Deep Sea Fishing Panama City | 4HRS Offshore
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
4hour offshore fishing charter with Captain RichardAll equipment, license, and catch cleaning includedPrivate charter accommodates up to 2 guests maximum
Looking for some serious action on the emerald waters of the Gulf? Captain Richard's got you covered with this top-rated offshore fishing charter that puts you right where the big fish live. This 4-hour trip takes you beyond the nearshore waters into the deep blue where king mackerel, red snapper, and mahi mahi cruise the structure and drop-offs. With just 2 anglers max, you're getting a personalized fishing experience that bigger boats just can't match. Everything's included - rods, reels, tackle, fishing license, and Captain Richard will even clean and fillet your catch so you can head straight home with dinner ready to cook.
You'll meet Captain Richard at the dock bright and early, ready to make the run offshore where the real fishing happens. The boat's rigged and ready with quality gear - no need to bring anything but yourself, some snacks, and plenty of sunscreen. Depending on conditions and what's biting, you might be trolling the blue water for mahi and kings, or anchored up on structure targeting bottom fish like red snapper and cobia. Captain Richard reads these waters like a book and knows exactly where to put you on fish. The Gulf's structure here is phenomenal - artificial reefs, wrecks, and natural bottom changes that hold baitfish and attract the predators we're after. You're looking at a solid 4 hours of fishing time, not including the boat ride, so there's plenty of opportunity to put multiple species in the box.
This charter runs the full spectrum of offshore techniques depending on what's hot. When we're trolling, you'll be pulling spoons, diving plugs, and rigged ballyhoo behind the boat at varying speeds to trigger strikes from kings, mahi, and cobia. The key is covering water and finding the bait schools - where there's bait, there's fish. For bottom fishing, we're talking about dropping live or cut bait down to the structure where red snapper and other reef fish hang out. Captain Richard's got the electronics to mark fish and structure, plus he knows the productive spots that produce year after year. The gear is sized right for what we're targeting - medium to heavy spinning and conventional setups that can handle anything from a 5-pound mahi to a 20-pound king mackerel. You don't need to be an expert angler, but be ready to fight some fish that pull hard and don't give up easy.
King mackerel are the crown jewel of Panama City Beach offshore fishing, and for good reason. These silver torpedoes can stretch 3 feet long and weigh 20-30 pounds, with the occasional monster pushing 40-plus. Kings are most active from spring through fall, and they fight like crazy - long screaming runs and aerial shows that'll test your drag and your arms. They love trolled spoons and live bait, and once you hook one, you'll understand why locals call them the "king" of the Gulf. The meat is excellent grilled or smoked, with a firm texture that holds up great on the grill.
Red snapper are what dreams are made of down here - beautiful fish with ruby-red sides and some serious attitude. These bottom dwellers average 3-8 pounds but can grow much larger, and they're absolute bulldogs when hooked. Red snapper season runs from June through July typically, making this a customer favorite during the summer months. They're structure-oriented fish that live around reefs, wrecks, and hard bottom, and they'll hammer a properly presented bait. The table fare is world-class - firm, white, flaky meat that's perfect for just about any preparation.
Mahi mahi bring the color and the chaos to offshore fishing. These golden-green beauties are pure energy, jumping and tail-walking across the surface when hooked. Most mahi here run 5-15 pounds, and they're often found around floating debris or weed lines in the blue water. Spring and summer are prime time, but they can show up any time conditions are right. Mahi are aggressive feeders that'll eat trolled baits, jigs, and live offerings. They're also fantastic eating - mild, sweet meat that's perfect grilled with some lemon and seasoning.
Cobia are the wildcards that can make any trip memorable. These brown sharks-lookalikes can weigh anywhere from 15-50 pounds and fight with incredible power and stamina. They're curious fish that often cruise near the surface around structure, boats, and rays. Cobia are sight-fishing opportunities when you see them cruising, but they also hit bottom baits. Peak season runs from spring through early fall. These fish are prized for their excellent eating quality - firm, white meat that tastes similar to grouper.
Redfish might seem like an odd addition to an offshore lineup, but the big bulls that cruise the nearshore waters and structure can provide world-class action. These copper-colored drums can exceed 30 inches and 15 pounds, with broad shoulders and serious pulling power. They're year-round residents that love live and cut bait, and catching one on lighter tackle is a real arm-burner. Redfish over 27 inches must be released, but the smaller "slot" fish are excellent table fare with mild, flaky meat.
Captain Richard's 4-hour offshore charter gives you everything you need for a phenomenal day on the Gulf - expert local knowledge, quality gear, and access to some of the best fishing grounds in the Panhandle. With only 2 anglers per trip, you're getting personalized attention and plenty of rod time. The included license, tackle, and cleaning service means you can focus on what matters - fighting fish and making memories. Panama City Beach's offshore waters are legendary for a reason, and this charter puts you right in the middle of the action. Don
Hit the deep waters of Panama City Beach aboard our restored 24ft Rampage center console! This reliable fishing machine runs on a solid Volvo 200HP engine that'll get you out to the prime offshore spots where the big fish are biting. The boat's equipped with everything serious anglers need - GPS to navigate to the hottest fishing grounds, radar for those foggy mornings, and fish finder tech to locate schools hiding below. Keep your drinks ice-cold in the built-in icebox during those long battles with trophy fish. The flybridge gives you that elevated view to spot feeding birds and surface action. Recently restored in 2019, this center console handles Gulf waters like a champ and gives you the stable platform you need when you're fighting that fish of a lifetime. Perfect for up to 2 guests who want to experience real offshore fishing without the crowds.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are brown, shark-looking fish that cruise alone near the surface around structure. These bruisers average 30-50 pounds and can hit 100+. We spot them around buoys, wrecks, and oil rigs in 30-100 feet of water. Spring migration (April-June) is prime time when they're moving through our area to spawn. What makes cobia great is the fight - they're strong, stubborn fish that will test your tackle. Plus, they're excellent table fare with firm, white meat that tastes like a cross between grouper and shark. Cobia are curious fish that will often follow the boat. When sight fishing, cast a bucktail jig ahead of them and work it back slowly. Don't rush the hookset - let them eat it good before pulling.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing Mackerel are fast, aggressive fish that average 30 pounds but can hit 90+. Out here in the Gulf, we find them in 40-150 feet of water, usually around structure or temperature breaks. Spring through fall are prime times when they're feeding heavily on bait schools. These fish are built for speed - they'll peel line off your reel like nothing else. The meat is rich and flavorful, though higher in mercury. When trolling, I always rig with a wire leader and two hooks - one in the bait's nose, one trailing behind. Kings love to hit the back half of your bait, so that second hook saves a lot of missed fish. Their razor-sharp teeth will cut through mono in a heartbeat, so don't skimp on your leader.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are some of the most beautiful fish in the Gulf - bright gold and blue colors that change like a light show when they come out of the water. We typically find them around floating debris, weed lines, and current breaks in 100+ feet of water. Spring through fall are best, especially when water temps hit 70+ degrees. These fish average 15-30 pounds and are pure muscle - they'll jump, dive, and make blistering runs. The white, flaky meat is restaurant-quality with a mild, sweet taste. Mahi travel in schools, so when you find one, there's usually more. My go-to technique is trolling ballyhoo or squid behind the boat, making it skip on the surface like a flying fish. Once hooked, keep steady pressure - they love to throw the hook.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed snapper are the holy grail of Gulf fishing - bright red fish that live on the bottom around structure. They average 5-15 pounds but can grow much larger. We target them in 60-200 feet around artificial reefs, wrecks, and ledges. Federal season typically runs June through July, with specific bag limits. What makes snapper fishing exciting is the fight - they're strong fish that will try to cut your line on structure. The meat is incredible - mild, nutty flavor that's perfect for any recipe. These fish have great eyesight and can be line-shy, so I use lighter leaders when they're picky. Drop fresh cut bait or live pinfish right to the bottom and hold on. When you hook one, get them up and away from the structure fast.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish, or red drum, are copper-colored fighters with distinctive black spots near their tails. These fish love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. Around Panama City, we target them in 1-4 feet around oyster bars, grass flats, and structure. Fall and spring are peak times when they're actively feeding. What makes redfish special is their power - they'll drag your rod tip underwater and make long, stubborn runs. The meat is excellent eating with a mild, sweet flavor. Size varies from slot fish inshore to bull reds offshore that can hit 40+ pounds. Pro tip: when sight fishing, cast well ahead of a cruising red and let your bait settle. They spook easily, but once hooked, they fight all the way to the boat.
Panama City Beach