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.
Captain
John Holman
Highlights
Rating summary
Photos & videos by reviewers (249)
Angler rating
Anglers claimed
Good experience
99%
Appropriate for children
98%
Friendly captain
100%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Recommend this charter
99%
Caught fish
95%
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
4 Hour Trip – Summer (PM) on June 10, 2025
The Captain tried hard to get us on the fish. The water was not cooperating but still got us to a few spots for the kids to catch some fish. Crew was professional and ensured that we understood the water conditions and allowed us to make the decision. Since we could not complete the original trip, the crew refunded us an hour which showed the integrity of the crew. Would highly recommend them for further trips and will be using them again when we return to PCB.
The Captain tried hard to get us on the fish. The water was not cooperating but still got us to a few spots for the kids to catch some fish. Crew was professional and ensured that we understood the water conditions and allowed us to make the decision. Since we could not complete the original trip, the crew refunded us an hour which showed the integrity of the crew. Would highly recommend them for further trips and will be using them again when we return to PCB.
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
6 Hour Trip – Summer (AM) on June 20, 2025
Awesome 4-6 hour trip! John-John and John were great. Informative, well attentive, courteous and accommodating. Crushed red fish right from the start, and a few grouper which had to go back (🤬), once we got our limit and a bit of catch and release we were onto the beeliners for another limit; and we trolled home for a bit. Captain and crew super accommodating to adjust timing since we did so well to get home and make lunch for the fam with our catch. Quick pics and fillet the dock and we were headed back home - tired crew and sore arms. Thanks guys!!
Awesome 4-6 hour trip! John-John and John were great. Informative, well attentive, courteous and accommodating. Crushed red fish right from the start, and a few grouper which had to go back (🤬), once we got our limit and a bit of catch and release we were onto the beeliners for another limit; and we trolled home for a bit. Captain and crew super accommodating to adjust timing since we did so well to get home and make lunch for the fam with our catch. Quick pics and fillet the dock and we...
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
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
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!...
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
3 Hour Spring Break Special (10 AM) on May 25, 2025
Our family (grandparents, two teen boys and mom) booked on line and the communication was great from the time we booked. Captain John gave us detailed instructions of where to go, what to bring and what to expect. They were ready to go when we arrived and so helpful. They took us to several spots and were determined we’d catch fish on this trip, and we did! We caught 6 large, red snapper that we can’t wait to eat for dinner tonight and save the rest he filleted for us. I would highly recommend this crew and this excursion!
Our family (grandparents, two teen boys and mom) booked on line and the communication was great from the time we booked. Captain John gave us detailed instructions of where to go, what to bring and what to expect. They were ready to go when we arrived and so helpful. They took us to several spots and were determined we’d catch fish on this trip, and we did! We caught 6 large, red snapper that we can’t wait to eat for dinner tonight and save the rest he filleted for us. I would highly recommend...
REEL Viking Charters offers the following trips to customers:
When you book a trip with REEL Viking Charters, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
Trips booked with REEL Viking Charters include:
REEL Viking Charters offers the following types of fishing:
REEL Viking Charters offers the following fishing techniques:
Top targeted fish species with REEL Viking Charters include:
Panama City Beach, Florida, United States
The Angler's Choice Award is given to listings that consistently deliver a high-quality service and earn great reviews from customers.
I was born in GA. I've lived in this area for 50 years . Grow up in Gracville fla. I love to fish. I've been deep sea fishing all my life. And love to take people fishing. I spent 26 years pushing barges up and down Mississippi River. I've been on every water way that a barge can go on.
Inshore Fishing
Nearshore Fishing
Offshore Fishing
Trips offshore vary depending on trip lengths. But we always do our best for our customers.
Reef Fishing
Wreck Fishing
Light Tackle
Heavy Tackle
Bottom Fishing
Trolling
Spinning
Jigging
Drift Fishing
great with live bait
Deep Sea Fishing
GPS
Fishfinder
Live Bait Well
live bait available for purchase from bait boat
Ice Box
a large ice-fish box
Radar
Rods, reels & tackle
Lures
First Mate
on longer trips, if requested and available
Fishing License
For up to 6 passengers
Free cancellation up to 3 days prior to trip
You can cancel or modify your booking up to 3 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.
Pickup not included
Transfer to/from departure site is not included in trip rates.
Child Friendly
When accompanied by an adult
You Keep Catch
Catch and Release Allowed
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 4% charge will apply.