The Captains & Their Fleet
Captain Joey
Joey developed a passion for fishing at a young age, learning the ropes from his dad and “Gramps.” At just 15, Joey was hired as an independent mate, one of the youngest ever on a well-known fishing charter boat in the Destin Harbor. Then, Joey decided to….
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obtain his 100 Ton Captain License at the age of 18.
In 2013, after being the captain of several other vessels, Joey decided to open his own charter fishing company, Panhandle Fishing Charters. Capt. Joey prides himself on safety, service, and customer satisfaction and looks forward to providing each customer with a memorable experience on the beautiful waters of the Gulf of Mexico and Choctawhatchee Bay.
Capt. Joey has the following credentials to run a safe and smooth charter:
- 100 Ton Captain License
- USCG Certified
- Maritime Consortium Drug Card
- CPR Certified
Captain Taylor
Taylor fell in love with saltwater fishing immediately upon moving to the Panhandle in 2000! Being raised across a handful of states and regions of the U.S., he immediately knew when he got to Destin that there was….
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something special about the beautiful water and amazing fishery that the area has to offer. Taylor has always been passionate about the outdoors and loves all types of fishing from light-tackle on the flats of the Choctawhatchee Bay to bottom fishing deep-water in the Gulf of Mexico. His favorite thing about being a charter captain is meeting new and interesting people on a daily basis while providing them with a safe and memorable trip. Whether you are an experienced angler or a newbie to fishing, Taylor prides himself on making sure that you have an excellent experience. He has the following credentials:
- USCG Licensed Master Captain
- Maritime Drug consortium
- First Aid/CPR Certified
Captain Colby
Colby grew up in West Galveston Bay and was fishing before he could walk. Over the course of his life, he’s had the ability to fish the entire Texas Gulf Coast – Northeast Galveston down to Corpus Christi. Colby has…..
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been running boats since he was a young kid and has spent most of his free time fishing or bird hunting depending on the seasons. Colby’s main fish he’d love to target are Trout and Flounder. He finally decided to obtain his USCG Licensed Master Captain in 2021 after many friends and family kept telling him how great he was at guiding. Destin waters are a new challenge that he is going to tackle with ease using his Texas fishing tactics and great knowledge of the waters. He will use his knowledge to try to put all of his clients on fish and ensure a fun and safe trip. Colby’s credentials are as follows:
– USCG Master Captain
– Master’s Inland License
– CPR Certification
Captain Melissa
Captain Melissa is a native of Niceville, FL, where she developed a love for fishing in our bays and bayous from a young age. She also ventured out to go Gulf fishing whenever a boat had an extra spot available. As long as there…
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was water and a fishing pole, she was in her element. As Melissa says, “I may have been a late bloomer in obtaining my captain’s license but I always knew this is what I wanted. I made the bold decision to leave behind my corporate career as a store/branch manager in the HVAC Supply industry to pursue my dream of becoming a boat captain. My goal is to create a safe and enjoyable experience for my customers, ensuring they make unforgettable memories that last long after the waves have settled!”
She has the following credentials:
- USCG Licensed Master Captain
- Maritime Drug consortium
- First Aid/CPR Certified
Captain Jayson
Captain Jayson developed his love for fishing at a very young age. A typical day isn’t just all about continuously casting lines and catching a ton of fish. What he truly values is taking the time to share his passion……
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for being out on the water. Making memories is always paramount and starts the moment you step on the boat. But that doesn’t mean you won’t be reeling in the big ones. As a top-tier, experienced guide, captain Jayson can help you land the best catch out there! His knack for putting his clients on trophy sized redfish as well as red snapper, amberjack, cobia, king mackerel and more has made him an in demand, local fishing guide. He has years of experience specializing in light tackle, trolling, jigging, bottom fishing, spinning and deep-sea fishing. Join captain Jayson for a day out on the water and you’ll not only learn the tips and tricks, but you are absolutely guaranteed to have a blast! He has the following credentials:
- USCG Licensed Captain
24' Skeeter
Our 2013 24′ Skeeter SX240 is the boat that helped start Panhandle Fishing Charters. The boat is equipped with a 2020 Yamaha 300 4 stroke, i-Pilot Trolling Motor, Upper Control Station for Spot Fishing on the…
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flats or the surf, new Simrad electronics, upgraded sound system, VHF Radio, Power Pole for fast shallow water anchoring, and Jack Plate for cruising the flats safely. The Skeeter is used for our Gulf, Bay, Shark, Kid Fishing, and Daytime Bow Fishing charters. The SX240 is powerful for the open water, yet agile enough to navigate the shallow inlets of the flats. It boasts plenty of space for family + friends and all of the gear for a one-of-a-kind Destin fishing charter experience.
20' Carolina Skiff
The 2006 Carolina Skiff 198 DLX is COMPLETELY CUSTOM! The Skiff comes equipped with a 2018 Suzuki 115 HP 4 stroke, Jack Plate for…
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cruising the flats safely, Garmin electronics, 6 – 100 Watt LED Lights, completely raised deck for spotting fish, and an upgraded sound system. The Skiff is the ultimate bow fishing boat! We use this boat for Daytime + nighttime bowfishing, kids trips, and daytime + nighttime bay fishing charters. The Skiff stays strictly in the Choctawhatchee Bay and the Intracoastal Waterway.
24' Sea Hunt
Our 2008 24′ Sea Hunt is our latest addition to Panhandle Fishing Charters! This boat has been completely….
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redone as of January 2022; to include, a 2022 Suzuki 250 4 stoke, 2022 RipTide Trolling Motor, 2022 Simrad Electronics, 2022 upgraded sound system and 2022 VHF Radio. The Sea Hunt is used for Gulf + Bay fishing charters and comfortably holds up friends + family.
22' Blue Wave
Our newest addition to the fleet is a 22′ Blue Wave powered by a 175 Suzuki outboard. This boat is rigged and ready to go with a…
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Garmin gps/fish-finder, lots of storage, a Jack Plate for skinny water fishing along with a power pole and an i pilot trolling motor. A top with an upper station is currently being built to provide you with shade. The nicest features on this shiney new vessel are the fully outfitted sea deck and a cushioned mat that wraps around the entire boat. This boat is the perfect fit for your next inshore trip with all the bells and whistles!