Holy Smokes Fishing Charters, New Smyrna Beach

When people talk about Captain Dan Ballard, they do so in hushed tones of awe and reverence. Many tell thrilling tales of a skilled fisherman who has navigated the Ponce Inlet, Port Canaveral, and Sebastian Inlet for the last 25 years, nimbly snatching up tarpon, kingfish, snapper, and even sharks. His vessel of choice is a Mako center-console boat—a stately, smooth-sailing vessel equipped with a 30-gallon live bait well and a six-person life boat. You can usually spot him in the company of fellow sailors as he doles out fishing tips and snaps photos as they pose proudly with their catches or a pet fish that came along for the ride.