Hurricane Charters
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Hurricane Charters

29 reviews
6814 South Lagoon Drive
Panama City FL, United States

Hurricane Charters is a light tackle and fly fishing professional guide service operating exclusively in the Panama City Beach area. Come explore the pristine and beautiful bays, bayous and backwaters of the area with Captain Eric Nelson as your guide – an extremely passionate (his wife says rabid) angler with over 40 years of experience, both offshore and inshore.

Your fishing platform will be a 2018 19’ Hewes Redfisher powered with a Yamaha 150 HP outboard.  This rig strikes a good balance between speed, seaworthiness, and the ability to fish skinny water. All equipment is top notch and includes custom casting platforms to accommodate both spinning and fly fishing. The boat comfortably accommodates up to 2 adult anglers.

Trips can be geared towards the expert and novice alike, and the primary objective is to create a fun and relaxing angling adventure. You’ll primarily be using artificial lures, as they make the chase more challenging and the catch more rewarding!

The primary targeted species will be Redfish and Speckled Trout in the bays and marshes. You can go sight fishing here, which really enhances the experience. Want some shots at one of the most exciting and challenging game fish around? Tarpon trips along our beautiful beaches will be offered during the peak migration (June, July and possibly early August).

High quality rods and reels will be provided, a well as tackle, fishing licenses, ice and bottled water. Captain Eric encourages catch and release to keep our fisheries healthy, however customers are certainly welcome to keep their catch if they so desire. Captain Eric will even clean your catch.

This slice of the Emerald Coast is a beautiful place and there is an abundance of wildlife both above and below the waterline to marvel at. Don’t miss this opportunity for a truly rewarding and enriching outdoors experience and join Hurricane Charters!

  • Fishing License
  • Live Bait
  • You Keep Catch
  • Catch cleaning & filleting
  • Drinks
  • Child Friendly
  • Snorkeling Equipment
  • Rods, reels & tackle

Select date to see available trips and rates:

  • Private trip
    Tarpon Trip
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    5 Hour Trip, starts at 5:30 AM
    Seasonal trip Jun 1 - Aug 9
    $475
    price breakdown
    $475
    The Emerald Coast has a pretty strong Tarpon migration for a couple of months in the middle of the summer. In Panama City Beach, Tarpon guiding is limited to when the migration is peaking in the area. Capt. Eric does his best to make sure clients are getting enough shots to keep the day interesting. You'll head out very early looking for pods of fish rolling on top - as the sun gets up, you stake out and sight fish. Tarpon fishing may be with spinning or fly tackle - it's up to you!
  • Private trip
    Flats Trip (AM)
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 6:30 AM
    Seasonal trip Feb 1 - Dec 30
    $375
    price breakdown
    $375
    Flats trips may include blind casting or sight fishing depending on your preference, weather conditions, and water clarity. Flats fishing may be with spinning tackle or fly rod - it's up to you! Trip start times will be based on the weather and tides. During the cooler months, you'll likely head out sometime between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. During the heat of the summer, trips may start very early - potentially departing in the dark so you can begin fishing during that magic time of first light.
  • Private trip
    Winter Sight Fishing For Redfish
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 9:00 AM
    Seasonal trip Nov 1 - Feb 28
    $375
    price breakdown
    $375
    During the winter months, trips will be sight fishing for Redfish in the skinny water. During wintertime, the water tends to begin clear and there are negative tides - making perfect conditions for hunting for Redfish crawling along in mere inches of water over muddy bottoms on sunny days. Trips start later in the morning to give water temps a chance to increase a bit. Fishing is challenging with incredibly spooky fish given the conditions so accurate casting and soft presentation is critical.
  • Private trip
    Evening / Sunset Flats Trip (PM)
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    2 Hour Trip, starts at 5:00 PM
    Seasonal trip Sep 1 - Dec 30
    $250
    price breakdown
    $250
    Evening fishing trips are shorter and designed to beat the heat of the summer. Actual fishing time will be a bit over 2 hours so start time will be about 2.5 hours before sunset. These trips will be primarily fishing for Reds and Speckled Trout using topwater plugs along shallow flats and shorelines that are somewhat wind protected. These are laid back trips where clients can really chill out and enjoy the beauty of an Emerald Coast sunset in between explosive topwater strikes.
  • Private trip
    Kids Fishing Trip
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    2 Hour Trip, starts at 9:00 AM
    Seasonal trip Apr 1 - Nov 30
    $250
    price breakdown
    $250
    Kids fishing trips are shorter in duration - usually a bit over 2 hours of actual fishing time - and are usually scheduled to start in the late morning or early afternoon. Trip capacity is up to 2 children/1 adult or 2 adults/1 child. Trips are designed to give the kids steady action, so you'll be targeting species like Ladyfish, Jacks, small Sharks, Trout, and other species that inhabit these lush grass flats. Trips will hopefully promote a lifelong love of fishing and an appreciation for the outdoors.
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About the Captain

Eric Nelson
Panama City, Florida, United States
6 Fishing Reports
ID & License verified
29 Customer Reviews
Response time 1 hour
Member since March 2020
I have fished the waters of the Florida Panhandle for 40+ years from St. Marks to Destin. My father started me fly fishing for Bream and Bass on the lakes around Tallahassee, Florida as a young child and I have been obsessed with fishing and being on the water ever since. I have fished extensively both offshore and inshore off the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend areas, as well as the east coast of central Florida. I have spent countless days (and a few dollars) bottom bumping for Grouper and Snapper and stalking the shallows for Redfish and Trout. After a 30 year career as a C.P.A. to pay for my fishing habits, I retired to Panama City Beach to pursue my passion of chasing Redfish and Trout on the shallow flats with light tackle. I really enjoy taking folks out to fish and enjoy the beauty and solitude of a day on the water, so I obtained my Captain's license in 2019 in order to begin running charters.

About this listing

Targeted Species

Flounder Flounder
Jack Crevalle Jack Crevalle
Ladyfish Ladyfish
Redfish Redfish

Spanish Mackerel Spanish Mackerel
Spotted Seatrout Spotted Seatrout
Tarpon Tarpon

Boat Specs

Hewes Redfisher (Flats boat) originally built in 2018. Powered by a 150HP Yamaha engine, with a maximum cruising speed of 50 knots.

Length
19 ft
Capacity
2 persons

Types of Fishing

Inshore Fishing
Nearshore Fishing
Flats Fishing
Backcountry Fishing

Fishing Techniques

Light Tackle
Spinning
Jigging
Popping
Fly Fishing
Drift Fishing

Amenities

GPS
Fishfinder
Snorkeling Equipment
Live Bait Well
Wireless Trolling Motor
GPS
Fishfinder
Snorkeling Equipment
Live Bait Well
Wireless Trolling Motor

Trip Includes

Rods, reels & tackle
Live Bait
Lures
Catch cleaning & filleting
Drinks
Fishing License
Fly Fishing Equipment

Cancellation Policy

Free cancellation up to 7 days prior to trip

Customers can cancel or modify their booking up to 7 days before the trip date free of charge. If the trip is canceled or modified later, or in the event of a no-show, 100% of the deposit will be charged.

Listing Policies

Pickup agreed upon reservation
Transfer to/from departure site may be available and included in price depending on your location and distance from the dock.
Child Friendly
You Keep Catch
Catch and Release Allowed

Payment

Book with 20% deposit
When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 20% deposit to guarantee your reservation.
Pay remaining balance to captain
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
Checks

When paying the remaining balance with a credit card, there is a 4% fee.

Panama City Fishing Calendar

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Customer Reviews

Rating Summary
Photos by reviewers (37)
5.00
out of 5 stars from 29 reviews
See details
Boat
Crew
Experience
Am flats trip with Capt Eric
Am flats trip with Capt Eric
Am flats trip with Capt Eric
+34
Angler Rating
29
0
0
0
0
Anglers Claimed
Good experience
100%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
100%
Appropriate for children
100%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Catch intended fish
92%
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5 of 29 reviews
James R.
New Orleans, LA
 5.00
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall

Awesome Trip with Captain Eric

VERIFIED   Flats Trip (AM) on October 19, 2020
Captain Eric recommended that we go out at a later time because of a cold front moving in and a NE wind blowing the water out...
James R. recommends Hurricane Charters
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Jill R.
Ringgold, Georgia
 5.00
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall

Morning Fishing in the Flats

VERIFIED   Flats Trip (AM) on August 6, 2020
Captain Eric was amazing to work with in setting up the fishing trip.  It was a graduation gift for my son and his best...
Jill R. recommends Hurricane Charters
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Will B.
Tallahassee, FL
 5.00
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall

Great fishing trip with my 9 year old

VERIFIED   Kids Fishing Trip on July 19, 2020
Captain Eric could not have been better for our fishing trip. It felt like we were fishing with my uncle or something. He is...
Will B. recommends Hurricane Charters
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James S.
Enterprise, Alabama
 5.00
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall

Great time

VERIFIED   Kids Fishing Trip on August 8, 2020
first time booking a charter. and first time for my son to fish from a boat. He had a great time and now won’t stop talking...
James S. recommends Hurricane Charters
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Kasey H.
Atlanta, GA
 5.00
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall

AM Inshore Trip

VERIFIED   Flats Trip (AM) on June 29, 2020
Great morning of fishing with Capt Eric.  This was a super convenient trip.  We left out from Capt Eric’s house,...
Kasey H. recommends Hurricane Charters
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