Honest John’s Fish Camp

Honest John’s Fish Camp is well named because John seems like such a straight shooter.
We called the day of to see if we could rent one of this Aluminum boats with a 6hp Yamaha 4stroke tiller motor for the day and do a little bit of fishing in the Indian River. He said he would have no problem accommodating us. The price was a very reasonable 90 bucks. Most places cost about 250+ to rent a boat, granted they are usually Bass Boats.
First thing is that the GPS will lead you astray to this place. Waze first took us to a residential neighborhood that is the closest street to the old location. Then it took us to a park close to the old location. Finally after calling John up, we found the actual location that is down a dirt road.
I will be honest, the place looks very rustic, but it does have that charm about it. There is a very friendly dog that comes to great you and a flock of chickens that seems suspiciously friendly but they are really just trying to get you to feed them.
By the time we arrived, John had already gotten the boat in the water and ready. He helps go over a small map of the area, and gives you information on how to get a temporary salt water fishing license by phone. We had our own fishing gear with us. He told is that mostly people were catching Mangrove Snappers (juvenile grey snappers). He also told us where we might see some Manatee’s, unfortunately we did not see any that day. He also sold us a few dozen live shrimp at a very reasonable price and lent us his live shrimp bucket and we were off.
Overall that Indian River location is a charming location. The waters are protected and even that small aluminum boat felt safe and at home. The 6hp Yamaha 4 stroke is a pull start, but always started on the first pull. With 3 people and gear, it couldn’t exactly get the hull on plane, but it would move at a decent clip. We did try to go further into the bay outside of the protection of the Mangroves, but there was a decent chop that day from the wind and it felt a little unsafe.
The highlight of the trip had to be the dolphins that came to play right next to the boat.
As for the fishing, there were a lot of mullets jumping, but as John correctly stated, they don’t go for hook and line and need to be netted. We did have tons of action from the Mangrove snappers. Theses were wily little fish that would go for the shrimp as soon as the bait hit the water. Though they were good at stealing bait, we hooked a lot of these little guys. Most hovered around the 9 or 10 inch limit, but we managed to catch many. We also caught a few Golden Pompanos, a small red drum that we tossed back as it was under limit, and some other random fish. Overall it was a non stop day of fishing action. There were a fair amount of fancier bay boats and flat boats also fishing these mangroves but John’s little aluminum boat did just fine.
Overall we had one of the most fun fishing days we’ve had in a long time and it was all for around 100 bucks or so for 3 people. John was as kind and easy to deal with as advertised.

We had a wonderful time and were able to see lots of wildlife. Our guide was very friendly and knowledgeable. The camp itself looks like it’s been there forever with a lazy dog and lots of chickens running around.

Don’t be afraid… It’s at the end of the road. past the trailers. Keep going… anyway. Nice people… Very very old place so kinda cool. Boat rental was easy and inexpensive. we had fun cruising the intercostal and took our dog.

Best place to go kayaking or canoeing… Absolutely beautiful with so much wildlife. Saw several pods of Dolphins & so many birds, jumped off the rope swing into mullet creek… I wish I could come here every weekend! Chickens & ducks roaming around, great fishing too. Great service, very accommodating, with very reasonable prices. Go across the street afterward & watch the skydivers land on the beach at SBI on the weekend around sunset. :)

This review is for the Indian River Lagoon Boat Tour which you can book through Honest Johns (and get picked up at their dock). There is no other business page for this tour so I’m writing the review here. You can call Honest Johns and ask to book the eco-​tour/​boat tour ($ 35.00 per person for two hours).
This tour (with Clark) was great. He was really friendly, knew a lot and we saw dolphins, manitees, birds (lots) and a shark. With any tour, you cannot expect to see everything (even though we did see a lot) but Clark did his best to show us a lot of the wildlife. I’ll be back.

Old Florida at its best. Quaint old fish camp with a small store for supplies and beverages. Sit by the Indian River Lagoon and watch the dolphins and manatees.
Lots of charm!

Just like the previous reviewer, George C, I give this 4 stars. It is an Old Florida style fish camp with lots of history behind it. Property has been in the family since after the Civil War. My daddy would bring me there to get bait and to visit with the proprietor when I was just a little tyke, over 50 years ago. Been back several times over the years, to rent a boat and go fishing, and always enjoy the beautiful scenery on the water and all the wildlife that abounds. People there are very nice, knowledgeable and helpful. I would love to see the family homestead restored. It is a genuine Florida Cracker house.

No, this is not a restaurant. This is an honest-​to-​Pete fish camp, replete with baithouse, rental fishing boats, grumpy old men, and a yard dog. I’ve fished the canals and mangrove banks of the Indian River for over 40 years now, and it was always from an Honest John’s boat. I treasure the hours spent catching mangrove snappers, sea trout, flounders, drum, snook, and freeing oysters from their mangrove root perches. Just don’t expect shiny and new or someone to help you get in and out of the boat. Oh yeah, and don’t play with the gators.