Full Day Panama City Fishing Charters
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Full day inshore and offshore fishing charter options availableTarget large game fish, sharks, mackerel, grouper and mahi mahiAll licenses, spear gear and snorkel equipment included
When you want to spend a solid day putting fish in the box, this full-day charter is exactly what you're looking for. Fish On Charters and Guide Service knows these Panama City waters like the back of their hand, and they'll put you on the fish whether you want to stay inshore working the grass flats or head offshore to battle the big boys. With up to 6 anglers on board, you've got plenty of room to spread out and work different techniques without bumping elbows. Your captain reads the conditions and adjusts the game plan accordingly – maybe start inshore for some keeper snapper and grouper, then run offshore when the bite heats up for kings and mahi. Every trip comes with your fishing license and all the gear you need, so just bring yourself and get ready to bend some rods.
Your day starts early, but that's when the fish are hungry and the bite is hot. The captain tailors every trip based on what's running, the weather, and what you're hoping to catch. Some days that means working the nearshore structure for gags and triggers, other days it's a straight shot to the blue water chasing schools of mahi and kings. The beauty of a full-day charter is flexibility – you're not rushed, so if the fish are biting in one spot, you can stay and load the boat. If they're finicky, you've got time to move around and find the action. The crew handles all the rigging, baiting, and netting while you focus on fighting fish. Between the inshore grass beds, nearshore reefs, and offshore drop-offs, Panama City's got some of the most diverse fishing on the Gulf Coast, and a full day lets you sample it all.
The approach changes based on where you're fishing and what's biting. Inshore, you'll be working live bait around structure – dropping shrimp and pinfish down to the grouper holes, drifting cut bait for the snappers. The captain knows every piece of bottom, every ledge and rock pile that holds fish. When you head offshore, it's a different game entirely. Trolling spreads for kings and mahi, live bait fishing around floating debris, maybe even some bottom fishing on the deeper reefs. The boat comes rigged with everything from light spinning tackle for the smaller stuff up to heavy conventional gear for when something big decides to eat. Circle hooks, wire leaders, and fresh bait – the crew runs a tight ship and keeps everything organized so you can focus on the fishing. They'll even throw in spear gear and snorkel equipment if you want to get in the water and chase some fish the hard way.
Lane Snapper are the bread and butter of inshore fishing here, and they're a blast on light tackle. These feisty little fighters school up over grass beds and rocky bottom, usually in 20-40 feet of water. They're aggressive biters that'll hit live shrimp, cut bait, or small jigs, and once you find a school, you can catch them as fast as you can drop your line. Summer and fall are prime time when they're thick, and they make excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. Don't let their size fool you – a good lane snapper will make your drag sing and put a serious bend in your rod.
Gag Grouper are the prize of the nearshore reefs, and landing one is always a victory. These ambush predators hang around structure waiting to inhale anything that looks like an easy meal – live pinfish, grunts, or cut bait work great. They'll hit hard and immediately try to get back to their hole, so you need to turn them quick and muscle them up. Gags run from just legal size up to real doormat fish pushing 30-plus pounds. The best bite usually happens during the cooler months when they're shallow and feeding heavy. The meat is firm and white with a mild flavor that's perfect for grilling or frying.
King Mackerel are the speed demons of the Gulf, and hooking into a smoker king is pure adrenaline. These fish patrol the offshore waters looking for schools of bait, and when they find them, the action gets crazy fast. They'll hit trolled spoons, live bait, or dead bait fished under a kite. A big king will strip line like you wouldn't believe, jumping and making blistering runs that'll test your tackle and your nerves. Spring through fall is prime king season, with the biggest fish usually showing up during the cooler months. They're excellent smoked or grilled, with rich, flaky meat that's high in healthy oils.
Grey Triggerfish are the bullies of the bottom, and they'll test your patience and your tackle. These tough customers have powerful jaws and attitude to match – they'll steal your bait, bite through your line, and generally make your life difficult. But that's what makes catching them so satisfying. They hang around hard bottom and structure, usually in 60-100 feet of water, and they're notorious for short-striking baits. Small hooks, tough bait like squid or cut fish, and quick reflexes are key. The summer months are best when they're shallow and aggressive. The meat is firm and sweet, perfect for fish tacos or ceviche.
Mahi Mahi are the showstoppers of offshore fishing, and every angler should experience the fight of a bull dolphin. These fish are pure muscle and acrobatics – they'll jump, dive, and make runs that'll have you questioning your tackle choices. They school around floating debris, weed lines, and current breaks, usually in water deeper than 100 feet. Live bait, trolling lures, and casting jigs all work when you find them. The colors are spectacular – bright greens, blues, and yellows that fade quickly once they're in the boat. Spring through fall offers the best action, with fish ranging from small schoolies up to bull
This 2021 center console is built for serious fishing adventures off Panama City's coast. With space for up to 6 anglers, you'll have plenty of room to spread out while chasing king mackerel, grouper, mahi mahi, and whatever else is biting. The boat comes loaded with top-notch fish finding technology, GPS navigation, and radar to keep you on the fish even when conditions get tricky. An onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those long offshore runs. Your captain knows these waters inside and out and will put you on the best fishing spots, whether you're targeting sharks in deep water or working the reefs for snapper and triggerfish. VHF radio keeps you connected, while the fish finder does the heavy lifting to locate schools. All your licenses and gear are included, so just bring your appetite for some real Gulf fishing action.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag grouper are the bulldogs of the reef - they average around 20 inches but can push 4-5 feet and 80 pounds if you're lucky. The females are lighter gray with marbled patterns, while males get much darker. They love hanging around offshore reefs, wrecks, and rocky structure in 40-150 feet of water. You'll often find them mixed with kingfish and spanish mackerel. These fish are pure muscle and will try to drag your bait straight back to their hole the second they grab it. Guests love the fight - it's all power from start to finish. Live pinfish and mullet are top baits, but cut squid works too. Here's the key: keep your drag locked tight and don't give them any slack, or they'll disappear into the structure and cut you off every time.
Balistes CapriscusGrey triggers are those leather-skinned characters with the beak-like mouths and attitude to match. They run 12-17 inches typically, but we catch some pushing 2 feet around the better structure. You'll find them on hard bottom, ledges, and reefs from 50-180 feet - basically anywhere with good cover they can wedge into when threatened. They're year-round residents here, but summer and fall fishing is most consistent. What guests love is their scrappy fight and how they'll eat just about anything you drop down. They're also excellent table fare with firm, white meat. Squid chunks work great since they stay on the hook better. Here's my trick: when you see other fish like snapper or grouper on the bottom, drop your trigger bait right in the mix - they're competitive and will charge in to steal food from the others.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing mackerel are speed demons that'll make your reel scream - they average 30 pounds but we see plenty pushing 50+ pounds during peak season. These olive and silver torpedoes cruise the 40-150 foot range, following baitfish along temperature breaks and current lines. Spring through fall is prime time when they're most active in our waters. What makes them special is that blazing initial run - nothing quite matches that first screaming drag when a king hits your bait. They're also fantastic eating with firm, white meat. We typically troll with live bait like blue runners or use dead bait on a stinger rig. Local tip: always use a wire leader and rig two hooks - one in the nose, one trailing behind. Kings love to bite the tail end of baitfish, and that back hook will save you a lot of cut-offs.
Lutjanus SynagrisLane snappers are those pretty pink and silver fish with yellow stripes that look like candy canes running down their sides. They average around 14 inches and make great table fare with their sweet, mild meat. You'll find them around coral reefs and sandy bottoms with good vegetation, usually in 70-230 feet of water. They're not super picky - shrimp, squid, and cut bait all work well. What guests love is they're aggressive biters and not too line-shy, so they're perfect when you want steady action. Spring through fall gives you the best shot when they're spawning. Here's a local tip: when you're targeting bigger snapper or grouper, keep some smaller hooks rigged because lane snappers love to crash the party and steal bait meant for the big guys.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi mahi are pure excitement - brilliant gold and green fish that put on a color show both in the water and on deck. They average 15-30 pounds but we regularly see bulls pushing 40+ pounds during summer and fall runs. These surface cruisers love floating debris, weedlines, and current edges in the blue water. What makes them special is their acrobatic fight - lots of jumping and long runs that'll test your tackle. Plus, they're outstanding eating with firm, sweet meat. We typically troll around floating objects or along temperature breaks in 100+ feet. Ballyhoo and small tuna work great, but they'll hit lures too. Local tip: when you hook one, keep it in the water if possible - mahi are schooling fish, and the hooked one will often keep the others around so you can get multiple shots at the school.
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