Don Gschwender
Don Gschwender
us
Arizona, US
•
Member since 2023
1.0
Verified

8 hour trip offshore

Full Day Offshore5 adults

Do not charter this boat. I should get a refund for the trip. No air conditioning, toilet didn't work and smelled terrible, bait well didn't work, no generator. The boat blew nasty black smoke all day and we caught a bunch of little grunts. The mate was a mouthy disrespectful 20 year old with 40 years experience. Not at all as advertised!

Reported Catch
King Mackerel (Kingfish)
King Mackerel (Kingfish)
Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
Mutton Snapper
Mutton Snapper
Gag Grouper
Gag Grouper
Lane Snapper
Lane Snapper
Response from Captain

Don, I usually try to keep things on a professional manner as that is how our charter business is operated. However, I am straight out calling you a liar on your entire review which is not something I would normally do. Let’s start with your first lie. When you booked your charter there was nothing listed about Air Conditioning. I even called FishingBooker to confirm that you booked after I had removed the vessel from having AC. Lie #2- the toilet did work, however I did not feel that it was my job to explain how a simple flush peddle worked. Lie #3- the bathroom was cleaned and sanitized the morning of your trip, therefore if it smelled it was what you were depositing in my holding tank. Lie #4- how do you know the bait well doesn’t work? We never used it and I assure you it works as I just put in a brand new pump in it recently. But once again, we never used it. Lie #5- No generator- the boat does have a generator, however since I am waiting on the HVAC tech to work on getting my AC units fixed then there is no need to run it Lie#6- ALL diesels blow smoke after idling for a period of time, however once the turbos kicked in the smoke went away. It in NO way blew black smoke all day and your lack of knowledge on diesel combustion engines is far from being an expert or even someone who has a clue. Lie #7- you seem to forgot the Red Grouper your group lost at boat side as nobody listened. You also seem to forget that your group fed 5 pounds of Squid plus cut bait to the fish in less then 2 hours without attempting to set a hook. Your lack of bringing fish to the dock was not due to the Captain or mate not doing their job but to yourself and your group. Lie #8- The mate and I joke around to break up the monotony of a slow day. Had he been that bad you and your group would not have tipped him $400. What this all comes down to Don is that you wanted to catch Pelagics and even though I advised you over and over that they were very few and far between due to the water temps and weather you still wanted to chase them for most of the day and YOU cannot accept responsibility that the reason you ended up with a bad trip is due to YOU however you seem to be the type to not want to own up to your faults. Myself and the mate did everything possible to put fish in the box, however the lacking was on yourself and your party and not wanting to listen to what a professional advises which you were advised that we should have went bottom fishing. As I started this off Don, you are a liar and you are not welcome aboard my vessel ever again. I apologize to others who read this but I refuse to let a liar run down my business. Oh! Btw! Don! Looks like a working livewell to me

Compare similar fishing charters

Current
Apex Predator Sportfishing
Federally permitted
4.8
(73)
40 ft
Group size 1 - 6
1 - 6
Fish 1
Fish 2
+9
6 hour trip • 6 persons
US $1,700

Rating

4.8
73 reviews
4.8
Boat & Equipment
4.8
Captain & Crew
4.8
Fishing Experience

What anglers say

  • 94%
    Great experience
  • 84%
    Family friendly
  • 98%
    Friendly captain
  • 95%
    Good boat
  • 96%
    Recommended
  • 93%
    Caught fish

All reviews (73)

Showing 1 – 5 of 73 reviews
  • Matthew Lamothe
    Matthew Lamothe
    us
    Connecticut, US
    •
    Member since 2025
    5.0
    Verified

    Great day on the water!

    3/4 day offshore • 2 adults

    Huge thank you to Captain Mason and Kyle! We had a great day out on the ocean. Wish we could have caught a few more, but that's no fault of the crew. would 100% recommend and book again!

    Reported Catch
    Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
    Response from Captain

    Thanks Matthew!! Hope to see you again soon!

  • Travis Williams
    Travis Williams
    us
    Washington State, US
    •
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Fishing with Gil

    Full Day Offshore • 3 adults

    Trip was great crew was awesome and we caught several types of fish

    Reported Catch
    King Mackerel (Kingfish)
  • Nicholas Johnson
    Nicholas Johnson
    us
    Minnesota, US
    •
    Member since 2025
    5.0
    Verified

    Fishing trip for Dad

    Full Day Offshore • 2 adults

    I purchased this trip for my Dad and his wife, I’ve heard nothing but how much fun they had and how great the crew was. They were very easy to communicate with to set up the experience for my Dad!

  • Bruce Murray
    Bruce Murray
    us
    Florida, US
    •
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Double header Sailfish father and son

    Full Day Offshore • 2 adults

    awesome

  • Crissi Gould
    Crissi Gould
    Member since 2018
    5.0

    Money well spent!!

    Full Day Offshore

    My brother is a business man and had some clients in town and wanted to impress them with some Florida fishing. We chartered Apex Predator because we had heard the captain knew what he was doing and could bring in some winners. I was just looking for a day in the water but my brother wanted to show the guys a good time. We had a great day offshore!! Captain Gill took us exactly where we found some dolphin and even a sailfish. We were really impressed with all the dolphin and even a few king fish. The guys were awesome and you could tell they knew what they were doing! My brother has booked with them a few times now and we will be back out with these guys again soon. Definitely the guys you want showing you around the waters. Thanks, Capt Gill!!

    Reported Catch
    King Mackerel (Kingfish)
    Sailfish
    Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
    Response from Captain

    Was a pleasure having you guys onboard and we look forward to having you onboard again.