Half-Day Family Fishing in Panama City Beach
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Halfday inshore fishing targeting redfish, trout, and mackerelCaptain Eddie Brochin provides expert guidance and local knowledgeFamilyfriendly charter accommodates up to 6 guests comfortably
If you're looking for a top-rated family fishing adventure that won't break the bank or wear out the kids, this half-day charter with Captain Eddie Brochin hits the sweet spot. We're talking four hours of solid inshore action targeting some of the Gulf Coast's most reliable species, all while keeping things comfortable for everyone from grandparents to first-time anglers. The spacious boat comes loaded with everything you need - premium tackle, fresh bait, and even a clean restroom and shaded cabin so nobody's miserable in the Florida sun. Captain Eddie's been featured on TV fishing shows for good reason; he knows exactly where to find the fish and how to put them on your hook without making it feel like boot camp.
Your morning kicks off bright and early as we head into Panama City Beach's productive inshore waters where the action happens. These aren't deep-sea marathon sessions - we're working the flats, grass beds, and structure where redfish cruise and speckled trout ambush baitfish. The boat's got plenty of room for up to six anglers, so your whole crew can spread out and fish comfortably. Captain Eddie's approach is all about patience and teaching, especially when kids are aboard. He'll show you how to read the water, spot fish movement, and feel the difference between a bite and bottom contact. The half-day format is perfect for families because it gives everyone enough time to get into fish without the little ones getting cranky or bored. Plus, you'll still have your afternoon free for beach time or exploring Panama City.
We keep the tackle simple but effective - medium-action spinning rods paired with reliable reels that can handle everything from schoolie Spanish mackerel to bull redfish. Most of our fishing involves live bait presentations using shrimp, pinfish, and whatever's running fresh that morning. Captain Eddie switches up techniques based on conditions and what the fish are telling us. Some days we're drifting grass flats with popping corks, letting speckled trout come to us. Other times we're sight-fishing for redfish in skinny water, where you can actually watch them cruise before making your cast. The beauty of inshore fishing is the variety - one minute you're bottom fishing for sheepshead around structure, the next you're casting topwater plugs at feeding Spanish mackerel. All rods, reels, bait, and tackle come with the trip, so you just need to bring yourselves, sunscreen, and maybe some snacks.
Spanish Mackerel are the crowd-pleasers on these trips, especially for kids and first-time anglers. These silver rockets show up in schools and hit hard, making long runs that'll test your drag and put a serious bend in the rod. They're most active during spring and fall migrations, but Panama City's warm waters keep them around through much of the year. What makes them perfect for family trips is their willingness to bite - they're not picky about technique, and once you find a school, everyone usually gets a shot. Plus, they're excellent table fare if you want to take some home for dinner.
Black Drum are the heavyweights of the inshore scene, and Panama City Beach has some genuine monsters lurking in the shallows. These bronze bulldozers can push 40-50 pounds and will test every knot and connection on your rig. They're bottom feeders with a serious addiction to blue crab and shrimp, so we fish them slow and heavy around oyster bars and structure. The fight isn't flashy like a tarpon, but it's pure power - they'll dig deep and make you work for every inch. Kids love them because there's no mistaking when one picks up your bait, and adults appreciate the arm workout they provide.
Sheepshead are the technical challenge of the bunch, known for their light bites and ability to steal bait without getting hooked. These convict-striped specialists hang around structure with their human-like teeth, crunching barnacles and small crabs. Captain Eddie's got the patience to teach proper sheepshead technique - keeping constant contact with your bait and setting the hook at the slightest tick. They're most cooperative during cooler months when they stack up around bridges and docks. Landing a nice sheepshead is a real accomplishment, and they're absolutely delicious if you're keeping dinner.
Sea Trout, or speckled trout as locals call them, are the bread and butter of inshore fishing around Panama City Beach. These spotted predators patrol grass flats and drop-offs, ambushing shrimp and small baitfish with surprising aggression. Spring and fall offer the best action when water temperatures are perfect and bait is plentiful. What makes specks perfect for family charters is their willingness to bite artificials and live bait equally, plus they fight with enough spirit to be fun without being overwhelming for smaller anglers. A good speckled trout will make several jumps and strip some line before coming to the net.
Redfish are the crown jewel of inshore fishing, and Panama City's grass flats and oyster bars hold some beauties. These copper-colored bruisers are ambush predators that cruise shallow water looking for crabs and baitfish. The real magic happens when you spot them tailing in skinny water - their bronze backs and distinctive black spots visible as they root around in the grass. Captain Eddie's got the eyes to find them and the boat positioning skills to get you within casting range. A slot-sized red will make multiple runs and test your drag system, while the big bulls over 27 inches provide pure power before you release them to fight another day.
This half-day family charter delivers exactly what most folks are looking for - genuine fishing action without the commitment of a full day on the water. Captain Eddie's patient teaching style and kid-friendly approach make it perfect for mixed groups
Captain Eddie's 24-foot Bayliner cuddy cabin is your ticket to productive inshore waters around Panama City Beach. This well-equipped fishing machine handles up to 6 guests comfortably, with plenty of room for families to spread out while chasing redfish, speckled trout, and Spanish mackerel. The boat's outriggers let you work the open water fishing grounds with confidence, while the wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when stalking shallow flats. Inside the cabin, you'll find a clean restroom and sleeping quarters for anyone needing a break from the Gulf sun. The fish finder helps locate schools of snapper and sheepshead, while the GPS keeps you on productive spots. An icebox keeps your drinks cold and your catch fresh, plus there's a multimedia system for entertainment between bites. With premium navigation gear and a stable platform for casting, this Bayliner gives families everything needed for a successful morning on the water.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, commonly running 5-15 pounds but capable of hitting 30+ pounds. These powerful fish love shallow muddy flats, oyster beds, and around structure during cooler months. Spring brings the best action when they school up to spawn in our bays and nearshore areas. What makes them special is that deep, thumping fight - they use their broad sides and bulldogging power to test your drag. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent eating with firm, white meat, while the big ones are better released. They're bottom feeders with crushing jaws built for crabs and oysters. Here's the key: use fresh crab or cut bait right on the bottom, and when you feel that subtle tap-tap, give them a second to really take it before setting the hook hard.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our inshore fishing, running 18-27 inches in the slot with that signature copper-bronze color and black eyespot near the tail. These fish love super shallow water - we're talking 1-3 feet around oyster bars, grass flats, and marsh edges. Fall and spring offer the hottest action when they're feeding aggressively. What makes them special is that sight-fishing opportunity and powerful, drag-screaming runs in skinny water. The slot-size fish are fantastic eating with firm, sweet meat. They'll eat everything from topwater plugs to soft plastics to live shrimp. Here's a local secret: on calm mornings, look for "tailing" reds with their tails sticking up as they root for crabs in shallow water. Approach quietly and drop your bait right in their path.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are our bread-and-butter inshore fish, typically running 12-20 inches with beautiful spotted sides. These grass flat specialists love shallow bays, around oyster bars, and drop-offs where baitfish gather. They bite year-round but really turn on during spring and fall when they're most active. Families enjoy them because they're willing biters and fight well on light tackle with nice head-shaking runs. The meat is delicate and flaky - perfect for the dinner table if you don't overcook it. They feed heavily at dawn, dusk, and under lights at night. My go-to method is working a soft plastic or live shrimp under a popping cork over grass flats in 2-4 feet of water. Listen for that distinctive "pop" when they hit - it's one of the best sounds in fishing.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with their black and white stripes, and they're famous for two things - human-like teeth and being master bait thieves. These 2-5 pound fish hang tight to any structure with barnacles: docks, pilings, jetties, and bridges. Winter through early spring is prime time when they move shallow to spawn. Families love targeting them because they're always around our local structures and provide steady action. The eating is top-notch - sweet, flaky white meat that rivals any fish in the Gulf. They're notorious for nibbling bait off hooks, so here's the trick: use small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs, keep your bait tight to the structure, and when you feel those subtle taps, set the hook immediately. Don't wait or you'll just be feeding them.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are fast, silver torpedoes with distinctive yellow spots that typically run 1-3 pounds around Panama City Beach. These speedy fish love our warm Gulf waters and show up best from late spring through early fall when water temps climb. You'll find them schooling near the surface around structures, grass flats, and sometimes right in the surf. They're aggressive strikers that hit spoons, jigs, and live bait hard, making them perfect for kids and beginners. The fight is quick but fun, and the meat is excellent - mild, white, and great grilled or blackened. Pro tip: when you see birds diving or bait jumping, get there fast. Spanish mackerel schools move quickly, so once you find them, work the area thoroughly before they disappear.
Panama City Beach, FL