Half Day Panama City Bottom Fish & Trolling Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour nearshore charter targeting snapper, grouper, and mackerel speciesAll fishing gear, licenses, and bait provided by experienced crewAccommodates up to six guests with flexible morning or afternoon options
Looking for a solid half-day fishing trip that won't break the bank but still delivers the goods? Unorthodox Charters has you covered with this flexible 4-hour charter that lets you choose your own adventure on Panama City's productive nearshore waters. Whether you're an early bird who wants to drop lines on the bottom for snapper and grouper, or prefer an afternoon trolling session chasing kings and Spanish mackerel, this trip adapts to what's biting and what gets you fired up. With space for up to 6 anglers, it's perfect for families, small groups of buddies, or anyone wanting to sample some of the Gulf Coast's best fishing without committing to a full day on the water.
This charter is all about options and flexibility – something you don't always get with cookie-cutter fishing trips. Your morning early bird option focuses on bottom fishing, where you'll anchor up over structure and drop baits down to where the snapper, grouper, and other bottom dwellers hang out. It's a more relaxed style of fishing that's perfect for beginners but still produces plenty of action for seasoned anglers. The afternoon option switches gears completely, running and gunning with trolling spreads to intercept king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, and when the season's right, some beautiful mahi that venture closer to shore. The captain reads the conditions, checks the reports, and puts you on the most productive bite of the day. All your gear, bait, and fishing licenses are handled, so you just show up ready to fish. Don't forget your non-spray sunblock, polarized sunglasses, and plenty of water – the Florida sun doesn't mess around out there.
Bottom fishing here means working live and cut baits around the artificial reefs, wrecks, and natural hard bottom that dot Panama City's nearshore waters. You'll be using medium to heavy conventional tackle, dropping everything from live pinfish and cigar minnows to cut squid and sardines. The key is getting your bait down through the smaller fish to where the keeper-sized snapper and grouper are holding. When trolling, the boat runs a spread of spoons, diving plugs, and rigged ballyhoo at various depths and distances behind the boat. Downriggers and planers help get baits into the strike zone, while the captain works the color changes, temperature breaks, and current edges where pelagic fish hunt. The beauty of this charter is you don't need to know any of this stuff – the crew sets you up for success and coaches you through landing whatever grabs your line. Moderate alcohol is fine on board, but skip the hard stuff and glass bottles. The fish don't care if you've had a beer or two, but safety always comes first.
Red snapper remain the crown jewel of Panama City bottom fishing, and these beautiful fish are what dreams are made of. They're smart, structure-oriented, and put up a respectable fight on medium tackle. Most red snapper here run 15-25 pounds, with occasional bigger bruisers that'll test your drag and your patience. They're most active during cooler parts of the day and love live bait presented just off the bottom. What makes them special is the combination of their fighting ability and incredible table fare – there's nothing quite like fresh snapper fillets after a successful morning on the water.
Skipjack tuna are speed demons that show up when you're trolling, often in schools that create absolute chaos when you run through them. These 8-15 pound rockets are built for speed and endurance, making screaming runs that'll have your reel singing. They're most common during warmer months and love to crash trolled spoons and small plugs. While they might not be the biggest fish you'll catch, skipjacks are pure adrenaline and excellent practice for handling larger pelagic species.
Redfish are the inshore favorites that sometimes venture into deeper nearshore waters, especially during cooler months. These copper-colored bruisers average 20-30 pounds and are famous for their bulldogging fights – they don't jump much, but they'll pull steady and hard all the way to the boat. Redfish are opportunistic feeders that'll hit both bottom baits and trolled offerings, making them a pleasant surprise regardless of which fishing method you choose.
Greater amberjack are the muscle cars of the reef, often the largest fish you'll tangle with on this charter. These powerful fish regularly hit 40-60 pounds and are notorious for making long, powerful runs toward the bottom when hooked. They're year-round residents around Panama City's reefs and wrecks, though they're most aggressive during spring and fall. Amberjack will eat almost anything, from live bait to jigs, but be ready for a serious fight when you hook one.
Atlantic mackerel round out the target species list as willing biters that provide consistent action when other fish are being finicky. These smaller members of the mackerel family rarely exceed 3-4 pounds but make up for size with numbers and aggression. They're particularly active during cooler months and will readily hit small trolled baits, spoons, and even bottom rigs. While they might not be trophy fish, Atlantic mackerel are fantastic eating and keep the action going between bigger catches.
This half-day charter delivers exactly what Panama City fishing is famous for – variety, action, and the chance to put some quality fish in the cooler without spending your entire day on the water. Whether you choose the early bird bottom fishing option or the afternoon trolling adventure, you're getting a legitimate shot at some of the Gulf's most sought-after species with a crew that knows these waters inside and out. The 4-hour timeframe is perfect for families with kids, anglers who want to sample different techniques, or anyone looking to squeeze in some quality fishing without the full-
Your 26-foot center console is built for serious Panama City fishing action. This boat handles six anglers comfortably while you target snapper and grouper on the bottom or troll the nearshore waters for king mackerel and mahi. The captain's got you covered with quality rods, reels, and fresh bait when you need it. The fish finder helps locate your targets, while GPS keeps you on the productive spots. Stay cool with the onboard icebox for drinks, and the wireless trolling motor lets you move quietly without spooking fish. A multimedia system provides entertainment between bites, and there's a head onboard for convenience during your four-hour adventure. Whether you choose the early morning bottom bite or afternoon trolling action, this setup delivers everything you need for productive fishing in Panama City's rich waters.
Scomber ScombrusAtlantic Mackerel are fast, schooling fish that provide exciting light tackle action. These sleek fighters average 12-16 inches with beautiful metallic blue-green backs and distinctive wavy stripes. They travel in huge schools in open water, staying near the surface during daylight hours. Summer is prime time when they move closer to shore following baitfish. What makes them fun is their aggressive feeding - when you find a school, it's game on with multiple hookups. They're excellent table fare too, rich in omega-3s and perfect grilled or smoked. Their speed makes for exciting fights on light tackle. Best technique is trolling small spoons or casting metal jigs when you spot feeding birds. Keep your lures moving fast - these fish won't chase slow baits. Once you locate a school, work it quickly before they move on.
Seriola dumeriliGreater Amberjack are the bruisers of the deep that'll give you a real workout. These fish grow large - we regularly catch 30-50 pounders with some reaching 6 feet long. They live around deep structure like wrecks, reefs, and ledges in 60-200 feet of water. Spring and summer are peak season when they move into shallower water to spawn. What guests love is the fight - they're incredibly strong and will test your back muscles with powerful runs straight down. The meat is good eating when prepared right, though larger fish can have parasites. They're not picky eaters and will hit live bait, jigs, or trolled plugs. Pro tip: when you hook one, keep constant pressure and don't let them get back to structure. Use heavy tackle - 50-80 pound test isn't overkill. Live pinfish or blue runners work best.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed Snapper are the crown jewel of our bottom fishing trips. These beautiful fish turn bright red as they mature and typically run 1-2 feet long, weighing 5-10 pounds, though we occasionally hook monsters over 20 pounds. You'll find them around structure in 30-200 feet of water - wrecks, ledges, and rocky bottom are prime spots. They're strong fighters that'll test your gear, making powerful runs toward cover when hooked. The meat is outstanding - mild, sweet, and flaky white flesh that's perfect grilled or blackened. Spring through fall offers the best action when they're actively feeding. Pro tip: use fresh cigar minnows or live pinfish, and keep your bait right on the bottom. When you hook one, pull hard right away to get them away from structure before they cut you off on the rocks.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are perfect for anglers who want consistent action in shallow water. These copper-colored fighters average 20-30 inches with that famous black spot near the tail. They love shallow flats, grass beds, and oyster bars in 2-6 feet of water where they hunt for crabs and shrimp. Year-round fishing is good here, but fall and spring are prime when they school up. What makes them special is their aggressive strikes and bulldogging fights - they'll pull drag and make long runs. The meat is fantastic too - firm, white, and sweet. You can sight-fish them in clear water, watching their backs break the surface. My go-to technique is bouncing a gold spoon or soft plastic shrimp imitation along the bottom near structure. Keep your retrieve slow and steady - they like to follow before they commit to striking.
Katsuwonus PelamisSkipjack Tuna are fast, aggressive fighters that make our trolling trips exciting. These torpedo-shaped fish average 2-3 feet and 15-20 pounds, with distinctive dark stripes along their silver sides. They travel in large schools in open water, usually in the top 50 feet during the day. You'll find them year-round in our warm Gulf waters, but spring through fall gives the best action. They hit trolled baits hard and make blistering runs - their speed will surprise you. The meat is excellent for sushi or seared, with a rich flavor that's prized by restaurants. When we locate a school, the action can be non-stop with multiple hookups. My tip: when trolling, maintain 5-6 knots and use pink feathers or small spoons. Once you hook into a school, circle back quickly - they won't stay in one spot long.
Panama City, FL