Full Day Guided Fishing Trip In Panama City
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Eighthour inshore fishing trip targeting redfish and speckled troutCaptain Travis Rolan guides maximum two guests per charterFull day adventure starts at 8:00 am in Panama City
Looking to spend a solid day chasing some of Panama City's best inshore fish? Captain Travis Rolan from Flats And Fathoms has you covered with this top-rated eight-hour fishing adventure. Starting bright and early at 8:00 AM, you'll have plenty of time to work the flats and shallow waters where black drum, redfish, and sea trout love to hang out. With only two anglers max per trip, you're getting a personalized experience that beats crowded party boats every time. Travis knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's got the patience to work with everyone from first-timers to seasoned pros.
This isn't your typical half-day rush job – eight hours gives you real time to dial in your technique and hit multiple spots around Panama City's prime inshore waters. Captain Travis will have you working the grass flats, oyster bars, and creek mouths where these fish feed throughout the day. The beauty of a full-day trip is adapting to what the fish are doing – if the morning bite is slow, you've got afternoon tides to work with. You'll be fishing from a well-equipped flats boat that can get into skinny water where the big reds cruise, but also handle the choppier areas where sea trout school up. Travis provides all the tackle and knows exactly which lures and baits are working each season, so you don't need to guess what to throw.
Panama City's inshore fishing is all about reading the water and matching your presentation to what the fish want. You'll be working with both artificial lures and live bait, depending on conditions and what's biting. Topwater plugs can be deadly on redfish early in the morning, especially around oyster bars and mangrove edges. For black drum, you'll often be bottom fishing with cut bait near structure where they root around for crabs and shellfish. Sea trout respond well to soft plastics worked over grass beds, and Travis will show you how to work them just right to trigger strikes. The boat's equipped with quality spinning gear that handles everything from finesse presentations to wrestling bigger fish away from structure. You'll learn to cast accurately to specific targets – a skill that separates good inshore anglers from great ones.
Black drum are the bruisers of Panama City's inshore waters, and they'll test your drag system when you hook into a good one. These fish can push 30-40 pounds and love hanging around oyster beds, dock pilings, and deeper holes in the flats. They're year-round residents, but spring and fall offer the most consistent action when they're actively feeding. What makes black drum so exciting is their power – they don't jump like a tarpon, but they'll pull drag and make long, stubborn runs that'll wear you out. Plus, they're excellent table fare when you keep one in the slot.
Redfish are the crown jewel of inshore fishing here, and Panama City's got some real bulls cruising the shallows. These copper-colored fighters are famous for their aggressive strikes and never-give-up attitude. Spring through fall is prime time, with fish ranging from schoolie reds to 40-inch bulls that'll straighten hooks if you're not careful. Sight fishing for reds in shallow water is about as exciting as inshore fishing gets – watching a big red track down your lure and crushing it in two feet of water never gets old. They're also one of the smartest fish you'll encounter, so presentation matters.
Sea trout, or speckled trout as locals call them, are the bread and butter of Panama City fishing. These spotted beauties are abundant, fun to catch, and absolutely delicious. They school up over grass beds and drop-offs, making them perfect targets for a full-day trip when you want consistent action. Spring and summer are peak seasons, with fish ranging from keeper-sized 14-inchers to hefty 20+ inch gator trout. They hit both live bait and artificials, and once you find a school, you can often catch several before they move on. Speckled trout are also great for building confidence if you're newer to saltwater fishing.
A full day with Captain Travis gives you the best shot at experiencing everything Panama City's inshore waters have to offer. Eight hours means you're not rushed, you can learn proper techniques, and you'll hit the prime feeding times that shorter trips often miss. With only two anglers per boat, you're getting personalized instruction and plenty of fishing time without waiting for your turn. Whether you're looking to check these species off your bucket list or you're a local angler wanting to up your game, this trip delivers the kind of fishing memories that keep you coming back. Book your spot and get ready for a world-class day on some of Florida's most productive inshore waters.
The Dolphin Super Skiff is built for serious anglers who want to get into the fish. At 16 feet, this technical fishing machine cuts through Panama City's shallow waters with stealth, letting you sneak up on redfish and sea trout in their backyard. The Yamaha 70hp pushes you efficiently between hotspots while keeping noise to a minimum – crucial when you're stalking spooky fish in skinny water. With room for just two anglers, you'll have plenty of casting space and won't be bumping elbows when that big red makes its run. The onboard fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating structure and baitfish, while GPS keeps you on productive spots trip after trip. An icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those long summer days on the flats. This skiff handles the technical side of inshore fishing – tight turns around oyster bars, running shallow channels, and positioning perfectly for that money shot cast.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, ranging from keeper-sized 5-pounders to massive 30+ pound bruisers. These dark, powerful fish love hanging around oyster beds and muddy flats in 3-8 feet of water, using their crushing jaws to crack open shellfish. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear them actually "drumming" underwater. What makes them special is their raw strength; once hooked, they'll test your drag and make long, bulldogging runs. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare with firm, white meat. My go-to tip: use fresh blue crab on a Carolina rig and let it sit still on the bottom - drum rarely chase fast-moving baits.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the stars of our shallow water game, averaging 20-30 inches with bronze backs and that famous black spot near their tail. These copper-colored fighters cruise oyster bars, grass flats, and marsh edges in water so shallow their backs sometimes show. They're active year-round here, but fall and spring offer the hottest action when they're feeding aggressively. What makes reds special is their explosive strike and bulldogging fight - they'll peel drag and never give up easy. Plus, slot-sized fish are outstanding table fare with sweet, firm meat. The real thrill is sight-fishing to tailing reds in skinny water. Pro tip: when you spot one feeding, cast well ahead and work your bait slowly past their nose - they spook easily in the shallows.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are one of our most reliable inshore targets, typically running 14-24 inches with some reaching 5+ pounds. These spotted beauties patrol grass flats and deeper holes, feeding heavily on shrimp and small baitfish. They're most active during cooler months and low-light periods like dawn and dusk. What guests love is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials - they're aggressive feeders that put up a decent scrap. The meat is fantastic too: flaky, mild, and perfect on the grill. During winter, they school up in deeper channels, making them easier to target in good numbers. Local trick: work a soft plastic shrimp under a popping cork around grass edges. The sound draws them in, and that subtle action seals the deal.
Panama City Florida