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Stephen Hess
Captain

Stephen Hess

Panama City Beach, United States
Angler's choice
100+ reviews
My resume goes back to my youth fishing the Coastal waters or Virginia and North Carolina, to chasing trophy Stripers on the Cumberland River System in Tennessee. I have fished the Gulf since the early 1990's and am full time on the Emerald Coast these days. I am an old school fisherman using tried and true methods to catch fish here that we have used for years. Whether it's trolling for Kings and Mahi to bottom fishing for Amberjack, Grouper and a variety of Snappers, we have trips that will provide plenty of action.
Stephen H.
Stephen H.
Captain

Charter

Rating

4.9
130 reviews
4.9
Boat & Equipment
5.0
Captain & Crew
4.9
Fishing Experience

What anglers say

99%
Good experience
100%
Friendly captain
98%
Recommend this charter
99%
Appropriate for children
100%
Satisfied with the boat
98%
Caught fish

All reviews (130)

Showing 1 – 5 of 130 reviews
  • Heather Buddemeyer
    Heather Buddemeyer
    Repeat angler
    us
    Missouri, US
    Member since 2023
    2 trips
    5.0
    Verified
    NEW

    Sooo much fun!!!

    4 Hour Captains Choice - 11:00 AM • 6 adults • 1 child

    Our family had such an amazing time out on the water with Stephan!!! The fish started biting before he even got our second persons rod set up. We caight so many fish and a few different kinds. Our family ranged in age from 11 to 42 and we all loved it so much. My 16 year old daughter said she was really worried she wouldnt like it but even shecsaid it was one her favorite parts of our vacation. Stephan was so incredibly patient. He was so amazing with our children. My daighters say he must be a dad because of the way he handled our family. There was 6 of is with 6 different minds and lots of conversation. Stephan is very knowledgeable and has been doing this a long long time. We couldnt have asked for a better day out on the water!!! If we find ourselves anywhere near this location again in life we will most definitely be calling Stephan to go out again!!!

    Reported catch:
    Red Snapper
    Red Grouper
    Response from Captain

    Thank you so much! Awesome family and The day with you guys was an absolute blast! Hopefully you get back down this way so we can do it all over again!!

  • Mason Taylor
    Mason Taylor
    Repeat angler
    us
    Texas, US
    Member since 2018
    2 trips
    5.0

    The best time with Captain Hess

    4 Hour Bottom/Trolling Combination - 8:00 AM

    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!

    Reported catch:
    Spanish Mackerel
    Response from Captain

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

  • Alex Gooden
    Alex Gooden
    us
    Missouri, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Perfect intro fishing trip for the kids!

    3 Hour Family Saltwater 101 • 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.

    Reported catch:
    Gray Triggerfish
    Response from Captain

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

  • Edward Aragon
    Edward Aragon
    us
    Texas, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified
    NEW

    Amazing trip for beginners

    3 Hour Hot Shot Trip • 4 adults

    we had a group of 4 on the 3 hour hotshot trip. Captain Hess was super knowledgeable in finding the fish; showing us how to operate the equipment; and offered great conversation! I would highly recommend if youre a beginner and looking to experience a great first time saltwater fishing

    Reported catch:
    Red Snapper
    Response from Captain

    Thank you sir! Had a great time with you guys!! was

  • Betty Gerleman
    Betty Gerleman
    us
    Iowa, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Fishing with Stephen

    Party of 5 or 6 • 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.

    Response from Captain

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

Real catches shared by our community

  • Bluewatercharter30a/PCB
    Bluewatercharter30a/PCBPanama City Beach, FL
    Anglers reel in a red snapper-like fish from a boat on open water, with a smiling customer capturing the fishing action.
    Fish 1
    Red Snapper
    Edward A.
    Edward A.
    we had a group of 4 on the 3 hour hotshot trip. Captain Hess was super knowledgeable in finding the fish; showing us how to operate the equipment; and offered great conversation! I would highly recommend if youre a beginner and looking to experience a great first time saltwater fishing
  • Bluewatercharter30a/PCB
    Bluewatercharter30a/PCBPanama City Beach, FL
    Multiple red snapper and smaller reef fish stored on towels inside a cooler after an offshore fishing trip.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    +3
    Red Snapper
    Red Snapper fishing is great right now and available weekend days through January 4th
  • Bluewatercharter30a/PCB
    Bluewatercharter30a/PCBPanama City, FL
    Angler lifts a large grouper from the water on a hook beside a fishing boat, with open ocean in the background.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    +2
    Red Grouper
    Heather B.
    Heather B.
    Our family had such an amazing time out on the water with Stephan!!! The fish started biting before he even got our second persons rod set up. We caight so many fish and a few different kinds. Our family ranged in age from 11 to 42 and we all loved it so much. My 16 year old daughter said she was really worried she wouldnt like it but even shecsaid it was one her favorite parts of our vacation. Stephan was so incredibly patient. He was so amazing with our children. My daighters say he must be a dad because of the way he handled our family. There was 6 of is with 6 different minds and lots of conversation. Stephan is very knowledgeable and has been doing this a long long time. We couldnt have asked for a better day out on the water!!! If we find ourselves anywhere near this location again in life we will most definitely be calling Stephan to go out again!!!
  • Bluewatercharter30a/PCB
    Bluewatercharter30a/PCBPanama City, FL
    Two adult anglers aboard a center-console fishing boat, with one proudly displaying a freshly caught reef fish offshore.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    Gag Grouper
    Joseph S.
    Joseph S.
    Stephen was awesome. He was great at explaining to my boys about how to properly use the equipment. He knew where to go to give us the best opportunity to catch fish, and made sure that everyone reeled one in. I will definitely be a return customer next year.
  • Bluewatercharter30a/PCB
    Bluewatercharter30a/PCBPanama City, FL
    Two anglers proudly display several red snapper on a marina dock beside their fishing boat.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    Red Snapper
    Truth L.
    Truth L.
    We thoroughly enjoyed our captain. he was very knowledgeable, and did his best to get us the species we wanted. they had just had a bad storm, and I feel like he rolled with the punches well of the fish not being in their usual spot. we went home with our snapper limit, so no complaints!
  • Bluewatercharter30a/PCB
    Bluewatercharter30a/PCBPanama City Beach, FL
    Angler proudly displaying a large Red Snapper while aboard a fishing boat, showcasing a successful day on the water.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    Red Snapper
    September ended with a strong Red Snapper bite which should continue weekends through the end of the year! Gag Grouper bite was good, but is now closed. Amberjack still has a few weeks left and the bite is still good.
  • Bluewatercharter30a/PCB
    Bluewatercharter30a/PCBPanama City Beach, FL
    Angler proudly displaying a large Red Snapper while aboard a boat, showcasing a successful fishing trip.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    +3
    Red Snapper
    Limits of Red Snapper on all of our recent trips
  • Bluewatercharter30a/PCB
    Bluewatercharter30a/PCBPanama City, FL
    A father and daughter enjoying a fishing trip on a boat, with a fishing rod visible in the background.
    Alex G.
    Alex G.
    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.
  • Bluewatercharter30a/PCB
    Bluewatercharter30a/PCBPanama City, FL
    Two young anglers pose beside multiple yellowtail fish neatly arranged on a dockside fillet table at a marina.
    Fish 1
    Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
    Amanda R.
    Amanda R.
    We did the 4 hour captains choice and it was perfect for our boys! We caught red snapper, trigger and mahi! Cpt. Steve made sure we were comfortable before getting so far out. He kept our hooks baited and the fish kept coming! Best part is he’ll clean your catch too! We will be booking again!
  • Bluewatercharter30a/PCB
    Bluewatercharter30a/PCBPanama City, FL
    A group of anglers proudly displaying their catch of Red Snapper on a catch board at the marina, enjoying a sunny day on the water.
    Fish 1
    Red Snapper
    Betty G.
    Betty G.
    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.

What's biting with Bluewatercharter30a/PCB in Panama City Beach

Attention shifts inshore come November, but that doesn't mean there's a shortage of action. Look for Redfish on a late fall day, but don't forget about Sheepshead, Flounder, and Pompano that are calling your name.

Top catches for November

Fishing reports

Five red snapper arranged on a metal dockside fillet table beside a boat.

Red Snapper Fishing Strong—Weekends Open

Nov 8, 2026 • Panama City Beach
Red Snapper fishing is great right now and available weekend days through January 4th
Show more
Angler proudly displaying a large Red Snapper while aboard a fishing boat, showcasing a successful day on the water.

Strong Red Snapper Bite Continues

Sep 30, 2026 • Panama City Beach
September ended with a strong Red Snapper bite which should continue weekends through the end of the year! Gag Grouper bite was good, but is now closed. Amberjack still has a few weeks left and the bite is still good.
Show more
Angler proudly displaying a large Red Snapper while aboard a boat, showcasing a successful fishing trip.

Fall Fishing Is On Fire

Sep 18, 2026 • Panama City Beach
Limits of Red Snapper on all of our recent trips
Show more
A young angler proudly displaying a large Redfish while fishing near the shore, showcasing a beautiful day on the water.

Bull Reds are chewing

Jul 16, 2026 • Panama City Beach
Catching double digit numbers of solid 20 plus pound Redfish. Too rough to go offshore, no problem! We have big fish in the bay as well
Show more
A cooler filled with freshly caught Mahi Mahi, showcasing a successful fishing trip.

Mahi have arrived just in time for summe

May 19, 2026 • Panama City Beach
The Mahi have finally shown up and some good numbers were available this past week with more to come!
Show more
A group display of freshly caught Red Snapper hanging on a board, showcasing a successful fishing trip.

Red Snapper Season Announced

May 3, 2026 • Panama City Beach
Red Snapper season will open June 1 and run through July 31, with additional weekend dates through the fall.
Show more