About Your Guide

Profile photo of Captain Experiences guide Jon Mcgowen

Jon Mcgowen

Independent Guide
Laid-back
Instructional
Beginner Oriented
Comfortable
Quality
Talkative
Captain Jon welcomes you to the Florida Panhandle to spend the day catching trout, redfish, bonito, bluefish, shark, dolphin, mackerel and more! He's a conscientous captain who likes working with all levels of angler. Book a charter today to experience the thrill of saltwater sportfishing along America's most beautiful beaches! Captain Jon is lifelong fishermen. Raised fishing the bay and gulf waters of the Florida panhandle.We enjoy the thrill of having customers see dolphins and catching fish. Especially showing kids the fun and excitement of fishing on a boat. Captain Jon lives by the moto, every day is a good day when spent on the water. You can’t catch fish sitting on the couch, let’s get out and make some memories.

About Your Guide

Profile photo of Captain Experiences guide Jon Mcgowen

Jon Mcgowen

Independent Guide
Captain Jon welcomes you to the Florida Panhandle to spend the day catching trout, redfish, bonito, bluefish, shark, dolphin, mackerel and more! He's a conscientous captain who likes working with all levels of angler. Book a charter today to experience the thrill of saltwater sportfishing along America's most beautiful beaches! Captain Jon is lifelong fishermen. Raised fishing the bay and gulf waters of the Florida panhandle.We enjoy the thrill of having customers see dolphins and catching fish. Especially showing kids the fun and excitement of fishing on a boat. Captain Jon lives by the moto, every day is a good day when spent on the water. You can’t catch fish sitting on the couch, let’s get out and make some memories.

Rapid Fire Guide Q & A

What’s the biggest fish you’ve caught?
600 lb blue matlin
If you were cooking for all your friends what would you cook?
Fried fish
What’s your favorite band?
Ozzy
What’s your favorite movie?
Jaws

Rapid Fire Guide Q & A

What’s the biggest fish you’ve caught?
600 lb blue matlin
If you were cooking for all your friends what would you cook?
Fried fish
What’s your favorite band?
Ozzy
What’s your favorite movie?
Jaws
What’s your favorite sports team?
FSU
What’s your drink of choice?
I sweat tea
What was your last halloween costume?
Pirate
What do you want for Christmas this year?
Nothing
How did you get started guiding?
Grew up in Panama City on water in my nlood
What makes you different from other guides?
Very hands on and fun

Reel Fun Charters Trips

Choose a trip to get started
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Inshore Fishing in Panama City Beach

2-Hour Kids Trip - 26’ Pathfinder

100% (9)
26 ft 1 - 4 People From $400
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Inshore, Nearshore Fishing in Panama City Beach

Half Day PCB Trip - 26’ Pathfinder

100% (9)
26 ft 1 - 4 People From $700
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Inshore, Nearshore Fishing in Panama City Beach

Shark Trip - 26’ Pathfinder

100% (9)
26 ft 1 - 4 People From $700
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Nearshore Fishing in Panama City Beach

Gulf Fishing Experience

100% (9)
26 ft 1 - 4 People From $850

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Recent Reviews of Reel Fun Charters

5.0
based on 9 reviews

Lori

Verified Review

We were looking for a fun relaxed trip to introduce our boys to fishing. Jon was awesome! He’s laid back, patient and good with kids. He has a great personality for his job. We saw dolphins playing, a sea turtle, and beautiful beach scenery. He knew where and how to find fish. Jon’s trip right before ours came back with loads of fish. We didn’t get as many- but the fish were just an added...

Lori

Verified Review

We were looking for a fun relaxed trip to introduce our boys to fishing. Jon was awesome! He’s laid back, patient and good with kids. He has a great personality for his job. We saw dolphins playing, a sea turtle, and beautiful beach scenery. He knew where and how to find fish. Jon’s trip right before ours came back with loads of fish. We didn’t get as many- but the fish were just an added bonus to what was a fun boat ride to see what we could catch. Our boys loved it!!

Wes

Verified Review

Great effort from our guide Josh. We caught several small ones and saw several large ones but just couldn’t get those to bite

Wes

Verified Review

Great effort from our guide Josh. We caught several small ones and saw several large ones but just couldn’t get those to bite

Angie

Verified Review

Captain Terry and his crew were great, the weather not so much 😄. The captain did such a great job keeping us out of the rain for long as possible. He did such a good job teaching my son the rod and all the workings, and telling us the species of the few fish we caught. If we come back to PCB, my son will for sure want a deep sea trip!

Angie

Verified Review

Captain Terry and his crew were great, the weather not so much 😄. The captain did such a great job keeping us out of the rain for long as possible. He did such a good job teaching my son the rod and all the workings, and telling us the species of the few fish we caught. If we come back to PCB, my son will for sure want a deep sea trip!

Caleb

Verified Review

John knows where the fish are and is very active in getting to the best spots! Definitely will go again on our next trip!

Caleb

Verified Review

John knows where the fish are and is very active in getting to the best spots! Definitely will go again on our next trip!

Jacob

Verified Review

Capt. John was great with my 10 yr old and 8 yr old. Tried trolling and when that wasn’t working, quickly switched to another strategy and got them on fish. Would highly recommend, especially if fishing with kids! They had a blast.

Jacob

Verified Review

Capt. John was great with my 10 yr old and 8 yr old. Tried trolling and when that wasn’t working, quickly switched to another strategy and got them on fish. Would highly recommend, especially if fishing with kids! They had a blast.

Potential Target Species

Color-coded seasonality below is based on the current month (April).
View Full Species Seasonality Chart »

Techniques

Cut Bait Fishing
Drift Fishing
Heavy Tackle Fishing
Light Tackle Fishing
Trolling

Types of Fishing

Reel Fun Charters Photo Gallery

Gulf Fishing Experience
November 8th, 2023
Panama City Beach, Florida
2-Hour Kids Trip - 26’ Pathfinder
August 2nd, 2022
Panama City Beach, Florida
Shark Trip - 26’ Pathfinder
August 2nd, 2022
Panama City Beach, Florida
Half Day PCB Trip - 26’ Pathfinder
August 2nd, 2022
Panama City Beach, Florida
2-Hour Kids Trip - 26’ Pathfinder
August 2nd, 2022
Panama City Beach, Florida
Gulf Fishing Experience
March 26th, 2025
Panama City Beach, Florida
Gulf Fishing Experience
August 2nd, 2022
Panama City Beach, Florida
Shark Trip - 26’ Pathfinder
March 26th, 2025
Panama City Beach, Florida
Shark Trip - 26’ Pathfinder
August 2nd, 2022
Panama City Beach, Florida
Half Day PCB Trip - 26’ Pathfinder
March 26th, 2025
Panama City Beach, Florida
Half Day PCB Trip - 26’ Pathfinder
August 2nd, 2022
Panama City Beach, Florida
2-Hour Kids Trip - 26’ Pathfinder
March 26th, 2025
Panama City Beach, Florida
Shark Trip - 26’ Pathfinder
August 2nd, 2022
Panama City Beach, Florida
Gulf Fishing Experience
August 2nd, 2022
Panama City Beach, Florida
Half Day PCB Trip - 26’ Pathfinder
August 2nd, 2022
Panama City Beach, Florida
2-Hour Kids Trip - 26’ Pathfinder
August 2nd, 2022
Panama City Beach, Florida
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