Panama City Fishing Trips | 4 Hour Charter
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Fourhour bay fishing charter through Saint Andrews Bay watersTarget redfish, sheepshead, trout, mackerel, and mangrove snapperSmall group charter accommodates up to five guests maximum
Saint Andrews Bay is hands down one of the most productive fishing spots along Florida's Gulf Coast, and Captain Kota's knows exactly where to find the fish. This four-hour bay fishing charter gets you right into the heart of the action, targeting some of the most sought-after inshore species in these waters. With room for up to five anglers, you'll have plenty of space to work the lines without bumping elbows. The bay's diverse structure - from grass flats to oyster bars to deep channels - creates perfect habitat for everything from feisty redfish to hard-fighting black drum.
Captain Kota runs a tight ship and knows these waters like the back of his hand. You'll start the morning by running to productive spots based on tide, weather, and recent fish activity. The beauty of Saint Andrews Bay fishing is the variety - one minute you're sight-casting to redfish cruising the shallows, the next you're dropping baits near structure for sheepshead and mangrove snapper. The captain provides all the tackle you'll need, from light spinning gear for trout to heavier setups when the black drum are biting. Most trips involve a mix of live bait fishing and artificial lures, depending on conditions and what the fish are telling us. The bay stays relatively protected even when it's blowing outside, so you can focus on fishing instead of hanging on for dear life.
This isn't your typical offshore charter where you're just dropping baits and waiting. Bay fishing requires finesse and adaptability. Captain Kota switches techniques based on what's working - sometimes that means slow-trolling live shrimp over grass beds for speckled trout, other times it's sight-fishing with topwater plugs when reds are pushing bait in skinny water. The tackle setup varies by target species: medium-light spinning rods with 15-20 pound braid for most situations, but heavier gear when big black drum are in the area. Live bait is king here - fresh shrimp, pinfish, and mullet caught right in the bay. Artificial lures like soft plastics, spoons, and topwater plugs round out the arsenal. The key is reading the water and matching your presentation to conditions, something Captain Kota has mastered over years of fishing these flats.
Black drum are the heavyweight champions of Saint Andrews Bay, and when you hook into a big one, you'll know it immediately. These bruisers can push 40-50 pounds and will test every bit of your tackle and stamina. They love hanging around oyster bars and bridge pilings, where they feed on crabs and shellfish. Spring and fall offer the best shots at trophy-sized fish, though keeper-sized drum are around year-round. What makes them special is their incredible pulling power - they don't jump like a tarpon, but they'll drag you around the boat with their bulldogging runs. The satisfaction of landing a big black drum on relatively light tackle is hard to beat.
Sheepshead are the most technical fish you'll target on this trip, earning their reputation as "convict fish" both for their black stripes and their ability to steal bait. These fish have human-like teeth designed for crushing shellfish, and they'll test your patience and skill. The best sheepshead fishing happens around structure - bridge pilings, docks, and oyster bars where they feed on barnacles and fiddler crabs. Winter months are prime time when big sheepshead move into the bay to spawn. What makes them exciting is the challenge - you need perfect timing on the hookset, and even then, they'll try every trick to wrap your line around structure. Land a few quality sheepshead, and you'll have earned some serious bragging rights.
Redfish are the poster child of inshore fishing along the Gulf Coast, and Saint Andrews Bay holds some beautiful fish. These copper-colored fighters are aggressive feeders and put up spectacular battles, especially in shallow water where they can use their broad tails to maximum advantage. Reds are available year-round but peak in spring and fall when they school up in impressive numbers. The slot-sized fish (18-27 inches) are perfect for the dinner table, while the oversized "bull" reds provide pure sport. What anglers love most about redfish is their willingness to eat - they'll hit live bait, cut bait, and artificials with equal enthusiasm. Plus, there's nothing quite like watching a red explode on a topwater lure in two feet of crystal-clear water.
Captain Kota's four-hour bay fishing charter delivers exactly what serious anglers want - productive fishing, expert guidance, and a chance to target multiple species in one of Florida's premier fishing destinations. The combination of Saint Andrews Bay's diverse habitat and the captain's local knowledge creates consistently good fishing opportunities. Whether you're after a cooler full of dinner or just want to feel your drag scream when a big black drum takes off, this trip delivers. Don't wait for the perfect conditions - the fish are biting, and the calendar is filling up fast. Book your spot today and get ready to experience some of the best inshore fishing the Florida Gulf Coast has to offer.
The Sea Chaser is your ticket to productive waters around Saint Andrews Bay. This 2003 center console runs on a dependable 140HP Suzuki that'll get you to the fishing grounds at a comfortable 35 knots. Built tough for Florida's coastal conditions, she handles the bay's varying depths and currents with ease. You'll appreciate the fish finder when targeting those deeper holes where redfish and speckled trout like to hang out, while the GPS keeps you on the productive spots trip after trip. The radar comes in handy during those early morning runs or when weather rolls in unexpectedly. Keep your catch fresh in the onboard icebox, along with plenty of cold drinks for the crew. With room for up to 5 anglers, there's space to spread out whether you're working the grass flats for sheepshead or hitting structure for mangrove snapper and Spanish mackerel. The center console design gives everyone easy access to all sides of the boat, perfect for those moments when the fish are biting and you need to move fast. This boat knows these waters well and will put you on fish.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the bruisers of Saint Andrews Bay, running anywhere from 5-30 pounds with some monsters pushing 90. These grey-black fish get their name from the drumming sounds they make, especially during spring spawning when they school up in shallow muddy flats and around oyster beds. They're bottom feeders with powerful jaws built for crushing shellfish, so fresh crab or cut bait works best. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make great table fare with firm, flaky meat. Here's the key: use enough weight to keep your bait on the bottom and be patient - they'll mouth the bait before committing. Spring gives you the best shot when they're grouped up and easier to find.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are what put Saint Andrews Bay on the map - those copper-colored beauties with the signature black spots near their tail. Most run 20-35 inches and fight like they're twice that size in our shallow grass flats and oyster bars. They'll cruise water so shallow their backs stick out, making for some exciting sight fishing. Spring and fall are money times when they school up and feed aggressively on anything from topwater plugs to live shrimp. The meat is excellent with a mild, sweet flavor that grills perfectly. Pro tip: when you see them tailing in skinny water, cast well ahead of where they're headed and let your bait settle. They spook easy in shallow water, so quiet approaches pay off big time.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the pickpockets of the bay - those black and white striped "convict fish" with human-like teeth that'll steal your bait before you know it. Most run 1-8 pounds around dock pilings, bridges, and any barnacle-covered structure in Saint Andrews Bay. They're some of the best eating fish you'll catch, with sweet white meat that's worth the effort. Spring months are prime time when they move shallow to spawn. The trick is getting your bait tight to structure and setting the hook hard the moment you feel them nibbling. They'll test your bait first, so use a sharp hook and don't wait. Fresh shrimp or small crabs work best, and scraping barnacles off nearby pilings creates a chum slick they can't resist.
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