Fish On Charters & Guide Service

Fish On Charters & Guide Service is captained by Russell Fiser and runs out of Panama City on a 29-foot Parker center console rigged with twin 200 horsepower outboards, a step up in range and comfort from the smaller skiffs many local guides run. The business was previously known as Northwest Florida Dolphin and Fishing Tours, and while the name has changed, the operation is the same one-captain outfit working the waters around St. Andrews Bay and the Gulf passes near Panama City.

Trips target a wide spread of species that show up in the northern Gulf through the seasons, including amberjack, snapper, king mackerel, mahi mahi, bonito, cobia, sailfish, grouper, redfish, and tuna depending on time of year and how far offshore the group wants to run. Groups are capped at six people, keeping trips small enough that Captain Fiser can spend real time with beginners while still running serious tackle for anglers who know what they are doing. The boat also runs dedicated dolphin watching trips for guests who want time on the water without the fishing.

Because the captain positions the business for both Panama City and Panama City Beach visitors, it is worth being clear on where trips actually launch from: the registered business address sits at 1 Harrison Ave, in downtown Panama City, distinct from the Panama City Beach marinas where many of the area’s larger charter fleets are based. That downtown location puts the operation closer to the bay bridge and the St. Andrews Bay system than to the beach itself, which matters for anyone trying to plan drive time to the dock.

Fish On Charters keeps its booking largely online through its website and phone, and the captain is active on social media posting recent catches and trip recaps, which is a useful way to get a feel for typical results before booking. Because this is a single boat and a single captain, availability during peak spring and summer fishing months can fill up days or weeks ahead, so early booking is worth it for anyone with specific dates in mind, particularly for trips targeting seasonal runs like king mackerel or cobia.

As with most independent guide services in the area, gear needed, what to bring, and current pricing are best confirmed directly with the captain rather than assumed from general charter rates, since trip cost depends heavily on distance run and target species.