Panama City Guided Fishing Trip for Experienced Anglers
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Halfday morning inshore fishing for experienced anglers only.Target Redfish, Flounder, and Spotted Seatrout with light tackle.All gear, bait, fishing license, and catch cleaning included.
When you're tired of fishing the same old spots and want to level up your inshore game, this Panama City half-day morning charter is exactly what you need. We're talking serious light tackle fishing in some of the most productive waters the Gulf Coast has to offer. This isn't a hand-holding beginner trip – it's designed for anglers who know their way around a rod and reel and want to fish like the locals do. You'll be working prime inshore flats and structure where Redfish cruise the shallows, Flounder ambush bait in the channels, and Spotted Seatrout stack up in the grass beds. With only two spots available, you'll get personalized attention from an experienced guide who knows these waters inside and out, plus all the premium gear and live bait you need to make it happen.
This top-rated morning charter kicks off early when the fish are most active and the water's still calm. You'll be fishing Panama City's legendary inshore waters – think shallow flats, oyster bars, grass beds, and creek mouths where game fish love to feed. The beauty of this trip is the variety. One cast you might be working a topwater plug over a grass flat for Seatrout, the next you're pitching a live shrimp to a tailing Redfish in two feet of water. Your guide reads the conditions daily, so whether the fish are schooled up on structure or scattered across the flats, you'll be in the right spots. The morning bite in these waters is legendary among local anglers, and there's nothing quite like watching a big Red crush a bait as the sun comes up over the Gulf. With premium tackle provided and a valid fishing license included, all you need to bring is your skills and enthusiasm for some serious light tackle action.
This charter is all about finesse fishing with light tackle – the kind of setup that lets you feel every bump, every tap, every headshake. We're talking 15-20 lb test on spinning reels matched to responsive rods that telegraph exactly what's happening down below. Your guide provides everything: premium rods and reels, a full spread of proven lures, fresh live bait, and all the terminal tackle you'll need. The techniques vary with the conditions and target species, but expect to work everything from soft plastics on jig heads to live shrimp under popping corks. You might be sight-casting to cruising Reds in skinny water, working deeper channels with Carolina rigs for Flounder, or covering grass flats with suspending plugs for Seatrout. The key is reading the water and matching your presentation to what the fish want. Your guide knows when to go quiet and stealthy, when to cover water fast, and when to slow down and work a spot thoroughly. It's this local knowledge combined with quality gear that separates a good day from a great day on the water.
Southern Flounder are the ultimate ambush predators in these waters, and Panama City's inshore areas hold some real doormat-sized fish. These flatfish love structure – think channel edges, oyster bars, and drop-offs where they can bury in the sand and wait for bait to swim by. Best fishing happens during moving tides when they're actively feeding, typically spring through fall. What makes Flounder so exciting is the fight – they're bulldogs that use their flat profile to their advantage, pulling drag and making long runs. Plus, they're hands down one of the best eating fish in the Gulf, making them a favorite target for experienced anglers who appreciate both the challenge and the reward.
Black Drum are the heavyweights of the inshore world around Panama City, with fish ranging from keeper-sized juveniles to massive bulls that can exceed 40 pounds. They're bottom feeders that cruise oyster bars and shallow flats looking for crabs and shellfish. Spring and fall see the best action, especially around structure during incoming tides. These fish are pure muscle – when a big Drum takes your bait, you'll know it immediately. They make long, powerful runs and use their broad profile to fight you every inch of the way. Many anglers consider them the strongest fighters pound-for-pound in the inshore game, and landing one on light tackle is a real accomplishment.
Sea Trout, particularly the Spotted Seatrout, are the bread and butter of Panama City inshore fishing and absolutely perfect for light tackle work. These fish school up over grass beds and around structure, making them consistent targets throughout the year, though spring through fall offers the best action. What makes Seatrout special is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials, plus they're incredibly fun on light gear. A good Seatrout will make jumping runs and fight surprisingly hard for their size. They're also excellent table fare, making them a customer favorite for anglers who want steady action combined with a great fish fry back home.
Redfish are the crown jewel of inshore fishing around Panama City and exactly what experienced anglers dream about. These copper-colored fighters cruise shallow flats, oyster bars, and marsh edges year-round, though fall brings some of the best action when they school up in massive numbers. Reds are sight-fishing at its finest – you'll often see them tailing in shallow water or cruising just under the surface. When hooked, they make blistering runs and use their broad tail to fight like crazy. What really gets anglers excited about Redfish is the variety – you might catch schoolie-sized fish one cast and hook into a 30-inch bull the next. They're built for the shallow water game and perfectly suited for light tackle fishing.
Tripletail are the wild cards of this fishery and a world-class target that keeps experienced anglers coming back. These unique fish float near the surface around structure, crab traps, and debris, often looking like floating seaweed until they move. They're most active in war
This 20-foot Tracker bay boat gets you right where the fish are biting in Panama City's productive inshore waters. The 2006 center console runs smooth and quiet with its 150HP Johnson engine, perfect for stalking redfish in the shallows or drifting over flounder holes. The wireless trolling motor lets your guide position the boat without spooking wary seatrout, while the fish finder marks schools and structure below. GPS navigation means more time fishing and less time searching. Keep your catch fresh in the onboard icebox along with cold drinks for the trip. Built for stability and comfort, this reliable bay boat handles Panama City's inshore conditions with ease, giving you a solid platform to cast from whether you're working the grass flats or targeting structure. Perfect for experienced anglers who want to fish like the locals do.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, ranging from 5-30 pounds with some bulls pushing 50+ pounds. These dark, deep-bodied fish get their name from the drumming sounds they make, especially during spring spawning season when they school up in shallow oyster bars and muddy flats. They're bottom feeders with powerful jaws built for crushing shellfish, so fresh blue crab and cut mullet work best. Spring months offer the most consistent action when water temps hit the 70s. Guests love the strong, bulldogging fight they put up - no flashy jumps, just pure power. Smaller fish under 15 pounds are great eating, but the big ones get tough and wormy. Pro tip: fish right on the bottom with just enough weight to hold - these fish are picky and will drop a heavy sinker.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the gold standard of inshore fishing - bronze-colored bruisers with that signature black spot near the tail. These fish love super shallow water, often with their backs out of the water on grass flats and oyster bars. Most range 18-27 inches and put up a serious fight with long, powerful runs. They're year-round residents, but fall and spring offer the best action when they're actively feeding and schooling. What makes them special is their willingness to eat just about anything - live shrimp, cut bait, or topwater plugs all work. The meat is excellent with a mild, sweet flavor that's hard to beat. These fish are built for shallow water with that downward-facing mouth perfect for rooting around oyster bars. My go-to trick: look for nervous water and tailing fish on the flats during moving tides, then make long, quiet casts ahead of them.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Seatrout are one of our most reliable inshore targets, running 14-20 inches with plenty of keepers in the slot. These silvery fish with distinctive black spots love grass flats and shallow bays, especially around dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. Cool weather months from fall through early spring bring the best action as they school up in deeper channels and drop-offs. They're scrappy fighters with a soft mouth, so light tackle is key. The white, flaky meat is outstanding table fare - some of the best eating you'll find inshore. Spring and fall are peak seasons when water temps are in the 60s-70s. Here's the key: use a slow, steady retrieve with soft plastics under a popping cork. These fish spook easily in clear, shallow water, so stay quiet and make long casts.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are masters of disguise - these flat, oval-shaped fish bury themselves in sandy and muddy bottoms where they ambush prey like shrimp, crabs, and small baitfish. You'll recognize them by the distinct eyes on their left side and scattered light and dark spots across their dark surface. Most run 15-18 inches, but we catch them up to 25+ inches in our shallow bays and grass flats. Fall and winter are prime time when they're feeding heavily before moving offshore to spawn. They're excellent table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. The fight isn't flashy, but they're tricky to hook since they often just mouth the bait. My tip: when you feel that subtle tap, count to three before setting the hook - let them get it fully in their mouth first.
Lobotes SurinamensisTripletail are one of our most unique catches - oddball fish that float on their sides near the surface, mimicking debris or seaweed. They average 18 inches and 2-8 pounds, but their deep, compressed bodies make them surprisingly strong fighters with acrobatic jumps. You'll find them around floating structure, weed lines, and channel markers in 10-40 feet of water during summer and fall months. They're sight-fishing targets that require stealth and accuracy since they spook easily. The payoff is worth it - their firm, white meat rivals grouper or snapper for table quality. These fish change color to match their surroundings and have razor-sharp gill plates, so handle with care. Summer through early fall is prime time when water temps stay above 70 degrees. Best approach: spot them first, then cast well past and slowly work your bait toward them - let the fish find it rather than landing on their head.
Panama City, FL