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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5 of 151 reviews
Matt C.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fun Inshore

VERIFIED   3 Hour Inshore Fishing - Early A.M. on June 20, 2025
Great trip inshore for sea trout and redfish. Bite was a little slow but the captain got us into plenty of fish. Definitely...
Matt C. recommends Hurricane Charters
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Lee S.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

We had a blast

VERIFIED   5 Hour Inshore Flats Fishing - A.M. on June 15, 2025
We were new to salt water fishing and he taught us a lot and got us on some pretty nice sea trout, will definitely be coming...
Lee S. recommends Hurricane Charters
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BJ B.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great trip!

VERIFIED   3 Hour - Evening Inshore Fishing on June 11, 2025
Captain Eric was on time, courteous, demostrated some basic fishing techniques for us, then put us on the fish. A great trip,...
BJ B. recommends Hurricane Charters
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Don P.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Father son fun!

VERIFIED   4 Hour Inshore Flats Fishing - A.M. on May 27, 2025
What a fun, in shore fishing trip for my son and I. We caught several red fish and trout. Memories were made!
Don P. recommends Hurricane Charters
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Brian M.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great trip

VERIFIED   3 Hour - Evening Inshore Fishing on April 27, 2025
Eric was a lot of fun and we really learned some great techniques on different ways to catch fish
Brian M. recommends Hurricane Charters
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