Tarpon fishing charters in Panama City Beach, FL

Panama City Beach is one of the busiest fishing towns on Florida’s Panhandle. St. Andrew Bay opens to the Gulf through the jetties at St. Andrews State Park, and just offshore lies one of the largest collections of artificial reefs and shipwrecks on the Gulf coast — the reason the area is known for steady bottom fishing.

Reefs, wrecks and offshore

Most charters head to the reefs and wrecks for red snapper, grouper, triggerfish, amberjack and vermilion snapper. Trolling trips target king mackerel and Spanish mackerel, and in the warmer months mahi-mahi further out. Longer offshore trips chase wahoo, tuna and sailfish.

Bay, sound and jetties

St. Andrew Bay, West Bay and the waters around Shell Island are calm options for redfish, speckled trout, flounder and sheepshead — ideal for families and windy days. Every spring, cobia migrate along the Panhandle beaches, and sight-fishing for them from a tower boat is a local favorite.

Choosing a boat

The fleet ranges from large party boats with per-person tickets to private charters for six. Party boats are a budget-friendly way to try bottom fishing; private charters let you pick the trip length and target.

Good to know

Licensed Florida charter boats cover their guests’ fishing licenses. Red snapper, gag grouper and other reef fish have regulated seasons that change every year — check current Florida FWC and NOAA Fisheries dates before planning around a particular fish.