Captain James has called Islamorada, Florida, home since he was three years old. When he was a toddler, his parents had a wild idea to leave Minnesota, head south, and buy a trawler. His family traveled from Tampa to Key West on this boat. When they docked in Islamorada, they fell in love with the place and decided to stay!
As long as Capt. James can remember, fishing and water sports have always been fundamental aspects of his life. Since childhood, he has been an avid spearfisherman. In addition to being a professional tournament fisherman, he is also SCUBA certified.
Capt. James is happily married to his wife, Annie. They welcomed their son Benjamin in May 2020.
During and after high school, James served as a mate on a number of top charter boats in the Florida Keys. Working on the Yabba Dabba Doo was actually his first full time job for his future father-in-law in 2009 (he did not realize that at the time).
As part of his desire to explore the world, James has traveled to Alaska, Bahamas, Costa Rica, Key West, Turks and Caicos, Louisiana, Maine, Martha’s Vineyard, and Montauk in the process of serving on private sport fish boats during the past decade.
James was ready to take the helm of his own boat after earning well-deserved respect in the professional sailfish tournament scene and ten years of experience as a mate. The Yabba Dabba Doo, a boat he was familiar with and that his father-in-law, Steve Leopold, ran for the past 25 years, came up for sale in June 2020.
Life fell into place and this new venture began!
Check out the Sail Kings Episode “The Hagen Bros”
About The Yabba Dabba Doo:
- 43-foot Torres custom built in Key West, Florida
- Twin Cummins Engines with over 1200 horsepower!
- Ice Cold A/C
- Spacious Cabin
- Clean Bathroom
- Refrigerator, Microwave, & more!
James is the Owner/Operator of the Yabba Dabba Doo and can’t wait to take you fishing!