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
    Half Day Trip
    In demand! Last booked: 3 days ago
    FREE Cancellation 1 day notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    $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
    $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
    $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
    $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
    $1,600
    This trip enables us to fish the gulf and chase species such as snapper, grouper, and hogfish!
There are 7 people looking at this charter.

About the Captain

Donny Freeman
Holmes Beach, Florida, United States
2 Fishing Reports
ID & License verified
28 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
Lures
Catch cleaning & filleting
Drinks
Fishing License

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
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
4.9 / 5
out of 5 stars from 28 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (40)
Best trip ever
Best trip ever
Best trip ever
+37
Angler Rating
27
0
0
0
0
Anglers Claimed
Good experience
100%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
96%
Appropriate for children
100%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Catch intended fish
100%
Sort By:
Featured  
Showing:
5 of 28 reviews
Gary N.
Enchanted Oaks, TX
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Best trip ever

VERIFIED   NEW  Half Day Trip on February 24, 2023
Great fishing and best Captain in the area. Caught some real lunkers and had a wonderful time.  5 plus stars.
Gary N. recommends Reel Experience Fishing Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
  Donny Freeman Captain replied

John H.
Madison, WI
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great half-day trip with Capt. Donny!

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip on May 19, 2022
My wife and I had a great trip with Captain Donny on the Manatee this week.  Donny is really personable, professional and...
John H. recommends Reel Experience Fishing Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
  Donny Freeman Captain replied

Philip G.
Newark, DE
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

4 hour trip with Captain Donnie with the Reel Experience

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (PM) on February 19, 2023
Captain Donnie was PHENOMENAL. He put us on fish early and often and he never stopped working. He was kind, sincere, knowledgeable...
Philip G. recommends Reel Experience Fishing Charters
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You found this review helpful
  Donny Freeman Captain replied

Shane S.
Commerce, GA
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Half Day with Captain Donny

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip on July 21, 2022
We had an awesome experience with Captain Donny. Both boys had never been ocean fishing before and had an experience they’ll...
Shane S. recommends Reel Experience Fishing Charters
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You found this review helpful
  Donny Freeman Captain replied

Diana B.
Bellerose, NY
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great way to start the day!

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip on April 2, 2022
Capt. Donny was so awesome helping & teaching my son some great fishing tips & techniques. He knew all the “hot spots”...
Diana B. recommends Reel Experience Fishing Charters
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You found this review helpful
  Donny Freeman Captain replied

FAQs about Reel Experience Fishing Charters

Reel Experience Fishing Charters offers the following trips to customers:
  • $500 per group, additional $50 per person after 2 guests - Half Day Trip (4 hours)
  • $500 per group, additional $50 per person after 2 guests - Half Day Trip (PM) (4 hours)
  • $600 per group, additional $50 per person after 2 guests - Half Day Trip – Nearshore (4 hours)
  • $650 per group, additional $50 per person after 2 guests - 3/4 Day Trip – Inshore (6 hours)
  • $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
  • Lures
  • Catch cleaning & filleting
  • Drinks
  • Fishing License

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