Nelson Guide Company
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Nelson Guide Company

State licensed
Excellent
4.9 / 5
(129 reviews)
Map of Destin, FL, United States
314 Harbor Boulevard
Destin, FL, United States
Trips & prices
Targeted species
What's included
Boat info
Reviews
Contact captain

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.

  • Fishing License
  • Live Bait
  • You Keep Catch
  • Catch cleaning & filleting
  • Child Friendly
  • Ice Box
  • Rods, reels & tackle

Select date to see available trips and rates:

  • Private trip
    3 Hour Trip – Kids' Trip
    In demand! Last booked: 5 days ago
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    3 Hour Trip, starts at 1:00 PM
    Seasonal trip Apr 1 - Dec 31 (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat)
    US $540
    Nothin' better than taking a kid fishing! The captain will try to catch something cool right off the bat, and if that doesn't work, he'll slide over to one of his honey holes where the kids can catch something cast after cast. These trips are all about the kid's feeling something pull. Adults are welcome to fish too, but the kids are the priority.
    Types of fishing
    Inshore Fishing
    Nearshore Fishing
    Fishing techniques
    Light Tackle
    Targeted fish
    Snapper (Mangrove)
    Mangrove Snapper
    Redfish
    Redfish
    Spanish Mackerel
    Spanish Mackerel
  • Private trip
    4 HR SPRING BREAK SPECIAL (AM)
    In demand! Last booked: 4 days ago
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    Seasonal trip Apr 1 - May 20 (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat)
    US $600
    Your captain will take you to the best fishing spots he knows and try to keep you on the fish as much as possible. Catch and release is strongly encouraged, but you can keep a few for dinner. When the trip is over, Capt. Si will clean and fillet your catch. The minimum is 4 hours, but additional time can be added when available – just ask!
    Targeted fish
    Amberjack
    Amberjack
    Cobia
    Cobia
    Snapper (Mangrove)
    Mangrove Snapper
    Black Drum
    Black Drum
    Redfish
    Redfish
    Spanish Mackerel
    Spanish Mackerel
    Spotted Seatrout
    Spotted Seatrout
    Pompano
    Pompano
    Sheepshead
    Sheepshead
  • Private trip
    4 hr SPRING BREAK SPECIAL (PM)
    In demand! Last booked: 5 days ago
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 1:00 PM
    Seasonal trip Apr 1 - May 20 (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat)
    US $600
    Your captain will take you to the best fishing spots he knows and try to keep you on the fish as much as possible. Catch and release is strongly encouraged, but you can keep a few for dinner. When the trip is over, Capt. Si will clean and fillet your catch. The minimum is 4 hours, but additional time can be added when available – just ask! The start time is flexible, so you can start the trip at 4:00 instead if that suits you better.
    Targeted fish
    Amberjack
    Amberjack
    Cobia
    Cobia
    King Mackerel (Kingfish)
    King Mackerel (Kingfish)
    Snapper (Red)
    Red Snapper
    Bluefish
    Bluefish
    Snapper (Mangrove)
    Mangrove Snapper
    Redfish
    Redfish
    Spanish Mackerel
    Spanish Mackerel
    Spotted Seatrout
    Spotted Seatrout
    Pompano
    Pompano
    Sheepshead
    Sheepshead
    Snapper (Vermilion)
    Vermilion Snapper
  • Private trip
    4 Hour Trip – Captain's Choice (AM)
    In demand! Last booked: 6 days ago
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    Seasonal trip May 1 - Dec 31 (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat)
    US $800
    Your captain will take you to the best fishing spots he knows and try to keep you on the fish as much as possible. Catch and release is strongly encouraged, but you can keep a few for dinner. When the trip is over, Capt. Si will clean and fillet your catch. The minimum is 4 hours, but additional time can be added when available – just ask!
  • Private trip
    4 Hour Trip – Captain's Choice (PM)
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 1:00 PM
    Seasonal trip May 1 - Dec 31 (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat)
    US $800
    Your captain will take you to the best fishing spots he knows and try to keep you on the fish as much as possible. Catch and release is strongly encouraged, but you can keep a few for dinner. When the trip is over, Capt. Si will clean and fillet your catch. The minimum is 4 hours, but additional time can be added when available – just ask! The start time is flexible, so you can start the trip at 4:00 instead if that suits you better.
    Targeted fish
    Cobia
    Cobia
    King Mackerel (Kingfish)
    King Mackerel (Kingfish)
    Snapper (Red)
    Red Snapper
    Bluefish
    Bluefish
    Snapper (Mangrove)
    Mangrove Snapper
    Redfish
    Redfish
    Spanish Mackerel
    Spanish Mackerel
    Spotted Seatrout
    Spotted Seatrout
    Pompano
    Pompano
    Sheepshead
    Sheepshead
    Snapper (Vermilion)
    Vermilion Snapper
  • Private trip
    4 Hour Trip – Shark Fishing (AM)
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    Seasonal trip (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat)
    US $1,000
    Do you have what it takes to catch Shark? Only one way to find out! Come on out to get in close quarters with these titans of the deep and test your strength and ability against the monsters that lurk just off the beach.
  • Private trip
    4 Hour Trip – Shark Fishing (PM)
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 1:00 PM
    Seasonal trip (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat)
    US $1,000
    Do you have what it takes to catch Shark? Only one way to find out! Come on out to get in close quarters with these titans of the deep and test your strength and ability against the monsters that lurk just off the beach.
  • Private trip
    Goliath Grouper Excursion
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    Seasonal trip (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat)
    US $1,000
    On these trips we target Goliath Grouper. These trips are probably our most fun, despite having a fairly low success rate, given that most folks can't handle the pure power these creatures bring to the table. Are you up for it? (We also pursue sharks, as well as many other edible species to take home on these excursions!)
    Fishing techniques
    Deep Sea Fishing
    Bottom Fishing
    Heavy Tackle
  • Private trip
    6 Hour Trip
    In demand! Last booked: 6 days ago
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    6 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    Seasonal trip May 1 - Dec 31 (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat)
    US $1,200
    Enjoy your trip even more by spending 6 hours on the water.
    Targeted fish
    Cobia
    Cobia
    King Mackerel (Kingfish)
    King Mackerel (Kingfish)
    Snapper (Red)
    Red Snapper
    Bluefish
    Bluefish
    Snapper (Mangrove)
    Mangrove Snapper
    Redfish
    Redfish
    Spanish Mackerel
    Spanish Mackerel
    Spotted Seatrout
    Spotted Seatrout
    Pompano
    Pompano
    Sheepshead
    Sheepshead
    Snapper (Vermilion)
    Vermilion Snapper
There are 59 people looking at this charter.

FAQs about Nelson Guide Company

Nelson Guide Company offers the following trips to customers:
  • US $540 per group, additional US $100 per person after 3 guests - 3 Hour Trip – Kids' Trip (3 hours)
  • US $600 per group, additional US $100 per person after 3 guests - 4 HR SPRING BREAK SPECIAL (AM) (4 hours)
  • US $600 per group, additional US $100 per person after 3 guests - 4 hr SPRING BREAK SPECIAL (PM) (4 hours)
  • US $800 per group, additional US $150 per person after 4 guests - 4 Hour Trip – Captain's Choice (AM) (4 hours)
  • US $800 per group, additional US $150 per person after 4 guests - 4 Hour Trip – Captain's Choice (PM) (4 hours)
  • US $1,000 per group, additional US $150 per person after 4 guests - 4 Hour Trip – Shark Fishing (AM) (4 hours)
  • US $1,000 per group, additional US $150 per person after 4 guests - 4 Hour Trip – Shark Fishing (PM) (4 hours)
  • US $1,000 per group, additional US $150 per person after 4 guests - Goliath Grouper Excursion (4 hours)
  • US $1,200 per group, additional US $150 per person after 4 guests - 6 Hour Trip (6 hours)
When you book a trip with Nelson Guide Company, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • GPS
  • Fishfinder
  • Flybridge
  • Live Bait Well
  • Wireless Trolling Motor
  • Ice Box
Trips booked with Nelson Guide Company include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Live Bait
  • Lures
  • Catch cleaning & filleting
  • Fishing License
Nelson Guide Company offers the following types of fishing:
  • Inshore Fishing
  • Nearshore Fishing
  • Reef Fishing
  • Wreck Fishing
  • Flats Fishing
  • Backcountry Fishing
Nelson Guide Company offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light Tackle
  • Spinning
  • Fly Fishing
Top targeted fish species with Nelson Guide Company include:
  • Bluefish
  • Cobia
  • Flounder
  • King Mackerel (Kingfish)
  • Pompano
  • Redfish
  • Sheepshead
  • Snapper (Mangrove)
  • Snapper (Red)
  • Snapper (Vermilion)
  • Spanish Mackerel
  • Spotted Seatrout

Meet the Captain

Si Nelson
Destin, Florida, United States
1 Fishing Report
ID & license verified
129 Customer reviews
Response time within an hour
Member since February 2021
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.
Our Team
Si N.
Captain

About this listing

Targeted species

Bluefish Bluefish
Cobia Cobia
Flounder Flounder
King Mackerel (Kingfish) King Mackerel (Kingfish)

Boat specs

Carolina Skiff (Flats boat) originally built in 2008. Powered by a 150HP Mercury engine, with a maximum cruising speed of 35 knots.

Length
24 ft
Capacity
6 persons

Types of fishing

Inshore Fishing
Nearshore Fishing
Reef Fishing
Wreck Fishing
Flats Fishing
Backcountry Fishing

Fishing techniques

Light Tackle
Spinning
Fly Fishing

Amenities

GPS
Fishfinder
Flybridge
Live Bait Well
Wireless Trolling Motor
Ice Box

Trip includes

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

Cancellation policy

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.

Listing policies

Pickup not included
Transfer to/from departure site is not included in trip rates.
Child Friendly
You Keep Catch
Catch and Release Allowed
Report listing

Payment

Pay online in full

Pay online in full through FishingBooker and save on credit card fees at the dock.

No additional fees.
Book with 25% deposit, pay rest to captain

When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 25% 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
When paying the remaining balance with a credit card, an additional 3.5% charge will apply.

Destin Fishing Calendar

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Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.9 / 5
out of 5 stars from 129 reviews
See details
Boat
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (141)
Si is the Man!
Si is the Man!
Spring break special
+138
Angler rating
117
5
2
1
1
Anglers claimed
Good experience
95%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
95%
Appropriate for children
99%
Satisfied with the boat
98%
Caught fish
95%
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Showing:
5 of 129 reviews
Warren J.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great time!

VERIFIED   NEW  4 HR SPRING BREAK SPECIAL (AM) on April 22, 2024
We woke up to less than ideal weather, low 50°s and cool north winds 15-20mph. We knew these conditions usually slow the fishing...
Warren J. recommends Nelson Guide Company
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Robert R.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great Captain, Great trip.

VERIFIED   NEW  4 HR SPRING BREAK SPECIAL (AM) on April 17, 2024
Awesome Captain.  Told us stories about the history of the area.  Show us details about lots of different fish and how some...
Robert R. recommends Nelson Guide Company
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Robert R. recommends Nelson Guide Company
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1 person finds this review helpful
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Jay S.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fishing trip in August

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip – Captain's Choice (AM) on August 2, 2023
Jay S. recommends Nelson Guide Company
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1 person finds this review helpful
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Jay S. recommends Nelson Guide Company
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1 person finds this review helpful
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Dave W.
Delta, OH
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

5hr trip with Captain Si

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip – Captain's Choice (AM) on July 22, 2023
We went out for Mingo snapper and the boys had their first bout of sea sickness. Captain Si was more than accommodating with...
Dave W. recommends Nelson Guide Company
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1 person finds this review helpful
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Dave W. recommends Nelson Guide Company
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1 person finds this review helpful
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Ray H.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fishing trip in July

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip – Captain's Choice (AM) on July 21, 2023
Ray H. recommends Nelson Guide Company
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Ray H. recommends Nelson Guide Company
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