Captain
Eric Nelson

Member since March 2020 Panama City Beach, United States
Background
I have fished the waters of the Florida Panhandle for 40+ years from St. Marks to Destin. My father started me fly fishing for Bream and Bass on the lakes around Tallahassee, Florida as a young child and I have been obsessed with fishing and being on the water ever since. I have fished extensively both offshore and inshore off the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend areas, as well as the east coast of central Florida. I moved to Panama City Beach to pursue my passion of chasing Redfish and Speckled Trout on the shallow flats with light tackle as well as fishing for Tarpon and other critters along the beaches in the summer. I really love fishing, guiding and enjoying the beauty and solitude of a day on the water, which is why I obtained my Captain's license and began running charters.
Techniques
After years of bottom fishing for grouper and snapper and trolling for dolphin and wahoo, I have changed my focus to fishing the bays and flats for Redfish and Speckled Trout almost exclusively. I enjoy the peace and quiet of poling across shallow flats sight fishing and taking in the beauty of nature. I fish primarily with artificial lures as it provides a more challenging (and therefore rewarding) experience than soaking live bait. I fish topwater plugs a great del as they cover a lot of water, provide for exciting strikes and often produce better quality fish. I will also throw spoons, jigs, swim baits, suspending hard baits, etc. as conditions warrant. I use both fly and spinning tackle - based upon client preference and weather conditions I also guide for Tarpon during the months of June and July when the migration along the beach is peaking in this area.

Hey, I'm Captain Eric Nelson

Panama City Beach, United States
Background
I have fished the waters of the Florida Panhandle for 40+ years from St. Marks to Destin. My father started me fly fishing for Bream and Bass on the lakes around Tallahassee, Florida as a young child and I have been obsessed with fishing and being on the water ever since. I have fished extensively both offshore and inshore off the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend areas, as well as the east coast of central Florida. I moved to Panama City Beach to pursue my passion of chasing Redfish and Speckled Trout on the shallow flats with light tackle as well as fishing for Tarpon and other critters along the beaches in the summer. I really love fishing, guiding and enjoying the beauty and solitude of a day on the water, which is why I obtained my Captain's license and began running charters.
Techniques
After years of bottom fishing for grouper and snapper and trolling for dolphin and wahoo, I have changed my focus to fishing the bays and flats for Redfish and Speckled Trout almost exclusively. I enjoy the peace and quiet of poling across shallow flats sight fishing and taking in the beauty of nature. I fish primarily with artificial lures as it provides a more challenging (and therefore rewarding) experience than soaking live bait. I fish topwater plugs a great del as they cover a lot of water, provide for exciting strikes and often produce better quality fish. I will also throw spoons, jigs, swim baits, suspending hard baits, etc. as conditions warrant. I use both fly and spinning tackle - based upon client preference and weather conditions I also guide for Tarpon during the months of June and July when the migration along the beach is peaking in this area.

My Charter Listing

Excellent
5.0 / 5
(151 reviews)
Panama City Beach
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $400

Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
5.0 / 5
out of 5 stars from 151 reviews
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (171)
Great fishing trip
Captain Eric is top notch
Inshore bay fishing
+168
Angler rating
146
5
0
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
96%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
100%
Appropriate for children
94%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
95%
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Showing:
5 of 151 reviews
Tristen M.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great times and PBโ€™s

VERIFIED   4 Hour Inshore Flats Fishing - A.M. on April 19, 2025
We had an awesome time out on the water this morning! Once we found the trout, it felt like we couldnโ€™t catch them fast enough...
Tristen M. recommends Hurricane Charters
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Daniel L.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Very Enjoyable Trip

VERIFIED   5 Hour Inshore Flats Fishing - P.M. on March 22, 2025
Thanks to Capt Eric for a great time and effort to get us on some fish. Caught a few specks. Given weather patterns the week...
Daniel L. recommends Hurricane Charters
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Dennis S.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Shallow Water

VERIFIED   4 Hour Inshore Flats Fishing - A.M. on September 19, 2025
Great skinny water fishing. Top water and tails.ย  Eric worked to put us on the fish . He was very informative on techniques...
Dennis S. recommends Hurricane Charters
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  Eric Nelson Captain replied

Abner M.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Wifeโ€™s first red fish!

VERIFIED   3 Hour Inshore Fishing - Early A.M. on April 28, 2025
I asked Captain Eric that I wanted to put my wife on her first ever red fish and he delivered!! Although they played hard to...
Abner M. recommends Hurricane Charters
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Daniel P.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great fishing trip

VERIFIED   4 Hour Inshore Flats Fishing - A.M. on September 8, 2025
Captain Eric was excellent. Great boat and equipment and very knowledgeable. A great morning catching fish with good company....
Daniel P. recommends Hurricane Charters
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