Half Day Advanced Fishing Trip In Panama City
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour advanced inshore fishing charter in Panama City watersCaptain Travis Rolan guides up to two guests targeting premium speciesAll gear and bait included with 8am departure time
Captain Travis Rolan knows these Panama City waters like the back of his hand, and this four-hour charter is built for anglers who've got their sea legs and want to go after the real prizes. You're not just casting lines and hoping for the best here – this is tactical fishing at its finest. With space for just two guests, you'll get the kind of personalized attention that makes all the difference when you're working structure for cobia or sight-casting to tailing redfish. Starting at 8:00 am puts you right in the sweet spot when these fish are most active, and Captain Travis brings all the gear and bait so you can focus on what matters: landing fish.
This isn't your typical tourist fishing trip. Captain Travis runs a tight ship for serious anglers who understand that good fishing takes skill, patience, and the right approach. You'll be working Panama City's most productive inshore grounds, from grass flats where redfish cruise the shallows to deeper channels where cobia patrol. The boat stays mobile, following the bite and adjusting tactics based on what's working that day. Whether you're throwing topwater plugs at first light or working live bait around structure, every cast has a purpose. The intimate two-guest limit means you're not fighting for rod time or the captain's attention – this is fishing the way it should be done.
Captain Travis employs a mix of sight fishing and structure fishing depending on conditions and target species. You might start the morning working shallow flats with artificial lures, scanning for tailing redfish or cruising trout. When the sun gets higher, the focus often shifts to deeper channels and structure where cobia hang out. Live bait fishing around pilings and channel markers can produce explosive strikes from black drum and big trout. Pompano fishing requires a different approach entirely – working sandy bottoms with small jigs and understanding how these fish move with the tide. All tackle is top-shelf stuff, from spinning reels loaded with quality braid to a selection of lures that have proven themselves in these waters. Captain Travis reads the water constantly, adjusting presentations and locations to stay on fish throughout the trip.
Florida Pompano are the gold standard of inshore fishing here, and Panama City's waters produce some beautiful fish. These silver bullets typically run 2-4 pounds but fight like fish twice their size. They school up around sandy bottoms and channel edges, especially during moving water. What makes pompano special isn't just the fight – they're arguably the best eating fish in the Gulf. Spring and early summer offer the most consistent action, though they can show up any time conditions are right.
Black Drum are the heavyweights of the inshore scene, with fish over 30 pounds not uncommon around local structure. These bruisers love oyster bars, bridge pilings, and deeper channels. They're bottom feeders with incredible pulling power, making long runs that test your drag and technique. Fall and winter months typically produce the biggest fish, though smaller "puppy drum" provide action year-round.
Sea Trout, or speckled trout as locals call them, are the bread and butter of inshore fishing here. These spotted beauties range from schoolie size up to gator trout pushing 8 pounds. They're structure-oriented fish that love grass flats, channel edges, and deeper holes. Trout are aggressive feeders that hit both artificial lures and live bait, making them perfect targets for varied techniques. Cooler months often produce the biggest specimens.
Redfish are the ultimate sight-fishing target, with their copper-colored backs easy to spot in shallow water. Panama City's grass flats hold plenty of slot-sized reds, with the occasional oversized bull mixed in. These fish are incredibly strong for their size, making blistering runs and using their broad sides to fight in the current. Redfish feed year-round but are most active during spring and fall transitions.
Cobia are the wild cards that can make any trip memorable. These brown sharks, as some call them, are curious fish that often approach the boat. They're structure-oriented, hanging around channel markers, pilings, and other vertical relief. A 30-pound cobia is a realistic target, with fish over 40 pounds caught regularly. They're powerful fighters that test both tackle and angler skill, often making multiple runs before coming to the boat.
This advanced charter fills up fast, especially during prime fishing months when the bite is hot. Captain Travis has built his reputation on consistently putting serious anglers on quality fish, and that kind of track record doesn't go unnoticed. The two-guest limit means availability is always tight, but it also guarantees you'll get the focused attention that makes the difference between a good day and a great day on the water. All gear and bait are included in the package, so you just need to show up ready to fish. Remember that deposits are non-refundable, so make sure your schedule is locked before booking. Whether you're targeting a specific species or just want to experience world-class inshore fishing with a top-rated captain, this trip delivers the goods.
The Dolphin Super Skiff is your ticket to serious inshore action around 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 without spooking them. Built for just two anglers, you'll have plenty of room to work lures and fight fish without bumping elbows. The onboard fish finder helps locate structure and baitfish while GPS keeps you on productive spots. An icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those hot Panama City mornings. Perfect for targeting cobia, pompano, redfish, and trout in the backwaters where bigger boats can't reach. Captain Travis knows these waters inside and out, putting you on fish using proven techniques. Whether you're sight fishing the flats or working structure, this skiff handles it all with the maneuverability serious anglers demand.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of the drum family, typically running 5-30 pounds but capable of hitting 90+ in our waters. These dark, powerful fish love hanging around oyster beds, muddy flats, and creek mouths where they crush shellfish with their strong jaws. Spring is peak season when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear their distinctive drumming sounds underwater. What guests love is the solid fight they put up, plus the smaller ones under 15 pounds make great eating with firm, white meat. They're bottom feeders, so you'll find them in everything from super shallow water to 100-foot depths. Pro tip: fresh soft crab is your best bet for bait since it stays on the hook better and doesn't get stolen by catfish like other baits do.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the sharks that aren't sharks - these dark brown, streamlined fish average 30-50 pounds but can push 100+ pounds in our Gulf waters. They're loners that cruise around structure like reefs, wrecks, and buoys, usually in 30-70 feet of water, though we find them shallow during spring migration. May through July is prime time when they're moving through our area to spawn. What makes cobia special is the combination of incredible table fare - firm, white meat that's restaurant quality - and the fight they put up on heavy tackle. They're curious fish that'll often swim right up to the boat. Sight fishing is the name of the game here. My tip: when you spot one, don't cast right at it. Lead them by 10 feet with a bucktail jig and work it slow - they'll usually turn and follow before striking.
Trachinotus CarolinusFlorida Pompano are some of the most sought-after fish in our Gulf waters, running 1-3 pounds on average with that distinctive silver body and bright yellow fins. These flat, compressed fish love cruising the shallow flats and beaches where they hunt for crabs, shrimp, and mollusks. Summer and fall are prime time when they're actively feeding in warmer water. What makes pompano special is their reputation as table fare - restaurants pay top dollar for their sweet, buttery meat. They're also scrappy fighters from the jack family that'll give you a solid battle on light tackle. Here's a local tip: use small hooks and bright yellow jigs since they have tiny mouths but can't resist that flash of color in our clear Gulf waters.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are Panama City's signature inshore species, easily recognized by their copper-bronze color and distinctive black eyespot near the tail. Most run 18-35 inches, but we see plenty of big bulls over 40 inches in deeper water. These fish thrive in super shallow flats, oyster bars, and around structure where they hunt crabs, shrimp, and baitfish. They're year-round residents, but fall and spring offer the best action when they're most active. What guests love is their powerful fight - they'll make long runs and use their broad tail to battle hard. Plus, slot-size reds are fantastic eating with mild, sweet meat. They're not picky eaters either, hitting everything from topwater plugs to live shrimp. Here's the key: look for tailing fish in skinny water and make quiet, accurate casts ahead of their path.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Sea Trout, or "specks" as we call them locally, are beautiful silver fish covered in distinct black spots, typically running 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds. They love grass flats and shallow waters, especially at dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding on shrimp, small crabs, and baitfish. Year-round fishing is good, but they school up in deeper channels during winter months. What makes trout fishing so popular is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials - topwater plugs, soft plastics, and spoons all work great. They're also excellent table fare with mild, flaky white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. Local tip: work the grass edges at first light with a popping cork and live shrimp - the sound drives them crazy and you'll get some aggressive strikes.
Panama City Florida