REEL Viking Charters
REEL Viking Charters takes you fishing out of Panama City, FL. Captain John will make sure you have an enjoyable day on the water. No matter how experienced you are, you’ll find a worthy opponent around these fisheries. Come chase Spanish Mackerel and Shark, or go after Snapper, Grouper, Amberjack, and Mahi.
Captain John has been fishing for 35 years and has been taking people fishing forever. He is local to the area and loves seeing his customers get their dream catch. Your safety onboard is Captain John’s top priority and he will also work to turn your fishing trip into a lasting memory. You will decide how you want to spend the day on the water but the captain will help out with any questions about techniques and species available.
You will be fishing from a 28’ Cape Horn center console powered by twin 300 HP Yamaha engines. She features navigational electronics and has room for up to six anglers. The boat features a live bait well, has a large ice box, carries Penn gear, as well as one electric reel for the elderly or anglers with disabilities when requested.
Fishing trips with Capt. John will see you fishing inshore and offshore. You can choose to explore inshore fisheries or head into the gulf slow trolling for Mackerel, or bottom fishing for Snapper and Grouper.
You can purchase live bait on board. Catch cleaning may be available, but you best talk to the captain about it. Trips normally leave out of Bayside Marina on Panama City Beach, but pickups at other areas may be arranged. The captain also runs specials throughout the year, so please check back.
REEL Viking Charters can accommodate anglers of any level of fishing experience. You can use all types of bait and fishing styles to get the best chance for the best catch. Capt. John will work to make you happy and give you a trip of a lifetime. Hope you come back again to go after a bigger one! Fishing it's what we do.
Customer reviews
Rating summary
Photos & videos by reviewers (277)
+274Angler rating
Anglers claimed
Good experience
99%
Appropriate for children
99%
Friendly captain
100%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Recommend this charter
99%
Caught fish
95%
Aug 24, 2025
5hr fun run
Headache free
John John and John are a wonderful pair to be around. We loved our charter. Captain put us on the fish right away, within seconds of our first drop we got our first fish. We caught probably over 100 fish that day and came back with around 50 keepers. If you want to catch fish, book with VIKING. John John knows what he’s doing, and also knows the waters like the back of his hand. He grew up and is local to the area. Can’t say enough great things about them. By the end of the trip they felt like family. They really want you have a good time regardless of what ends up in the boat.
John John and John are a wonderful pair to be around. We loved our charter. Captain put us on the fish right away, within seconds...
Captain replied
Jul 10, 2025
4 Hour Trip – Summer (AM)
Great day
Captain John John and son Tyler were an absolute pleasure to go fishing with. 76 years experience on the water certainly allowed us to take several fish on a short 4 hour ride. That was certainly appreciated. What made the trip amazing was how they worked with us starting the night before. Captain John John planned a trip appropriate for the weather and composition of people joining him on the boat. Both he and Tyler coached us through every strike. Conversation was great throughout the day - I know that each of us left wishing it was a longer trip and wanting to come back another day. Thank you.
Captain John John and son Tyler were an absolute pleasure to go fishing with. 76 years experience on the water certainly allowed...
Captain replied
Jul 9, 2025
4 Hour Trip – Summer (AM)
Perfect Fishing Outing !
Beautiful sunrise and perfect weather . Captain John and his 1st mate Tyler were great , they both worked hard to get us into the fish . They were both very helpful and informative, and they made it easy to see that they wanted us to have a successful trip and a good time . We boarded as a family of 3 with 3 of our good friends and unboarded as a family of 3 and 5 good friends . Captain John and Tyler were great , they were a joy to talk to . They are the 2 guys you need to hook up with if you’re planning a charter trip around Panama City Beach area . Next time we’re down we’ll be booking with them again ! Thanks again Captain John and Tyler !
Beautiful sunrise and perfect weather . Captain John and his 1st mate Tyler were great , they both worked hard to get us into...
Captain replied
May 22, 2025
5hr fun run
Great Trip 22 May 25
Captain John John was great to work with. I had a couple disabled vets and older gentlemen and the Captain and mate, Tyson, were fantastic with providing assistance without taking over. Even before we left the dock we had gotten off to a good start with the crew and it only got better throughout the day. It really was like fishing with friends and Captain John John was relentless about finding the fish to get us limited out on beeliners and then pull on some red grouper. I was concerned about the older folks taking a beating or being I uncomfortable on the boat but was very pleased to find it was comfortable, stable and quick. Overall we had a really good day out, got a bunch of delicious fish for everyone to enjoy the next day the team just kept on talking about how fun it was Thanks to Captain John John and Mate Tyson we had an absolute blast. I very much recommend this boat and crew!
Captain John John was great to work with. I had a couple disabled vets and older gentlemen and the Captain and mate, Tyson,...
Captain replied
Apr 27, 2025
4 Hour Trip (PM)
Awesome Shark Fishing trip w/ Captain John
As a single mom, booking a fishing trip can be intimidating. I booked a shark fishing trip for my 14 and 16 yr old son and daughter, who definitely weren’t the easiest gang to win over. They had soo much fun! Captain John and his son were awesome! We got on our first shark just a few minutes after the lines were cast, and he made sure we each caught one! While we were waiting, he even allowed my son to fish for bait-fish with jerk-bait, during which he caught a Spanish Mackerel and a Lady fish! They were fun, knowledgeable, and made sure we had every chance possible to catch some fish! Will definitely have them take us out for another adventure next time we come to FL! Thank you John!
As a single mom, booking a fishing trip can be intimidating. I booked a shark fishing trip for my 14 and 16 yr old son and daughter,...
Captain repliedTrip availability and prices
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Customer reviews
Rating summary
Photos & videos by reviewers (277)
+274Angler rating
Anglers claimed
Good experience
99%
Appropriate for children
99%
Friendly captain
100%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Recommend this charter
99%
Caught fish
95%
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
Headache free
5hr fun run on August 24, 2025
John John and John are a wonderful pair to be around. We loved our charter. Captain put us on the fish right away, within seconds of our first drop we got our first fish. We caught probably over 100 fish that day and came back with around 50 keepers. If you want to catch fish, book with VIKING. John John knows what he’s doing, and also knows the waters like the back of his hand. He grew up and is local to the area. Can’t say enough great things about them. By the end of the trip they felt like family. They really want you have a good time regardless of what ends up in the boat.
John John and John are a wonderful pair to be around. We loved our charter. Captain put us on the fish right away, within seconds of our first drop we got our first fish. We caught probably over 100 fish that day and came back with around 50 keepers. If you want to catch fish, book with VIKING. John John knows what he’s doing, and also knows the waters like the back of his hand. He grew up and is local to the area. Can’t say enough great things about them. By the end of the trip they felt like...
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
Great day
4 Hour Trip – Summer (AM) on July 10, 2025
Captain John John and son Tyler were an absolute pleasure to go fishing with. 76 years experience on the water certainly allowed us to take several fish on a short 4 hour ride. That was certainly appreciated. What made the trip amazing was how they worked with us starting the night before. Captain John John planned a trip appropriate for the weather and composition of people joining him on the boat. Both he and Tyler coached us through every strike. Conversation was great throughout the day - I know that each of us left wishing it was a longer trip and wanting to come back another day. Thank you.
Captain John John and son Tyler were an absolute pleasure to go fishing with. 76 years experience on the water certainly allowed us to take several fish on a short 4 hour ride. That was certainly appreciated. What made the trip amazing was how they worked with us starting the night before. Captain John John planned a trip appropriate for the weather and composition of people joining him on the boat. Both he and Tyler coached us through every strike. Conversation was great throughout the day...
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
Perfect Fishing Outing !
4 Hour Trip – Summer (AM) on July 9, 2025
Beautiful sunrise and perfect weather . Captain John and his 1st mate Tyler were great , they both worked hard to get us into the fish . They were both very helpful and informative, and they made it easy to see that they wanted us to have a successful trip and a good time . We boarded as a family of 3 with 3 of our good friends and unboarded as a family of 3 and 5 good friends . Captain John and Tyler were great , they were a joy to talk to . They are the 2 guys you need to hook up with if you’re planning a charter trip around Panama City Beach area . Next time we’re down we’ll be booking with them again ! Thanks again Captain John and Tyler !
Beautiful sunrise and perfect weather . Captain John and his 1st mate Tyler were great , they both worked hard to get us into the fish . They were both very helpful and informative, and they made it easy to see that they wanted us to have a successful trip and a good time . We boarded as a family of 3 with 3 of our good friends and unboarded as a family of 3 and 5 good friends . Captain John and Tyler were great , they were a joy to talk to . They are the 2 guys you need to hook up with if...
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
Great Trip 22 May 25
5hr fun run on May 22, 2025
Captain John John was great to work with. I had a couple disabled vets and older gentlemen and the Captain and mate, Tyson, were fantastic with providing assistance without taking over. Even before we left the dock we had gotten off to a good start with the crew and it only got better throughout the day. It really was like fishing with friends and Captain John John was relentless about finding the fish to get us limited out on beeliners and then pull on some red grouper. I was concerned about the older folks taking a beating or being I uncomfortable on the boat but was very pleased to find it was comfortable, stable and quick. Overall we had a really good day out, got a bunch of delicious fish for everyone to enjoy the next day the team just kept on talking about how fun it was Thanks to Captain John John and Mate Tyson we had an absolute blast. I very much recommend this boat and crew!
Captain John John was great to work with. I had a couple disabled vets and older gentlemen and the Captain and mate, Tyson, were fantastic with providing assistance without taking over. Even before we left the dock we had gotten off to a good start with the crew and it only got better throughout the day. It really was like fishing with friends and Captain John John was relentless about finding the fish to get us limited out on beeliners and then pull on some red grouper. I was concerned...
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
Awesome Shark Fishing trip w/ Captain John
4 Hour Trip (PM) on April 27, 2025
As a single mom, booking a fishing trip can be intimidating. I booked a shark fishing trip for my 14 and 16 yr old son and daughter, who definitely weren’t the easiest gang to win over. They had soo much fun! Captain John and his son were awesome! We got on our first shark just a few minutes after the lines were cast, and he made sure we each caught one! While we were waiting, he even allowed my son to fish for bait-fish with jerk-bait, during which he caught a Spanish Mackerel and a Lady fish! They were fun, knowledgeable, and made sure we had every chance possible to catch some fish! Will definitely have them take us out for another adventure next time we come to FL! Thank you John!
As a single mom, booking a fishing trip can be intimidating. I booked a shark fishing trip for my 14 and 16 yr old son and daughter, who definitely weren’t the easiest gang to win over. They had soo much fun! Captain John and his son were awesome! We got on our first shark just a few minutes after the lines were cast, and he made sure we each caught one! While we were waiting, he even allowed my son to fish for bait-fish with jerk-bait, during which he caught a Spanish Mackerel and a Lady fish!...
FAQs about REEL Viking Charters
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