Charter Operator
Reel Gypsy Fishing

Member since March 2023 Dauphin Island, United States
Background
My father started guiding inshore trips in the early 80s on Calcasieu Lake in Southwest Louisiana. In 1984, my parents started Big Lake Guide Service on Calcasieu Lake. I came along in 1987 and it seems like I've been in a boat ever since. As a child my parents employed up to 12 captains. As scary as it sounds, you could say I was raised by fishing guides, literally and figuratively. They were all like my older brothers. My parents somehow cultivated an environment of competition and respect on their dock. Competition amongst each other and respect for the customer, themselves, and the fish. They all strove to be the best on the dock every morning. The best fisherman, the best with customers, and the best conservationist. These lessons have stuck with me and I'll carry them until I'm long gone.
Techniques
I believe my favorite style of fishing is with a soft plastic jig, in water depths over 6ft, with perfect current, for speckled trout. Something about the thought process makes it special. Making the cast slightly up current, throwing slack in your line so your bait can fall naturally, then getting your bait to the correct depth and gently twitching it along through the drift being careful not to have the plastic lure do anything unnatural. The thump of a speckled trout makes me grin every time. Knowing that I just put something fake in his environment, presented it in a way that made him think it was real, and MADE him eat it, is something I'll never be able to give up.

Hey, it's Reel Gypsy Fishing

Dauphin Island, United States
Background
My father started guiding inshore trips in the early 80s on Calcasieu Lake in Southwest Louisiana. In 1984, my parents started Big Lake Guide Service on Calcasieu Lake. I came along in 1987 and it seems like I've been in a boat ever since. As a child my parents employed up to 12 captains. As scary as it sounds, you could say I was raised by fishing guides, literally and figuratively. They were all like my older brothers. My parents somehow cultivated an environment of competition and respect on their dock. Competition amongst each other and respect for the customer, themselves, and the fish. They all strove to be the best on the dock every morning. The best fisherman, the best with customers, and the best conservationist. These lessons have stuck with me and I'll carry them until I'm long gone.
Techniques
I believe my favorite style of fishing is with a soft plastic jig, in water depths over 6ft, with perfect current, for speckled trout. Something about the thought process makes it special. Making the cast slightly up current, throwing slack in your line so your bait can fall naturally, then getting your bait to the correct depth and gently twitching it along through the drift being careful not to have the plastic lure do anything unnatural. The thump of a speckled trout makes me grin every time. Knowing that I just put something fake in his environment, presented it in a way that made him think it was real, and MADE him eat it, is something I'll never be able to give up.
Our Team
Jeff P.
Captain
Nick P.
Captain

My Charter Listings

Excellent
4.9 / 5
(55 reviews)
Dauphin Island
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $695
Excellent
4.8 / 5
(6 reviews)
Dauphin Island
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $695

Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.9 / 5
out of 5 stars from 61 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (66)
Great day of Fishing
Great day of Fishing
Great Trip
+63
Angler rating
59
1
1
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
94%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
98%
Appropriate for children
100%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
98%
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Showing:
5 of 61 reviews
Forrest M.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great day of Fishing

VERIFIED   Focused Tide Window on May 28, 2026
We have chartered with Captain Nick before and had a great time, but today was above and beyond. Nick got me and my 7 year...
Forrest M. recommends Reel Gypsy Fishing
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Forrest M. recommends Reel Gypsy Fishing
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Gail H.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great Trip!

VERIFIED   NEW  Focused Tide Window on June 11, 2026
Our tour guide Nick was super helpful. We caught Spanish mackerel, flounder, and we hit the limit on trout. We definitely plan...
Gail H. recommends Reel Gypsy Fishing
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Gail H. recommends Reel Gypsy Fishing
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Paul W.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fun day

VERIFIED   Extended Window (Standard Trip) on March 13, 2026
a chilly start but caught fish with the firat 15 minutes. Captain Nick out us on fish and lots of patience with us. the boat...
Paul W. recommends Reel Gypsy Fishing
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Paul W. recommends Reel Gypsy Fishing
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Jeff S.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great Captain

VERIFIED   NEW  Focused Tide Window on June 29, 2026
Nick did a great job searching for good spots and we caught our limit.ย  Thanks!
Jeff S. recommends Reel Gypsy Fishing
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Jeff S. recommends Reel Gypsy Fishing
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Brian B.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great Trip!

VERIFIED   NEW  Focused Tide Window on June 26, 2026
We started catching fish on the very first cast! Great trip and great captain!
Brian B. recommends Reel Gypsy Fishing
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Brian B. recommends Reel Gypsy Fishing
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