Get ready to wet a line in the fish-rich waters of Panama City Beach! This 4-hour inshore charter takes you straight to where the action is. We'll cruise the calm waters of West Bay and its hidden bayous, targeting some of Florida's most sought-after inshore species. Whether you're a seasoned angler or it's your first time holding a rod, our expert guides will put you on the fish and make sure you have a blast doing it. With all gear provided and a max of 4 guests, it's the perfect way to spend a morning on the water with family or friends.
Our early morning departure means we'll hit the water when the fish are most active. As the sun starts to warm the shallows, we'll be right there to intercept hungry redfish, trout, and drum patrolling for their breakfast. The beauty of inshore fishing is the variety – one cast might land you a hard-fighting jack crevalle, while the next could bring in a tasty sea trout for dinner. Our captains know every nook and cranny of these waters, from grass flats to oyster bars, and they'll put that local knowledge to work getting you on the fish.
We'll use a mix of techniques to target different species and habitats. For redfish, we might sight-cast to tailing fish in the shallows or work deeper holes with live bait. Trout often hold over grass flats, where we'll use popping corks or soft plastics to entice a bite. When the Spanish mackerel are running, we'll break out light tackle and small spoons for some fast-paced action. Our boats are set up with everything you need – quality rods, reels, and terminal tackle suited for inshore fishing. Just bring a hat, sunscreen, and your sense of adventure – we'll handle the rest!
Redfish: These copper-colored bruisers are a Panama City Beach favorite. Known for their distinctive spot near the tail, redfish put up a great fight on light tackle. We find them year-round in the bay, often tailing in shallow water or hanging around structure. Fall is prime time when big schools of "bull" reds move into the area.
Crevalle Jack: Hold on tight when you hook one of these! Pound for pound, jacks are some of the hardest fighting fish in the bay. They show up in good numbers during summer and fall, often busting bait on the surface. Watching a school of jacks annihilate a bait pod is a sight you won't forget.
Spanish Mackerel: These toothy speedsters provide non-stop action when they're around. We typically see them from spring through fall, often in big schools chasing bait. They're perfect for light tackle and great eating too – nothing beats fresh mackerel on the grill after a morning of fishing.
Bluefish: Another hard-fighting species, bluefish are known for their aggressive strikes and sharp teeth. They show up in good numbers during spring and fall migrations. Bluefish are a blast on light tackle and put up a scrappy fight all the way to the boat.
Black Drum: The often-overlooked cousin of the redfish, black drum can reach impressive sizes in the bay. They're bottom feeders, so we'll target them around oyster bars and deeper holes. Spring is prime time for big spawning drum, but we catch them year-round. They're excellent eating at smaller sizes.
There's something special about inshore fishing in Panama City Beach. Maybe it's the thrill of sight-casting to a tailing redfish, or the sudden chaos when a school of jacks blows up on your topwater lure. Our experienced guides love sharing these moments and teaching new skills along the way. With a max of 4 guests, you'll get plenty of personal attention and coaching. It's the perfect trip for families, friends, or even a solo angler looking to learn the local waters.
Ready to experience some of the best inshore fishing Panama City Beach has to offer? Our 4-hour trips run Monday through Saturday, with a prime 7:00 AM departure to catch the morning bite. We provide all the gear, licenses, and know-how – you just bring the excitement. Whether you're after your personal best redfish or want to fill the cooler with tasty sea trout, we'll tailor the trip to your goals. Don't miss out on this chance to make some fishing memories in one of Florida's top inshore destinations. Book your spot now and get ready for a morning of rod-bending action on the beautiful waters of Panama City Beach!
Black drum are the gentle giants of our inshore waters. These big, silvery-black fish can top 50 pounds, but 5-15 pounders are more common. You'll find them nosing around oyster bars, docks, and mudflats in 3-10 feet of water. Spring is prime time as they school up to spawn. Drum aren't known for blistering runs, but bigger ones pull like a truck. The real fun is feeling that telltale "thump-thump" as they use their throat plates to crush crabs and shellfish. Fresh shrimp or cut crab on the bottom is hard to beat. Smaller drum (under 15 pounds) are excellent eating - any bigger and they get wormy. Here's a local trick: If you're having trouble locating drum, listen for their distinctive croaking sound, especially on calm days.
Bluefish are the piranhas of our waters - all teeth and attitude. These silvery-blue chompers typically run 2-5 pounds inshore, but can hit 20. You'll find them wherever there's bait, from the surf to the bays. Summer and fall are peak seasons as they migrate through. Blues aren't known for subtle takes - expect to get your lure absolutely crushed. They're decent eating when prepared right, but the real draw is their aggressive nature. Watching a school of blues annihilate a bait pod is something else. Metal jigs and topwater plugs work great, but watch your fingers - those teeth are no joke. Local tip: If the blues are thick, try "walking the dog" with a Zara Spook. That erratic action drives them nuts, often triggering multiple strikes on a single retrieve.
Crevalle jacks are the bullies of our inshore waters - hard-fighting fish that'll test your drag. These golden-sided bruisers usually run 3-5 pounds but can top 30. Look for them around structure like jetties or busting bait on the surface. Spring through fall is prime time as they chase mullet and sardines. Jacks aren't known for table fare, but man do they pull! Expect screaming runs and even some jumps from bigger fish. Half the fun is watching a school tear through bait - it's like a feeding frenzy. If you see birds diving, there's a good chance jacks are underneath. Toss a silver spoon or topwater plug into the mayhem and hang on. Quick tip: When they're really fired up, a noisy surface lure can trigger some explosive strikes.
Redfish, also called red drum, are a blast to catch in our local waters. These bronze-backed fighters usually run 20-30 inches and put up a great scrap. You'll find them prowling the shallows - we're talking 1-4 feet of water around oyster bars, grass flats, and mangroves. Spring and fall are prime seasons as water temps are ideal. Redfish are prized for their light, sweet flavor, but the real fun is sight-casting to tailing fish in skinny water. That visible tail waving above the surface as they root for crabs is exciting stuff. Pro tip: On a falling tide, look for redfish pushed up against shorelines. A well-placed gold spoon or scented soft plastic often does the trick. Just be ready when they bolt - that first run is no joke!
Spanish mackerel are speedsters that'll make your reel sing. These sleek, spotted fish usually run 2-4 pounds but can hit 8. You'll find them in open water chasing bait schools, often within sight of the beach. Late spring through fall is the ticket, with summer being prime time. Macks are fun to catch and great eating - firm, white meat that's excellent grilled. The real thrill is their blistering runs and acrobatic jumps when hooked. Keep an eye out for birds working the surface - that's often a dead giveaway. A quick-moving spoon or small jig usually does the trick. Here's a local secret: If you're having trouble hooking up, try "walking the dog" with a topwater plug. That erratic action can really fire them up.
Vehicle Guest Capacity: 4
Manufacturer Name: Suzuki
Maximum Cruising Speed: 30
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower per Engine: 60