Captain Black’s Fishing
Captain Black’s Fishing offers one of the best ranges of trips out there, in one of the best fishing areas in the world – the amazing waters around Panama City, FL. Captain John Black has been fishing since the age of 4, so you can rest assured that he’ll show you all of his secret spots and honey holes in the area.
Captain Black’s 40’ Buskens saltwater fishing boat is the perfect vessel for the range of trips he offers. Powered by a 320 HP Caterpillar engine, it comes with everything you will need on your fishing adventure. There are outriggers, a live bait tank, lures, and top quality tackle for a variety of techniques including light and heavy tackle, trolling, spinning and drift fishing.
Trips range from a quick 3 hours inshore trolling before work, to a 16-hour blue water odyssey targeting big game monsters such as Blue Marlin, Sailfish, and Mahi Mahi. There’s an awesome selection of trips in between including the 10-hour “prospector” trip where you go scouring uncharted fishing waters for great new spots and the opportunity to name them yourself!
Capt. John runs a family-oriented business and welcomes anyone – young or old, novice or master – for some great fishing and fun times. He aims to impress with his amazing trips and vast wealth of local knowledge and experience.
All trips include ice, bait, and licenses for everyone on board. His boat is also wheelchair accessible and very child-friendly. The captain operates a strict catch and release policy on all Billfish. Please give the captain a call or text the day before to verify your trip, and receive any last-minute instructions.
Join Captain Black’s Fishing and explore some of the most productive waters in this part of the world for an amazing fishing experience!
Customer reviews
Rating summary
Photos & videos by reviewers (185)
+182Angler rating
Anglers claimed
Good experience
96%
Appropriate for children
98%
Friendly captain
100%
Satisfied with the boat
98%
Recommend this charter
95%
Caught fish
95%
Jul 23, 2025
6 Hour Trip – Morning Reef Summer
Captain Black puts you on FISH!
Look - when you book a trip like this, the bottom line is you want to catch fish, right? This is where Captain Black excels!!! On a day, and during a week, when fishing success was sporadic and limited; Captain Black took us to a carefully selected spot (marked only on his secret Treasure Map) where we caught our limit of large Red Snappers in no time! We also caught other species of snapper, groupers, and other species we had to throw back. It was a blast! Zach, the deckhand, did an excellent job of keeping us baited up and in the waters. Once back at our beach house, on of our neighbors was lamenting the fact they they only came back with six pounds of fish after going with a different charter. I didn't have the heart to tell them that, with Captain Black, we came back with 47 POUNDS OF FISH! However, I will tell you; and reiterate that I highly recommend Captain Black for your fishing charter while in PCB! Trip details you might find helpful. Charter Duration: 6 hours (6 AM - Noon) Type of Fishing: Bottom Fishing. This is different than trolling. I recommend booking the 6-hr (at minimum) trip for results like I described above. Live Bait Fee: $60 for sixty (I think) bait fish - bring cash - you'll stop at a bait fish boat on the way out. Travel: Be prepared to travel for extended periods of time depending on where Captain Black is taking you. For example, we traveled for an extended time before actually fishing. However, Captain Black took us to the fish. Think of it this way - he can take you closer to areas potentially overfished and you can fish longer with little to no success, or he can take you to where you'll fish for a shorter time but catch fish constantly. Personally, I'd rather catch fish. If you're like me, I recommend you trust the Captain and enjoy! Tipping: Please be prepared to tip (especially the deckhand) - 15%-25% is customary. Fish Cleaning: There is a service at Captain Black's dock that charges approximately $1/lb of fish. They had our catch cleaned and separated by fish species in ziplock bags within 2 hrs of dropping the fish off. Additional Note: You'll notice that Captain Black has a policy of returning all billfish to the waters. Additionally, I caught a 20ish-lb Gag Grouper. Captain Black and Zach immediately explained that this species was out of season and made sure the beautiful fish was returned safely to the depths unharmed. I appreciate this commitment to conservation of resources the ocean offers.
Look - when you book a trip like this, the bottom line is you want to catch fish, right? This is where Captain Black excels!!!...
Jul 22, 2025
6 Hour Trip – Morning Reef Summer
Family Trip
This was a family fishing trip that we learned a lot about the open sea, how fish act with different weather patterns, and a whole lot about myself and family with those weather patterns and sea sickness. I wouldn’t change a thing. We caught a lot of fish and he let us try our hardest on a 6’ shark which was awesome. Capt. Black is a very knowledgeable, fun, and caring person. So I would recommend booking with Capt. Black to experience not only a fishing trip, but old school traditions.
This was a family fishing trip that we learned a lot about the open sea, how fish act with different weather patterns, and a whole...
Jun 27, 2025
6 Hour Trip – Midday Reef Trip
Great 6 hour reef fishing trip
Captain Black was excellent! 5 of us with offshore experience ranging from zero to moderate took a 6 hour trip where we limited out on red snapper and also caught grouper to put in the freezer. Captain Black went above and beyond to put us on the fish with us stopping at several locations to fish. The bite was finicky at the first stops with a couple keepers and then Captain Black put us on a spot where the bite was on and we filled the cooler. Great trip Captain Black, thank you to you and crew! I have already recommend you to multiple groups we have met back at our condo. I wish you fair winds and calm seas until we meet again!
Captain Black was excellent! 5 of us with offshore experience ranging from zero to moderate took a 6 hour trip where we limited...
Jun 17, 2025
6 Hour Trip – Midday Reef Trip
Awesome
We have chartered with them 3 times now and will continue to charter with them only. They are absolutely fantastic!! You could not get a better captain than Captain Black or Captain Chuck and the all the first mates have been nothing short of amazing. They go out of their way to make sure you catch as many fish as possible. Please always make sure you tip your first mates as much as possible!! They work their butts off to insure the boat is clean and your fishing trip is as effortless and fun as possible.
We have chartered with them 3 times now and will continue to charter with them only. They are absolutely fantastic!! You could...
Captain replied
Jul 10, 2025
6 Hour Trip – Midday Reef Trip
These guys were awesome!
From the Capt to the skipper these guys took care of us big time! Even when we didn't want them to, they were attentive and made sure we were happy and fishing. Trust, they went above and behind to make sure me and my two boys caught fish and we truly appreciate them for it. If I return tonics, these guys are getting a call back for sure!
From the Capt to the skipper these guys took care of us big time! Even when we didn't want them to, they were attentive and made...
Captain repliedTrip availability and prices
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Customer reviews
Rating summary
Photos & videos by reviewers (185)
+182Angler rating
Anglers claimed
Good experience
96%
Appropriate for children
98%
Friendly captain
100%
Satisfied with the boat
98%
Recommend this charter
95%
Caught fish
95%
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
Captain Black puts you on FISH!
6 Hour Trip – Morning Reef Summer on July 23, 2025
Look - when you book a trip like this, the bottom line is you want to catch fish, right? This is where Captain Black excels!!! On a day, and during a week, when fishing success was sporadic and limited; Captain Black took us to a carefully selected spot (marked only on his secret Treasure Map) where we caught our limit of large Red Snappers in no time! We also caught other species of snapper, groupers, and other species we had to throw back. It was a blast! Zach, the deckhand, did an excellent job of keeping us baited up and in the waters. Once back at our beach house, on of our neighbors was lamenting the fact they they only came back with six pounds of fish after going with a different charter. I didn't have the heart to tell them that, with Captain Black, we came back with 47 POUNDS OF FISH! However, I will tell you; and reiterate that I highly recommend Captain Black for your fishing charter while in PCB! Trip details you might find helpful. Charter Duration: 6 hours (6 AM - Noon) Type of Fishing: Bottom Fishing. This is different than trolling. I recommend booking the 6-hr (at minimum) trip for results like I described above. Live Bait Fee: $60 for sixty (I think) bait fish - bring cash - you'll stop at a bait fish boat on the way out. Travel: Be prepared to travel for extended periods of time depending on where Captain Black is taking you. For example, we traveled for an extended time before actually fishing. However, Captain Black took us to the fish. Think of it this way - he can take you closer to areas potentially overfished and you can fish longer with little to no success, or he can take you to where you'll fish for a shorter time but catch fish constantly. Personally, I'd rather catch fish. If you're like me, I recommend you trust the Captain and enjoy! Tipping: Please be prepared to tip (especially the deckhand) - 15%-25% is customary. Fish Cleaning: There is a service at Captain Black's dock that charges approximately $1/lb of fish. They had our catch cleaned and separated by fish species in ziplock bags within 2 hrs of dropping the fish off. Additional Note: You'll notice that Captain Black has a policy of returning all billfish to the waters. Additionally, I caught a 20ish-lb Gag Grouper. Captain Black and Zach immediately explained that this species was out of season and made sure the beautiful fish was returned safely to the depths unharmed. I appreciate this commitment to conservation of resources the ocean offers.
Look - when you book a trip like this, the bottom line is you want to catch fish, right? This is where Captain Black excels!!! On a day, and during a week, when fishing success was sporadic and limited; Captain Black took us to a carefully selected spot (marked only on his secret Treasure Map) where we caught our limit of large Red Snappers in no time! We also caught other species of snapper, groupers, and other species we had to throw back. It was a blast! Zach, the deckhand, did an excellent...
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
Family Trip
6 Hour Trip – Morning Reef Summer on July 22, 2025
This was a family fishing trip that we learned a lot about the open sea, how fish act with different weather patterns, and a whole lot about myself and family with those weather patterns and sea sickness. I wouldn’t change a thing. We caught a lot of fish and he let us try our hardest on a 6’ shark which was awesome. Capt. Black is a very knowledgeable, fun, and caring person. So I would recommend booking with Capt. Black to experience not only a fishing trip, but old school traditions.
This was a family fishing trip that we learned a lot about the open sea, how fish act with different weather patterns, and a whole lot about myself and family with those weather patterns and sea sickness. I wouldn’t change a thing. We caught a lot of fish and he let us try our hardest on a 6’ shark which was awesome. Capt. Black is a very knowledgeable, fun, and caring person. So I would recommend booking with Capt. Black to experience not only a fishing trip, but old school traditions.
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
Great 6 hour reef fishing trip
6 Hour Trip – Midday Reef Trip on June 27, 2025
Captain Black was excellent! 5 of us with offshore experience ranging from zero to moderate took a 6 hour trip where we limited out on red snapper and also caught grouper to put in the freezer. Captain Black went above and beyond to put us on the fish with us stopping at several locations to fish. The bite was finicky at the first stops with a couple keepers and then Captain Black put us on a spot where the bite was on and we filled the cooler. Great trip Captain Black, thank you to you and crew! I have already recommend you to multiple groups we have met back at our condo. I wish you fair winds and calm seas until we meet again!
Captain Black was excellent! 5 of us with offshore experience ranging from zero to moderate took a 6 hour trip where we limited out on red snapper and also caught grouper to put in the freezer. Captain Black went above and beyond to put us on the fish with us stopping at several locations to fish. The bite was finicky at the first stops with a couple keepers and then Captain Black put us on a spot where the bite was on and we filled the cooler. Great trip Captain Black, thank you to you...
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
Awesome
6 Hour Trip – Midday Reef Trip on June 17, 2025
We have chartered with them 3 times now and will continue to charter with them only. They are absolutely fantastic!! You could not get a better captain than Captain Black or Captain Chuck and the all the first mates have been nothing short of amazing. They go out of their way to make sure you catch as many fish as possible. Please always make sure you tip your first mates as much as possible!! They work their butts off to insure the boat is clean and your fishing trip is as effortless and fun as possible.
We have chartered with them 3 times now and will continue to charter with them only. They are absolutely fantastic!! You could not get a better captain than Captain Black or Captain Chuck and the all the first mates have been nothing short of amazing. They go out of their way to make sure you catch as many fish as possible. Please always make sure you tip your first mates as much as possible!! They work their butts off to insure the boat is clean and your fishing trip is as effortless and fun...
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
These guys were awesome!
6 Hour Trip – Midday Reef Trip on July 10, 2025
From the Capt to the skipper these guys took care of us big time! Even when we didn't want them to, they were attentive and made sure we were happy and fishing. Trust, they went above and behind to make sure me and my two boys caught fish and we truly appreciate them for it. If I return tonics, these guys are getting a call back for sure!
From the Capt to the skipper these guys took care of us big time! Even when we didn't want them to, they were attentive and made sure we were happy and fishing. Trust, they went above and behind to make sure me and my two boys caught fish and we truly appreciate them for it. If I return tonics, these guys are getting a call back for sure!
FAQs about Captain Black’s Fishing
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