Afternoon Inshore Fishing with Captain Justin
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour afternoon inshore fishing charter with Captain JustinTarget redfish, trout, flounder and other coastal speciesSmall group experience accommodates up to four guests
When the midday heat starts to cool and the afternoon breeze picks up, that's when Panama City Beach's inshore waters really come alive. Captain Justin knows these flats and grass beds like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some serious fish during this 4-hour afternoon charter. Don't let anyone tell you the morning bite is always better – around here, the afternoon action can absolutely fire off, especially when the conditions line up right. You'll be targeting redfish, mahi mahi, red snapper, and gag grouper in the productive waters around PCB, where the Gulf meets the bay systems and creates perfect feeding zones for hungry gamefish.
This isn't your typical crowded party boat situation. With just 4 anglers max, you'll get personal attention and plenty of room to work. Captain Justin runs a clean operation and knows exactly where to find fish when the afternoon bite turns on. The beauty of fishing these inshore waters is the variety – one minute you're sight-casting to tailing redfish in 2 feet of water, the next you're dropping down for grouper around structure in 30 feet. The afternoon timing works in your favor too, as baitfish start moving and predators follow. You'll cover everything from shallow grass flats where trout hang out to deeper channels where snapper and grouper patrol. The captain provides all tackle and bait, so you can focus on what matters – putting fish in the boat.
Captain Justin switches up techniques based on what's biting and where we're fishing. For the redfish, expect to throw live shrimp under popping corks or work soft plastics around oyster bars and mangrove edges. When we're after trout, we'll fish the grass flats with live bait or artificial lures, looking for those telltale strikes in 4 to 8 feet of water. The grouper and snapper fishing happens around hard bottom and structure – we're talking about dropping live pinfish or cut bait down to where these bottom dwellers hang out. The captain's got quality spinning gear and conventional tackle rigged and ready, plus a good selection of lures and live bait. He'll match the tackle to the target species and water conditions, whether that means light spinning gear for trout or heavier tackle for those bruiser grouper that try to head straight for the rocks.
Redfish are the bread and butter around Panama City Beach, and these copper-colored fighters put up one hell of a fight in shallow water. You'll find them ranging from slot-size fish around 18-27 inches up to those big bull reds that'll test your drag system. Peak season runs from late spring through fall, and they're suckers for live shrimp and cut bait. What makes redfish so special is how they feed – you might spot their tails sticking up as they root around in shallow water, or see them cruising the flats in schools. When you hook one, get ready for multiple runs and some serious head-shaking.
Mahi mahi might seem like an odd target for inshore fishing, but around PCB, juvenile mahi often cruise closer to shore, especially around floating debris or weed lines. These smaller "bailers" still pack the classic mahi punch – bright colors, acrobatic jumps, and blistering runs. They're opportunistic feeders that'll hit live bait, trolled lures, or even well-presented artificials. Finding them requires covering water and keeping an eye out for birds or floating structure where they like to hang.
Red snapper are the prize catch when they're in season, and Panama City Beach sits in prime snapper country. These bottom dwellers love hard structure, artificial reefs, and rocky areas in 20-60 feet of water. They're not huge fighters, but they're smart – red snapper have excellent eyesight and can be picky about bait presentation. Fresh cut bait or live pinfish work best, and you need to be ready for a quick hookset since they'll spit the bait if they feel something's wrong. The reward is some of the best eating fish in the Gulf.
Gag grouper are the heavyweights of this lineup, and they'll test both your tackle and your technique. These ambush predators hang around structure and ledges, waiting to inhale anything that looks like an easy meal. Once hooked, they immediately try to get back to their hole, so you need to turn them quick and keep steady pressure. Gags are most active in cooler months, roughly October through March, and they're absolute suckers for live bait like pinfish or grunts. A 20-30 pound gag is a legitimate trophy that'll provide plenty of table fare.
Captain Justin's afternoon charters fill up fast, especially during prime fishing months when the bite is hot and the weather's cooperating. This 4-hour window gives you serious fishing time without burning your whole day, and the afternoon timing means you can sleep in or handle morning business before hitting the water. With only 4 spots available, you're getting a personalized experience that the big charter boats simply can't match. The captain knows these waters inside and out, and he's committed to putting you on fish while keeping things safe and enjoyable. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to target specific species or a newcomer wanting to experience world-class inshore fishing, this charter delivers the goods. Book now and get ready to see why Panama City Beach consistently ranks as one of the top fishing destinations on the Gulf Coast.
This 2017 23' Sportsman is your ticket to productive inshore waters around Panama City Beach. Powered by a reliable 150HP Yamaha that cruises comfortably at 40 knots, she'll get you to the honey holes quickly and quietly. The wireless trolling motor lets you slip into shallow redfish haunts without spooking your targets, while the fish finder helps locate structure where trout and flounder hang out. With room for up to 4 anglers, there's plenty of casting space without crowding. The onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those hot Florida afternoons. GPS navigation ensures you can mark productive spots and return to them trip after trip. Captain Justin knows these coastal waters like the back of his hand and this boat gives him the perfect platform to put you on fish.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag grouper are tough customers that'll test both your tackle and technique on our offshore trips. These bruisers average 20 inches but can reach 50+ inches and 80 pounds around here. They hang around rocky ledges, artificial reefs, and wrecks in 60-300 feet of water, always looking for structure to ambush prey from. Fall and winter months tend to be most productive as they move shallower to feed. What draws anglers to gags is their freight-train fight - once hooked, they'll dive straight for cover trying to break you off on the rocks. The payoff is some of the best eating fish in the Gulf with sweet, flaky white meat. Live bait works best - pinfish, grunts, or cut mullet fished tight to structure. Here's the deal with grouper: you can't baby them. Use heavy tackle, lock down your drag, and when you get bit, horse them up immediately. If you let them get their head down and run to the rocks, game over. It's a wrestling match, not a finesse game.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are absolutely stunning fish that'll give you a light show when you bring them boatside - brilliant golds, blues, and greens that shift colors as they fight. Most of what we catch runs 15-30 pounds, though they can get much bigger. These speedsters love floating debris, weedlines, and current breaks in blue water. You'll typically find them in 100+ feet when they move close to shore during warmer months, especially summer and early fall. What guests love most is their acrobatic fight - they'll jump, tail-walk, and make blistering runs that'll test your drag. The meat is fantastic too - firm, white, and mild-flavored, perfect for the dinner table. Pro tip: once you hook one mahi, don't boat it right away. Keep it in the water and have everyone else cast around the boat - mahi travel in schools and one hooked fish often keeps the others nearby. Fresh ballyhoo or rigged squid trolled at 6-8 knots works best.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed snapper are the prize of our deep water trips, and these ruby-red beauties are worth the run offshore. Most fish we catch range 2-8 pounds, but 10+ pounders aren't uncommon around the right structure. They live around hard bottom, artificial reefs, and wrecks in 60-200 feet of water. Summer months offer the best fishing when they're spawning and more aggressive. What makes snapper fishing addictive is their hard strikes and the challenge of getting them up before they cut your line on structure. They're also top-shelf table fare - sweet, firm white meat that's hard to beat. These fish are smart and structure-oriented, so you need to get your bait right to the bottom. My go-to setup is a knocker rig with live pinfish or fresh cut bait. Here's the key: once you feel that thump, set the hook hard and immediately start cranking. Don't give them a chance to get back into their hole or wrap you around the wreck.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are one of our most popular targets here in Panama City Beach, and for good reason. These copper-colored beauties typically run 20-28 inches and put up a serious fight in the shallows. You'll find them cruising grass flats, oyster bars, and around downed timber in 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. Look for that distinctive black spot near their tail. Spring through fall offers the best action, especially on moving tides. What makes redfish special is their aggressive strike and bulldogging fight once hooked. Plus, they're excellent eating with mild, flaky white meat. Here's a local trick: when you spot one tailing in skinny water, cast your bait about 3 feet ahead of where they're heading and let it settle naturally. Use live shrimp or cut mullet on a jig head, and keep your retrieve slow and steady.
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