Reel Fun Charters 

4.8
(204 reviews)
 
State licensed
 3603 Thomas Dr, Panama City Beach, FL 32408, United States–

Reel Fun Charters 

Panama City Beach, FL, United States
–
26 ft
4
4.8
(204 reviews)

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If you're looking to enrich your vacation, join Reel Fun Charters for a trip around the waters of Panama City Beach! Captain Terry McGowen has over 2 decades of experience, and he knows waters all the way from Louisiana to the Bahamas. He'll make sure that your trip is as productive as possible.

Explore these productive waters on board a 26ft Pathfinder center console boat. It is equipped with a 300HP Yamaha engine, and it can develop some serious speed. The boat can comfortably accommodate up to 4 people, so bring a few friends and have a fishing adventure!

Capt. Terry will provide you with quality fishing equipment, fine tackle, and reels. He will also bring lures and live bait, and will take care of the fishing license. He supports catch and release, but if you'd like, you can take your catch home for a meal or to fill the freezer. If fishing on the fly is your thing, Capt. Terry has the gear on the boat.

You will target different fisheries depending on what's the most productive spot at the moment, staying inshore, or treading further off the coast, to reefs and wrecks. You can try jigging, or fly fishing, using light tackle. Captain Terry is experienced and knows what works best. You'll target Red Snapper, Kingfish, Spanish Mackerel, Tarpon, Mahi Mahi, Redfish, and Amberjack.

Feel free to bring your kids along on an amazing journey they'll always remember! Put on sunblock, shades, and a cap. Bring snacks and drinks, and come along for a fun day out!

Join Reel Fun Charters and explore the fish-rich waters off the coast of Florida for an unforgettable day on the water!

If you're looking to enrich your vacation, join Reel Fun Charters for a trip around the waters of Panama City Beach! Captain Terry McGowen has over 2 decades of experience, and he knows waters all the way from Louisiana to the Bahamas. He'll make sure that your trip is as productive as possible.

Explore these productive waters on board a 26ft Pathfinder center console boat. It is equipped with a 300HP Yamaha engine, and it can develop some serious speed. The boat can comfortably accommodate up to 4 people, so bring a few friends and have a fishing adventure!

Capt. Terry will provide you with quality fishing equipment, fine tackle, and reels. He will also bring lures and live bait, and will take care of the fishing license. He supports catch and release, but if you'd like, you can take your catch home for a meal or to fill the freezer. If fishing on the fly is your thing, Capt. Terry has the gear on the boat.

You will target different fisheries depending on what's the most productive spot at the moment, staying inshore, or treading further off the coast, to reefs and wrecks. You can try jigging, or fly fishing, using light tackle. Captain Terry is experienced and knows what works best. You'll target Red Snapper, Kingfish, Spanish Mackerel, Tarpon, Mahi Mahi, Redfish, and Amberjack.

Feel free to bring your kids along on an amazing journey they'll always remember! Put on sunblock, shades, and a cap. Bring snacks and drinks, and come along for a fun day out!

Join Reel Fun Charters and explore the fish-rich waters off the coast of Florida for an unforgettable day on the water!

Terry McGowen
Captain
Terry McGowen
46 years of experience
ID & credentials verified

Select date to see availability

Trip date:
Group Size:
November 2026
SuMoTuWeThFrSa
Group Size
2 adults • 0 children
Change
2 Hour Kids Trip
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
2 hour trip starts at 11:00 AM
Bluefish (Tailor)
Snapper (Mangrove)
Redfish
Ladyfish
+1
US $400
Entire boat: up to 4 people
Half Day Trip (AM)
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
4 hour trip starts at 6:30 AM
Jack Crevalle
King Mackerel (Kingfish)
Snapper (Mangrove)
Black Drum
+5
US $750
Entire boat: 2 people
Shark fishing
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
4 hour trip starts at 7:00 AM
Shark (Hammerhead)
Shark (Blacktip)
Shark (Bull)
US $750
Entire boat: 2 people
5 Hour Trip – Offshore (AM)
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
5 hour trip starts at 6:30 AM
Amberjack
Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
King Mackerel (Kingfish)
Snapper (Red)
+7
US $900
Entire boat: 2 people
Red snapper trip
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
5 hour trip starts at 6:00 AM
Seasonal trip
Jun 16 - Jul 31
Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
King Mackerel (Kingfish)
Snapper (Red)
US $1,000
Entire boat: up to 4 people
3/4 Day Trip
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
6 hour trip starts at 6:30 AM
Amberjack
Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
King Mackerel (Kingfish)
Snapper (Red)
+6
US $1,100
Entire boat: 2 people
Full Day Trip
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
8 hour trip starts at 6:30 AM
Amberjack
Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
King Mackerel (Kingfish)
Snapper (Red)
+6
US $1,400
Entire boat: 2 people

Customer reviews

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Rating

4.8
204 reviews
4.8
Boat & equipment
4.9
Captain & crew
4.8
Fishing Experience

Anglers' gallery (172)

What anglers say

96%
Great experience
95%
Family friendly
99%
Friendly captain
99%
Good boat
97%
Recommended
89%
Caught fish

Reviews (204)

  • Adam Root
    Adam Root
    us
    Nebraska, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Amazing Experience

    2 Hour Kids Trip on August 5, 2026 • 4 adults • 2 children

    We had a great experience with Reel Fun Charters. Captain John was great with my kids who i felt like asked him questions the whole time. He was fun when answering questions, kept bait on the kids hook the whole time and helped with whatever we needed. We caught a bunch of fish. It was our first ocean fishing experience and was definitely the highlight of our trip. We will be back. Highly recommend them.

  • Larry Erickson
    Larry Erickson
    us
    Illinois, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Our trip was awesome,especially being my 9 yr olds first salt water fishin excursion!!

    2 Hour Kids Trip on August 7, 2026 • 4 adults • 1 child

    Our captain was very helpful and my son got to see every aspect of fishing. He seen everything from tossing a net to catch our bait, hook the bait and catch fish ( he out caught all the adults) . Captain John was an amazing captain and we would highly recommend!

  • Thomas Cheney
    Thomas Cheney
    Repeat angler
    us
    Tennessee, US
    Member since 2021
    2 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    3rd time

    Red snapper trip on July 9, 2026 • 4 adults

    3rd time going out with them. They work to keep you on fish. You wont stay in one spot just soaking bait. Ive tried others only to have trips canceled or changed. I highly recommend.

  • Brad Yauilla
    Brad Yauilla
    us
    Virginia, US
    Member since 2021
    5.0
    Verified

    had a blast

    2 Hour Kids Trip on June 9, 2026 • 3 adults • 1 child

    Even better than expected. Caught more than 10 fish plus a huge shark! Jon was great! More than happy with this trip and will definitely book again next time were in town.

  • Subhash Nakkella
    Subhash Nakkella
    us
    Virginia, US
    Member since 2025
    5.0
    Verified

    Amazing Fishing trip !

    2 Hour Kids Trip on April 3, 2025 • 2 adults

    We had an absolutely fantastic time fishing with Captain Jon McGowen! From the start, he was incredibly friendly, knowledgeable, and approachable, making us feel right at home on the water. My 11-year-old was thrilled to fish in PCB. Unfortunately, We picked a very windy day. Thanks to “Reel Fun” for making it an smooth experience. Not only did Jon teach us about the bay and take us to some great fishing spots, but he also shared his deep knowledge of the area in a fun and engaging way. We even had an unexpected encounter with a playful dolphin, who decided to claim some of our catches—leaving behind Spanish mackerel heads as ‘trophies’… what a story to tell! Thankfully, Jon skillfully navigated us away, ensuring we still had a great haul. Overall, it was an amazing adventure filled with excitement, learning, and lots of great catches. Looking forward to fish more with Reel Fun.

  • Krit Engemann
    Krit Engemann
    us
    Missouri, US
    Member since 2025
    5.0
    Verified

    Great fishing excursion!! 🎣

    2 Hour Kids Trip on August 6, 2025 • 4 adults • 1 child

    This was the best thing we booked while staying in FL… and we did it all (too much)!! It felt more personal and gratifying than some of the other things we did. We booked this for our 9-year-old son who loves to fish, but even our 14 year-old-daughter (enough said) said she enjoyed Jon’s company and conversation! The boat was great and accommodated us perfectly! Jon was very knowledgeable on all the honey holes and made sure my 9-year-old caught some good ones! Terry and Jon are good people, thanks for the trip!

  • Calieann Mark
    Calieann Mark
    us
    Minnesota, US
    Member since 2023
    5.0
    Verified

    Dreams Do Come True!!!

    Half Day Trip (PM) on March 15, 2024 • 2 adults • 1 child

    I'm on the MN High School Fishing Team and have always wanted to go fishing in another state. When my grandmother set up a charter with John and Terry I couldn't believe my good luck. I was hoping to catch a fish. Not only did I catch a fish. I caught a few "sunfish" on steroids, along with a couple more species. The highlight of the trip was a HAMMERHEAD SHARK that I pulled into the boat. It was so cool!! The trip was way beyond my expectations. John did such a great job of helping me understand the waters and fishing in Florida. Another bonus was fishing with the dolphins. They were so much fun to watch. They came right up to our boat. I then got a chance to bring my "cleaned" fish to a local restaurant and eat them right there. So many memories made that day on the water!!

  • Heidi Gregory
    Heidi Gregory
    us
    Utah, US
    Member since 2025
    5.0
    Verified

    We had the best day!!

    2 Hour Kids Trip on September 16, 2025 • 4 adults • 1 child

    John was so helpful and so much fun! He went to great lengths to make sure that we all had a memorable day. We caught a huge variety of fish and he knew a ton about each one. Our 8 year old chatted his ear off the entire time and he couldn’t have been more patient and kind. 5 stars. Would highly recommend Reel Fun Fishing Charters!!! Years and years of experience.

  • Kip Morris
    Kip Morris
    us
    Tennessee, US
    Member since 2025
    5.0
    Verified

    Best trip ever

    Half Day Trip (AM) on July 9, 2025 • 3 adults • 2 children

    Captain John was great. He was very personable and patient with my 2 grandsons. Best part is he put us on some of the biggest Reds I have ever caught. Started a little slow, he switched techniques and it was almost every cast for the remainder of our day. Definitely will be back.

  • Joe Johnson
    Joe Johnson
    Repeat angler
    us
    South Carolina, US
    Member since 2024
    7 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    Fishing panama city

    Half Day Trip (AM) on July 2, 2025 • 3 adults

    I couldn't asked for a better captain than john.he made sure we caught plenty of fish.he was also very experienced were the fish were,& the size limits.we threw a bunch back in that was under the limit.we also kept a lot that were within the limit.thanks john.

FAQs about Reel Fun Charters

Reel Fun Charters offers the following trips to customers:
  • US $400 per group - 2 Hour Kids Trip (2 hours)
  • US $750 per group, additional US $50 per person after 2 guests - Half Day Trip (AM) (4 hours)
  • US $750 per group, additional US $50 per person after 2 guests - Shark fishing (4 hours)
  • US $900 per group, additional US $75 per person after 2 guests - 5 Hour Trip – Offshore (AM) (5 hours)
  • US $1,000 per group - Red snapper trip (5 hours)
  • US $1,100 per group, additional US $75 per person after 2 guests - 3/4 Day Trip (6 hours)
  • US $1,400 per group, additional US $75 per person after 2 guests - Full Day Trip (8 hours)
When you book a trip with Reel Fun Charters, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • GPS
  • Fishfinder
  • Live bait well
  • Wireless trolling motor
  • Ice box
Trips booked with Reel Fun Charters include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Live bait (All live bait purchased is included in the price of the charter. There are times that we will need to catch a special type of bait according to the type of fish we are going after.)
  • Lures
  • Fishing license (We offer a full saltwater fishing license for passengers on the Reel Fun.)
  • Fly fishing equipment
Reel Fun Charters offers the following types of fishing:
  • Inshore fishing
  • Nearshore fishing
  • Reef fishing
  • Wreck fishing
  • Flats fishing
Reel Fun Charters offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light tackle
  • Jigging
  • Fly fishing
  • Deep sea fishing
Top targeted fish species with Reel Fun Charters include:
  • Amberjack
  • Bonito
  • Cobia
  • Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
  • King Mackerel (Kingfish)
  • Redfish
  • Snapper (Red)
  • Tarpon

Your captain

Terry McGowen
Terry McGowen
Panama City Beach, Florida, United States
6 Fishing Reports
ID & license verified
204 Customer reviews
Typical response within 7 hours
Member since November 2014
Captain Terry is the owner and a captain aboard Reel Fun Charters. He's been steering boats around the Gulf, and knows waters all the way from Louisiana to the Bahamas. Captain Terry has over two decades of experience, and delivers professional service to his customers. He has also taken part in deep sea tournaments with success, and is often asked to step behind the wheel of private boats. He uses quality fishing gear, and knows the spots where fish are biting.
Our Team
Jon M.
Jon M.
Captain
Terry McGowen
Terry McGowen
Fully verified
6
reports
204
reviews
2014
member since
~8h
response
Captain Terry is the owner and a captain aboard Reel Fun Charters. He's been steering boats around the Gulf, and knows waters all the way from Louisiana to the Bahamas. Captain Terry has over two decades of experience, and delivers professional service to his customers. He has also taken part in deep sea tournaments with success, and is often asked to step behind the wheel of private boats. He uses quality fishing gear, and knows the spots where fish are biting.
The crew
Jon M.
Jon M.
Captain

The fish you can target

Amberjack
Amberjack
Bonito
Bonito
Cobia
Cobia
Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
King Mackerel (Kingfish)
King Mackerel (Kingfish)
Redfish
Redfish
Red Snapper
Red Snapper
Tarpon
Tarpon
Amberjack
Amberjack
Bonito
Bonito
Cobia
Cobia
Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
King Mackerel (Kingfish)
King Mackerel (Kingfish)

Real catches by this captain

  • A young angler proudly displaying a Redfish at the dock, surrounded by family after a successful fishing trip.
    Fish 1
    Redfish
    Larry E.
    Larry E.
    Our captain was very helpful and my son got to see every aspect of fishing. He seen everything from tossing a net to catch our bait, hook the bait and catch fish ( he out caught all the adults) . Captain John was an amazing captain and we would highly recommend!
  • A young angler proudly displaying a freshly caught Red Snapper while fishing on a boat.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    Red Snapper
    Adam R.
    Adam R.
    We had a great experience with Reel Fun Charters. Captain John was great with my kids who i felt like asked him questions the whole time. He was fun when answering questions, kept bait on the kids hook the whole time and helped with whatever we needed. We caught a bunch of fish. It was our first ocean fishing experience and was definitely the highlight of our trip. We will be back. Highly recommend them.
  • Angler proudly displaying a large fish while fishing offshore, showcasing a successful day on the water.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    +1
    Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
    Thomas C.
    Thomas C.
    3rd time going out with them. They work to keep you on fish. You wont stay in one spot just soaking bait. Ive tried others only to have trips canceled or changed. I highly recommend.
  • Family posing on a marina dock beside multiple freshly caught mackerel arranged for display after a coastal fishing charter.
    Fish 1
    King Mackerel (Kingfish)
    Brad Y.
    Brad Y.
    Even better than expected. Caught more than 10 fish plus a huge shark! Jon was great! More than happy with this trip and will definitely book again next time were in town.
  • A family enjoying a fishing trip on a sunny day, with a child and adult actively casting lines from the boat.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    +4
    Sheepshead
    Heidi G.
    Heidi G.
    John was so helpful and so much fun! He went to great lengths to make sure that we all had a memorable day. We caught a huge variety of fish and he knew a ton about each one. Our 8 year old chatted his ear off the entire time and he couldn’t have been more patient and kind. 5 stars. Would highly recommend Reel Fun Fishing Charters!!! Years and years of experience.
  • A young angler and an adult are actively fishing on a boat, with the adult preparing to handle a fish caught in the open water.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    Spanish Mackerel
    Ruth H.
    Ruth H.
    What a wonderful experience we had! Captain Terry and Hunter were fantastic! My boys had a great time and they were so stoked to check this off their bucket lists. Makes for a great homeschool excursion too!
  • A young angler proudly displaying a Redfish while fishing from a boat, showcasing a sunny day on the water.
    Fish 1
    Redfish
    Krit E.
    Krit E.
    This was the best thing we booked while staying in FL… and we did it all (too much)!! It felt more personal and gratifying than some of the other things we did. We booked this for our 9-year-old son who loves to fish, but even our 14 year-old-daughter (enough said) said she enjoyed Jon’s company and conversation! The boat was great and accommodated us perfectly! Jon was very knowledgeable on all the honey holes and made sure my 9-year-old caught some good ones! Terry and Jon are good people, thanks for the trip!
  • An angler proudly displaying a large Triggerfish while on a fishing charter in open waters.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    +1
    Gray Triggerfish
    Colin O.
    Colin O.
    Caught plenty of fish. Hunter was very knowledgeable and brought us right to the fish.
  • A group of four anglers proudly displaying their catch of various fish, including Snapper and Grouper, on a dock after a successful fishing trip.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    Red Snapper
    Thomas C.
    Thomas C.
    Second trip out with these guys. Both trips have been excellent. I’ve tried others on three different occasions when Reel Fun was already booked and none have come close. Save your time and money and booked with Reel Fun!
  • A proud grandfather and his two grandsons displaying their catch of three large fish on the dock after a successful fishing trip.
    Fish 1
    Redfish
    Kip M.
    Kip M.
    Captain John was great. He was very personable and patient with my 2 grandsons. Best part is he put us on some of the biggest Reds I have ever caught. Started a little slow, he switched techniques and it was almost every cast for the remainder of our day. Definitely will be back.

What is the boat like?

Boat image
Boat category
Center console boats
Capacity
4 persons
Boat length
26 ft
Year built
2014
Boat manufacturer
Pathfinder
Boat type
Center console
Engine model
Yamaha
Powered by
1 x 300HP
Max cruising speed
35 knots

What kind of fishing will you do?

Inshore Fishing
Nearshore Fishing
Reef Fishing
Wreck Fishing
Flats Fishing

Which fishing techniques you can try

Light Tackle
Jigging
Fly Fishing
Deep Sea Fishing

Which amenities are available onboard

GPS
Fishfinder
Live bait well
Wireless trolling motor
Ice box
What's included in the trip price
Rods, reels & tackle
Live bait
All live bait purchased is included in the price of the charter. There are times that we will need to catch a special type of bait according to the type of fish we are going after.
Lures
Fishing license
We offer a full saltwater fishing license for passengers on the Reel Fun.
Fly fishing equipment

How cancellations work

Free cancellation up to 3 days prior to trip
You can cancel or modify your booking up to 3 days before the trip date, free of charge. If you cancel or modify your booking later, or fail to show up, you'll forfeit 100% of what you've paid.
More details

What the listing policies are

Pickup not included
Transfer to/from departure site is not included in trip rates.
Child friendly
On Reel Fun, we encourage kids to come fishing. It's totally up to the parents on how young too young is. Just remember, children have a much shorter attention span than most grownups, so keep that in mind when you are booking a trip
You keep catch
Catch and release allowed

How you can pay

Pay online in full
Pay online in full through FishingBooker and save on credit card fees at the dock.
No additional fees.
Book with 20% deposit, pay rest to captain
When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 20% deposit to guarantee your reservation.
The remaining balance is to be paid directly to the charter operator on or prior to your trip date in one of the following payment methods:
 Cash
 Visa
 Mastercard
 American Express
 PayPal
 Checks
When paying the remaining balance with a credit card, an additional 3% charge will apply.

What’s biting in Panama City Beach right now

AmberjackAmberjack
BonitoBonito
CobiaCobia
Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
King Mackerel (Kingfish)King Mackerel (Kingfish)
RedfishRedfish
Snapper (Red)Snapper (Red)
TarponTarpon

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