Capt Van Hubbard

Great fishing and beautiful water.

Van Hubbard — Mon, 22 May 2023 17:12:43 +0000

We have excellent fishing with great water conditions. We have tarpon, some snook, both catch and release. We have trout for inside dinner opportunities. Nearshore we have snapper and plenty of surprises with many other species. Winds dictate in or outside fishing. Let’s go fishin’

This new adventure is finally showing promise.

Van Hubbard — Sun, 21 Jun 2020 19:17:41 +0000

Business today is different. The good news is business and hope for a brighter future are here. We all need to be careful but charter fishing is alive again and the fish are cooperating most trips.
We have plenty of snook action for catch and release fun. Snapper are small but showing up and growing. Tarpon are available we just have to work around other boats. We have some big sharks if you want to test your metal.
The larger boat is perfect for my Family Fun Adventures. It can accommodate up to six if some are children. Max 4 adults.
Looking forward to seeing old friends and meeting new ones. Thank you all for your decades of support. Guiding since 1976, and still going. Capt Van Hubbard. 941-468-4017

Spring break is wonderful.

Van Hubbard — Tue, 02 Apr 2019 18:13:34 +0000

It’s been busy and fishy most days. Reservations are recommended and weather has been changing constantly. Calmer days we are fishing the Gulf for snapper. Sharks are out there for those interested. Kings are still elusive but we keep trying. Inside action is differ at every day, fish are moving. Some trout and mackerel, still looking for Pompaono. Dolphin, manatees and more between bites inside. Let’s go fishin ‘.

Back in the saddle again; the waters are fine let’s go fishin’.

Van Hubbard — Wed, 27 Feb 2019 19:16:58 +0000

Spring time fishing is turning on Spanish Mackerel are showing up around Boca Grande. The big kings will be off our Gulf Beaches anytime. Barracuda, cobia and more will migrate into local waters soon. Weather is back and forth with windy fronts but some nice days in between. we fish outside if it’s calm or inside protected waters if it’s blowing.

Trout are scattered through Charlotte Harbor, but improving. We had a pompano yesterday and saw a few more. snook and redfish are both closed this year. we should have some catch and release fishing if you just want the fun.

Tarpon will be here before you know it. They should be early if waters continue to warm up. Sharks are already moving in also. We had a beautiful hammerhead in our chum slick last week.
If you’re coming over spring break please get your reservations ASAP. Please check out Captain Van Hubbard on Facebook and our five star ratings on trip adviser! Thank you, will be trying to a new report every week. Captain Van

Check out my new web site; and fishing.

Van Hubbard — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 18:29:31 +0000

Good things require time and I’m proud of this new web site. Please take the time to look through it and discover all of the may adventures offered for your entertainment.

Our fishing has been at the mercy of our weather. We have enjoyed some good action with snapper and Spanish Mackerel on the nearshore reefs recently. Barracuda, a few sharks, plus occasional cobia or permit are also outside options. Trout and catch and release snook are available inside.

I’m busy for the next week and will be available for charter starting again on the 15th of August. Snook will open up on the First of September for harvest again. Snapper and mackerel should remain ready to cooperate if weather and winds allow outside access.

I look forward to sharing our beautiful Boca Grande, Englewood, and Venice areas with you and your family soon. The snapper and mackerel are great action fishing for the kids. Thank you, Captain Van Hubbard

Mackerel and Kingfish Made Simple

Van Hubbard — Sat, 29 Jul 2017 17:13:24 +0000

April it’s time for your Spring fling fishing adventures.

Van Hubbard — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 18:33:34 +0000

April is time for your Spring fling fishing adventures.

If you want action it’s time to get out on our beautiful Venice to Boca Grande waters. Our Spanish and king mackerel are passing by on their northern migration. Sharks, barracuda, cobia, and many other species all follow the schools of baitfish along our Gulf Beaches. Snapper and grouper are offshore, also snook and trout are available inside this month. This is prime time and some tarpon will be around any day too.

Waters are warming and Sprig is here the impressive fish migration is underway now. Spanish mackerel are abundant around the passes and into the Gulf waters. The larger king mackerel are already visiting and will just improve this month. All their buddies; like sharks, cudas, cobia and even permit are due to cruise in with them. Look for bird activity and surface striking fish activity. All sizes of sharks and various varieties are here now.

Snook are in and as waters reach into the 80s expect them to turn on. We have a lot of undersized fish and some big ones expect to work for slot snook. Live minnows are your best bet but lures do produce fish also. Trout are the best bet for dinner inside. They are active and spawning now so you can find schools of hungry fish. Soft plastics under a popping cork are the easy way to cover water to locate hungry fish. Some mackerel and other species are available to entertain the kids too.

It is comfortable for us now and fish are active. Silver kings/tarpon have already teased us and I expect some to drop in for Easter. It’s a busy time so reservations are recommended for accommodations and fishing charters. Don’t miss this we will have good action for the next few months but this is Spring fishing at its best. Captain Van Hubbard

What are you waiting for; it won’t last, pack your bags and call now. Let’s go fishin’ soon. Captain Van Hubbard

Spring time has arrived with great fishing.

Van Hubbard — Sat, 09 Apr 2016 13:14:12 +0000

Spring fishing is blossoming now around Venice and Boca Grande. Weather has been beautiful on our sunny beaches. Our Englewood Beach Gulf waters are warming up and the Mackerel migration is starting already. Minnows have been hard to find; so snook fishing will come to live when minnows appear locally, any day. My snook indicator is my jasmine bush by the front door and it is ready to bloom in the next couple of nights.
Business is great and reservations are advised I do have a few days open from the 12 – 15 and then the 25 of April; there are dates available in May and June for tarpon, C&R snook, whatever’s biting, or family fun trips.
Spanish and king mackerel are abundant, exciting, speedy fish that will help you literally understand how reels scream when they race off your line. Multiple hook up are common. Spanish run smaller and they are fun on matching lighter gear. The kings are much bigger, from 15 to even 50 pounds, and will grab your attention when they eat your baitfish; then scream off a couple hundred yards of line! Both are good eating and have liberal bag limits. Bring a cooler to carry fish home, or grill some for lunch at our Stump Pass Grille.
Speckled trout have provided most of our action on the windy days. It is nice to get outside into the near shore Gulf when conditions allow, but the protected waters allow us to get out even if it blows.
Tarpon have already teased us and will come on strong very soon. We can anticipate some good catch and release snook action this Summer. With minnows scarce so far fish should be hot when they show up.
Let’s go fishin’ soon. Captain Van Hubbard

Revised Fishing Focus for 2016

Van Hubbard — Wed, 24 Feb 2016 23:15:33 +0000

My revised website… you will notice many changes and adjustments.

My direction is to focus on Family Fun Fishing from Boca Grande to Venice Florida inside and near shore fishing.

I’m excited about the new opportunities the larger 25 feet rig offers with Spanish and king mackerel, and all the migratory friends that accompany them. This is exciting action packed fishing with liberal bag limits for take home fish.

I still do Tarpon and snook fishing but just full-day trips for 6-8 hours and new rate is $850 but can now carry up to six passengers max, still two fishing at a time. We can start at dawn and pursue fish near and far. May and June are prime times for sight fishing either tarpon or trophy snook. Both are catch and release!

Our fishing has improved dramatically since the weather warmed up and will just get better as we enter Spring. Spring Break, Family Fun Trips are already booking up so please don’t drag your feet for best selections. I can usually help locate another qualified captain if I’m booked.

Thank you for your business and friendship for almost 40 years, May of 1976 I became a Captain.
Remember that, “you can’t catch fish if you don’t go fishin”

Let’s go fishin’ soon!
Captain Van Hubbard

2015 was awesome; but it’s 2016 Happy New Year.

Van Hubbard — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 21:08:53 +0000

We have enjoyed the best year and it ended with unbelievable weather. Record high temps in the mid eighties for the last week. it’s due to change tomorrow and I’m ready for a few days off after a busy holiday run. The wind is supposed to chill us down into the frigid sixties for our lows. We are bad spoiled.

Snook, trout, and a few redfish, blessed our Christmas catches. We ended the year of 2015 with a fat pompano today. I had the pleasure of sharing most days with families showing them our local area and all it’s water wonders. Snapper have been biting outside when winds allow us out. I’m looking forward to good action when it calms down.

Thank everyone for your support and encouragement. Management and conservation are challenges we have to stay involved with if we expect to have an active voice. Get involved from the beginning or it’s not effective.

It’s time to lock in Spring break and Summer tarpon dates. Reservations are first come first served and dates are already booking. Enjoy and be safe. It’s paradise fishing from Boca Grande to Venice Beaches. You can’t catch fish if you don’t go fishin’! Happy New Year. Captain Van