Take your whole family and embark on an unforgettable fishing adventure together with Reel Experience Fishing Charters. From inshore and nearshore waters to the backcountry, there’s a wide variety of fishing spots you can visit in Palmetto and have a great time chasing many different species. Join Captain Donny Freeman and let him create a wonderful fishing experience in Florida for you and your loved ones!

The boat you’ll be using is a 23’ Custom Hanson. It can sit up to 6 guests and uses a 200 HP Yamaha V6 Saltwater Series engine. Thanks to its GPS, fishfinder, as well as radio technology, the boat will take you to the fish quickly and safely. There’s a wireless trolling motor used for a quieter approach to the fish, a livewell for providing live bait, and an ice box to store your food and drinks.

Using spinning on light tackle, you and Captain Donny will be chasing Gag Grouper, Mangrove Snapper, Snook, Tarpon, Flounder, Spotted Seatrout, and Redfish. You’re free to choose whether you’ll release your catch or keep it. Kids are more than welcome to come aboard, so bring them aboard and enjoy a lovely family trip together.

Captain Donny will supply you with the fishing tackle, live bait, lures, licenses, as well as drinks. Also, he can clean and bag your catch completely free of charge. Yours is just to bring the snacks of your choice and prepare for lots of fun on board.

Book a trip at Reel Experience Fishing Charters and experience the beauties of fishing around Palmetto!



Select date to see available trips and rates:

  • Private trip
    2 Hour inshore “kids trip”
    FREE Cancellation 1 day notice
    2 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    US $300
    This trip is for the kiddos, who may not yet be sure about boating for the full 4 hours. Not targeting giant fish, but constant action to keep them engaged and interested, while learning about the different species.
    Targeted fish
    Jack Crevalle
    Jack Crevalle
    Snook
    Snook
    Snapper (Mangrove)
    Mangrove Snapper
    Spanish Mackerel
    Spanish Mackerel
    Spotted Seatrout
    Spotted Seatrout
    Spadefish
    Spadefish
    Sheepshead
    Sheepshead
    Catfish
    Catfish
  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip
    In demand! Last booked: 2 days ago
    FREE Cancellation 1 day notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    US $500
    On this trip, you and Captain Donny will be targeting whatever species is currently offering the most action. Most of the year includes Snook, Mangrove Snapper, Mackerel, Jack, Trout, Grouper, as well as Tarpon.
  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip (PM)
    FREE Cancellation 1 day notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 12:00 PM
    US $500
    On this afternoon trip, we will be targeting snook, redfish, trout, jack, and other possible species we have available at the current time!
  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip – Nearshore
    FREE Cancellation 1 day notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    US $600
    On this trip, you and the captain will be going into the gulf to target a variety of species. This trip allows you to target more species for the dinner table as well. Just bring the snacks of your choice to stay energized and the captain will take care of everything else.
  • Private trip
    3/4 Day Trip – Inshore
    FREE Cancellation 1 day notice
    6 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    US $650
    Enjoy your trip for a longer spell and spend 6 hours targeting Snook, Snapper, and other great fighting fish. You and the captain will leave the dock at 8:00 a.m. He's got you covered for everything you'll need except for food, so make sure you bring your favorite snacks before you depart.
  • Private trip
    3/4 Day Trip – Nearshore
    FREE Cancellation 1 day notice
    6 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    US $1,600
    This trip enables us to fish the gulf and chase species such as snapper, grouper, and hogfish!
There are 14 people looking at this charter.

FAQs about Reel Experience Fishing Charters

Reel Experience Fishing Charters offers the following trips to customers:
  • US $300 per group, additional US $50 per person after 2 guests - 2 Hour inshore “kids trip” (2 hours)
  • US $500 per group, additional US $50 per person after 2 guests - Half Day Trip (4 hours)
  • US $500 per group, additional US $50 per person after 2 guests - Half Day Trip (PM) (4 hours)
  • US $600 per group, additional US $50 per person after 2 guests - Half Day Trip – Nearshore (4 hours)
  • US $650 per group, additional US $50 per person after 2 guests - 3/4 Day Trip – Inshore (6 hours)
  • US $800 per person - 3/4 Day Trip – Nearshore (6 hours)

When you book a trip with Reel Experience Fishing Charters, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • GPS
  • Fishfinder
  • Live Bait Well
  • Wireless Trolling Motor
  • Ice Box

Trips booked with Reel Experience Fishing Charters include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Live Bait (Our fishing is 99.9 percent live bait. I’m up every morning hours before we depart ensuring we have all the necessary baits to ensure a great day! )
  • Lures
  • Catch cleaning & filleting (I don’t charge anything additional to clean and bag the fish we are able to keep!)
  • Drinks (I supply plenty of ice and bottled water at no extra charge for my guests. )
  • Fishing License (I have a blanket license for the boat, so no need to purchase your own for our trip!)

Reel Experience Fishing Charters offers the following types of fishing:
  • Inshore Fishing
  • Nearshore Fishing
  • Reef Fishing
  • Flats Fishing
  • Backcountry Fishing

Reel Experience Fishing Charters offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light Tackle
  • Spinning

Top targeted fish species with Reel Experience Fishing Charters include:
  • Flounder
  • Grouper (Gag)
  • Redfish
  • Snapper (Mangrove)
  • Snook
  • Spotted Seatrout
  • Tarpon

Meet the Captain

Donny Freeman
Holmes Beach, Florida, United States
2 Fishing Reports
ID & license verified
80 Customer reviews
Response time within an hour
Member since July 2021
I grew up fishing with my father all over Anna Maria Island, and fell in love right away. After being stuck in retail management for years, I finally made the change to my dream career.

About this listing

Targeted species

Flounder Flounder
Grouper (Gag) Gag Grouper
Redfish Redfish
Snapper (Mangrove) Mangrove Snapper

Boat specs

Hanson (Bay boat) originally built in 2013. Powered by a 200HP Yamaha engine, with a maximum cruising speed of 38 knots.

Length
23 ft
Capacity
6 persons

Types of fishing

Inshore Fishing
Nearshore Fishing
Reef Fishing
Flats Fishing
Backcountry Fishing

Fishing techniques

Light Tackle
Spinning

Amenities

GPS
Fishfinder
Live Bait Well
Wireless Trolling Motor
Ice Box

Trip includes

Rods, reels & tackle
Live Bait
Our fishing is 99.9 percent live bait. I’m up every morning hours before we depart ensuring we have all the necessary baits to ensure a great day!
Lures
Catch cleaning & filleting
I don’t charge anything additional to clean and bag the fish we are able to keep!
Drinks
I supply plenty of ice and bottled water at no extra charge for my guests.
Fishing License
I have a blanket license for the boat, so no need to purchase your own for our trip!

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 1 day prior to trip

You can cancel or modify your booking up to 1 day 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 included in price
Transfer from hotels or jetties in Holmes Beach to departure site is available and included in trip rates.
Child Friendly
All ages of young ones are welcomed and encouraged. Fishing and the excitement is always bed shared with the youth!
You Keep Catch
Catch and Release Allowed

Payment

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

Holmes Beach Fishing Calendar

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Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
5.0 / 5
out of 5 stars from 80 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (84)
April 2024 - 2 Hour inshore \u201ckids trip\u201d
April 2024 - 2 Hour inshore \u201ckids trip\u201d
April 2024 - 2 Hour inshore \u201ckids trip\u201d
+81
Angler rating
77
0
0
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
100%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
96%
Appropriate for children
96%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
99%
Sort by:
Featured  
Showing:
5 of 80 reviews
CHRIS P.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall
The day we went fishing, there were horrendous winds and we weren’t sure if we would be able to catch any fish.  The winds...
CHRIS P. recommends Reel Experience Fishing Charters
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You found this review helpful
  Donny Freeman Captain replied

Austin M.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fishing Adventure

VERIFIED   NEW  Half Day Trip on April 13, 2024
Had a great morning fishing with my dad and father in law despite the cooler temperature and strong winds. It was a pleasure...
Austin M. recommends Reel Experience Fishing Charters
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  Donny Freeman Captain replied

Stephen C.
Bradenton, FL
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Half day trip with Captain Donny.

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip on July 15, 2023
Overall great experience!  Pick up was right on time.  Within 10 minutes we were at the first fishing spot consistently pulling...
Stephen C. recommends Reel Experience Fishing Charters
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful
Stephen C. recommends Reel Experience Fishing Charters
Mark review as helpful
1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful

Matt S.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

April 2024 - 2 Hour inshore “kids trip”

VERIFIED   NEW  2 Hour inshore “kids trip” on April 17, 2024
Great morning out with Captain Donny. Captain Donny was great with my five year old and helped teach him how to cast and real...
Matt S. recommends Reel Experience Fishing Charters
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You found this review helpful
  Donny Freeman Captain replied

Brad G.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Awesome Afternoon!

VERIFIED   NEW  Half Day Trip (PM) on April 1, 2024
We had a great trip with Captain Donny.  He works his tail off to put you on the fish and the results didn’t disappoint...
Brad G. recommends Reel Experience Fishing Charters
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You found this review helpful
  Donny Freeman Captain replied