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, we're 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
5.0 / 5
(45 reviews)
Dauphin Island
 Last booking: 5 days ago
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $500
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(4 reviews)
Dauphin Island
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $500
Excellent
4.8 / 5
(6 reviews)
Dauphin Island
Trips from US $500

Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
5.0 / 5
out of 5 stars from 55 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (67)
Incredibly outstanding fishing trip!
Incredibly outstanding fishing trip!
Incredibly outstanding fishing trip!
+64
Angler rating
53
0
0
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
96%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
96%
Appropriate for children
100%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
100%
Sort by:
Featured  
Showing:
5 of 55 reviews
Joe C.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Effort

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip โ€“ Inshore (AM) on March 21, 2025
The effort Nick put into making the fishing trip fun and successful for all was noted and appreciated! Being there early, not...
Joe C. recommends Reel Gypsy Fishing
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
Joe C. recommends Reel Gypsy Fishing
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful

Les A.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

I'll book again!

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip โ€“ Inshore (AM) on October 13, 2025
Nick is a good guide, he worked hard to find the fish we caught! We appreciate his efforts. Thanks
Les A. recommends Reel Gypsy Fishing
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
Les A. recommends Reel Gypsy Fishing
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful

Jenifer Z.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Perfect!

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip โ€“ Inshore (PM) on August 15, 2025
We had the perfect time, caught some fish, enjoyed the scenery & ride. Very relaxing day.
Jenifer Z. recommends Reel Gypsy Fishing
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
Jenifer Z. recommends Reel Gypsy Fishing
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful

Steve C.

The captain canceled

VERIFIED   October 10, 2025
The charter operator canceled on trip date. This is an automated posting.
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful

Craig B.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fishing was great!

VERIFIED   6 Hour Trip โ€“ Inshore (AM) on July 29, 2025
Had a great time.
Craig B. recommends Reel Gypsy Fishing
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
Craig B. recommends Reel Gypsy Fishing
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful