Quick Inshore Fishing Charter in Panama City
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
2hour morning inshore fishing charter targeting redfish and sheepsheadAll tackle, bait, licenses, and catch cleaning includedLight tackle experience suitable for all skill levels
Panama City's inshore waters are legendary among anglers, and this 2-hour morning charter puts you right where the action happens. You'll fish the protected bays and grass flats where redfish cruise the shallows and sheepshead hang around structure. With West Bay Fishing Charters, you get a local captain who knows these waters like the back of his hand, plus all the gear and bait you need for a productive morning on the water. This isn't about burning a whole day – it's about hitting the sweet spots when fish are most active and getting you back to shore with stories to tell.
Your morning starts early when the fish are hungry and the water's calm. We'll launch from Panama City and head straight to productive inshore spots where redfish, flounder, and spotted seatrout feed in the shallows. The beauty of inshore fishing here is the variety – one cast might get you a hard-fighting red, the next could be a crafty sheepshead testing your patience. Your captain will put you on fish using light tackle that makes every catch feel like a trophy. The boat stays in protected waters, so even if it's breezy outside, you'll fish comfortably in areas sheltered from wind and waves. With just two anglers max, you get personalized attention and plenty of room to fish without crowding.
We fish with light spinning gear that lets you feel every bump and run – typically 15-20 pound test on quality rods and reels that won't let you down when a big red makes its move. Live shrimp is the go-to bait for most species, but we'll also throw artificial lures when fish are actively feeding. Your captain will rig everything and teach you the techniques that work best in these waters. Whether you're bouncing bait along grass beds for flounder or sight-fishing reds in shallow water, you'll learn why Panama City's inshore fishing is so productive. All tackle, bait, and your fishing license are included, plus we'll clean whatever you catch so it's ready for the dinner table.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Panama City's inshore waters, and these copper-colored fighters are what most anglers dream about. They cruise the grass flats and oyster bars year-round, but fall and winter months offer some of the best action when they school up in shallow water. A good red will make multiple runs, using its broad tail to pull drag and test your skills. Most fish here run 18-27 inches – perfect slot-size reds that fight hard and taste even better. What makes redfish special is their willingness to eat in shallow water where you can see the whole fight play out.
Sheepshead are the technical challenge of inshore fishing – these black-and-white striped fish have incredible bite detection and will steal your bait if you're not paying attention. They hang around docks, pilings, and oyster bars, using their human-like teeth to crush crabs and barnacles. Fall through early spring is prime time for sheepshead, when they move inshore to spawn. Landing a good sheepshead requires quick reflexes and constant attention to your line, but they're considered some of the best eating fish in these waters. Most run 12-16 inches, with occasional fish pushing 18 inches and several pounds.
Spotted seatrout are year-round residents that love grass flats and sandy bottoms throughout Panama City's bay system. Spring and fall produce the most consistent action, but you can catch trout any month if you know where to look. They're aggressive feeders that will hit both live bait and artificial lures, making them perfect for anglers who like variety in their fishing. Trout fight with quick runs and head shakes, and they're excellent table fare when kept fresh. Most fish run 14-20 inches, with occasional larger specimens during cooler months.
Black drum are the bulldogs of the inshore world – these fish don't run far, but they use their weight and power to test your drag system. They feed heavily around oyster bars and structure, crushing crabs and shellfish with powerful jaws. Winter and early spring produce the largest drum, with fish over 20 pounds not uncommon in Panama City's waters. Smaller drum in the 16-24 inch range are excellent eating and provide steady action when conditions are right. Their fight is more about raw power than speed, but they'll definitely make you work for every fish.
Tripletail are the bonus fish that make any trip memorable – these odd-looking fish float around debris, crab trap buoys, and channel markers throughout the warmer months. They're not always present, but when conditions are right, they provide some of the most exciting sight-fishing opportunities in the area. Tripletail have an unusual habit of floating on their side near the surface, looking like debris until they suddenly spring to life. They fight with quick runs and jumps, and they're considered premium table fare by local anglers who know their value.
This 2-hour charter gives you a taste of what makes Panama City's inshore fishing so special without eating up your whole day. You'll fish with quality gear, learn from a local expert, and target species that make every cast exciting. The morning bite is typically the most productive time, and you'll be back at the dock by mid-morning with fresh fish and new techniques to try on your own. With catch cleaning included and all gear provided, you just need to show up ready to fish. Book your spot now and see why Panama City's inshore waters keep anglers coming back season after season.
This 2006 20-foot Tracker bay boat is built for productive inshore fishing in Panama City's productive waters. The center console design gives you plenty of casting room while the 150HP Johnson engine gets you to the fish quickly and smoothly. Perfect for targeting redfish and sheepshead in the shallow flats and around structure where these species love to hang out. The onboard fish finder helps locate schools and bottom structure, while the wireless trolling motor lets you slip quietly into position without spooking wary fish. An icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those hot Florida mornings. The GPS ensures you'll find your way back to productive spots, and the stable hull design handles Panama City's inshore waters with confidence. This reliable bay boat accommodates up to 2 anglers comfortably, making it ideal for focused fishing without feeling crowded.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of the inshore world, ranging from 5-30 pounds with some bruisers hitting 90 pounds. They're bottom feeders with powerful jaws built for crushing oysters and crabs. You'll find them around oyster beds, shallow muddy flats, and creek mouths in our brackish waters. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when the action really heats up. These fish are known for their drumming sounds during spawning season, which you can actually hear underwater. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare with white, flaky meat. My tip: use fresh crab or cut mullet on the bottom near structure, and don't be surprised when your rod doubles over - these fish pull hard and steady.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the stars of our shallow water fishing, easily recognized by their copper-bronze color and signature black spot near the tail. Most slot fish run 18-27 inches, but we get plenty of oversized bulls pushing 30+ inches. They love super shallow flats, oyster bars, and mangrove shorelines - sometimes in water so skinny their backs show. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall brings the best action when they school up. What makes them special is their willingness to eat almost anything and their bulldogging fight that'll test your drag. They're excellent table fare in the slot, with firm white meat. The sight-fishing is addictive when you can see their tails and backs in skinny water. Pro tip: work topwater plugs early in the morning over grass flats. When you see that wake behind your lure, resist setting the hook until you feel the weight.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Seatrout are our bread-and-butter inshore fish, running 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds with those distinctive black spots. They love grass flats, shallow bays, and drop-offs where they can ambush baitfish and shrimp. Early morning and evening are prime times, especially during spring and fall when they're most active. These fish are popular because they hit a variety of lures and put up a scrappy fight on light tackle. The meat is mild and flaky - perfect for the dinner table if you don't overcook it. They school up in winter in deeper holes, making them easier to find in colder months. My go-to technique is working a soft plastic shrimp or paddle tail jig over grass beds at first light. Keep it slow and steady - trout don't like to chase fast-moving baits in shallow water.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convict fish of Panama City with their black and white stripes and human-like teeth. Most run 1-8 pounds, but we see some thick 15+ pounders around the deeper structures. They're structure junkies - find them tight to bridge pilings, docks, and barnacle-covered posts. Spring months are best when they're spawning around channel edges and jetties. What makes them fun is they're notorious bait thieves with light, finicky bites that'll test your reflexes. The reward is some of the best eating fish in our waters - sweet, white meat that's worth the cleaning hassle. Here's the key: get your bait right against the structure and watch your rod tip like a hawk. When you feel that telltale tap-tap-tap, set the hook hard and fast before they steal your shrimp.
Lobotes SurinamensisTripletail are one of our most unique catches - they look like floating debris until they turn sideways and show that distinctive three-tail silhouette. They average 2-13 pounds with some reaching 40+ pounds. You'll spot them floating near the surface around weed lines, channel markers, and floating structure from spring through fall. Summer months from July through August are peak season when they're spawning. Anglers love them because they're sight-fishing targets that put up an acrobatic fight and taste like red snapper or grouper. They're ambush predators that mimic floating weeds as camouflage, making them challenging to spot. The key is stealth - cast well past the fish and work your bait back slowly. They spook easily, so keep boat noise down and use live shrimp or crab. Once hooked, be ready for jumps and strong runs.
Panama City, FL