Captain
Si Nelson

Member since February 2021 Destin, United States
Background
Captain Si Nelson is in his 22nd year as a professional guide and loves it more and more every day. He is a dual threat, able to run bay charters as well as nearshore Gulf charters. He was born and raised right here on the Emerald Coast so he has a lifetime of experience of fishing the Emerald Coast waters. Over the years he has worked from Matagorda, Texas to Block Island Sound, New York, and everywhere in between giving him an extensive seaborne experience making him uniquely qualified to deliver the perfect experience for just about any crowd. Captain Si is just as at home stalking the flats in the backcountry as he is sounding the depths for offshore monsters, and knows how to keep things light and fun! A perpetual student of the University of West Florida’s history program, Captain Si not only puts you on the fish but keeps things interesting with constant anecdotes about local history.
Techniques
I run and gun, using a combination of live bait and artificial lures and fish only in CALM WATER, this way everyone has a good time and no one gets sick. I prefer sight fishing, but will do whatever it takes to get the bite. In the past ~1450 trips, I haven't been skunked once.

Hey, I'm Captain Si Nelson

Destin, United States
Background
Captain Si Nelson is in his 22nd year as a professional guide and loves it more and more every day. He is a dual threat, able to run bay charters as well as nearshore Gulf charters. He was born and raised right here on the Emerald Coast so he has a lifetime of experience of fishing the Emerald Coast waters. Over the years he has worked from Matagorda, Texas to Block Island Sound, New York, and everywhere in between giving him an extensive seaborne experience making him uniquely qualified to deliver the perfect experience for just about any crowd. Captain Si is just as at home stalking the flats in the backcountry as he is sounding the depths for offshore monsters, and knows how to keep things light and fun! A perpetual student of the University of West Florida’s history program, Captain Si not only puts you on the fish but keeps things interesting with constant anecdotes about local history.
Techniques
I run and gun, using a combination of live bait and artificial lures and fish only in CALM WATER, this way everyone has a good time and no one gets sick. I prefer sight fishing, but will do whatever it takes to get the bite. In the past ~1450 trips, I haven't been skunked once.
Anglers Choice
Verified
Our Team
Si N.
Captain

My Charter Listing

Excellent
4.9 / 5
(213 reviews)
Angler's choice
Destin
 5 bookings in the past week.
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $800

Fishing Reports

What's biting in May?
What's biting in May?
May 1, 2023 Destin
Itโ€™s that time of year where everything is just about to pop off, but hasnโ€™t just quite yet. In the bay there are a few trout and reds to be caught, sporadically, but no where is hot cast after castโ€ฆ yet. Bait is hard to come by, but it can be found - for the most part, Iโ€™m still using shrimp. The Spanish Mackerel bite is slowing down a little faster than I expected. The fish I am catching are actually very large. Last week I caught several Spanish in the 4-6lb class. A blast on light tackle! Redfish, especially bulls, are readily eating pinfish around the pass. It seems like the further into the bay you go the slower the bite has become. You can grind it out and catch a few fish on the flats and around the bayous, but nobody is finding fast action right now. The nearshore bite is still alive and well with vermillion and mangrove snappers to be found just about anywhere you look. Porgies and the occasional Flounder pop up now and then, and Iโ€™ve been pleasantly surprised by the occasional Scamp. Just move around until you find the fish. I had the pleasure of doing some offshore fishing this past week and we got into wahoos and tuna. The deep water bottom fishing was lackluster, but we still made a good day of it with some nice big Scamps and Vermilions. Cigar Minnows, Herring, and Hardtails are plentiful right outside the pass right now, and King Mackerels are sporadically working the bait schools and can make for some quick action. Red Snappers and Amberjack, while not in season are always a good time and are usually easy to find this time of year. Get Out There Any Make Something Happen! Captain Si
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Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.9 / 5
out of 5 stars from 213 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (219)
Caught fish and had a good time
Expectations Met!
Expectations Met!
+216
Angler rating
196
7
3
2
1
Anglers claimed
Good experience
96%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
95%
Appropriate for children
99%
Satisfied with the boat
98%
Caught fish
97%
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Showing:
5 of 213 reviews
Zanw W.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

First fishing trip wonโ€™t be our last

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip โ€“ Captain's Choice (PM) on July 16, 2024
We had a great trip with Si. He was easy to get along with and always kept a fun conversation. Got us on our first salt water...
Zanw W. recommends Nelson Guide Company
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Zanw W. recommends Nelson Guide Company
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Matt W.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Laid back and fun

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip โ€“ Captain's Choice (PM) on October 9, 2024
Capt Si creates laid back and fun atmosphere. We caught fish even tho no other boats were catching anything. We will book with...
Matt W. recommends Nelson Guide Company
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Matt W. recommends Nelson Guide Company
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Chuck T.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great Trip

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip โ€“ Captain's Choice (AM) on August 15, 2024
Capt Si Nelson did everything possible to get us on some great fish. Schooled us on live bait and the Destin area hot spots....
Chuck T. recommends Nelson Guide Company
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Chuck T. recommends Nelson Guide Company
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Nancy M.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

SO MUCH FUN!

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip โ€“ Captain's Choice (PM) on July 22, 2024
Captain Si was great! We had so much fun! We have plenty of fish to eat for the next couple days! Thank you so much!
Nancy M. recommends Nelson Guide Company
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Nancy M. recommends Nelson Guide Company
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Oscar O.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Was the most excited fishing trip I ever experienced

VERIFIED   3 Hour Trip โ€“ Kids' Trip on August 2, 2024
When you come to Destin I recommend you take ur fishing trip here was the most experience captain ever
Oscar O. recommends Nelson Guide Company
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Oscar O. recommends Nelson Guide Company
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