Top Notch Adventures

#BoatOfTheMonth Top Notch Adventures Captain Aaron Highers 386-316-9874

The holidays are upon us and our next feature boat is the perfect choice if you're looking to get some holiday fishing in before the new year! Based in Port Orange, Captain Aaron Highers has fished the Ponce Inlet area his entire life and now provides Top Notch Adventures to anglers for the last 7 years. Specializing in all areas of both inshore and offshore fishing, Captain Aaron will be sure to put you on the fish no matter your choice in destination.

Top Notch Adventures has dual vessels available depending on what kind of trip you decide on! For inshore trips with lower capacity you'll enjoy a 17' Carolina Skiff flats boat, powered by a 60 HP Yahama outboard, the perfect setup for a 2 angler trip. Looking for a higher capacity & wanna head offshore? Their 24' Carolina Skiff Offshore Series, freshly repowered with brand new twin 140 HP Suzuki Outboards, can comfortably accommodate up to 6 anglers. Vessel features include: top of the line electronics, wireless trolling motor, outriggers, live well, and plenty of cooler space for your catch. As with all of our charters, all fishing equipment and licensing are provided at no additional cost.

First starting out mastering inshore fishing and working his way offshore in early adulthood, Captain Aaron knows the waters here well and has spent his life figuring out how to maximize his adventures for all who join him. Growing up he worked at Brigadoon Fish Camp, where he would run crab traps, sell bait and seafood. His career growth later in life was heavily influenced by the adage 'do what you love & you'll never work a day in your life'; and he is quick to remember his own excitement those first couple of trips. Though Captain Aaron is the first fisherman in his family, he will certainly not be the last. His devotion to teaching the trade is already readily visible in his children, who have all happily picked up the hobby themselves.

Captain Aaron insists his favorite aspect of guiding is the opportunity to help anglers get to their next respective level of experience. Whether it's first timers looking to get acquainted with the gear while they stay busy with jacks & mangroves, to the seasoned sportsman looking to one up his personal best catch. His favorite fishing days are usually those spent with friends and family, noting that fishing with people close to you is what it's all about.. 'With good company.. good things will follow!'

Offering a wide range of inshore and offshore fishing trips, Top Notch Adventures provides a unique and exciting opportunity to explore the diverse waters of Florida's east coast. Make memories that you'll treasure forever — book a trip today!

Trips aboard Top Notch Adventures include: 4/6/8 HR Inshore Trips, 4/6/8 HR Nearshore Trips, and 4/6/8/10 HR Offshore Trips.

Davy Jones Fishing Company

#BoatOfTheMonth Davy Jones Fishing Company Captain David Jones 904-307-6307

Captain David Jones of Davy Jones Fishing Company began his charter career many years ago as a part time hand in Jacksonville; which is known for having an incredible sheepshead, redfish, and trout fishery. There he befriended local legend Captain George Strait, who is renowned for his decades of work on the Mayport Princess Headboat. Under the tutelage of his uncle Dylan Jones, an FWC fisheries scientist, and Captain George, he built an incredible knowledge base of tactics for targeting both inshore and offshore species.

After moving to Edgewater in 2016 he continued perfecting his craft out of New Smyrna Beach and Mosquito Lagoon. Captain Dave fished often with Captain Dusty Cartrette, who was instrumental in showing him tricks specific to the area as well as encouraging him to start his own guide service. By late 2019 as business was ramping up, David left his job as District Manager in the multi-family industry and Davy Jones Fishing Company was officially launched. Shortly thereafter in 2021, Captain Dave partnered with fellow Captain Andrew Schutte and opened SaltFishing.com, an outdoor shop that covers a wide range of products catering to fisherman and hunters alike.

Davy Jones Fishing Company's vessel can comfortably accommodate a total of 6 anglers for an exciting inshore trip, or as a federally permitted vessel, you can head offshore to battle some real sea monsters! The boat is a well equipped Sailfish 266 with twin Yamaha 115 outboards, allowing for lower fuel costs while still easily reaching cruising speeds of 35-40mph with the added safety of two engines. Sailfish boats are known for their smooth ride, and ample fishing space. The vessel has a ton of features; from its t-top, new Garmin electronics, private head, live wells & fish boxes, epirb gps location, 7 batteries connected to the Power Pole Charge unit, and a 36v Rhodan GPS trolling motor with the latest spot lock technology.

Captain Daves quick rise is attributed to his consistency and willingness to make significant changes to the plan depending on how the water reads that day. While catching a dream trophy fish is often accomplished, being able to adjust on the fly to whatever is eating, and keeping the rods bent is just as rewarding. Captain Dave takes pride in teaching everyone from kids on their first trip, to corporate leaders on team building outings, how to increase their catches. He allows you to do all the fishing, while guiding you all along the way.

The winter season is the perfect time of year to take a trip! Captain Dave will often target his favorite inshore species, Sheepshead, on light tackle. These hard fighting fish are known for their finicky behavior and subtle bite, but once you've ace it and felt the thump of 10+ lb fish you’re sure to be hooked. Ponce Inlet boasts a wide range of highly sought after inshore species such as snook, tarpon, sheepshead, flounder, redfish, trout and more. You are sure to enjoy yourself no matter the target, book a trip soon!

Trips with Davy Jones include: 3/4/6/8HR Inshore Trips, 3 HR Shark or Night Trips, and. 4/6/8/HR Offshore trips.

Caught Up Fishing Charters

#BoatOfTheMonth Caught Up Fishing Charters Captain Brian Imbrunone 386-689-7409

We're off to the Southern side of the inlet this edition, and are stoked to bring you our next vessel highlight! Docked at River Deck Marina in New Smyrna Beach in a sweet spot nestled off of Riverside Drive, you will find Caught Up Fishing Charters. Whether you're looking to fish the intracoastal or head offshore, Captain Brian has the perfect set up to meet all of your needs. Just as the fall season brings a much needed break from scorching summer temperatures; our inshore fishing starts to really heat up. This time of year is well known for offering a host of opportunistic catches such as red fish, tarpon, snook & flounder.

Captain Brian Imbrunone began his charter career in Islamorada, the undisputed world capital of sport fishing. Spending his first couple of years as a Captain in the Keys granted him the opportunity to learn everything there was about the business in its hub, only adding to the knowledge he has accumulated after being an avid fisherman all of his life. After Hurricane Irma in 2017, he made the move to back home to New Smyrna Beach to start his own company with the help and guidance of area Captain Fred 'Frenchy', appropriately known as 'The Fishing Guy'. Captain Brian has been enjoying the vibe ever since. Get 'Caught Up' on this 243 Everglades Center Console, powered by a brand new 300 horsepower Yamaha outboard engine. Recently upgraded, this vessel features a t-top for the much needed shade breaks, new RayMarine electronics, as well as new upholstery & ceramic coating to ensure all guests are as comfortable as possible. She is able to accommodate up to four anglers with 2 extra guests, for a total of 6 passengers.

Captain Brian attributes his business motto to the actuality of the sport, a hobby that requires you stay 'caught up' on all the changing influencers. From tides & pressures; all the way to finicky eaters & the preferred bait of the day, the fishing conditions are always changing and he enjoys the challenges it offers him daily. Being able to teach anglers how to target and land their respective 'fish of a lifetime' is something that is incredibly rewarding to him as a whole. In the spring you can find him enjoying his absolute favorite pastime, sight fishing for cobia that migrate up the coastline with giant manta-rays. He notes that for him it's like an adult Easter egg hunt, finding the fish and making the perfect cast that results in success is an adrenaline rush second to none. In the summer he is usually offshore, trolling & bottom fishing to fill the box with meat for each and every guest that steps aboard.

Notably the Ponce Inlet area boasts a wide range of highly sought after offshore catches such as mahi, tuna, grouper, cobia, snapper, sailfish and many more! You are sure to enjoy yourself no matter the time of year or type of fishing you wish to do while you get all Caught Up!

Trips aboard Caught Up Fishing Charters include: 4/6 HR Inshore Trips, 4 HR Shark or Night Trips, and. 6/8/10 HR Offshore trips.