Inshore Fishing Trip in Panama City Beach
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
3hour private inshore fishing trip for two guestsTarget Redfish and Trout using artificial lures and sight fishingEarly morning departure with topwater and subsurface techniques
There's nothing quite like hitting the flats at first light in Panama City Beach. This 3-hour private inshore trip gets you out on the water at 6 AM sharp, when the fish are most active and the conditions are prime. Hurricane Charters has been running anglers to some of the most productive shallow water spots along the coast, and this early morning window is absolutely money for sight fishing and working the grass flats. You'll have the boat to yourself and one other angler, which means personalized attention and the flexibility to chase whatever's biting. The trip runs from April through November, covering the peak season when redfish and trout are thick in these waters.
Your morning starts in the shallow grass flats and along the beaches where fish come to feed in the cooler hours. The beauty of inshore fishing here is the variety – one cast you're blind casting to structure, the next you're sight fishing to a tailing red in knee-deep water. Your captain will have you starting with topwater plugs while the water's still cool and the fish are aggressive on the surface. As the sun climbs and warms things up, you'll switch tactics to sub-surface lures that work the middle column and deeper grass beds. The water clarity in Panama City Beach is fantastic for this style of fishing, especially early in the season. You'll be moving between spots based on tides, wind, and where the bait is holding. This isn't a sit-and-wait kind of trip – it's active fishing that keeps you engaged from the first cast to the last.
This trip is all about artificials, so having some casting experience under your belt will make your day more productive. You'll be throwing everything from topwater walking baits and poppers in the early light to soft plastics and spoons as conditions change. The grass flats require different presentations than the beach fishing – on the flats you're working weedless rigs through the vegetation, while the beach fishing lets you cover more water with search baits. Your guide will have you rigged with light tackle that's perfect for these inshore species, typically 15-20 pound test on spinning gear that can handle both finesse presentations and the occasional bigger fish. The key techniques you'll learn include reading the water for signs of fish, proper topwater cadence, and how to work soft baits through grass without getting hung up constantly. Sight fishing is a huge part of this experience when conditions allow – there's nothing like watching a redfish track your lure in clear, shallow water.
Redfish are the bread and butter of this trip, and Panama City Beach has some of the most consistent redfish action on the Gulf Coast. These copper-colored bruisers love the grass flats and oyster bars, where they root around for crabs and small baitfish. You'll find them in water anywhere from 1 to 4 feet deep, often with their backs or tails visible as they feed. Redfish here average 18-26 inches, with plenty of slot fish and some oversized bulls mixed in. They hit hard and fight dirty, using their broad sides to pull drag and test your technique. Spring and fall are peak times, but they're catchable throughout the season.
Spotted seatrout are the other primary target, and the grass flats around Panama City Beach hold some beautiful fish. Trout are more temperature sensitive than reds, so early morning and late evening are prime time. They love structure changes – edges of grass beds, drop-offs, and sandy potholes in the flats. A well-presented soft plastic or topwater plug can trigger explosive strikes. Trout in these waters typically run 14-20 inches, with gator trout over 20 inches being a real possibility on any given cast.
Ladyfish show up as bonus catches and they're absolute acrobats when hooked. These silver rockets will jump repeatedly and put on a show that's hard to beat on light tackle. They're most common during the warmer months and often travel in schools, so when you find one, there are usually more around. Spanish mackerel are another exciting catch, especially along the beaches and near bait schools. They're fast, aggressive, and will test your drag system with blistering runs. Crevalle jacks round out the regular catches – these bulldogs are pure muscle and will give you an arm workout you won't forget.
At $450 for two anglers, this 3-hour private trip offers serious value for top-rated inshore fishing in one of Florida's most productive areas. The early start time puts you on the water when conditions are optimal and fish activity is at its peak. Hurricane Charters knows these waters inside and out, and their local knowledge makes all the difference in finding fish consistently. The fact that this trip was last booked just 12 hours ago shows how popular these morning slots are with serious anglers. With the season running April through November, you have plenty of opportunities to experience world-class inshore fishing. Whether you're looking to improve your sight fishing skills, learn new techniques, or just catch some great fish in beautiful water, this trip delivers. The intimate 2-person capacity means you get personalized instruction and maximum fishing time without crowds or rushed schedules.
Your fishing platform for this Panama City Beach adventure is a specialized East Cape VHP flats skiff, designed specifically for prowling the shallow waters where redfish and trout love to hang out. This nimble boat draws minimal water, letting you slip into those skinny flats and grass beds that bigger boats can't reach. The wireless trolling motor keeps things whisper-quiet when you're stalking fish in the shallows – no engine noise to spook your targets when you're sight casting to tailing reds. The skiff comes equipped with a GPS system to mark productive spots and a quality fish finder to locate structure and baitfish concentrations. Whether you're working the grass flats at first light with topwater plugs or switching to subsurface lures as the sun climbs higher, this boat positions you perfectly for both blind casting and sight fishing opportunities. Built for two anglers, there's plenty of room to move around and make those crucial casts without getting tangled up.
Caranx HipposCrevalle Jack are the bulldogs of the flats - pure muscle with an attitude to match. These brassy-gold fighters typically run 2-8 pounds around here, though bigger ones show up occasionally. They travel in aggressive schools, hunting baitfish over grass flats and around structure. You'll often spot them by watching for diving birds - jacks push baitfish to the surface creating feeding frenzies. Spring through fall offers the best action when they're most active in our warmer waters. Guests love them because they fight dirty, making long runs and never giving up easy. They're not the best eating, but the fight makes up for it. Pro tip: when you find a school, cast past them and burn your lure back fast - jacks can't resist chasing down a fleeing baitfish.
Elops SaurusLadyfish earn their nickname "poor man's tarpon" for good reason - they jump and fight way above their weight class. These silver torpedoes usually run 12-20 inches and absolutely love our warm Gulf waters from spring through fall. You'll find them cruising shallow flats, around bridges, and along sandy beaches where they hunt in schools. While they're not great table fare, they put on an aerial show that gets everyone excited, especially kids on their first fishing trip. They hit artificials hard and are perfect for light tackle action. Here's the deal with ladyfish: use a wire leader or heavy fluorocarbon because their small but sharp teeth will cut through regular mono in a heartbeat. They're aggressive feeders, so keep your lures moving fast.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our shallow water fishing here. These copper-colored beauties with their distinctive black spots near the tail typically run 18-27 inches in our local waters. They love cruising grass flats, oyster bars, and sandy potholes in 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. Peak season runs April through November when water temps are warm. What makes them special is that explosive strike on topwater lures and their bulldogging fight once hooked. Plus, they're excellent eating with firm, mild flesh. My tip: when you spot one tailing in skinny water, cast your lure well ahead of where it's moving and let it sit motionless until the fish gets close, then give it a subtle twitch.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are speed demons that'll test your reflexes and tackle. These sleek, spotted speedsters usually run 1-3 pounds and show up in good numbers from late spring through early fall when water temps climb. They cruise open flats, around structure, and along beaches, often feeding near the surface in schools. What makes them fun is their lightning-fast strikes and acrobatic fights - plus they're some of the best eating fish in the Gulf with firm, flaky meat perfect for grilling. They migrate through our area, so timing matters. The key with Spanish mackerel is using a light wire leader because their razor-sharp teeth will slice through mono instantly. Small, fast-moving lures like spoons and jigs work best - these fish hunt by sight and speed.
Panama City Beach, FL, United States