5.0(1 Reviews)Kid-Friendly Snapper And Trout Fishing Adventure
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
3hour inshore fishing adventure targeting snapper and troutFamilyfriendly charter accommodating children under 15 years oldExpert Captain Dusty guides groups up to 5 guests
Captain Dusty and the crew at Laid Back Fishing Charters know how to make a day on the water memorable for the whole family. This 3-hour inshore fishing trip in Panama City Beach is designed with kids in mind, but don't think that means you'll be fishing with toy rods in a kiddie pool. We're talking about real fishing for real species like Sea Trout, Redfish, Red Snapper, Lane Snapper, and Bluefish in some of the most productive inshore waters along the Gulf Coast. With children under 15 fishing free, this top-rated charter makes it easy for families to experience the excitement of Panama City Beach fishing without breaking the bank.
Your morning starts at the marina where Captain Dusty will get everyone set up with the right gear and give a quick rundown of what we're targeting and where we'll be fishing. The beauty of inshore fishing in Panama City Beach is that we don't have to travel far to find the action. Within minutes, you'll be cruising through the back bays, grass flats, and shallow reefs where these fish love to hang out. The boat is equipped for up to 5 anglers, so there's plenty of room for the family without feeling crowded. Captain Dusty has been working these waters for years and knows exactly where to find the fish based on the tides, weather, and season. He'll adjust the game plan throughout the trip to keep the action going and make sure everyone gets their shot at landing something special.
This isn't your typical deep-sea charter where you're dropping heavy weights in 200 feet of water. Inshore fishing is all about finesse and reading the water. We'll be using light to medium tackle with live bait, cut bait, and artificial lures depending on what the fish are biting. For the kids, Captain Dusty keeps things simple with easy-to-use spinning reels and lighter rods that won't tire out small arms. You might find yourself sight fishing for Redfish on the flats, working the grass beds for Sea Trout, or dropping down to structure for Snapper and Bluefish. The captain will handle all the technical stuff like finding the right depth, reading the fish finder, and positioning the boat, while you and your family focus on the fun part – catching fish. All tackle, bait, and gear are included, so you just need to bring yourselves and maybe some snacks and drinks for the trip.
Sea Trout are the bread and butter of Panama City Beach inshore fishing, and for good reason. These silver beauties are abundant year-round, though spring and fall offer the best action when they school up in the grass beds. They typically run 14 to 20 inches, with the occasional gator trout pushing over 25 inches. What makes them perfect for family trips is their willingness to bite artificial lures and live bait, plus they put up a decent fight without being too overwhelming for younger anglers. The spotted pattern along their sides makes them easy to identify, and they're excellent eating if you decide to keep a few for dinner.
Redfish are the crown jewel of inshore fishing, and Panama City Beach has some world-class Red fishing. These copper-colored fighters are most active during the warmer months, especially in summer and early fall when they cruise the shallow flats looking for crabs and baitfish. A typical Red will run between 20 and 30 inches, with slot-sized fish being perfect for the dinner table. What kids love about Redfish is the visual aspect – you can often see them tailing in shallow water, and when they hit your bait, they make that distinctive run that gets everyone's adrenaline pumping. Captain Dusty knows all the prime Red spots around the area.
Red Snapper might be the most sought-after species on this trip, and for good reason. These bright red fish with their distinctive large eyes and sharp teeth are pure excitement to catch. In the inshore waters around Panama City Beach, you'll typically find smaller Snapper in the 12 to 16-inch range, but don't let the size fool you – they fight like fish twice their size. Red Snapper are structure-oriented, so we'll target them around reefs, ledges, and artificial structures. Summer months are prime time for Snapper, and they're notorious for their aggressive strikes and acrobatic fights once hooked.
Lane Snapper are often overlooked, but they're a customer favorite on family trips because they're prolific biters and gorgeous fish. These smaller cousins of the Red Snapper feature yellow stripes along their pink and silver bodies, making them a hit with kids who love the colorful catch. They school up around structure and are active year-round in Panama City Beach waters. Lane Snapper are perfect for keeping the action going when other species are finicky, and they're surprisingly good fighters for their size.
Bluefish bring the power to this inshore mix. These voracious predators travel in schools and when you find them, you're in for some fast action. Blues are most common during their spring and fall migrations, and they're known for their aggressive strikes and powerful runs. They typically range from 2 to 5 pounds in the inshore waters, making them perfect for kids who want to feel that rod bend. Captain Dusty loves targeting Blues because they're willing biters and provide non-stop action when the school is located.
This kid-friendly charter fills up fast, especially during peak season when families are looking for that perfect Panama City Beach fishing adventure. Captain Dusty's reputation for putting customers on fish while keeping things fun and educational for the kids has made this a trending choice among local guides and visiting families alike. With children under 15 fishing free and all gear included, this world-class fishing experience offers incredible value
Get ready to fish the productive waters around Panama City Beach aboard our restored 2000 Cape Horn 24-ft center console! This beauty sleeps up to 4 anglers comfortably and packs serious power with twin Yamaha 200HP engines that'll get you to the hot spots fast - we're talking 44 knots when conditions are right. The boat's been completely refreshed since 2016, so everything runs smooth as silk. What makes this rig perfect for targeting snapper and trout is the wireless trolling motor that lets us sneak up on structure without spooking the fish. Our GPS keeps us on the productive bottom, while the fish finder shows exactly where those dinner-sized snappers are holding. The center console layout gives everyone plenty of room to cast and fight fish without getting tangled up - especially important when you've got kids learning the ropes. Captain Dusty knows these waters like the back of his hand, so whether we're working grass flats for trout or hitting nearshore structure for snapper, you'll be fishing the right spots with the right boat.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are aggressive predators that travel in schools and put on some of the most exciting fishing action you'll see. These blue-green fighters average 2-8 pounds in our waters and are famous for their razor-sharp teeth and fierce attitude. They roam the surf, nearshore waters, and around baitfish schools, often creating feeding frenzies that churn the water white. Summer brings the best action when they follow bait migrations through our area. Guests love them because they hit hard, fight dirty, and provide non-stop action when the school moves in. Smaller blues make good eating when bled immediately and kept cold. Watch for diving birds - that's your sign the blues are feeding. Cut bait or fast-retrieved spoons work great, but use a wire leader because those teeth will cut through anything else.
Lutjanus SynagrisLane snappers are beautiful pink and silver fish with yellow stripes that look like candy canes running along their sides. These smaller snappers typically run 10-14 inches and are perfect for kids since they're aggressive biters that aren't too picky about bait. You'll find them around coral patches, rocky bottom, and structure in 15-60 feet of water. Spring through early fall is when they're most active in our area. What makes them fun is they're scrappy little fighters that come in schools, so when you find one, there's usually more. They're excellent eating despite their size - sweet, mild meat that's great for fish tacos. Pro tip: they feed heavily at night, so if we're fishing late in the day and find a good spot, we'll anchor up and wait for the bite to turn on as the sun sets.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed snapper are the holy grail of offshore fishing, but juveniles do show up in our nearshore waters during summer months. These bright red fish with their distinctive profile can reach impressive sizes - we typically see them in the 1-3 pound range on our trips, though they grow much larger offshore. They hang around structure in 15-40 feet of water, especially rocky bottom and artificial reefs. Summer is prime time when they move into shallower water to feed. Guests love them because they fight hard for their size and make outstanding table fare with sweet, firm white meat. They're smart fish that can be line-shy, so here's what works: use the lightest leader you can get away with and fresh cut bait fished right on the bottom.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the ultimate inshore fighter, easily spotted by their copper-bronze color and signature black spot near the tail. These bruisers average 18-30 inches in our waters and will test your drag with powerful runs to structure. Look for them in 1-4 feet of water around oyster bars, grass flats, and shallow bays where they cruise looking for crabs and shrimp. Fall through spring gives us the most consistent action when they school up. What guests love most is watching their backs break the surface in skinny water - it's pure adrenaline. They're also fantastic eating with sweet, firm meat. Here's a local tip: when you spot them tailing in the shallows, cast well ahead of where they're moving and work your bait slow along the bottom.
Salmo TruttaAlso called speckled trout, these silvery fish with distinctive black spots are a Panama City Beach favorite. Most run 14-24 inches and put up a scrappy fight that kids love. You'll find them in shallow grass flats, especially around dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. Summer and fall offer the best action here in the Gulf. They're excellent table fare with mild, flaky white meat that's perfect for a family fish fry. What makes them special is how they hit topwater lures with explosive strikes that get everyone excited. My go-to trick is working a popping cork with live shrimp over the grass beds - when you see those telltale slicks on the surface, that's where the trout are feeding.
5.0 out of 5.0Fantastic day with a great captain. Super knowledgeable.
Panama City Beach