Full Day Gulf Coast Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Full day offshore fishing in Gulf of Mexico watersAll equipment and fishing licenses included with bookingAccommodates up to 6 guests per charter trip
The Gulf of Mexico off Panama City delivers some of Florida's most consistent offshore action, and there's nothing quite like a full day out here chasing whatever's biting. With Reel Steel Charters, you're not just booking a trip – you're getting a captain who knows these waters like the back of his hand and will put you on fish whether they're suspended over structure, cruising the reefs, or hanging around the wrecks. We handle all the details so you can focus on what matters: bending rods and filling the cooler.
Your day starts early at the marina, where you'll meet your captain and get a quick rundown of the game plan. The beauty of fishing these Gulf waters is the variety – one day we might be trolling for mackerel in the morning and dropping down on snapper structure by afternoon. Other days, we'll head straight to the wrecks where the grouper like to hide. The boat's equipped with top-shelf electronics to find the fish and all the tackle you'll need to catch them. We're talking about a legitimate full day here – usually 8 hours – so pack your patience and get ready for some serious fishing time. The Gulf can serve up anything from calm, glassy conditions to a little chop that keeps things interesting, but that's all part of the experience.
We fish three main styles depending on what's happening: trolling, bottom fishing, and wreck fishing. When we're trolling, we'll pull a spread of spoons, diving plugs, and sometimes live bait to cover water and find active fish. The Spanish mackerel absolutely hammer trolled baits, and it's a blast watching those rods double over. For bottom fishing, we're talking heavy sinkers, circle hooks, and fresh cut bait or live pinfish. This is where the snapper action really shines – dropping down 60 to 100 feet and feeling that distinctive snapper thump on the other end. Wreck fishing gets technical with heavier tackle since you're pulling fish away from structure, but that's where the big gag grouper live. All rods, reels, tackle, bait, and your fishing license are included, so you don't need to worry about bringing anything except sunscreen and a cooler for your catch.
Red snapper are the crown jewel of Gulf fishing, and Panama City sits right in prime snapper country. These fish are smart, finicky, and absolutely delicious – everything you want in a target species. They hang around structure in 60 to 120 feet of water, and when you hook one, you'll know it immediately from that hard pull and head shake. Red snapper season typically runs summer into fall, and when it's open, we spend a lot of time chasing these crimson beauties. A good red snapper will run anywhere from 3 to 8 pounds, with the occasional doormat pushing double digits.
Lane snapper might be smaller than their red cousins, but they make up for size with attitude and numbers. These feisty little fighters are available year-round and will absolutely destroy a properly presented bait. They're perfect for keeping kids engaged since the action stays consistent, and they taste fantastic in the pan. Lane snapper typically run 1 to 3 pounds, but they fight like fish twice their size.
Spanish mackerel are pure adrenaline on light tackle. These speed demons love to hit trolled baits and spoons, often jumping clear out of the water when hooked. Spring through fall is prime time for Spanish mackerel, and they school up in massive numbers. When you find them, it's not unusual to hook up on multiple rods at once. They're also some of the best eating fish in the Gulf when prepared fresh.
Gag grouper are the bruisers of the bunch – thick-shouldered bottom dwellers that will test your tackle and your technique. These fish live around wrecks and hard bottom, and they have zero interest in coming up easy. When you hook a decent gag, expect a fight that involves stopping power runs and keeping the fish away from structure. Gag grouper season varies, but when they're open, targeting them around wrecks and artificial reefs produces the best results. A typical gag runs 5 to 15 pounds, with trophy fish pushing 20-plus.
Grey triggerfish are the wild cards of Gulf fishing – tough fighters with serious attitude and surprisingly good table fare. These fish have strong jaws designed for crushing shellfish, so they'll test your drag system and your patience. Triggerfish are most active during warmer months and tend to school around structure. They're not the prettiest fish in the ocean, but they make up for looks with pure fighting spirit and excellent eating quality.
A full day on the Gulf with Reel Steel Charters means serious fishing time in some of Florida's most productive waters. Whether you're after a limit of snapper, a cooler full of mackerel, or that trophy grouper for the wall, this trip delivers the variety and action that keeps anglers coming back. With all gear included and a captain who knows exactly where to find the fish, you're set up for success from the moment you step aboard. The Gulf of Mexico doesn't give up its fish easy, but with the right guide and a full day to work with, you'll head home with stories, photos, and hopefully a cooler full of dinner. Book your trip now and get ready to see why Panama City offshore fishing has such a reputation among serious anglers.
Our 28ft Parker pilothouse cabin cruiser is built for serious Gulf fishing adventures in Panama City waters. This beauty runs on a powerful 250HP Yamaha engine that'll get your crew of up to 6 anglers to the hot spots fast, cruising at 35 knots when the fish are calling. The enclosed pilothouse keeps you comfortable during long runs offshore, while the spacious cockpit gives everyone room to work their lines without getting tangled up. We've got you covered with an icebox to keep your catch fresh and drinks cold, plus a wireless trolling motor for those sneaky approaches to skittish snapper schools. The GPS navigation system gets us to proven fishing grounds, and our fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating structure where mackerel, grouper, and other Gulf species hang out. Even includes a head onboard for those long days chasing trophy fish. Whether we're trolling the blue water, working artificial reefs, or targeting wrecks, this Parker handles Gulf conditions like a champ and brings everyone back with coolers full of fresh seafood.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag Grouper are the ultimate wrestling match - these mottled gray bruisers average 20 inches but can reach 50+ pounds on our deeper wrecks and reefs. We find them around rocky structure and ledges in 60-200 feet, where they ambush crabs, fish, and squid. Fall through early spring is prime time when they're more active in cooler water. What guests love is the pure power - once hooked, they'll make one determined run straight for the rocks to try breaking your line. The meat is phenomenal, firm white fillets that are hard to beat. Live pinfish and mullet work best, but cut squid and crab produce too. The key is being ready for that initial run - keep your drag locked down and don't give them an inch. Point your rod straight down and winch them up fast, because if they reach that structure, it's game over.
Balistes CapriscusGrey Triggerfish are scrappy fighters that average 12-17 inches and love hard bottom areas around our wrecks and reefs. You'll find them anywhere from 30-180 feet, where they use their sharp teeth to crunch crabs, shrimp, and sea urchins. They're not picky eaters - squid works great since it stays on the hook better than softer baits. What makes them fun is their attitude - they'll steal bait right from snapper and grouper, so drop your line near other feeding fish to trigger their competitive side. Once hooked, they put up a solid fight for their size. The meat's decent eating too. Here's the key: use a heavy sinker to get down fast, keep your line tight, and reel quickly when you feel that first nibble - they're notorious bait thieves but commit once they grab it.
Lutjanus SynagrisLane Snappers are those pretty pink fish with yellow stripes that show up as bonus catches when we're targeting bigger snapper. They run 10-14 inches typically, though you'll occasionally see one pushing 20. These aggressive little guys live around coral reefs and sandy areas with grass, usually in 70-230 feet of water. March through September is their spawning season, making them more abundant and active. What's fun about them is they're not line-shy like other species - they'll hit almost anything you drop down. Shrimp, squid, and cut bait all work well. They fight hard for their size and make decent table fare. The trick with Lane Snappers is they often feed at night, so early morning and late evening trips tend to produce better. Don't target them specifically - just enjoy them when they show up mixed in with your other catches.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed Snapper are the crown jewel of Gulf fishing - these deep red beauties average 1-2 feet but can hit 35+ pounds. We target them around structure in 60-200 feet, especially wrecks and hard bottom areas where they school up. May through October is prime time when they're spawning and most active. What guests love is the fight - they'll make powerful runs straight for cover trying to break you off on the structure. The meat is outstanding, sweet and flaky, perfect for the dinner table. Live pinfish or cigar minnows work best, but fresh squid produces too. Pro tip: once you hook one, keep steady pressure and don't let them get back to the structure. Lock your drag down tight and pull hard right away - these fish know exactly where the rocks are and they'll use them against you every time.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish Mackerel are speed demons that'll give you an arm workout - these silver torpedoes with yellow spots typically run 1-2 feet and 8-11 pounds. They travel in massive schools near the surface, especially around structure in 20-60 feet of water. Spring through fall is best when they're moving through our area following bait schools. What makes them popular is the fast action - when you find a school, it's game on with multiple hookups. They're excellent eating too, mild and flaky, great grilled or smoked. We troll small spoons and jigs, or drift with live shrimp and sardines. Here's the secret: once you hook up, don't stop fishing - keep multiple lines in the water because the school will stick around. These fish have razor-sharp teeth, so use a wire leader or they'll cut you off. Move quickly though - they can disappear as fast as they showed up.
Panama City, FL