Bay Fishing Charter from Panama City Beach
Private Trip
Flats/Shallows Fishing
Target sea trout, redfish, mackerel in calm backwatersFish mangrove flats with live bait and provided gearSmall group charter accommodates up to four anglers
Looking for some solid fishing action without dealing with rough seas? This bay fishing charter keeps you in the protected backwaters around Panama City Beach, where the fish are hungry and the conditions stay comfortable all day. You'll work the flats, cruise through mangrove-lined shorelines, and hit productive docks where Spanish mackerel, redfish, and sea trout love to hang out. With live bait, all the gear you need, and fishing licenses included, this trip takes the hassle out of planning so you can focus on what matters – putting fish in the boat.
This charter puts you right in the heart of Panama City Beach's most productive inshore waters. Your captain knows every creek, flat, and structure where fish congregate, and you'll spend the day moving between spots to keep the action going. The protected bays mean calmer conditions, making this perfect for anglers who want great fishing without the seasickness risk that comes with offshore trips. You'll drift over grass flats where redfish cruise, cast along mangrove edges where sea trout ambush baitfish, and work around dock pilings that hold everything from Spanish mackerel to bluefish. The boat accommodates up to 2 anglers comfortably, giving everyone plenty of room to cast and fight fish without getting lines tangled. Wildlife sightings are a bonus – dolphins, manatees, and various seabirds call these waters home, so keep your eyes peeled between casts.
Your guide comes equipped with light to medium tackle perfect for the species you'll target, plus a cooler full of fresh live bait that these fish can't resist. Depending on conditions and what's biting, you might be sight-fishing for cruising redfish on shallow flats, drifting live shrimp under popping corks for sea trout, or casting small jigs around structure for Spanish mackerel. The beauty of bay fishing is the variety – one minute you're working a topwater lure over a grass bed, the next you're bouncing a soft plastic along a mangrove shoreline. Live bait like shrimp, pinfish, and pilchards are absolute killers in these waters, but artificial lures shine too when fish are actively feeding. Your captain will match the technique to the conditions and teach you the local tricks that consistently produce fish. All fishing licenses are covered, so you can wet a line as soon as you step aboard.
Spanish Mackerel are speed demons that hit hard and fight dirty, making them a favorite among anglers who love fast action. These silver bullets typically range from 1-3 pounds and are most active during warmer months when baitfish schools are thick. They'll absolutely crush a well-presented live shrimp or small jig, and their blistering runs will test your drag settings. What makes them special here is their willingness to bite – when you find a school, you can often catch them one after another until your arms get tired.
Bluefish earn their reputation as aggressive predators that will eat just about anything that moves. These toothy fighters average 2-5 pounds in the bay and provide some of the most consistent action you'll find. They're particularly active during spring and fall migrations when they push baitfish into shallow water. Blues fight hard all the way to the boat and aren't picky about baits – live shrimp, cut bait, or flashy spoons all work well when they're feeding.
Summer Flounder, or fluke, are the ultimate ambush predators that lie buried in sandy bottoms waiting for an easy meal to swim by. These flatfish can surprise you with their size – doormat fluke over 5 pounds aren't uncommon in these waters. They're most active during summer months and require a different approach than other species. Bouncing bucktail jigs tipped with live bait along the bottom is deadly effective, and the subtle bite means you need to stay alert.
Sea Trout are the bread and butter of bay fishing, offering consistent action and excellent table fare. These spotted beauties typically run 1-4 pounds and are active year-round, though they really turn on during spring and fall. They love structure like oyster bars, grass beds, and channel edges where they can ambush shrimp and small fish. Sea trout have a soft mouth, so fighting them requires finesse, but their willingness to bite makes them perfect for anglers of all skill levels.
Redfish are the crown jewel of inshore fishing, combining impressive size with bulldog fighting ability. These copper-colored bruisers can exceed 20 pounds and provide some of the most memorable fights you'll experience in shallow water. Reds are active year-round but really shine during fall when they school up in large numbers. They're often found tailing in shallow water, creating exciting sight-fishing opportunities. Their powerful runs and stubborn fighting style make every hookup feel like a battle, and their distinctive drum-like sound when brought to the surface adds to the experience.
This bay fishing charter delivers everything you want from a day on the water – consistent action, comfortable conditions, and the chance to catch multiple species that fight hard and taste great. The protected waters mean you'll fish effectively regardless of weather conditions that might shut down offshore trips, making this a smart choice for visitors on a tight schedule. With all gear, bait, and licenses included, plus a captain who knows exactly where the fish are hiding, you're set up for success from the moment you cast off. These productive bay waters have been producing fish for generations of anglers, and there's no better way to experience Panama City Beach's legendary fishing than with a guide who lives and breathes these waters. Book your charter today and get ready to put some serious bends in your rod.
Jump aboard this solid 2016 Tidewater center console for some prime flats fishing around Panama City Beach. This 200HP Yamaha-powered rig cruises at 45 knots, getting you to those productive backwater spots and mangrove-lined shores where the redfish and sea trout hang out. The boat's rigged with everything you need - fish finder to mark schools, GPS to hit your favorite spots, and radar for those early morning runs when visibility gets sketchy. Keep your catch fresh in the onboard icebox while you work the docks and shallow flats for Spanish mackerel and bluefish. Perfect setup for two anglers who want to explore the calmer inshore waters without dealing with rough seas. The center console design gives you plenty of casting room and easy access to all your gear.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are aggressive predators that pack a serious punch. These gray-blue fighters typically weigh 3-10 pounds around here, though bigger ones show up offshore. They travel in schools and go into feeding frenzies, churning the water when they hit baitfish. You'll find them around structures, jetties, and open flats, especially during summer and early fall. What makes them exciting is their attitude - they fight hard and aren't picky about lures. Spoons, jigs, and cut bait all work well. The meat is tasty when fresh, with a rich flavor that's great smoked or grilled. One thing I always tell folks: watch those teeth when handling them. Use a towel or pliers - these guys will bite anything that gets near their mouth, even when they're in the boat.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bruisers of the shallow water game. These copper-colored fighters with distinctive black spots near their tails typically run 18-27 inches in our waters and are known for powerful, bulldogging runs. They love super shallow flats, oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines - sometimes in water so thin their backs show. Year-round fishing is good, but fall and spring are peak times when they school up heavily. What makes them special is their strength and the way they'll eat just about anything - live shrimp, cut bait, topwater plugs, and soft plastics all work. The meat is excellent with a mild, sweet flavor. My favorite local trick: look for muddy water or nervous baitfish on the flats. Reds push mud when they're feeding, and that discolored water often leads you right to them. Cast past the mud and work your bait back through it.
Salmo TruttaSpotted seatrout are one of our most popular inshore targets, and for good reason. These silvery fish with black spots typically run 14-18 inches and put up a solid fight on light tackle. They love grass flats, shallow bays, and areas around docks where they hunt shrimp and small fish. Spring through fall are prime times, especially early morning and evening when they're feeding actively. The meat is delicate and flaky - perfect for a fish fry or blackened on the grill. They respond well to live shrimp, soft plastics, and topwater plugs worked slowly over the grass. Here's something that works great around here: fish the deeper potholes in the grass flats during the heat of the day. While everyone else is working the shallow edges, trout often hold in these cooler spots waiting for the next tide change.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are fast, silvery fish with yellow spots that cruise our Gulf waters in schools. They typically run 1-2 feet long and weigh 2-8 pounds, making them perfect for light tackle action. You'll find them near the surface around structures, grass flats, and open water - especially during warmer months from spring through fall. These speedsters are known for their blistering runs and acrobatic jumps when hooked. The meat is excellent - mild, flaky, and great grilled or smoked. They hit fast-moving lures like spoons and small jigs, but here's a local tip: when you hook one, keep your rod tip down and reel steady. Their razor-sharp teeth can cut through light leaders, so a wire leader helps land more fish.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder are the chameleons of the flats - masters of camouflage that lie on sandy bottoms waiting to ambush prey. These flatfish typically run 15-20 inches and can surprise you with how hard they fight once hooked. Both eyes are on their left side, which makes them unique among our local species. You'll find them on sandy bottoms, around docks, and near channel edges, especially in fall when they're most active. They're prized for their sweet, white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. Live minnows, mullet, and sea worms work best, fished right on the bottom. Here's my go-to technique: hook your bait through the lips and let it sit still. When you feel that tap-tap-tap, count to three before setting the hook - flounder like to grab their prey sideways first.
Panama City