Offshore & Inshore Fishing Charter in Panacea, FL
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Fivehour charter targeting snapper, grouper, and redfish offshoreCaptain Joel provides all equipment, bait, and fishing licensesAccommodates up to six guests of all experience levels
Captain Joel knows these Panacea waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some serious fish. This 5-hour combo trip gives you the best of both worlds – we'll work the nearshore structure for snapper and grouper, then slide inshore to target those copper-colored redfish that make the Big Bend famous. Whether you're a weekend warrior or just picked up your first rod, Joel's got the patience and know-how to make sure you go home with stories worth telling. All your tackle, bait, and licenses are covered, so just bring your appetite for adventure and maybe a cooler for your catch.
Your day starts at the Panacea boat ramp where you'll meet Captain Joel and his well-rigged charter boat. This isn't some fly-by-night operation – Joel runs quality Shimano and Penn gear that can handle everything from schoolie snapper to bull reds that'll test your drag system. We'll kick things off heading offshore to the structure that holds snapper and grouper, usually 15-30 miles out depending on conditions and what's biting. The Gulf can be glass-calm or show you some chop, but Joel's been reading these waters for years and knows how to position the boat so everyone gets their shots. After working the offshore bite, we'll cruise back toward the grass flats and oyster bars where redfish patrol year-round. The variety keeps things interesting – one minute you're dropping bottom rigs in 60 feet, the next you're sight-casting to tailing reds in 3 feet of water.
Joel's got the tackle dialed in for this mixed bag approach. Offshore, we're typically running 20-30 pound setups with circle hooks and enough weight to get down through the current. You'll be dropping chicken rigs for snapper, working heavier tackle for grouper around the hard bottom. Don't worry if you've never tied a knocker rig – Joel will walk you through everything and get you rigged up proper. When we transition inshore, we'll switch to lighter spinning gear perfect for working the grass flats and structure. Depending on water clarity and fish activity, we might throw live bait, work soft plastics, or even break out some topwater plugs if the reds are aggressive. The captain reads the conditions and adjusts tactics accordingly – some days the fish want it moving fast, other days you need to slow down and work it right in their face.
Red snapper are the bread and butter of the offshore bite here, and these Panacea fish are known for their quality. Most run 3-8 pounds with some real slabs mixed in during peak season. They're structure-oriented fish that love rocky bottom, artificial reefs, and any hard cover in 40-80 feet of water. Summer months from June through August offer the most consistent action, but spring and fall can produce some excellent fishing when conditions align. What makes snapper fishing so addictive is the steady bite – when you find them, you can usually fill the cooler if you work it right.
Gag grouper are the holy grail of bottom fishing in these waters, and Captain Joel knows the spots that produce year after year. These fish are ambush predators that sit tight to structure, waiting for an easy meal to swim by. They'll test your tackle and your technique – gags are notorious for diving straight back to their holes the second they feel steel. Most fish run 3-10 pounds, but 20-pounders show up often enough to keep things interesting. October through March typically offers the best grouper fishing when they're feeding heavily before and after their spawning season.
Red grouper might not fight as hard as their gag cousins, but they're excellent table fare and often more cooperative. These fish prefer slightly different habitat – sandy bottom with scattered structure rather than solid rock. They're curious fish that will often come up off the bottom to investigate your bait, making them fun targets for anglers who like to see their fish before the hookup. Red grouper are available year-round, though winter months usually produce the most consistent action.
King mackerel turn this into a whole different ballgame when they're around. These speedsters require a completely different approach – trolling with live bait or spoons, watching for birds, and being ready for screaming runs that'll test your drag system. Kings are seasonal visitors, typically showing up in good numbers from late spring through early fall. A 20-pound king is a nice fish, but 30-40 pounders cruise these waters regularly. The fight is what separates kings from bottom fish – they'll make long runs, jump, and generally give you everything they've got.
Cobia are the bonus fish that can make your whole trip. These brown sharks (that's what some locals call them) are curious, aggressive, and absolutely delicious. They're sight-fishing opportunities when conditions are right – clear water, calm seas, and sharp eyes. Cobia often travel with rays or sharks, cruising just under the surface where you can spot them from a distance. They're spring and fall fish primarily, though a few hang around all summer. Most run 20-40 pounds, and they fight like fish twice their size with powerful runs and stubborn head shakes.
This combination trip gives you maximum variety and the best shot at putting together a mixed bag that'll keep your freezer stocked and your fishing stories fresh. Captain Joel's local knowledge and quality equipment take the guesswork out of your day on the water. The 6-person capacity keeps things comfortable without feeling crowded, and the 5-hour duration hits that sweet spot – long enough to really work the fish, short enough that you're not completely worn out. Remember to bring sunscreen, snacks, and drinks since meals aren't provided, and don't forget that cooler for your catch. These
Hit the Gulf waters aboard this reliable 2006 32' Jupiter center console, rigged for serious fishing action. Twin 300HP Yamaha engines get you to the fish fast, cruising at 45 knots to prime snapper and grouper spots offshore. The spacious center console layout comfortably handles up to 6 anglers with plenty of room to fight fish and move around. Essential electronics include GPS for marking your hotspots, radar for safe navigation, and fish finder to locate structure where the big ones hang out. The onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those long Gulf runs. Built tough for Florida's offshore conditions, this boat delivers the performance and reliability Captain Joel needs to put you on redfish inshore or run out deep for bottom fish. Perfect platform for both seasoned anglers and families looking to experience some of the best fishing the Big Bend has to offer.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the ultimate sight-fishing target and table fare champion. These brown, shark-looking fish average 20-50 pounds and can top 100 pounds. They're loners, cruising shallow reefs, wrecks, and structures in 30 feet or less, though you'll find them deeper around oil rigs. Spring migration from March through May is prime time when they move inshore to spawn. Guests love the visual hunt - spotting them just under the surface - and the incredible fight they put up. The meat quality is outstanding, firm and mild like premium crab. Best tip I can give is keep a bucktail jig ready when sight-fishing. Color doesn't matter much, but a 4-8 oz jig worked near structure will get their attention fast.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag grouper are the scrappy fighters of the grouper family. They average around 20 inches, but we see plenty in the 5-15 pound range with some monsters pushing 30+ pounds. These guys love hanging around offshore reefs, wrecks, and rocky ledges in 60-200 feet. Spring through fall offers the best action when they're actively hunting crabs, shrimp, and smaller fish. What makes them special is that pure determination - once hooked, they'll try everything to get back to their hole. The fight is worth it though, as gag grouper make excellent table fare with firm, white meat. Here's the trick: when you hook one, lock that reel down tight and don't give them any slack. If they reach cover, you're probably done for.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing mackerel are pure speed machines that'll test your reflexes and gear. These silvery torpedoes average 10-30 pounds but can hit 50+ pounds. We find them cruising open water and around structure in 40-150 feet, following baitfish like menhaden and blue runners. Spring through fall is peak season when water temps hit 68-84 degrees. What makes kings special is that blistering initial run - they'll peel line off your reel like nothing else. Plus, they make great eating despite what some folks say about the dark meat. The trick with kings is rigging a stinger hook behind your live bait since they often attack from the tail end. Use a wire leader too - those razor teeth will cut through mono in a heartbeat.
Epinephelus MorioRed grouper are the most common grouper we target, and for good reason. They typically run 5-10 pounds with that distinctive rusty-red color and white spots. You'll find them on muddy and rocky bottoms from 20-300 feet, often in shallower water than other grouper species. They're year-round fish, but avoid January through April when they're spawning and season's closed. What guests love is their aggressive nature - they'll hit just about anything - and the incredible table fare. Red grouper has this unique shellfish-like flavor from their crab and shrimp diet. My go-to trick is using fresh or frozen squid on a circle hook. These fish will try to drag you back to the bottom, so be ready for a solid fight once you set the hook.
Lutjanus CampechanusThese beautiful fish turn that classic brick-red color as they mature, starting pink when young. Most of what we catch runs 1-2 feet and 5-10 pounds, but they can hit 35+ pounds. Red snapper love structure - reefs, wrecks, and rocky bottom in 30-200 feet of water around here. They're year-round targets, but summer and fall fishing is prime when they're actively feeding. Guests love them because they fight hard, trying to dive back to cover, plus they're some of the best eating fish in the Gulf. That mild, sweet meat is perfect grilled or blackened. Pro tip: once you hook one, keep steady pressure and don't let them get back to the rocks - they'll wrap your line around anything they can find.
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