Fishing Charters Panama City Beach
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour trolling charter targeting King and Spanish mackerel near shoreCaptain Nathan Stow guides groups up to four guests maximumInshore waters offer Bonito and Mahimahi fishing opportunities
If you're looking to get into some serious action on the waters around Panama City Beach, Captain Nathan Stow has got you covered. This 4-hour inshore trolling charter puts you right in the path of some of the Gulf's most sought-after species, and trust me, these fish don't mess around. With room for up to 4 anglers, you'll have plenty of space to work the rods without bumping elbows. Captain Nathan knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's been putting clients on fish for years. The bite can be hot year-round here, but certain times of year really turn on the heat.
You'll be targeting pelagic species that cruise the nearshore waters, and Captain Nathan runs a tight ship when it comes to finding them. The morning starts early – that's when the fish are most active and the water's usually calmer. You'll head out from Panama City Beach and start working the productive zones where baitfish congregate. The Gulf Stream influence here creates perfect conditions for mackerel, bonito, and mahi to move through. Don't expect to just sit back and relax though – when these fish hit, they hit hard and fast. King mackerel can make blistering runs that'll test your drag system, while Spanish mackerel will put on an acrobatic show. The captain keeps the boat positioned perfectly so everyone gets their shot at the action.
This is a trolling charter, which means you'll be covering water to find active schools of fish. Captain Nathan runs a spread of lures and baits designed specifically for the target species in these waters. The boat stays moving at optimal speeds – usually between 4-8 knots depending on conditions and what's biting. You'll be working with medium to heavy spinning tackle and conventional reels spooled with enough line to handle the runs these fish are famous for. The captain provides all the gear, but if you've got a favorite rod setup, feel free to bring it along. Wire leaders are essential when targeting mackerel – their razor-sharp teeth will slice through mono in a heartbeat. The key to success is reading the water, watching for bird activity, and staying alert because strikes often come in flurries.
Spanish Mackerel are the bread and butter of Panama City Beach fishing, and for good reason. These silver rockets typically run between 1-3 pounds but what they lack in size, they make up for in attitude. They're most active during the cooler months from October through March, though you can find them year-round. Spanish mackerel are aggressive feeders and will absolutely crush small spoons, jigs, and live bait. When you hook one, get ready for multiple jumps and lightning-fast runs. They're also excellent table fare – their mild, flaky meat is perfect for the grill.
King Mackerel are the heavy hitters of this fishery and the fish most anglers dream about hooking. These predators can range from schoolie-sized fish around 10-15 pounds up to true monsters pushing 40-50 pounds or more. Prime king mackerel season runs from April through October when they move inshore to feed on the abundant baitfish. Kings are notorious for their bone-jarring strikes and sustained runs that can peel hundreds of yards of line off your reel. They prefer trolled baits like live pogies, blue runners, or large spoons. Landing a big king is a real accomplishment – they're smart, strong, and don't give up easily.
Atlantic Bonito bring pure excitement to any fishing trip with their incredible speed and stamina. These members of the tuna family typically weigh 3-8 pounds but fight like fish twice their size. Bonito are most common from late fall through early spring when water temperatures drop. They travel in schools and when you find them, the action can be non-stop. Their streamlined bodies and powerful tails make them capable of sustained high-speed runs. Bonito are also prized for their sashimi-grade meat when handled properly on ice.
Mahi Mahi are the wildcards of Panama City Beach fishing – when they show up, they create some of the most memorable fishing moments you'll ever have. These colorful gamefish are typically found around floating debris, weed lines, or temperature breaks during the warmer months from May through September. Mahi are known for their spectacular aerial displays when hooked, often jumping repeatedly in their attempts to throw the hook. They can range from small schoolies around 5-10 pounds up to bull dolphins exceeding 30 pounds. Their brilliant gold, green, and blue colors make them one of the most beautiful fish in the Gulf, and their sweet, mild meat is considered among the best eating fish you can catch.
Captain Nathan's 4-hour charters offer the perfect balance of fishing time and value, giving you enough time on the water to find fish without breaking the bank. The Panama City Beach area consistently produces some of the best inshore trolling action on the Gulf Coast, and with an experienced captain who knows where to find them, your chances of success are excellent. Whether you're after the speed of bonito, the power of kings, or the beauty of mahi, this charter puts you in position to make it happen. The boat handles up to 4 anglers comfortably, making it perfect for families, friends, or small groups looking to get into some serious fishing action. Don't wait – the best fishing days fill up fast, especially during peak season.
Our 2011 Sea Hunt center console is built for serious fishing action in Panama City's productive waters. Twin 150HP Yamaha engines deliver plenty of power to get you to the fish quickly, cruising at speeds up to 45 knots when you need to chase down that perfect fishing spot. The spacious center console design gives all four anglers room to fight fish without getting tangled up. Captain Nathan keeps the catch fresh in the onboard icebox while the fish finder helps locate schools of mackerel, bonito, and mahi-mahi. The wireless trolling motor lets us position quietly over structure without spooking fish, while GPS and radar keep us on productive bottom even when conditions get sketchy. This boat handles Panama City's near shore waters with confidence, whether we're working the flats for Spanish mackerel or heading out a bit deeper for kings and mahi. Built tough for Gulf fishing.
Sarda SardaAtlantic bonito are built for speed with their sleek, silver bodies marked by distinctive dark stripes along their backs. They typically run 3-8 pounds and travel in large, aggressive schools that feed right on the surface. You'll spot them in 30-100 feet of water, often with their dorsal fins cutting the surface like mini sharks. Spring and fall migrations bring the best action when water temps are in the 60s-70s. They're pure adrenaline - hitting lures at 40 mph and making screaming runs that test your drag. While they're not great eating in the US, the fight is what draws anglers. Watch for bird activity over baitfish schools - that's where you'll find bonito going crazy. Once you locate a feeding school, almost any small lure or jig will work, but keep it moving fast to match their aggressive feeding style.
Scomberomorus CavallaKings are the heavyweight cousins of Spanish mackerel, averaging 20-30 pounds but capable of reaching 50+ pounds. These torpedo-shaped fish cruise in 40-150 feet of water along drop-offs, around structure, and near baitfish schools. Fall through early spring is prime time when they migrate through our area following the cooling water. What makes them special is their blistering speed and bone-jarring strikes - they'll take line off your reel in a heartbeat. The meat is rich and oily, perfect for grilling or smoking. Here's the key to landing more kings: use a two-hook rig with wire leader when live baiting. Put one hook through the nose and let a treble hook dangle near the tail. Kings typically grab baitfish from behind, so that second hook saves a lot of missed fish when they strike.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are the most colorful fish we target - brilliant gold and green that flashes like neon underwater before fading after the catch. They average 15-29 pounds and love hanging around floating debris, weedlines, and current breaks in 100+ feet of blue water. Best fishing is late spring through fall when they follow the Gulf Stream closer to shore. What makes mahi special is their acrobatic fight - they jump, tail-walk, and make long runs while showing off those amazing colors. Plus, they're some of the best eating fish in the ocean with sweet, firm white meat. The secret is finding floating structure - logs, debris piles, or sargassum weed. When you hook one mahi, don't boat it immediately. Keep it in the water while you cast to the school since they travel together and the hooked fish will keep the others around.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are fast, silver-sided fish with distinctive yellow spots that typically run 1-2 feet and weigh 8-11 pounds. They school up in large numbers and are some of the fastest swimmers around, hitting 18 mph when chasing bait. You'll find them in 20-60 feet of water around structures, flats, and nearshore reefs. They're here year-round but fishing peaks in spring and fall when water temps hit the 70s. These fish put up a solid fight for their size and make excellent table fare - mild, flaky meat that's perfect grilled or blackened. Pro tip: when you see diving birds working baitfish on the surface, get over there fast with a small spoon or jig. Spanish mackerel will be feeding underneath, and they'll hit almost anything you throw at them when they're in that feeding frenzy mode.
Panama City Beach