Nelson Guide Company offers a variety of fishing adventures on a budget. With Captain Si by your side, you’ll have a true local’s experience. He specializes in inshore bay fishing, as well as nearshore spots in the Gulf. All trips are family-friendly and there’s even a special package created specifically for the youngest of anglers.
You’ll be fishing on a 24’ custom-built Carolina Skiff that accommodates up to 6 anglers. She’s powered by a powerful and quiet 150 Mercury engine that reaches the speed of 35 knots. The boat has an upper helm station and a huge casting platform for sight fishing, as well as a very roomy lower deck. With this boat, you can reach extremely shallow spots, as well as deeper nearshore ones.
The captain knows how to adjust the trip to your preferences and skill level, so everyone can enjoy their time on the water.
Explore the inshore and nearshore spots and go after a variety of fish species, such as Red Snapper, Trout, Redfish, Flounder, Kingfish, Spanish Mackerel, and many more. Each trip is a unique experience and you never know what’s going to bite. Capt. Si encourages releasing the fish but you can keep a few specimens for dinner. He’ll clean and fillet it after the trip is over.
All your fishing equipment and licenses are included in the price. You only need to pack your snacks, drinks, and sun protection.
Nelson Guide Company does its best to deliver a day you and your family will cherish for a long time. You just need to pick a date and show up on time.
Captain
Si Nelson
Most popular features:
Rating summary
Photos & videos by reviewers (220)
Angler rating
Anglers claimed
Good experience
96%
Appropriate for children
99%
Friendly captain
100%
Satisfied with the boat
99%
Recommend this charter
95%
Caught fish
97%
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
4 HR SPRING BREAK SPECIAL (AM) on March 25, 2025
We had the best fishing trip with, Si, and I can’t recommend him enough! From start to finish, Si made the experience unforgettable. His knowledge of the best spots, paired with his expert tips, had us reeling in fish left and right. He was patient, friendly, and clearly passionate about what he does—his enthusiasm was contagious! Whether you’re a seasoned angler or a first-timer, Si’s the guy to go with.
We had the best fishing trip with, Si, and I can’t recommend him enough! From start to finish, Si made the experience unforgettable. His knowledge of the best spots, paired with his expert tips, had us reeling in fish left and right. He was patient, friendly, and clearly passionate about what he does—his enthusiasm was contagious! Whether you’re a seasoned angler or a first-timer, Si’s the guy to go with.
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
4 Hour Trip – Captain's Choice (AM) on June 24, 2025
Had a great time out with Captain Si. We were only out there for four hours but felt like we got a lot done and had great conversations. Captain Si was very helpful and made fishing feel easy!
Had a great time out with Captain Si. We were only out there for four hours but felt like we got a lot done and had great conversations. Captain Si was very helpful and made fishing feel easy!
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
6 Hour Trip on June 21, 2025
We had a solid fishing trip considering most other boats in the area were struggling Si kept putting us on the fish. I would recommend this guide to anyone.
We had a solid fishing trip considering most other boats in the area were struggling Si kept putting us on the fish. I would recommend this guide to anyone.
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
3 Hour Trip – Kids' Trip on August 7, 2024
Can't say enough good things about Captain Si. He is funny, friendly and really great with kids. We took our boys, 9 and 10 years old. We caught a lot of fish and Captain Si kept the kids entertained the whole time. When my youngest wasn't catching as many fish as my oldest, Captain Si went out of his way to help my youngest. I can't recommend this charter enough. If you have kids and want to catch fish, Captain Si is your guy. All around amazing experience.
Can't say enough good things about Captain Si. He is funny, friendly and really great with kids. We took our boys, 9 and 10 years old. We caught a lot of fish and Captain Si kept the kids entertained the whole time. When my youngest wasn't catching as many fish as my oldest, Captain Si went out of his way to help my youngest. I can't recommend this charter enough. If you have kids and want to catch fish, Captain Si is your guy. All around amazing experience.
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
4 Hour Trip – Captain's Choice (AM) on June 18, 2025
Si was a fantastic! Kind, funny, and just an all around good person. He was great with the kids and we caught a lot of fish!
Si was a fantastic! Kind, funny, and just an all around good person. He was great with the kids and we caught a lot of fish!
Nelson Guide Company offers the following trips to customers:
When you book a trip with Nelson Guide Company, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
Trips booked with Nelson Guide Company include:
Nelson Guide Company offers the following types of fishing:
Nelson Guide Company offers the following fishing techniques:
Top targeted fish species with Nelson Guide Company include:
Destin, Florida, United States
The Angler's Choice Award is given to listings that consistently deliver a high-quality service and earn great reviews from customers.
Captain Si Nelson is in his 22nd year as a professional guide and loves it more and more every day. He is a dual threat, able to run bay charters as well as nearshore Gulf charters. He was born and raised right here on the Emerald Coast so he has a lifetime of experience of fishing the Emerald Coast waters. Over the years he has worked from Matagorda, Texas to Block Island Sound, New York, and everywhere in between giving him an extensive seaborne experience making him uniquely qualified to deliver the perfect experience for just about any crowd. Captain Si is just as at home stalking the flats in the backcountry as he is sounding the depths for offshore monsters, and knows how to keep things light and fun! A perpetual student of the University of West Florida’s history program, Captain Si not only puts you on the fish but keeps things interesting with constant anecdotes about local history.
Si N.
Captain
Inshore Fishing
Nearshore Fishing
Reef Fishing
Wreck Fishing
Flats Fishing
Backcountry Fishing
Light Tackle
Spinning
Fly Fishing
GPS
Fishfinder
Flybridge
Live Bait Well
Wireless Trolling Motor
Ice Box
Rods, reels & tackle
Live Bait
We always have bait available at the beginning of the trip, however, often times we catch a variety of bait during the trip. Captain Si is locally known for being one of the most efficient Captains when it comes to finding and catching live bait.
Lures
Catch cleaning & filleting
After the trip, Capt. Si fillets all your keepers and bags them for you. This is part of the price of the trip and performed at no extra charge. The 20-25% tip covers this service.
Fishing License
We cover all license required for your day fishing aboard our vessel.
Free cancellation up to 7 days prior to trip
You can cancel or modify your booking up to 7 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.
Pickup not included
Transfer to/from departure site is not included in trip rates.
Child Friendly
Generally, we do not have an age limit. Nobody knows your child like you do, so we leave it up to you to make the best decision for your kiddos. If you have any children 5 or younger let me know so we can make sure all safety requirements are adhered to!
You Keep Catch
Catch and Release Allowed
Pay online in full
Pay online in full through FishingBooker and save on credit card fees at the dock.
No additional fees.
Book with 30% deposit, pay rest to captain
When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 30% 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
When paying the remaining balance with a credit card, an additional 2.5% charge will apply.