Stephen Hess

Rating

Anglers' gallery (167)

What anglers say

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  Mason Taylor

  Repeat angler

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  Texas, US

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  Member since 2018

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  2 trips

  5.0

  The best time with Captain Hess

  4 Hour Bottom/Trolling Combination - 8:00 AM on August 20, 2026

  Went fishing with Captain Hess, and we had an incredible experience from the moment we booked until the very end of our trip. We brought our 2- and 3-year-old boys along, and Captain Hess went above and beyond to make sure they felt special and had a great time. He was determined to make sure the boys caught fish and that we brought home fish for dinner, just as we had promised them. Even when that meant trying a few extra spots and staying out a little longer, he didn’t give up. He ended up putting us on some Spanish mackerel, and we all had an absolute blast! We truly can’t say enough good things about Captain Hess and the experience he gave our family. He was patient, accommodating, and genuinely cared about making the trip memorable for our boys. These are memories we’ll have for a lifetime. Thank you, Captain Hess! We’ll definitely be fishing with you again!

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  Response from Captain

  August 23, 2026

  I sincerely appreciate this! You guys were amazing and I had a blast getting to hang out with you. Thank you!!

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  Alex Gooden

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  Missouri, US

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  Member since 2026

  5.0

  Verified

  Perfect intro fishing trip for the kids!

  3 Hour Family Saltwater 101 on August 10, 2026 • 3 adults • 1 child

  I took my kids, 10 and 15, on the 3 hour kid trip. We had an absolute blast! My kids love fishing back home, but had never done anything like this. Our captain Stephen was great! He took us out trolling for Mahi- Mahi and bottom fishing. No luck on the Mahi, that's fishing, but once we got out and started bottom fishing, it was on! Every line we dropped landed a fish, my son even had a shark steal one of his catches. He'll be telling that story for years to come! Stephen was excellent with the kids and made sure we had the best experience possible. This will definitely become a new tradition of ours. Thanks again for a great time Stephen! See you next year.

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  Response from Captain

  August 12, 2026

  Thank you so much! Look forward to seeing you guys next time you are down this way.

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  Betty Gerleman

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  Iowa, US

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  Member since 2026

  5.0

  Verified

  Fishing with Stephen

  Party of 5 or 6 on August 4, 2026 • 5 adults

  What a great trip. Captain Hess was busy with another group so he sent us to Captain Wade's. He was a blast. All we wanted was enough for one good meal since in few days we would be taking flight back home. With in an hour we had enough keepers for two meals. There were 5 of us and we each caught easily 12 to 15 fish first hour. We then went to several other places and caught a variety of fish. Just a great trip and will definitely book here again.

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  Response from Captain

  August 5, 2026

  Thank you for the positive feedback! Glad you guys a great trip and we look forward to seeing you again.

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  Kyle Marsanick

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  Missouri, US

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  Member since 2025

  5.0

  Verified

  Highly recommend!

  4hr Captains Choice - 11:00 AM on January 29, 2026 • 2 adults

  We took a trip out with captain Steve Hess in Panama City beach, with little expectations since it's been no higher than 45 with below freezing at night,and 58 deg water temp. We had been waiting for a calm day so we could get out since there since we got hear last Saturday. So as we pulled out of the harbor Captain Steve put the hammer down and we cruised at 40 mph to his first spot. 1st drop from Tara and I both resulted in 2 large trigger fish , GAME ON. If we didn't catch 1 or even two at a time every drop to 70ft of water we were robbed of bait and had to reel them up and rebait. We ended up catching so many it started to get old, so off we went to the next spot and we caught either red snapper or red grouper and more triggers evey drop again . Off to the next spot were we we looking for some smaller fish to use for livebait,and again Every drop ended with about 30 Vermillion snapper back to back to back. I was wanting to go out further and go to an amberjack spot, hooked up one 10in. snapper and 5oz of lead and a 4/0 circle hook. The first drop to 80ft he was explaining to me how they bite and I said like this? FISH ON again 1st drop, we'll it broke off, 2nd drop FISH ON again, this one pulled off just as we saw color. Now I'm bummed losing 2 big fish, 3rd drop FISH ON this time we got it in and when I said we, I mean the Captain had to grab the rod tip so it wouldn't break the rod. He says they're not called reef donkeys for no reason. They pull like a Amish mule. 30lb amberjack Long story short I have never had a trip like this before, what a blast!!! Thanks to Captain Steve for creating a more than memorable trip.

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  +1

  

  Response from Captain

  January 30, 2026

  Thank you my friend! I had a great time with you guys and I sincerely appreciate the kind words and the fact that you chose to book with me. Hopefully we get the chance to donit again someday. Maybe i can meet you in Tennessee and put you on sime of those big Stripers!

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  Greg Boland

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  Member since 2026

  5.0

  Inshore Redfish

  4 Hour Captains Choice on July 10, 2026

  Captain Steve put us on huge Redfish on the first cast. We continued to catch 20+ lb bulls all morning. He is extremely knowledgeable and a great guy. He is all about making sure his guests have a great time and that they catch lots of fish, regardless of level of fishing experience. We will be back soon for another great day of fishing. We highly recommend heading out for a day with Steve. Greg and Deanna

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  Response from Captain

  July 19, 2026

  Thank you my friend!