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.
Anglers Choice
Verified

My Charter Listing

Excellent
5.0 / 5
(131 reviews)
Angler's choice
Panama City Beach
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $350

Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
5.0 / 5
out of 5 stars from 131 reviews
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (154)
Wife\u2019s first red fish!
Wife\u2019s first red fish!
Wife\u2019s first red fish!
+151
Angler rating
126
5
0
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
95%
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 131 reviews
Kim B.
Opelousas, LA
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

May fishing trip

VERIFIED   4 Hour Inshore Flats Fishing - A.M. on May 26, 2023
These two guys went out today and they had a blast. They said Captain Eric is the G.O.A.T.!! Amazing job today they said his...
Kim B. recommends Hurricane Charters
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Danny R.
Kansas City, MO
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Beautiful evening in the Bay

VERIFIED   4 Hour Inshore Flats Fishing - P.M. on June 13, 2022
Thank you Captain Nelson for a wonderful evening on the water. Great boat, great organization, and your knowledge of fish species,...
Danny R. recommends Hurricane Charters
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Danny R. recommends Hurricane Charters
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Stephen J.
Mathews, AL
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Half day red

VERIFIED   4 Hour Inshore Fishing - Summer on June 4, 2023
Eric really knows the area and what the fish are doing and where they will be. Fishing was a little slower later in the morning...
Stephen J. recommends Hurricane Charters
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Matt M.
Paducah, KY
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Half Day Trip With Hurricane Charters

VERIFIED   4 Hour Inshore Flats Fishing - A.M. on July 30, 2022
My experience with Hurricane Charters was great! Captain Eric was a very good and patient guide. When the fish didnโ€™t cooperate...
Matt M. recommends Hurricane Charters
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Dezarae W.
Twin Lakes, Wisconsin
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fishing with Eric

VERIFIED   4 Hour Inshore Flats Fishing - P.M. on November 4, 2021
My fiancรฉ, Tim and I had a great time out on the water with Eric. We caught a ton of trout, Eric taught me how to cast overhead...
Dezarae W. recommends Hurricane Charters
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1 person finds this review helpful
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  Eric Nelson Captain replied