over to bottom fishing and got some more meat on the table! Black Sea Bass, Vermilion's, and Porgy's! All in all very good trip!
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Red Hot Bottom Fishing!!!!!!
Red Hot Bottom Fishing!!!!!!
Mar 12, 2015 New Smyrna Beach
The bite is hot on the bottom out of Ponce Inlet! We are limiting out on Black Sea Bass and Vermillion. With a mix of Porgy's. We do fight through the Sharks too! Which keeps you catchin and adds a little fun to the trip!
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Fish Fry Anyone?
Fish Fry Anyone?
Mar 11, 2015 New Smyrna Beach
Customer- We want some fish to eat, can you do that? Capt. Dan- Sure can, I have just the spot! Customer- Holy Smokes!!! You put us on the fish and fish in the cooler! Capt. Dan- That is what we do here! Customer- great charter!
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Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.9 / 5
out of 5 stars from 42 reviews
See details
Boat
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (101)
April fishing trip
April fishing trip
April fishing trip
+98
Angler rating
40
2
0
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
96%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
100%
Appropriate for children
100%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
94%
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Showing:
5 of 42 reviews
Greggory F.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Absolutely worth it!!!!!!!

VERIFIED   3/4 Day Trip โ€“ Inshore on March 15, 2026
Dan was awesome!! when did the half day trip for my sons 11th birthday and it was worth every penny, we fished three different...
Greggory F. recommends Holy Smokes Fishing Charters
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Bette W.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

April fishing trip

VERIFIED   3/4 Day Trip โ€“ Inshore on April 12, 2026
Bette W. recommends Holy Smokes Fishing Charters
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Peter A.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Captain Dan is fantastic

VERIFIED   3/4 Day Trip โ€“ Offshore on August 25, 2025
Capt. Dan knew where all the good spots were. Had a very enjoyable time catching a variety of fish
Peter A. recommends Holy Smokes Fishing Charters
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Peter A. recommends Holy Smokes Fishing Charters
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Chad L.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Awesome!

VERIFIED   Full Day Trip โ€“ Offshore on March 25, 2025
Danny was awesome, he called the day before to ask suggestions or see what we had in mind and gave us directions to meeting...
Chad L. recommends Holy Smokes Fishing Charters
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Chad L. recommends Holy Smokes Fishing Charters
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Scott S.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great family fishing!

VERIFIED   Extended Day Trip on July 29, 2024
Captain Dan is amazing. We had to schedule with him last minute, and he was able to accommodate us. What a great trip! The...
Scott S. recommends Holy Smokes Fishing Charters
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