5.0(3 Reviews)Panama City Beach Inshore Fishing Charter
5.0(3 reviews)
Private Trip
Backcountry Fishing
Sixhour morning charter targeting redfish, flounder, and spotted troutCaptain Jimmy provides equipment, licenses, and fish cleaning servicesAll skill levels welcome with expert instruction included
Captain Jimmy's 6-hour morning charter puts you right in the heart of Panama City Beach's best inshore action. Starting at 7:00 AM, you'll have plenty of time to work the grass flats and bay spots where redfish, flounder, and spotted trout call home. This isn't some rushed half-day trip – six hours gives you real time to dial in on the bite and put together a solid day on the water. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just getting your feet wet, Captain Jimmy knows these waters like the back of his hand and will put you on fish. All your gear, tackle, live bait, and Florida fishing licenses are covered, plus he'll clean and fillet whatever you decide to take home.
You'll launch early to beat the crowds and the heat, hitting prime feeding times when these inshore species are most active. The morning bite is typically the strongest, and Captain Jimmy knows exactly where to find the fish based on tides, weather, and seasonal patterns. The shallow grass flats around Panama City Beach are loaded with baitfish, which draws in hungry predators looking for an easy meal. You'll work everything from oyster bars to channel edges, adjusting your approach based on what the fish are telling you. The boat stays comfortable with up to four anglers, so there's plenty of room to fish without getting tangled up. Captain Jimmy provides all the rods, reels, and terminal tackle you'll need, plus fresh live bait that these inshore species can't resist. Just bring your snacks, sunscreen, and maybe a cooler if you're planning to take home some fillets.
Inshore fishing around Panama City Beach requires finesse and local knowledge. You'll be using light to medium tackle that's perfectly matched to these species – sensitive enough to feel the subtle bite of a flounder, but strong enough to handle a bull redfish when it decides to make a run. Captain Jimmy sets you up with everything from popping corks and soft plastics to live shrimp and pinfish, depending on what's working that day. The grass flats demand precise presentations, often requiring you to work your bait slowly through the vegetation where these fish ambush prey. You might be sight fishing to tailing redfish in shallow water one minute, then working a deeper channel for trout the next. The beauty of this fishery is the variety – different techniques, different structure, and different species all within a short boat ride of each other.
"We had a great time with Captain Jimmy and caught several trout, although they were a bit too small to keep. Even without bringing any home, the experience was still very enjoyable. As they say, it's fishing, not catching. We'll definitely book another trip with Captain Jimmy the next time we're in PCB." - Paula "We had a fantastic time catching fish nonstop. The captain was courteous, professional, and provided great support throughout the trip on a well-maintained boat. After about 15 minutes, we lost track of how many fish we had caught. We'll definitely be booking another trip with Captain Early." - Colby "This was our second trip with Capt. Jimmy, and he continues to be an excellent guide. He was very accommodating and made sure everything went smoothly." - Paul
Redfish are the crown jewel of Panama City Beach inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers average 18-27 inches in these waters, with plenty of slot-sized fish that make perfect table fare. Reds are year-round residents, but they really turn on during the cooler months when they school up in deeper grass beds and around structure. What makes them special is their fighting ability – a good red will strip drag and test your skills, especially in shallow water where they can use their broad tail to their advantage. They're also one of the most reliable species here, meaning you've got excellent odds of hooking up even on tougher days.
Southern flounder are the masters of camouflage in these grass flats, lying perfectly still until an unsuspecting baitfish swims within range. These flatfish typically run 14-20 inches around Panama City Beach, with fall being prime time as they fatten up before their offshore spawning run. Flounder fishing requires patience and technique – they don't always slam the bait like a redfish. Instead, you'll feel that telltale tap-tap-tap as they mouth your offering. The key is giving them time to turn the bait before setting the hook. When you do connect, flounder don't fight like gamefish, but they make up for it on the dinner table. Their mild, flaky white meat is considered some of the best eating you'll find.
Spotted sea trout, or "specks" as locals call them, are the bread and butter of Panama City Beach inshore fishing. These beautiful fish with their distinctive black spots and prominent canine teeth are aggressive feeders that respond well to both live bait and artificials. Most trout here run 12-16 inches, though you'll occasionally hook into a "gator" trout pushing 20 inches or better. They're most active during moving tides when they position themselves along grass edges and drop-offs to ambush prey. Trout are also excellent indicators of overall ecosystem health – when the trout bite is hot, you know the grass flats are in good shape and supporting plenty of forage species.
This top-rated charter fills up quick, especially during peak season when the fishing is at its best. Captain Jimmy's reputation for putting clients on fish and providing a professional, enjoyable experience keeps his calendar booked solid. At $600 for your first angler and $100 for each additional guest, this six-hour trip offers serious value compared to shorter charters that leave you wanting more time on the water. You're getting expert guidance, quality equipment, all your licenses and bait,
The 18' Pathfinder center console is your ticket to Panama City Beach's productive inshore waters. This 2000 bay boat runs on a dependable 90HP Yamaha that'll cruise you to the best redfish flats and trout holes at 28 knots. Built for shallow water fishing, she handles the grass beds and oyster bars where the big fish hide. The wireless trolling motor keeps you positioned quietly over structure while the fish finder marks your targets below. GPS gets you to Captain Jimmy's secret spots fast. An icebox keeps your drinks cold and your catch fresh during the 6-hour morning trip. With space for up to 4 anglers, there's plenty of room to work lures and fight fish without getting tangled up. The stable platform makes landing flounder and spotted trout easy, even for beginners.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our inshore waters, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters typically range from 18-30 inches in our area, with that signature black spot near the tail that makes them unmistakable. They love super shallow water - we're talking 1-4 feet - around oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines. You can catch them year-round here, but fall and spring produce the most consistent action. What makes reds special is their aggressive strikes and bulldogging fight that'll test your drag. Plus, they're fantastic eating with a mild, sweet flavor. The key to success is staying quiet and watching for their backs breaking the surface as they tail in skinny water - that's when you know you're in for some real fun.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Sea Trout are one of our most reliable inshore targets here in Panama City Beach. These silvery fish with distinctive black spots typically run 14-24 inches and put up a solid fight on light tackle. You'll find them cruising grass flats and shallow bays, especially during early morning and evening hours when they're actively feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. Spring through fall offers the best action, though they can be caught year-round in our warmer waters. What guests love about specks is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificial lures, plus they make excellent table fare with their mild, flaky white meat. Pro tip: work your bait slowly along the bottom edges of grass beds - that's where they like to ambush prey.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are the ultimate ambush predators of our sandy and muddy bottoms. These flat, oval-shaped fish typically measure 15-18 inches and can be tricky to spot since they bury themselves in the substrate with both eyes on their left side. You'll find them in shallow bays, around creek mouths, and near structure where they wait to ambush shrimp, crabs, and small fish. Fall migration offers the hottest bite as they move toward deeper water for winter. Guests enjoy targeting flounder because they're challenging to locate but rewarding to catch, plus they're some of the best eating fish in these waters. My go-to technique is drifting live bull minnows or shrimp on light jigheads along sandy bottoms - let it sit still for a few seconds between hops.
5.0 out of 5.0We had a great time with Captain Jimmy and caught several trout, although they were a bit too small to keep. Even without bringing...
We had a fantastic time catching fish nonstop. The captain was courteous, professional, and provided great support throughout the ...
This was our second trip with Capt. Jimmy, and he continues to be an excellent guide. He was very accommodating and made sure ever...
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