Full Day Bottom Fishing in Panama City Beach
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
1012 hour deep water fishing adventure in Gulf of MexicoTarget snapper, grouper, and amberjack with expert guidesSmall group experience accommodating up to 6 guests maximum
Listen, if you're serious about bottom fishing and want to experience what the Gulf of Mexico has to offer, this 10 to 12-hour guided trip is exactly what you're looking for. We're talking about a full day on the water, hitting the deep spots where the big fish hang out. Panama City Beach sits right on some of the most productive bottom fishing grounds in the Gulf, and our guides know every ledge, rock pile, and structure that holds fish. This isn't your typical half-day charter where you're just getting warmed up when it's time to head back. With up to 6 anglers on board, you'll have plenty of room to work without feeling crowded, and our crew will make sure everyone gets their shots at the fish.
Your day starts early because we've got serious fishing to do. After loading up and getting everyone settled, we'll make the run out to the productive grounds anywhere from 15 to 40 miles offshore, depending on where the fish are biting best. The ride gives you time to rig up, get your game face on, and maybe grab some coffee while our captain plots the course to the first spot. Once we reach the fishing grounds, you'll be dropping heavy tackle down 60 to 120 feet to where the snappers, groupers, and amberjacks live. The bottom structure here is incredible - natural limestone ledges, artificial reefs, and wrecks that create the perfect habitat for these species. You'll spend the day moving between spots, reading the fish finder, and putting baits right where they need to be. Our guides will coach you through the techniques, help with rigs, and make sure you're maximized for success. Don't worry about experience level either - we've got beginners who walk away with their personal best and seasoned anglers who finally get that trophy they've been chasing.
Bottom fishing in the Gulf requires the right approach, and that starts with heavy tackle that can handle both the depth and the fish. We're talking about stout conventional reels loaded with 50-80 pound braid, paired with rods that have the backbone to pull big grouper off the bottom. The key is getting your bait down fast and keeping it in the strike zone. We use knocker rigs, chicken rigs, and sometimes Carolina rigs depending on the current and what we're targeting. Circle hooks are the standard here - they reduce gut hooking and give you better hookup ratios on these bottom dwellers. Bait selection makes all the difference too. Fresh cut bait like cigar minnows, pinfish, and grunt work great for snappers, while grouper often prefer live or fresh dead bait fished tight to structure. The amberjacks are opportunistic and will hit both live bait and jigs worked near the bottom. Current plays a huge role in presentation, and our guides will show you how to read the drift and adjust your weight accordingly. When a fish hits, the fight is straight up and down - pure power against power as you try to turn their head and get them up off the bottom before they cut you off in the rocks.
Red snapper are the bread and butter of Gulf bottom fishing, and Panama City Beach has some of the most consistent action you'll find. These fish typically run 2 to 8 pounds, with the occasional double-digit fish that'll make your day. They're structure-oriented, hanging around reefs and wrecks in 60 to 100 feet of water. Red snapper season runs from mid-June through July, and when it's open, the action can be non-stop. What makes them so fun is their aggressive bite and the way they fight - making long runs and using their broad sides to pull drag. Plus, they're hands down one of the best eating fish in the Gulf.
Gag grouper are the power hitters of the bottom fishing game here. These bruisers can range from keeper size around 24 inches all the way up to 40-pound monsters that'll test your tackle and your back. They live in the rocks and ledges, often in 80 to 120 feet of water, and when you hook one, the fight is immediate and brutal. Gags will try to get back to their hole, and if they succeed, you're probably done. The season typically runs from July through December, with fall being prime time when they're feeding heavily before winter. Landing a big gag grouper is a badge of honor among Gulf anglers, and the fillets are absolutely incredible on the dinner table.
Greater amberjack bring the speed and endurance to bottom fishing trips. These fish are built like torpedoes and fight like they're shot out of one. You'll find them around the same structures as grouper, but they're more likely to come up off the bottom to investigate your bait. Amberjacks in these waters commonly run 20 to 50 pounds, with fish over 60 pounds showing up regularly. They're available year-round but are most active during the cooler months from October through March. What makes amberjack fishing so addictive is their initial run - they'll peel drag off your reel like it's not even engaged, and the fight can last 20 minutes or more on heavy tackle.
Bottom fishing in Panama City Beach offers some of the most consistent and productive action in the Gulf of Mexico. This full-day trip gives you the time you need to really get into the fish and experience what these waters have to offer. Our experienced guides know the spots, the techniques, and the timing that separate good trips from great ones. Whether you're looking to put meat in the cooler, catch your personal best, or just spend a day doing what you love most, this charter delivers. The boat limit of 6 anglers means trips fill up fast, especially during prime season. Don't wait until the last minute to book - the best fishing days get reserved early by anglers who know what they want. Give Panama Adventures a call and let's
Step aboard this stunning 1966 Hatteras Sportfish that's been completely restored and updated for 2024. At 34 feet, she's built tough for Gulf waters with twin 330hp Cummins engines that'll get you to the best bottom fishing spots at a steady 20 knots. This classic beauty comfortably handles up to 6 anglers, giving everyone plenty of room to work their lines when the snapper and grouper start biting. The spacious deck layout means no tangled lines or crowded corners - just pure fishing focus. Her deep-V hull cuts through Gulf chop like butter, keeping you stable over those productive ledges and structure where the big fish live. Whether you're dropping baits in 80 feet or working deeper water for amberjack, this boat delivers the reliability and comfort that makes long fishing days feel short.
Panama City Beach, FL