Embark on a Gulf of Mexico fishing journey in your boat or a charter; find a spot along a scenic pier over the Gulf and mingle with fellow anglers; or hop on a kayak and move through the bayous and shallow waters.
From saltwater to freshwater fishing – winter, spring, summer, or fall – Panama City Beach waters are always brimming with delicious catches. After a day or days of fishing, take your prizes to a local seafood market ready to clean your catch and even ship them home to you.
When you join a local fishing charter docked at one of the many marinas in town, you don’t need to worry about a thing other than the task at hand – fishing. Prior to charter day, you can customize your trip based on your preferences – inshore trolling or bottom fishing – and experience level, beginner or expert. And you don’t even need a fishing license.
Do you want to fish in the morning, afternoon, or night? You can choose from one of the many charter boats, including the Capt. Anderson or Capt. Anderson III, part of Capt. Anderson’s Marina fleet. Trips can be as short as five hours, preferable for families with little ones, and as long as 12 for expert fishermen and women. Private charters are also available. When you return, get your fish cleaned at the on-site seafood market.
Helmed by a seasoned local captain who knows all the best spots and what fish are in season, you can sit back and relax and enjoy your chosen charter with your family and friends. You don't even have to bring any equipment. Charters typically provide you with everything you need, including rods/reels, tackle, and bait.
What’s Biting
Panama City Beach is a year-round angler’s paradise. You can hit the water any time of year and reel in something good. Here’s what you can expect to catch each season.
Winter
This season brings plenty of sunshine, few clouds and fish like speckled trout, closed for harvest in February, and redfish in the shallow waters. Lows are typically in the 40s and the highs 70 or so. Other types of fish include trout, black drum, sheepshead, pompano, and flounder.
Spring
With spring comes warmer days, and charter trips may center around the inlets and near the beaches between March and April. You’ll find redfish in the shallows, trout in the grass flats, and Spanish mackerel along the shore. Other types of in-season fish include sheepshead, pompano, mangrove snapper, amberjack, redfish, and kingfish.
Summer
Summertime is a chance to catch redfish in bays and along the beaches, and red snapper, grouper, and amberjack around the reefs. If you’re fishing in the shallows, you’ll want to get an early start to your day since the sun heats the water faster. You can also fish for tarpon during the summer season.
Fall
As temperatures start to cool off, anticipate massive amounts of Spanish mackerel around inlets, redfish along the flats, and speckled trout, which will migrate from the shallows to the bayous. Other types of fish include redfish, jack crevalle, sharks, and tarpon.
Get excited about your upcoming fishing trip by tuning in to Chasin’ The Sun TV, an award-winning fishing and lifestyle series shot locally.
