5.0(3 Reviews)Inshore Fishing in Panacea FL | 4 HR Private Trip
5.0(3 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour private inshore fishing trip for two guestsTarget trout, redfish, cobia, sheepshead, snapper, and flounderFree cancellation, equipment provided, catch cleaning included
When you're looking for some of the best inshore fishing on Florida's Forgotten Coast, Panacea delivers big time. This isn't your typical crowded charter experience – we're talking about a personalized 4-hour adventure where you and one other angler get the captain's full attention. Whether you choose our morning trip targeting trout, redfish, and cobia for $550, or the afternoon session going after sheepshead, snapper, and flounder for $450, you're getting world-class fishing in waters that consistently produce. The best part? We clean and fillet everything you catch, so you can focus on what matters most – putting fish in the boat. With free cancellation up to 30 days out, there's really no reason not to lock in your dates.
Your day starts with meeting your captain at one of Panacea's local launch sites, where the Ochlockonee Bay system opens up into some of the most productive shallow water fishing in the Big Bend. These aren't deep sea conditions – we're working the flats, grass beds, and oyster bars where fish come to feed. The morning trips typically focus on the prime feeding times when trout are active over the grass and reds are prowling the shallows. Afternoon sessions shift gears toward structure fishing, where sheepshead hang around docks and pilings, and flounder ambush baitfish along sandy bottoms. Your captain provides all the gear, from light tackle spinning setups to the terminal tackle that works best for each species. The boats are set up specifically for inshore work – shallow draft, quiet trolling motors, and plenty of deck space to fight fish without getting tangled up.
Inshore fishing here is all about reading the water and adapting your approach. We're typically throwing live shrimp under popping corks for trout, working soft plastics along oyster bars for redfish, and presenting cut bait around structure for sheepshead. The tackle stays relatively light – think 15-20 lb test on spinning gear that lets you feel every bite and handle these fish properly. When cobia show up, we might bump up to slightly heavier gear, but the beauty of inshore fishing is finesse over brute force. Your captain will have you working different depths and structures throughout the trip, from 2-foot grass flats to 8-foot channel edges. Live bait wells keep shrimp and pinfish lively, while the tackle box stays stocked with proven artificials like DOA shrimp, gulp baits, and topwater plugs for when the action heats up on the surface.
"Captain Tanner was great. weather was bad with strong wiinds. With his knowledge of the bay, he was able to het us on Redfish throughout the morning when others got skunked. Made what could have been a really bad day into a great one ." - Gregory
"we caught alot of red fish! we are from MN and love fishing. we learned alot about local angling!" - Jenny Mcneill
"Brandon was our captain and he treated us like royalty. He worked very hard to make sure we all caught our fill. I would definitely recommend him." - Joe
Sea Trout are the bread and butter of Panacea's inshore scene, and for good reason. These spotted beauties average 14-18 inches but don't let their size fool you – they fight hard and taste even better. Trout love the grass flats and feed heavily during moving tides, especially early morning and late afternoon. They're aggressive biters when you find them, often hitting live shrimp or soft plastics with authority. Spring and fall offer the most consistent action, though summer mornings can be phenomenal when you get on them early. What makes trout special here is the sheer numbers – when you find a school, you can often catch your limit before moving on to other species.
Redfish are the crown jewel of shallow water fishing, and Panacea's expanses of oyster bars and grass flats create perfect redfish habitat. These copper-colored bruisers typically run 20-28 inches in these waters, with plenty of upper-slot and oversized fish to keep things interesting. Reds are notorious for their bulldogging fights and that distinctive thump when they take your bait. They're year-round residents, but fall and winter often produce the biggest fish as they school up for their spawning runs. Watch for them tailing in super shallow water during high tide – sight fishing for reds in 18 inches of water gets your heart pumping like nothing else.
Cobia show up as bonus fish, typically during the warmer months when they're cruising the flats looking for crabs and smaller fish. These brown sharks (as locals sometimes call them) can reach 30-40 pounds and will test your drag system for sure. They're curious fish that often investigate the boat, giving you shots at sight fishing when conditions are right. Cobia season peaks from April through June, when they're moving through the area in good numbers. Landing a cobia on light tackle is a real accomplishment – they dive hard and don't give up easy.
Southern Flounder are the masters of camouflage, lying flat on sandy bottoms waiting to ambush passing baitfish. These flatfish average 15-20 inches but can surprise you with some real doormat-sized fish pushing 5-6 pounds. Flounder fishing requires patience and the right presentation – usually live shrimp or finger mullet bounced along the bottom near structure. Fall months produce the best flounder action as they prepare for their offshore spawning migration. They're excellent table fare and provide a different kind of fishing challenge since you need to let them fully take the bait before setting the hook.
This sleek 2018 Sabercat 25 center console is your ticket to productive fishing waters around Panacea. The 25-footer runs on a reliable Yamaha 225HP that'll get you to the fish fast, cruising at speeds up to 50 knots when you need to cover ground quickly. Built for serious anglers, she's equipped with a fish finder to locate those schools of trout and redfish, plus GPS to mark your hot spots. The wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when you're working shallow flats for tailing reds. An onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and your drinks cold during those warm Florida afternoons. With space for up to 4 people, there's plenty of room to fish comfortably without bumping elbows. The multimedia system adds some entertainment between bites. Whether you're targeting morning trout and cobia or afternoon sheepshead and snapper, this boat handles both inshore shallows and nearshore structure with ease.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the dark horses of our spring fishing - big, brown, and built like torpedoes. These fish average 20-40 pounds and can easily hit 50-plus, making them serious rod-benders. We typically find them around structure like channel markers, buoys, and wrecks in 20-60 feet during their March through June migration. They're curious fish that'll often surface to check out the boat, which makes for exciting sight fishing. The meat is outstanding - firm and white, often compared to shark but much better. What guests love most is the visual game - spotting these giants cruising just under the surface. When we see one, I'll have you pitch a bucktail jig or live crab right in front of them. The secret is not spooking them with the boat - approach slowly and stay calm when they surface nearby.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bruisers of the flats and one of my favorite species to target. These copper-colored fighters typically run 18-30 inches in the shallows, with that signature black spot near the tail. You'll find them cruising oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines in 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs show. Year-round fishing is solid here, but fall brings the best action when they school up. What makes reds special is their aggressive strikes and bulldogging fight that'll test your drag. They're also great eating when kept in the slot. Look for nervous water, tailing fish, or that telltale wake. My go-to setup is a gold spoon or paddle tail jig worked slowly. Here's the key: when you spot one, cast well ahead of where it's headed and let your lure sink before starting your retrieve.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are the bread and butter of our inshore fishing here. These spotted beauties typically run 14-20 inches and love shallow grass flats and drop-offs in 3-8 feet of water. They're most active during low-light periods - early morning, late evening, and overcast days. Spring through fall offers the best action, especially when the water temps are in the 70s. Guests love them because they hit hard and put up a scrappy fight for their size. Plus, they're some of the best eating you'll find - mild, flaky white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. The key is working topwater plugs or soft plastics over the grass beds where they ambush shrimp and baitfish. Pro tip: when the bite gets tough, switch to a popping cork with live shrimp - the sound draws them in from a distance.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convicts of the Gulf with their black and white stripes, but don't let their looks fool you - they're some of the smartest fish around. These guys love structure like dock pilings, bridges, and oyster bars where they pick barnacles and crabs off with their human-like teeth. Most run 2-4 pounds and 14-18 inches, perfect for the cooler. Spring through fall are your best bets when they're feeding actively in shallower water. People love targeting them because they're notorious bait thieves - it's a real chess match. The meat is firm and mild, making them top-notch table fare. My tip: use the smallest hook you can get away with and pin that fiddler crab or shrimp on tight. When you feel that telltale tap-tap, set the hook hard - their bony mouths don't give you second chances.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are masters of disguise - these flat fish bury themselves in sandy and muddy bottoms where they ambush prey. You'll find them in 2-15 feet of water around grass flats, creek mouths, and oyster bars. They typically run 15-18 inches, but we catch plenty in the 2-5 pound range. Fall and winter are prime time when they're feeding heavily before their offshore spawn. What makes them special is that unique flat body with both eyes on one side - kids love seeing that. They're also fantastic eating with sweet, white meat. The trick is to drift slowly and let your bait hit bottom, then work it up in foot intervals. Use live shrimp or mud minnows on a Carolina rig, and don't set the hook too fast - they like to mouth the bait first.
5.0 out of 5.0Captain Tanner was great. weather was bad with strong wiinds. With his knowledge of the bay, he was able to het us on Redfish thro...
we caught alot of red fish! we are from MN and love fishing. we learned alot about local angling!
Brandon was our captain and he treated us like royalty. He worked very hard to make sure we all caught our fill. I would definitel...
Panacea