Full Day Panama City FL Ultimate Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Full day charter covers inshore, offshore, and reef fishingTarget amberjack, snapper, grouper, cobia, redfish, and sharksAll gear, bait, and fishing licenses included onboard
When you're ready to fish every type of water Panama City has to offer, this all-day charter delivers the complete Gulf Coast experience. Captain and crew from Unorthodox Charters take you from shallow flats to deep blue offshore waters, covering more ground than any half-day trip could manage. You'll hit inshore grass beds for redfish, work nearshore structure for cobia, and venture to offshore ledges where the big amberjack and snapper live. With up to 6 anglers aboard, there's room for your crew without feeling cramped. Everything's included – your license, tackle, bait, and the local knowledge that makes the difference between stories and empty coolers.
This isn't your typical "pick one spot and stay there" charter. You're getting the grand tour of Panama City's fishing grounds, starting early and covering serious water. The captain reads conditions and moves throughout the day, so if the inshore bite is slow, you're heading to the reefs. If the offshore action is hot, you'll spend extra time working those deeper drops. Expect to use different tackle setups as you transition from light spinning gear on the flats to heavy conventional reels for bottom fishing. The boat's rigged for everything – from live bait wells for cobia fishing to downriggers for working the water column. You'll cover flats, grass beds, artificial reefs, natural ledges, and maybe even some wreck fishing if conditions allow. This is hands-on fishing where you'll learn different techniques throughout the day.
The beauty of this extended charter is experiencing how different Panama City fishing really is. On the flats, you're sight fishing with light tackle, maybe throwing topwater plugs at tailing redfish or working soft plastics around oyster bars. Move to nearshore structure and you're live bait fishing for cobia, watching for those brown shadows cruising under rays. Hit the offshore ledges and it's heavy bottom rigs with circle hooks, dropping cut bait and live pinfish down 60-80 feet for snapper and grouper. The crew sets you up with the right tackle for each spot – they're not handing you the same rod all day. You might be trolling for kings on the way out, then switching to jigging for amberjack over structure. Each fishing style requires different techniques, and the captain explains what works and why as you move through different environments.
Red snapper are the bread and butter of Panama City's offshore scene, and these fish fight harder than their reputation suggests. During open season, you'll find them stacked on ledges and artificial reefs in 40-80 feet of water. They're structure-oriented fish that rarely venture far from home, which is why the captain knows exactly where to find them. A good red snapper will tape out around 16-20 inches and put a serious bend in your rod. What makes them special here is the numbers – when you find a productive ledge, you might boat a dozen keeper reds before moving spots. Gag grouper are the bulldogs of the reef, and Panama City's natural bottom produces some hefty specimens. These fish are ambush predators that live in caves and under ledges, striking fast and trying to get back to structure immediately. A 20-pound gag will test your drag and your patience. They're most active during cooler months, and the bigger fish often bite just as you're thinking about changing spots. Skipjack tuna bring the speed and chaos that makes offshore fishing addictive. These small tunas travel in schools and create feeding frenzies that attract larger predators. They're perfect on light tackle, screaming drag and making long runs. While they're not huge – most run 3-8 pounds – they're fantastic bait for bigger fish and put up a fight that'll surprise you. Redfish are the inshore slam-dunk, cruising shallow flats and grass beds in small schools. Panama City's reds are healthy and aggressive, often found tailing in water so shallow you can see their backs. A slot-sized red (18-27 inches) is perfect for the dinner table, and the oversized bulls make for great photos before release. They're year-round residents here, though fall and spring offer the most consistent action. Greater amberjack are the offshore muscle cars – fast, strong, and stubborn. These fish live around deeper structure and wrecks, often suspended mid-water waiting to ambush baitfish. When you hook an AJ, get ready for a long fight. They'll make powerful runs toward structure, test every knot you tied, and keep pulling even at the boat. Most run 15-40 pounds in these waters, with the occasional monster pushing 50-plus.
This full-day charter gives you the complete Panama City fishing experience without needing multiple bookings. You're getting inshore, nearshore, and offshore fishing in one shot, plus the expertise of a captain who knows when to move and where to go. The all-inclusive approach means you can focus on fishing instead of gear lists and licenses. With only 6 spots available, dates fill up quickly, especially during prime seasons when the red snapper bite is hot and the weather's cooperating. Whether you're a local angler wanting to explore new water or visiting from out of state, this is your chance to fish Panama City like the locals do. Bring your camera, your appetite for adventure, and get ready to learn why Panama City's fishing reputation keeps growing.
Step aboard this well-equipped 26-foot center console that's built to handle everything from shallow flats to deep offshore waters around Panama City. With room for up to six anglers, this fishing machine comes loaded with quality rods, reels, and lures, plus live bait when you need it. The captain might have you catching your own bait depending on what's biting that day. You'll stay comfortable with an onboard icebox for your drinks and snacks, plus there's a multimedia system for those quieter moments between fish. The wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when you're stalking redfish in shallow water, while the GPS and fish finder help locate productive spots whether you're working nearshore reefs or heading out to the deep blue for amberjack and grouper. There's even a head onboard for those longer days on the water. This boat handles the full range of Panama City fishing - from flats and inshore to offshore wrecks and everything in between.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag Grouper are the bruisers of our reef systems and a favorite target for serious anglers. Most run 15-25 inches, but the big males can hit 40+ inches and really put a bend in your rod. They love rocky structure, wrecks, and drop-offs in 40-120 feet of water. Spring through fall is prime time when they're active and feeding. What guests love about gags is the raw power - once hooked, they make one strong run for the rocks and don't give up easy. They're also excellent eating with firm white meat. The key to landing them is locking down your drag tight from the start. Don't let them get their head down or they'll wrap you around structure every time. Heavy tackle and circle hooks work best.
Seriola dumeriliGreater Amberjack are the heavyweight champions of our offshore reefs and the ultimate test for any angler. These powerful fish average 25-40 pounds but can top 80 pounds and 5 feet long. Look for them around wrecks, deep reefs, and structure in 60-200+ feet during spring and summer months. What makes amberjack fishing so popular is the incredible fight - they'll peel line like nothing else and test every knot. They're also excellent table fare when prepared right. The secret to success is heavy tackle with 50+ pound line and live bait like blue runners or pinfish. Once you hook up, pump and wind steadily - don't try to horse them, just keep steady pressure and let the drag work.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed Snapper are the classic Gulf trophy fish that keeps anglers coming back. These bright red beauties average 1-2 feet and 5-8 pounds, but we regularly see 10+ pounders that'll test your gear. They hang around structure in 30-200 feet - wrecks, reefs, and hard bottom are prime spots. Summer through early fall gives us the best action when they're feeding heavy. What makes them special? They fight hard, diving straight for cover when hooked. Plus, there's nothing better on the dinner table - that mild, sweet flavor is legendary. Here's a tip: use heavy tackle and keep constant pressure once you hook up. They'll try to cut your line on anything sharp down there, so winch them up fast and don't give them slack.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are hands down the most popular inshore target, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters average 20-30 inches with that signature black spot near the tail. They cruise shallow flats, oyster bars, and grass beds in 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs show. Fall and spring offer the best fishing when they're schooled up and feeding hard. What guests love is the visual game - sight fishing to tailing reds in skinny water gets your heart pumping. They fight strong with long runs, plus they taste great. The trick is staying quiet and making long casts ahead of cruising fish. Use live shrimp or gold spoons, and don't rush the hookset when they eat - let them turn away first.
Katsuwonus PelamisSkipjack Tuna are pure speed demons that'll give you a workout on lighter tackle. These torpedo-shaped fish typically run 15-25 pounds and 2-3 feet long with distinctive dark stripes along their sides. We find them in open water offshore, usually traveling in fast-moving schools near the surface. Spring through fall brings the best action, especially when we spot birds diving on baitfish. What makes skipjack special is their non-stop fight - they're built for speed and never quit pulling. They're also great for the table and perfect for sashimi. Pro tip: when we find a school, work fast with small feathers or spoons trolled at 6-8 knots. Don't circle too close or you'll spook them - let your lures drift through the school naturally.
Panama City, FL