Full Day Panama City Inshore Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Eight-hour inshore fishing trip targeting redfish and speckled troutCaptain Travis Rolan provides expert guidance for maximum two guestsFull-day adventure starts at 8am with personalized fishing experience
Looking for a serious day of fishing on Panama City's top-rated inshore waters? Captain Travis Rolan and the Flats And Fathoms crew know exactly where to put you on the fish. This eight-hour charter kicks off at 8:00 AM and gives you plenty of time to work the flats, grass beds, and structure where redfish, speckled trout, and black drum love to hang out. With just two anglers max per trip, you're getting a personalized fishing experience that's all about putting fish in the boat – not babysitting a crowd.
Captain Travis has been working these Panama City waters for years, and he knows every grass flat, oyster bar, and drop-off that holds fish. You'll start your morning running to the spots that are producing, whether that's shallow water sight fishing for tailing reds or working deeper grass beds for keeper trout. The beauty of an eight-hour trip is you've got time to adapt – if the bite's slow in one area, you can move and try different techniques until you find what's working. The boat's rigged with quality gear, but feel free to bring your own rods if you've got favorites. Most days you'll be fishing in 2-8 feet of water, so it's perfect for anglers who love that visual, interactive style of inshore fishing where you can actually see the fish you're targeting.
This isn't your typical "throw out a shrimp and wait" kind of trip. Captain Travis runs a technical operation using live bait, artificials, and whatever the fish are demanding that day. You might start the morning throwing topwater plugs at moving redfish, then switch to live pinfish under popping corks when you find a school of trout. The flats around Panama City are perfect for sight fishing – you'll be watching for wakes, tails, and nervous water that gives away feeding fish. When the tide's right, you'll work the grass edges with soft plastics on jig heads, and don't be surprised if Travis breaks out the fly rods for some technical shallow water work. The key is staying mobile and reading the conditions. Wind direction, tide phase, and water temperature all play into where you'll fish and how you'll approach each spot.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Panama City inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers average 20-30 inches in these waters and fight like freight trains once hooked. Spring through fall offers the best action, with fish moving onto the flats during high tide to feed on crabs and baitfish. What makes reds so exciting is their aggressive nature – they'll crush a well-placed spoon or inhale a live shrimp with authority. Plus, they're shallow water fish, so you get that heart-pounding visual element when you watch one track down your lure.
Speckled trout are the bread and butter of the grass flats, and Panama City's got some of the most consistent trout fishing on the Gulf Coast. These fish run anywhere from schoolie size up to legitimate gator trout pushing 25+ inches. They're structure-oriented, hanging around grass edges, sand holes, and drop-offs where they can ambush prey. Fall and winter months produce the biggest fish, but you can catch trout year-round if you know where to look. They're also one of the best eating fish in the bay, so you'll want to keep a few for the dinner table.
Black drum might not win any beauty contests, but they're absolute bulldogs when it comes to fighting power. These bottom-dwellers can reach impressive sizes in Panama City waters – don't be shocked if you hook into a 30+ pound fish that tests every bit of your drag system. They're primarily fall and winter targets, moving into the shallows to feed on oyster bars and shell beds. Black drum require a different approach than reds or trout – you're usually fishing heavier tackle with cut bait or live crabs near structure. The payoff is a fish that will give you an arm-burning fight and some serious bragging rights back at the dock.
An eight-hour charter with Captain Travis gives you the best shot at experiencing everything Panama City's inshore fishing has to offer. You're not rushed, you can try multiple techniques, and you've got time to really dial in on the bite. The two-angler limit means you're getting guide-level attention all day, not competing with a boat full of other fishermen for the best spots or advice. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to put some quality fish in the boat or someone wanting to learn the ins and outs of inshore fishing, this trip delivers. Book your date with Flats And Fathoms and get ready for a day of fishing that'll have you planning your next trip before you even hit the dock.
The Dolphin Super Skiff is your ticket to serious inshore fishing in Panama City's productive waters. This 16-foot technical fishing machine cuts through shallow flats with stealth, powered by a reliable Yamaha 70hp that gets you to the fish fast and quiet. Built for just two anglers, you'll have plenty of room to work the waters where black drum, redfish, and sea trout love to feed. The onboard fish finder helps locate schools and structure while GPS keeps you on productive spots. An icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those long eight-hour days on the water. Captain Travis knows these flats inside and out, and this nimble skiff lets him put you on fish in skinny water where bigger boats can't go. Perfect for technical sight fishing and working the grass beds where trophy reds cruise.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, typically running 5-30 pounds but capable of hitting 90+ pounds. These powerful fish love crushing oysters and crabs around shallow muddy flats, oyster beds, and creek mouths in 2-15 feet of water. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - you'll actually hear them "drumming" underwater during mating season. What makes them special is that raw power when hooked; they'll make long, bulldogging runs that test your drag. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make great table fare with firm, white meat. Here's a local trick: use fresh blue crab on a Carolina rig and fish it right on the bottom near oyster bars during incoming tide - they can't resist it.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the ultimate sight-fishing target around Panama City, typically 18-30 inches and famous for that distinctive black spot near the tail. They cruise super shallow flats, oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines - sometimes in water so skinny their backs show above the surface. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall brings the best action when they school up in big numbers. What makes reds special is their explosive strikes and strong fights in shallow water, plus they're smart fish that challenge your skills. The smaller slot-size fish are fantastic eating with mild, sweet meat. You'll spot them tailing in the shallows or cruising grass flats. Local secret: throw a gold spoon past a moving redfish and work it back in front of their nose - they rarely refuse that flash.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are hands-down one of our most popular targets, running 1-5 pounds with that beautiful spotted pattern. They love grass flats, shallow bays, and around docks in 2-8 feet of water. Best fishing happens at dawn, dusk, or night when they move up shallow to feed on shrimp and small baitfish. What guests love most is their willingness to hit topwater lures - watching a trout explode on a surface plug never gets old. Plus they're excellent eating with delicate, flaky white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. During cooler months, look for them in deeper channels where they school up. Pro tip: work a soft plastic shrimp under a popping cork around grass edges - let it sit still for a few seconds between pops.
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