Family Fun Fishing from Panama City Beach!
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Inshore fishing adventure with dolphin watching opportunitiesPrivate charter accommodates up to 4 guests totalBackcountry bay exploration with customizable trip options
Looking for the perfect family fishing adventure that keeps everyone happy? This top-rated inshore charter from Old Town Charters hits all the right notes. We're talking about a customizable day on the water where you can chase some quality fish, spot dolphins playing in their natural habitat, and explore the beautiful backwater systems around Panama City Beach. Captain knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's all about making sure your crew has a blast whether you're seasoned anglers or first-timers just looking to get some lines wet.
This isn't your typical rigid charter where you're stuck following someone else's game plan. Your captain treats this like it's your personal boat for the day, which means if the kids want to try their luck at a different spot or someone in the group is more interested in watching dolphins than fishing, no problem at all. The trip accommodates up to 4 people with pricing for 2 guests, making it perfect for small families or a couple of friends who want that personalized attention you just can't get on those big head boats. The inshore waters around Panama City Beach offer incredible variety - one minute you're working grass flats for redfish, the next you're drifting over structure hoping to connect with a nice trout or sheepshead. The captain provides all the tackle and knows exactly where to position the boat based on tides, weather, and what's been biting lately.
Inshore fishing here is all about reading the water and adapting your approach. Your captain switches between live bait fishing with shrimp or pinfish, artificial lures like soft plastics and spoons, and sometimes even throws the net for fresh bait depending on what the fish are telling us that day. The boat comes rigged with quality spinning reels spooled with appropriate line weights - typically 15-20 pound test that can handle everything from scrappy trout to bull redfish. You'll learn how to work a jig head along the bottom for sheepshead around dock pilings, how to present a live shrimp under a popping cork in the grass, and maybe even try your hand at sight fishing if conditions are right. The shallow draft allows access to skinny water areas where bigger boats can't go, giving you shots at fish that don't see much pressure. Don't worry about bringing anything except your fishing license, sunscreen, and drinks - everything else is handled.
Spanish Mackerel are the crowd pleasers around here, especially during their peak runs in spring and fall. These silver bullets typically run 1-3 pounds and fight way above their weight class with blistering runs that'll get everyone on the boat excited. They're suckers for small spoons and jigs worked fast through the water column, and when you find a school, it's game on. What makes them perfect for family trips is they bite aggressively, fight hard, and are excellent table fare when prepared right.
Sheepshead earn their reputation as the convict fish with those distinctive black stripes, but what really sets them apart is their cunning nature around structure. These guys hang out around dock pilings, bridge supports, and rocky areas where they use their powerful jaws to crush barnacles and crabs. Landing a quality sheepshead requires finesse and quick reflexes since they're notorious bait stealers. Most run 2-4 pounds in these waters, but the occasional doormat pushing 6-8 pounds makes for an unforgettable fight and some serious bragging rights back at the dock.
Sea Trout provide steady action throughout most of the year and are perfect for anglers wanting to master different techniques. These spotted beauties love grass flats and drop-offs where they ambush baitfish. Spring and fall offer the best opportunities for slot-sized fish in the 15-20 inch range, though summer mornings and evenings can produce excellent fishing when the water cools down. They respond well to both live bait and artificials, making them ideal for teaching newer anglers how to feel the subtle strikes and work different presentations.
Redfish are the gold standard for inshore fishing around Panama City Beach. These bronze-backed fighters can show up anywhere from shallow grass flats to deeper channel edges, and they provide some of the most visual and exciting fishing opportunities. Slot reds typically run 18-27 inches and are known for powerful runs that test your drag system. Fall months are particularly productive as schools of reds move through the area, and there's nothing quite like watching your line peel off while a quality red makes its initial run.
Mahi Mahi or Common Dolphinfish represent the wild card species that can turn a good day into an legendary one. While not as common in the inshore waters, when they do show up near structure or floating debris, these colorful acrobats provide world-class action. Their brilliant colors, aerial displays, and aggressive strikes make them a customer favorite despite being less predictable than the other target species. When conditions align and the captain spots birds working or debris holding fish offshore, the chance at hooking into one of these beauties adds an element of excitement to every trip.
This family-friendly charter offers everything you want in a Panama City Beach fishing experience without the crowds or rigid schedules of larger operations. Your captain's local knowledge, quality equipment, and flexible approach means you're getting maximum value whether you're celebrating a special occasion or just want to create some lasting memories on the water. The combination of diverse fishing opportunities, dolphin watching, and backcountry exploration packed into one trip makes this a smart choice for groups with varying interests and experience levels. Don't let another season pass without experiencing what these inshore waters have to offer - book your spot with Old Town Charters and get ready for a day that delivers on every level.
Get ready to hit the waters of Panama City Beach aboard this reliable 2016 Tidewater center console! This fishing machine packs a 200HP Yamaha engine that'll cruise you to the best inshore spots at up to 45 knots. Whether you're casting lines for redfish and trout or cruising the backcountry looking for dolphins, this boat has everything you need. The fish finder will help you locate schools while the GPS keeps you on course. When visibility gets sketchy, the radar has your back. Keep your catch fresh in the built-in icebox along with cold drinks for the crew. Perfect for couples or small groups wanting to explore Panama City's amazing inshore fishery. From shallow flats to deeper channels, this versatile boat handles it all with room for up to 4 anglers.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi mahi are the colorful speedsters of the offshore world, averaging 15-30 pounds with that distinctive golden-green coloration and blunt forehead on males. We find them around floating debris, weed lines, and current edges in 100+ feet of water during spring and summer months. They're surface dwellers that love to chase flying fish and put on an aerial show when hooked. Guests go crazy for their acrobatic fights and premium table fare - firm, white meat with a mild, sweet flavor that's perfect grilled or blackened. They'll attack trolled ballyhoo, dolphin jigs, and anything that skips across the surface. Pro tip: when you hook one, keep other lines in the water - mahi travel in schools and the commotion often fires up the whole group for multiple hookups.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the copper-colored bruisers of our shallow flats, easily spotted by their bronze backs and signature black spots near the tail. Most slot fish run 18-27 inches, but we see plenty of oversized bulls pushing 30+ pounds in deeper water. They love cruising 1-4 feet of water around oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall and spring offer the most consistent action. Guests get hooked on their powerful runs and tail-walking fights - plus they're fantastic eating when in the slot. They'll crush everything from live shrimp to gold spoons and topwater plugs. Best local tip: look for tailing fish in super shallow water on calm mornings - approach quietly and cast ahead of their direction of travel for explosive strikes.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are a staple around Panama City Beach, averaging 14-20 inches with those distinctive spots covering their silver sides. They love shallow grass flats, oyster bars, and sandy bottoms where they hunt shrimp and small baitfish. Spring through fall fishing is best, especially during low-light periods at dawn and dusk. Cooler months find them in deeper channels and holes. Guests enjoy their sporty fight and excellent table fare - the meat is tender and flaky with a mild flavor that's perfect for any cooking style. They'll hit live shrimp, soft plastics, and topwater plugs worked slowly over the grass. Local trick: during winter, look for deeper pockets and channels where they school up - you can catch several from the same spot once you locate them.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convict fish of our waters - those black bars on their silver bodies make them unmistakable. Most run 2-8 pounds around Panama City Beach, though we occasionally see 15+ pounders. They hang tight to structure like dock pilings, bridges, and oyster bars where they munch on barnacles and crabs with those human-like teeth. Winter and early spring are prime time when they school up for spawning. Families love targeting them because they're great eating - sweet, white meat that's hard to beat fried up. They're notorious bait thieves, so you'll need to stay sharp and set the hook quick when you feel that tap. My tip: get your bait as close to the pilings as possible and use a tight drag - they'll try to wrap you up in the structure.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are fast, schooling fish that average 1-3 pounds and 14-20 inches around Panama City Beach. You'll spot their silvery bodies with yellow spots cruising near the surface, especially around grass flats and structure during warmer months. They're incredibly quick swimmers that travel in large schools, making for exciting action when you find them. Spring through fall gives you the best shot at these tasty fish. Guests love them because they fight hard for their size and make excellent table fare - mild, flaky meat that grills perfectly. They hit fast-moving lures and live bait like sardines. Pro tip: when you hook one, keep your lure in the water - where there's one Spanish mackerel, there's usually a whole school ready to bite.
Panama City