5.0(2 Reviews)Deep Sea Fishing Charter in Panama City Beach
5.0(2 reviews)
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
12-hour deep sea charter targeting amberjack, cobia, and mahi mahiVentures up to 45 miles offshore with expert guidance providedFully equipped vessel includes all rods, reels, tackle, and bait
Captain Ashton Lewis and the Showtime Fishing Charter crew know the Gulf waters like the back of their hands, and they're ready to put you on some serious fish. This 12-hour deep sea charter takes you up to 45 miles offshore where the big boys live – we're talking Amberjack, Cobia, Mahi, King Mackerel, and more. Running September through May with a 6 AM departure, this top-rated charter gives you a full day to work the best offshore, reef, and wreck fishing spots around Panama City Beach. Whether you're a weekend warrior or have never held a rod before, Captain Ashton will put you on fish and make sure you have a blast doing it.
You'll meet at the dock at 6 AM sharp – trust me, the early start is worth it when you're pulling in keeper fish all day long. The boat comes fully rigged with everything you need: quality rods, reels, tackle, and fresh bait. We're heading way offshore to where the water turns that deep blue color that gets every angler's heart pumping. The crew handles all the rigging and re-baiting, so you can focus on what matters – fighting fish. This is a private charter for up to 6 anglers, which means no crowded rails and plenty of room to work your fish properly. The Gulf of Mexico off Panama City Beach has some of the most productive fishing grounds on the entire Gulf Coast, and Captain Ashton knows every ledge, wreck, and reef that holds fish.
We'll be running a mix of techniques depending on what's biting. Trolling spreads work great for Mahi, Kings, and Wahoo when we're covering water to the fishing grounds. Once we hit the structure, it's time for bottom fishing with heavy tackle for those bruiser Amberjack and Red Snapper. Live bait fishing produces some of the best action for Cobia and Sailfish – there's nothing like watching a 40-pound Cobia cruise up to the boat and inhale your bait. The crew keeps multiple rods rigged and ready, so when the bite gets hot, everyone stays in the action. Heavy conventional reels spooled with 50-80 pound test are standard gear for these deep water battles. When you hook into a big Amberjack 200 feet down, you'll understand why we don't mess around with light tackle out here.
Guests keep coming back to fish with Captain Ashton because he delivers results and makes sure everyone has a great time on the water. "Captain and crew were kind, professional, and did everything right. I would highly recommend this trip." - Jeff. The personal touch and attention to detail really show when you're out there. "Captain Ashton Lewis of Showtime Charters made our fishing trip absolutely unforgettable! His expertise and friendly demeanor ensured we had an amazing day on the water. We caught plenty of fish and had a fantastic time. Highly recommend!" - Michelle. These aren't just fishing trips – they're the kind of days that get you hooked on offshore fishing for life.
Atlantic Sailfish are the crown jewel of Gulf Coast fishing, and Panama City Beach offers some of the best Sailfish action you'll find anywhere. These incredible fish typically show up during the cooler months, especially October through March when baitfish are thick. Sailfish average 6-8 feet long and put on an aerial show that'll have you shaking with adrenaline. They're fast, they jump, and they'll test your skills and tackle to the limit. Live bait fishing around the deep water structure is your best bet, and when that Sailfish lights up and starts tail-walking across the surface, you'll understand why they're considered the ultimate trophy fish.
King Mackerel are the speed demons of the Gulf, and they bite hard all season long around Panama City Beach. These toothy predators love trolled baits and will absolutely smoke a reel when they hit. Kings typically range from 15-40 pounds out here, with some real giants pushing 50-60 pounds during peak season. They're aggressive feeders that patrol the edges of structure and love fast-moving baits. The fight is pure adrenaline – long runs, screaming reels, and plenty of head shaking. Plus, Kings make excellent table fare when prepared right, so you're looking at trophy fishing and great eating all in one package.
Mahi Mahi, or Dolphinfish as the locals call them, are hands down the most colorful and exciting fish in the Gulf. These beautiful fish show their best colors during the fight – brilliant blues, greens, and yellows that'll take your breath away. Mahi typically run 10-30 pounds in these waters, though bigger bulls are always possible. They're school fish, so when you find one, there are usually more around. Mahi love floating structure, weed lines, and temperature breaks. The fight is explosive with lots of jumping and head shaking. They're also some of the best eating fish in the ocean – sweet, white meat that's perfect for the grill.
Cobia are the tanks of the reef system, and Panama City Beach has some of the best Cobia fishing on the Gulf Coast. These brown sharks, as some anglers call them, can reach 40-60 pounds and fight like freight trains. Cobia are curious fish that will often cruise right up to the boat to investigate. They're sight fishing at its finest – you'll actually see these big fish swimming around before you cast to them. Spring and early summer are prime time for Cobia, when they're moving inshore to spawn. The fight is all about power and endurance, and a big Cobia will test your back and your tackle. They're also fantastic eating fish with firm, white meat.
Red Sn
Captain Ashton's 42' sportfishing boat is built for serious offshore action in the Gulf's deep waters. This fully loaded vessel takes up to 6 anglers as far as 45 miles out to target amberjack, cobia, mahi mahi, and whatever else is biting. The boat comes equipped with everything you need - rods, reels, tackle, and bait are all included. Modern fish finder and GPS help locate the hottest spots, while the onboard kitchen, AC, and head keep everyone comfortable during those long 12-hour trips. Whether you're working the bottom for grouper or trolling for kings, this boat handles it all. The spacious deck gives everyone room to fight fish, and the icebox keeps your catch fresh. Perfect for both seasoned anglers and first-timers looking to get into some real Gulf fishing.
Istiophorus AlbicansAtlantic Sailfish are the speed demons of our waters, reaching up to 10 feet but averaging around 7.5 feet and 50 pounds. You'll find them in 30-65 feet of water when feeding, but they can dive to 650 feet. These fish are famous for their brilliant dorsal sail and lightning-fast runs - they're arguably the fastest fish in the ocean. What makes them special is their color-changing ability during fights and those spectacular jumps they're known for. Peak season runs through our cooler months when water temps hit that 70-83°F sweet spot. The fight is what hooks anglers - long runs, multiple jumps, and serious endurance. Here's a local trick: when teasing them up, let your bait swim naturally and wait for that sail to light up before setting the hook. They'll try to shake it immediately, so keep steady pressure and let them run first before fighting back.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the bulldogs of the Gulf - big, brown, and built like sharks with that single dorsal fin. These fish average around 6 feet and 100 pounds, living up to 12 years as solitary hunters. You'll spot them cruising shallow structure in 30 feet or less during spring migration, then they move to deeper reefs and wrecks up to 300 feet through summer. Peak season hits during spawning from June through August when they gather in coastal areas. What makes Cobia special is they're usually sight-fished - you actually see the fish before you cast. They fight like freight trains with long, powerful runs, and the meat rivals any fish in the Gulf with its firm texture and clean flavor. Being solitary fish, each one's a trophy. Here's the key to success: when you spot one, get a bucktail jig or live bait in front of them quickly but quietly. Cobia are curious but spooky - make too much noise and they'll disappear. Weight doesn't matter much with jigs, but a 4-8 ounce bucktail usually does the trick.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing Mackerel, or "Kings" as we call them, are built for speed and put up one hell of a fight. These sleek predators average around 30 pounds but can push past 90, with that distinctive olive back and razor-sharp teeth. You'll find them anywhere from 40-150 feet deep, often around structure, wrecks, or temperature breaks. They love our warmer months when baitfish are thick, and water temps stay between 68-84°F. What guests love about Kings is their blistering initial run - they'll peel line like nothing else. Plus, they're fantastic on the table with that rich, flaky meat. These fish are opportunistic feeders, hitting everything from live bait to spoons and diving plugs. Here's a tip from years of chasing them: always use a wire leader and rig two hooks on live bait - one through the nose, another trailing behind. Kings love to hit the tail end of baitfish, so that second hook saves a lot of missed fish.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi Mahi are the crowd-pleasers of offshore fishing - brilliant gold and green colors that put on a light show when they come aboard. These fast-growing fish average 15-29 pounds and rarely live past four years, but they make up for it with aggressive feeding and acrobatic fights. Look for them around floating debris, weed lines, or any structure in warm water. They're surface dwellers that love to travel in small schools, especially the smaller ones. Spring through fall gives you the best action when water temperatures climb. What makes Mahi special is their willingness to eat almost anything and their spectacular aerial displays when hooked. Plus, they're some of the best eating fish in the ocean - firm, white meat with a mild, sweet flavor. Here's a guide secret: once you hook one, keep the boat in the area and get more lines out fast. Where there's one Mahi, there's usually more, and they'll stick around if you keep the action going.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed Snapper are the bread and butter of Gulf bottom fishing - bright red beauties that average 1-2 feet and under 10 pounds, though they can reach 35+ pounds and live over 20 years. These bottom dwellers love structure: reefs, wrecks, and rocky areas from 30 feet out to 600 feet deep. They prefer water temps between 50-70°F, making our cooler months prime time. What guests love about Red Snapper is the combination of a solid fight and excellent table fare - firm, white meat with a mild, nutty flavor that's hard to beat. They spawn May through October, and bigger fish produce exponentially more eggs, making those larger ones extra valuable. These fish are true warriors that will run straight for cover when hooked, so be ready for that initial dive. Here's the trick: use heavy enough weights to get your bait down fast, and the moment you feel that bite, get their head up and away from structure. Fresh squid or cigar minnows work great, but live pinfish will get you the biggest fish.
5.0 out of 5.0Captain and crew were kind, professional, and did everything right. I would highly recommend this trip.
Captain Ashton Lewis of Showtime Charters made our fishing trip absolutely unforgettable! His expertise and friendly demeanor ensu...
Panama City Beach