Panama City's Premier Inshore Fishing Charter

Published Date: July 16, 2025
Fishing

Panama City, FL
$474 - $675 price range
Updated Date: September 15, 2025

Summary

Ready for a fun day on the water? This 4-hour fishing trip takes you into Panama City's calm bays and bayous. You'll be on a 20-foot Skeeter boat with all the gear you need to catch local fish like redfish, flounder, and snapper. The captain uses light tackle and different fishing methods depending on what's biting that day. It's a private trip for up to 3 people, so you'll have plenty of room to cast. Don't forget your sunscreen and shades – the Florida sun can be strong out there! You can even bring your own tunes to play over the boat's Bluetooth. Whether you're an experienced angler or trying fishing for the first time, this trip is a great way to spend a morning or afternoon on the water and hopefully catch some fish to brag about.

Panama City's Premier Inshore Fishing Charter

Reeling Them In

Stunning landscape with palm trees and cloudy sky in FL

Focused bridge fishing under calm Florida waters

Fishing adventure in Panama City with 2 people

Awesome Redfish lesson in calm backwaters.

Productive setup for Sheepshead and Redfish!

Smiling with a sleek Spanish Mackerel

Reel in the Action: Panama City Inshore Fishing

Get ready for a half-day of non-stop fishing action in the calm waters of Panama City, Florida. This 4-hour private charter with Panama Jeff's Inshore Charters is perfect for anglers of all skill levels looking to land some of the Gulf Coast's most sought-after inshore species. With room for up to 3 fishing buddies, you'll cruise the bays and bayous in a well-equipped 20' Skeeter, targeting everything from hard-fighting redfish to tasty mangrove snapper.

What to Expect on the Water

As soon as you step aboard our 20' Skeeter, you'll know you're in for a treat. This isn't your average fishing boat – it's a fish-finding machine. Powered by a beefy 150 HP Yamaha, we'll zip to the hotspots in no time. The GPS and fish finder help us locate the schools, while the wireless trolling motor lets us sneak up on the fish without spooking them. And don't worry about bait – the onboard livewell keeps it fresh and lively. Whether you're an old salt or a first-timer, Captain Jeff will tailor the trip to your experience level, ensuring everyone has a shot at tight lines and bent rods.

Fishing Tactics & Gear

On this inshore adventure, we'll use a variety of techniques to put you on the fish. Light tackle is the name of the game here, perfect for feeling every nibble and head shake. We might start the day drift fishing over grass flats for speckled trout, then switch to popping corks for redfish along the mangroves. If the jacks are busting bait on the surface, we'll break out the spinning gear and throw some topwater lures into the fray. For the fly fishing enthusiasts, there's nothing quite like sight-casting to tailing reds in skinny water. Whatever method we use, you can bet it'll be matched to what's biting and where they're hiding.

Species You'll Want to Hook

Sheepshead: These striped bandits are the bane of many anglers, but boy, are they fun to catch. Known for their uncanny ability to steal bait, sheepshead require finesse and patience. They hang around structure like pilings and oyster beds, using their human-like teeth to crush crustaceans. Spring is prime time for these tasty fish, and they put up a surprising fight for their size.

Redfish: The crown jewel of inshore fishing, redfish (or red drum) are a favorite among locals and visitors alike. These copper-colored bruisers can be found tailing in shallow flats or lurking near docks and mangroves. Fall is the peak season when big bulls move into the bays, but you can catch them year-round. Nothing beats the sight of a redfish's signature spot-on-the-tail as it tries to shake your hook.

Crevalle Jack: If you're looking for a drag-screaming battle, jack crevalle deliver in spades. These powerful fish often hunt in schools, creating exciting topwater action. While they're not known for their table fare, jacks more than make up for it with their fighting spirit. They're most active in the warmer months, and hooking into one is like being tied to a freight train – hold on tight!

Lane Snapper: Don't let their size fool you; lane snapper are scrappy little fighters that make for excellent eating. These colorful fish are often found near reefs and rocky bottoms. They're eager biters and great for anglers of all skill levels. Late spring through summer is the best time to target them, and their flaky white meat is perfect for a fish fry.

Southern Flounder: Masters of camouflage, flounder are ambush predators that lie in wait on the bottom. Catching them requires a keen eye and a delicate touch. These flat fish are most active during their fall migration, but can be caught year-round with the right tactics. There's nothing quite like the thump of a flounder taking your bait, and they're considered one of the best-tasting fish in the sea.

Why Anglers Keep Coming Back

Panama City's inshore waters are a fisherman's playground, and this half-day trip gives you a taste of the action without taking up your whole day. The versatility of the fishing grounds means there's always something biting, no matter the season. Plus, with all the gear provided and the expertise of Captain Jeff at your disposal, you can focus on what matters most – catching fish and having a blast. Whether you're looking to introduce the kids to fishing or want to sharpen your own skills, this trip offers something for everyone.

Time to Book Your Spot

Ready to get your line wet in Panama City's inshore waters? This 4-hour trip is the perfect way to experience the best fishing the area has to offer without breaking the bank. At $474 for up to three anglers, it's a great value for a private charter. Remember to bring your sunscreen, polarized sunglasses (trust me, they make a huge difference in spotting fish), and your favorite tunes – we've got Bluetooth on board to keep the good vibes flowing. Don't forget that deposits are non-refundable, so check your calendar and get ready to lock in your date. The fish are waiting, and Captain Jeff is ready to put you on them. Book now and get ready for a half-day of rod-bending, drag-pulling action in Panama City's backyard fishing grounds!

Learn more about the animals

Crevalle Jack

Crevalle jacks are the bulldogs of Panama City's inshore waters. These hard-fighting fish usually run 3-15 pounds but can top 30. Look for them busting bait on the surface - you'll often spot birds diving on the chaos. Jacks love strong current areas like passes and deeper flats. They're most active in warmer months but can be caught year-round. Anglers target jacks for their explosive strikes and incredible stamina - be ready for a long, arm-burning fight. To hook up, cast topwater lures or jigs into feeding schools and retrieve fast. My local tip: when you see jacks feeding, don't cast directly into the frenzy. Toss your lure just outside and work it towards the school for best results. While not great table fare, pound-for-pound jacks are some of the strongest fish you'll tangle with inshore.

Lane Snapper

Lane snappers are a tasty bonus catch on many Panama City trips. These colorful fish usually run 1-3 pounds but can reach 7-8 pounds. You'll find them around rocky bottoms and reefs in 30-100 feet of water. Spring through fall is prime time as they move inshore to spawn. Anglers love lanes for their aggressive bites and excellent eating quality. To catch them, use light tackle with small hooks and cut bait or shrimp. My local trick is chumming with cut bait to get them fired up. Once you locate a school, you can often catch several quickly. When you feel that distinctive snapper "thump," set the hook fast. While not as big as their red snapper cousins, lanes put up a spirited fight on light gear and make for some of the best fish tacos you'll ever taste.

Redfish

Redfish are one of our most popular inshore species here in Panama City. These copper-colored beauties typically run 3-10 pounds but can get up to 40+ in the right spots. Look for them tailing in shallow grass flats or cruising near oyster bars, especially on falling tides. Fall and spring are prime seasons as they feed heavily. Anglers love redfish for their powerful runs and excellent food quality. To land one, try sight casting with gold spoons or soft plastics. My go-to trick is using scented soft plastics and letting them sit motionless - redfish often can't resist an easy meal. When you hook up, be ready for some drag-screaming action. There's nothing quite like watching that big spot-tailed red come to the boat after a great fight.

Sheepshead

Sheepshead are some of the most unique fish you'll catch in Panama City. These striped oddballs have human-like teeth perfect for crushing crabs and barnacles. Most run 1-8 pounds, but trophy fish over 20 pounds aren't unheard of. Look for them around docks, bridges, and other structures where they feed. Spring is prime time as they gather to spawn. Anglers love targeting sheepshead for their crafty bites, strong fights, and excellent table fare. To hook one, use small hooks with fiddler crabs or shrimp and fish right up against pilings. When you feel that telltale nibble, set the hook fast - these bait stealers are pros at cleaning your hook. The meat is sweet and flaky, making the sheepshead well worth the effort to catch and clean.

Southern Flounder

Southern flounder are ambush predators that lie flat on the bottom waiting to pounce. Most run 1-3 pounds but can reach 5+ pounds. Look for them on sandy or muddy bottoms near structure in bays and inlets. Fall is prime time as they migrate to spawn. Anglers target flounder for their unique challenge and exceptional taste. To catch them, slowly drag live bait or soft plastics along the bottom. My local tip: when you feel that distinctive "thump," wait a few seconds before setting the hook to let them get the bait. Flounder aren't hard fighters, but landing a big one is always exciting. And there's no better eating fish - the white, flaky meat is perfect for pan-frying. Keep an eye out for those "doormats" in the fall for a real treat.

About the Panama Jeff's Inshore Charters

Vehicle Guest Capacity: 3

Manufacturer Name: Yamaha

Maximum Cruising Speed: 30

Number of Engines: 1

Horsepower per Engine: 150

Get ready for an awesome day of fishing in Panama City's backyard! We'll cruise the calm inshore waters for 4 hours on a sweet 20' Skeeter boat. This bad boy is decked out with GPS, fish finder, and all the gear you need to reel in some beauties. We're talking Redfish, Flounder, Jacks, Snapper - you name it. Whether you're into light tackle, fly fishing, or just want to chill and drift, we've got you covered. Bring your buddies (up to 3 anglers total), slap on some sunscreen, and don't forget your favorite tunes - we've got Bluetooth so you can be your own DJ. For $474, you'll get a private trip with everything included. Just remember, if you need to cancel, the deposit's non-refundable. Now let's get out there and catch some fish!

Sitemap