Panama City Charter Fishing | 12 Hour Trip
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
12hour offshore charter targets wahoo, king mackerel, and mahimahiBottom fishing adventure for snapper, grouper, and amberjack speciesCaptain Fisher Charters accommodates up to 6 guests maximum
Listen, if you're serious about fishing and want to experience what Panama City's Gulf waters are really about, this 12-hour charter with Captain Fisher is exactly what you need. We're talking about a full day on the water that combines the best of both worlds - high-speed trolling runs for pelagic species and serious bottom fishing for the heavyweights that call these reefs home. Six anglers max means everyone gets plenty of rod time, and trust me, you'll need it because these waters are loaded with fish year-round.
Your day starts early - we're talking pre-dawn departure to maximize fishing time during prime feeding windows. The first few hours, we'll be running and gunning with the trolling spread, covering serious ground as we hunt down schools of mahi, kings, and wahoo. The Gulf Stream runs close to shore here, bringing in that blue water and the gamefish that follow the bait. Once we've filled some of the cooler with these speedsters, we'll transition to bottom fishing over structure and reefs that I've been working for years. The depth finder will light up like a Christmas tree, and that's when you know it's time to drop those heavy rigs down for snapper, grouper, and amberjack. Every angler gets multiple shots at different species, and with 12 hours on the water, we have the luxury of really working the bite when it turns on.
We run a serious trolling spread - typically four to six lines with a mix of ballyhoo, cedar plugs, and diving lures that cover the water column from surface to about 30 feet down. The boat's rigged with quality Penn and Shimano reels spooled with 30-50 pound test, depending on what we're targeting. When we switch to bottom fishing, we're talking heavy conventional gear with 4-8 ounce sinkers to punch through the current and get down to where the big snapper and grouper live. Circle hooks are mandatory for red snapper - it's the law and honestly the best way to ensure good releases when needed. I provide all tackle, but if you've got your own favorite rigs, bring them along. The bottom structure here is incredible - natural reefs, artificial reefs, and ledges that drop from 80 feet to over 200 feet in short distances. That's where the magic happens.
Red snapper are the bread and butter of Panama City fishing, and for good reason. These fish are smart, strong, and absolutely delicious. They hang around structure in 60-120 feet of water, and when you hook into a quality snapper - we're talking 5-15 pounds - they'll make multiple runs for the bottom trying to cut your line on the reef. Peak season runs from June through August, but honestly, we catch keeper snapper year-round. The key is fresh cut bait and getting down to them quickly before they wise up to what's happening topside. Red grouper are another favorite that guests absolutely love targeting. These bruisers can push 20+ pounds and they fight dirty - straight down into the rocks where they try to break you off. They're ambush predators that sit motionless near ledges waiting for an easy meal, which makes them perfect targets for bottom fishing. Spring and fall tend to be peak times for the bigger specimens.
King mackerel bring a completely different energy to the trip. These torpedo-shaped predators are built for speed and when one hits your trolled bait, you'll know it immediately. They make scorching runs that'll peel 100+ yards of line off your reel in seconds. The bigger kings - 20 to 40 pounds - show up consistently from April through November, following the bait migrations along the coast. Mahi mahi are pure gold when we find them, and Panama City's Gulf waters produce some beautiful fish. They travel in schools, so when you hook one, we immediately get more lines in the water because his buddies are likely right there with him. These fish are acrobatic fighters that jump, tail-walk, and put on a show that'll have everyone on the boat grabbing cameras. Greater amberjack round out our target species list, and these fish are absolute beasts. We typically find them around deeper structure in 100+ feet of water, and a big AJ will test every bit of your tackle and stamina. They make long, powerful runs and have the endurance to fight you for 20+ minutes.
This 12-hour charter represents serious value for anglers who want to experience the full range of what Panama City's offshore fishing has to offer. You're getting access to prime fishing grounds, quality tackle, and the knowledge that comes from years of working these waters. The combination of trolling and bottom fishing means variety - something that keeps the action interesting all day long. Whether you're an experienced angler looking to target specific species or someone who just wants to catch fish and have a great time on the water, this trip delivers. With only six spots available, these charters fill up quickly, especially during peak season. Don't wait until the last minute - book your spot now and get ready for a day of fishing that'll remind you why Panama City is considered one of the Gulf Coast's premier fishing destinations.
The Lil Sparkie is your floating fishing headquarters for this 12-hour Panama City adventure. This 36-foot sport fisherman cuts through Gulf waters with confidence, powered by upgraded Cummins marine engines that'll get you to the best fishing spots quickly. When the sun gets intense, retreat to the ice-cold 3.5-ton AC system while you regroup between fishing runs. She's built for serious anglers who want comfort without sacrificing performance. The fish finder and GPS keep you on top of productive water, while the radar ensures safe navigation when visibility drops. Troll for wahoo and mahi-mahi, then anchor up for bottom fishing where snapper and grouper hide in the structure below. The flybridge gives your captain excellent visibility for spotting baitfish and working birds, plus extra space for fighting fish. Down below, you'll find a proper head, sleeping quarters for anyone needing a break, and an icebox to keep your catch fresh and drinks cold. The multimedia system keeps the crew entertained during longer runs to offshore grounds. With room for 6 anglers, there's plenty of space to spread out and work different techniques without crowding each other.
Seriola dumeriliAmberjack are the heavyweight bullies of the deep structure. These bruisers average 30-50 pounds but can easily top 70, making them a true test of angler and tackle. You'll find them patrolling wrecks, deep ledges, and artificial reefs in 80-200 feet of water. They're most active during warmer months when baitfish concentrate around structure. What guests love is the pure power - they're like hooking into a freight train that knows every hiding spot on the bottom. The meat is excellent when prepared right, though larger fish can carry ciguatera. We target them with heavy jigs or live bait fished tight to structure. Here's the key: use at least 50-pound tackle and crank hard right away. Give an AJ any slack line and they'll wrap you around the nearest piling or cut you off in the structure. It's a tug-of-war from the moment you set the hook.
Scomberomorus CavallaKings are pure speed and attitude on the trolling spread. These silver bullets typically run 15-30 pounds, but don't be surprised when a 40+ pounder nearly spools you. We find them cruising 40-150 feet over structure and drop-offs, following baitfish schools. Best action comes spring through fall when water temps hit that 70-80 degree sweet spot. What makes them special? Raw speed and explosive strikes that'll wake up anyone dozing in the fighting chair. They're also fantastic table fare - rich, meaty flesh that grills perfectly. Kings are notorious for their razor-sharp teeth and tendency to bite bait in half, so we always run a stinger hook about 6 inches back from the primary hook. This catches them when they grab the tail end of your ballyhoo or cigar minnow. Keep that drag loose on the initial run - they'll make a blistering 100-yard sprint that can break you off if you're not ready.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are the most colorful fighters you'll encounter out here. These beauties average 15-30 pounds and put on an amazing light show - gold, green, and electric blue that shifts while they're fighting. Look for them around floating debris, weed lines, and temperature breaks in 100+ feet of water. Best fishing happens late spring through early fall when they move through our area following warm currents. What makes them special? Spectacular aerial displays when hooked, plus some of the best eating fish in the ocean - firm, white meat with a mild, sweet flavor. They're surface feeders, so we troll colorful lures or ballyhoo that skip across the waves. Here's the trick: when you hook one, keep the boat moving and work the fish quickly. Mahi often travel in schools, so that first fish can lead you to several more if you play your cards right.
Epinephelus MorioRed grouper are the backbone of our bottom fishing here. These rusty-red fighters typically run 5-15 pounds, though the occasional 25-pounder will make your day. They stick to rocky bottoms and structure between 30-120 feet, especially around ledges and wrecks where they can ambush prey. Spring through fall gives you the best action when they're most active. What guests love most is the surprise factor - you never know if that next bite is a keeper or a true giant. They're scrappy fighters that'll head straight for the nearest hole when hooked. The meat? Outstanding - firm, white, and sweet with a hint of shellfish flavor from their crab and shrimp diet. Pro tip: use whole live pinfish or large shrimp on a 6-8 ounce sinker. Get your bait down fast and keep steady pressure once hooked to prevent them from getting back into structure.
Lutjanus CampechanusThese classic bottom dwellers are what many folks picture when they think Gulf fishing. Red snappers average 1-2 feet and 5-10 pounds, though we've seen some beauties push 20+ pounds. You'll find them hanging around structure in 30-200 feet - wrecks, ledges, and rocky bottom are prime spots. They love cooler months when water temps drop into that 50-70 degree range. What makes them special? First, they're absolute bulldogs that'll test your drag system. Second, the meat is phenomenal - firm, white, and sweet as it gets. Here's a local trick: use whole cigar minnows on a knocker rig. The key is getting your bait right to the bottom fast, because these guys sit tight to structure and won't chase a bait that's drifting around in the current above them.
Panama City, FL, United States