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Port guide / Florida Panhandle / Florida
Panama City fishing guide
Panama City is the bay side of Bay County, on the north shore of St. Andrew Bay with St. Andrews Marina, the Downtown Marina and neighborhood parks along the water. Inshore anglers work the grass flats and bayous for redfish, trout, flounder and sheepshead, especially in fall, while boats run out the pass by Shell Island and St. Andrews State Park to the reefs for snapper, grouper and amberjack. It is the working harbor side of the bay, quieter than the beach piers and Front Beach Road marinas of Panama City Beach.
10 ft, conditions now
Conditions now
Live from NOAA and the National Weather Service. Times show in your own time zone.
Today’s bite
A forecast built from live data and the calendar below. Not a catch report.
Working out today from the tides, water and calendar.
Tides
- Loading the next highs and lows from NOAA.
On the water now
- Water
- Checking
- Wind
- Checking
Marine forecast
Loading the National Weather Service forecast.
7 day forecast
National Weather Service, for Panama City. Updates through the day.
- Loading the 7 day forecast.
NOAA tides, Panama City, FL (opens in a new tab) NWS 7 day forecast (opens in a new tab) NWS marine forecast, St. Andrews Bay Waterways (opens in a new tab)
12 ft, the chart
Chart and depths
The official NOAA chart, centered on Panama City. Depths, channels, reefs and markers, live from NOAA.
The NOAA chart loads when you scroll here.
13 ft, the radar
Rain on the radar
Live NWS radar centered on Panama City. The last 50 minutes on a loop, so you can see which way the rain is moving before you launch.
The radar loads when you scroll here.
15 ft, fishing reports
Fishing reports
What people are catching, on what, and where. Every report links to whoever wrote it. We do not write these ourselves.
Latest reports
From local captains, shops and outdoor writers. Newest first, last 14 days.
- Checking the latest reports.
Report sources: Great Days Outdoors Northwest Florida Fishing Report (opens in a new tab)
Straight from the dock
Reports sent to us by shops and captains on this guide. We check each one before it posts.
Checking for reports.
20 ft, what is biting
What is biting, month by month
When each fish is at its best around Panama City. This month is marked.
| Species | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Redfish | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good |
| Speckled trout | Good | Slow | Good | Good | Good | Slow | Slow | Slow | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good |
| Flounder | Good | Good | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Good | Good | Slow | Good |
| Sheepshead | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Slow | Slow | Slow | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Spanish mackerel | Slow | Slow | Good | Good | Good | Slow | Slow | Slow | Good | Good | Good | Slow |
| King mackerel | Slow | Slow | Good | Good | Good | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Good | Slow | Slow |
| Red snapper | Slow | Slow | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow |
| Grouper (red, gag and scamp) | Slow | Slow | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Slow | Peak | Slow | Slow |
| Greater amberjack | Slow | Slow | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Slow | Peak | Slow | Slow |
| Tarpon | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Slow |
Redfish
Peak: September, October, November
Reds are caught all year in the shallows, flats and bays, and fall is when inshore boats focus on them.
Speckled trout
Peak: September, October, November
Trout ride the grass flats in spring and move into the bayous in fall, and Panhandle harvest is closed in February.
Flounder
A fall and winter inshore fish here, but Florida closes harvest Oct. 15 through Nov. 30.
Sheepshead
A winter and spring fish, with fall trips targeting them too.
Spanish mackerel
Caught from shore in spring and around the inlets in fall.
King mackerel
Kings gather around offshore reefs and wrecks in spring and are still a good bet in October.
Red snapper
Spring and summer reef fish offshore; private boats also have set fall days open into January 2027.
Grouper (red, gag and scamp)
Peak: October
Red grouper, gag and scamp peak on the October calendar, but gag harvest closed Oct. 1 in 2026.
Greater amberjack
Peak: October
Amberjack hold on the offshore reefs and wrecks, but harvest was open only Sept. 1 to Oct. 13 in 2026.
Tarpon
A summer and fall fish, catch and release only in Florida.
30 ft, seasons and rules
Seasons and rules
Open and close dates we could confirm from official sources, plus where to check limits before you keep a fish.
Red snapper, Gulf state and federal waters (private recreational), summer
The 2026 summer season ran daily May 22 to July 31. Anyone fishing for red snapper from a private boat, in state or federal waters, must hold the free State Reef Fish Angler designation, renewed every year, even if they do not need a fishing license.
FWC, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Red snapper, Gulf state and federal waters (private recreational), fall
The 2026 fall season opened Sept. 1 and ran daily Sept. 1 to Oct. 4 and again Oct. 9 to 25. Remaining open days: Oct. 30 to Nov. 1; Nov. 7 to 8, 14 to 15 and 21 to 22; Nov. 26 to 29 (Thanksgiving weekend); Dec. 5 to 6, 12 to 13 and 19 to 20; Dec. 25 to 27 (Christmas weekend); and Jan. 1 to 4, 2027. Private-boat anglers must be signed up for the State Reef Fish Survey (State Reef Fish Angler designation). Charter boats without a federal permit may fish these days in Florida Gulf state waters only.
FWC, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Red snapper, Gulf federal for-hire (charter boats with a federal reef fish permit)
The 2026 season ran 147 days, opening 12:01 a.m. June 1 and closing 12:01 a.m. Oct. 26, 2026, so Oct. 25 was the last open day.
NOAA Fisheries, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Gag grouper, Gulf state waters
Open Sept. 1 through Sept. 30, 2026; closed at 12:01 a.m. Oct. 1 for the rest of the year.
FWC, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Gag grouper, Gulf federal waters
Opened 12:01 a.m. Sept. 1, 2026 and closed 12:01 a.m. Oct. 1, 2026.
NOAA Fisheries, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Red, black and scamp grouper, Gulf
Open year-round in state waters; in federal waters closed Feb. 1 to March 31 seaward of the 20-fathom break.
FWC, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Greater amberjack, Gulf state waters
Open Sept. 1 through Oct. 13, 2026; closed at 12:01 a.m. Oct. 14.
FWC, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Greater amberjack, Gulf federal waters
Open Sept. 1, 2026 to 12:01 a.m. Oct. 14, 2026.
NOAA Fisheries, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Gray triggerfish, Gulf state and federal waters
Open March 1 to May 31 and Aug. 1 to Dec. 31; closed the rest of the year.
FWC, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Flounder, Florida state waters
Closed every year Oct. 15 through Nov. 30.
FWC, annual, applies to 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Spotted seatrout, Panhandle Region
Closed in February; open March 1 through Jan. 31.
FWC, annual, applies to 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Red drum, Panhandle Region
Open year-round. Slot and bag limits are set by region on the FWC red drum page.
FWC, current Official page (opens in a new tab)
Tarpon
Catch and release only. Fish over 40 inches must stay in the water unless you hold a tarpon tag for a record attempt.
FWC, current Official page (opens in a new tab)
40 ft, where to fish
Where to fish
- Flats
Bay grass flats and bayous
Trout ride the grass flats in spring and move into the bayous in fall, and redfish work the flats and bays all year.
- Bay
Downtown Panama City Marina
The city describes the downtown marina as a boat launch point and a good fishing spot while it is rebuilt after hurricane damage.
- Pier
Millville Waterfront Park
A city waterfront park at 301 Maple Ave. with a fishing pier added in 2013 and space to fish and kayak.
- Beach
Shell Island
Inshore and light tackle trips run to Shell Island, the barrier island at the mouth of St. Andrew Bay.
- Reef
Offshore reefs and wrecks
Grouper, snapper, amberjack and king mackerel gather on the offshore reefs and wrecks in spring.
50 ft, launch and piers
Ramps and piers
Public launches and fishing piers. Fees and hours change, so check the link before you tow.
| Name | Type | Fee | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bob George Park boat launch (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Check | Church Ave. and 1st Plaza, Panama City, FL 32401 |
| Downtown Panama City Marina launch (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Check | 1 Harrison Ave., Panama City, FL 32401 |
| Millville Waterfront Park fishing pier (opens in a new tab) | Pier | Check | 301 Maple Ave., Panama City, FL |
60 ft, bait, tackle and charters
Bait, tackle and charters
Where to get live and fresh bait, tackle and a guide. We are not paid to list anyone here.
Bait and tackle (4)
Showing all 4 shops
- Bait and tackleLive bait
Howell Tackle Supply
Bait: live shrimp, frozen bait
3100 US-98, Panama City, FL 32401
Google reviews mention live shrimp.
- Tackle shop
Anglers Tackle
7431 FL-22, Panama City, FL 32404
- Store
Brooks Bait & Tackle
6910 FL-22, Panama City, FL 32404
- Marina
St Andrews Marina
3151 W 10th St
Live bait comes and goes with the weather and the season. Call before you drive.
Charters and guides (55)
Showing all 55
| Charter | Fishing | Targets | Leaves from | Call |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seawolf Charters (opens in a new tab)36 foot boat for up to 6; trips run more than 9 miles offshore. Also linked from the St. Andrews Marina charters page. | Offshore | Panama City | ||
| Capt. Sully Charters (opens in a new tab)21 foot boat for up to 4; listed as family friendly. | Panama City | |||
| West Bay Fishing Charters (opens in a new tab)20 foot boat for up to 6. | Panama City | |||
| Unorthodox Charters (opens in a new tab)26 foot boat for up to 6; listed as family friendly. | Panama City | |||
| Gulf Wrangler Charters (opens in a new tab)24 foot boat for up to 6. | Panama City | |||
| Captain Fisher Charters (opens in a new tab)36 foot boat for up to 6; listed as family friendly. Also linked from the St. Andrews Marina charters page. | Panama City | |||
| Fishing By Faith (opens in a new tab)32 foot boat for up to 6. | Panama City | |||
| Shell Island Inshore and Light Tackle (opens in a new tab)24 foot boat for up to 4; inshore light tackle trips around Shell Island. | Inshore | Panama City | ||
| Reel Steel Charters (opens in a new tab)28 foot boat for up to 6; listed as family friendly. | Panama City | |||
| Family Tradition Charters, Panama City (opens in a new tab)65 foot boat for up to 25; listed under deep sea and half day trips. | Offshore | Panama City | (850) 819-4610 | |
| Golden Legacy Charters (opens in a new tab)36 foot boat for up to 6; listed under deep sea and half day trips. | Offshore | Panama City Beach | ||
| Stow Away Fishing (opens in a new tab)33 foot boat for up to 6; listed under deep sea and half day trips. | Offshore | Panama City | ||
| All The Way Charters (opens in a new tab)43 foot boat for up to 6; listed under deep sea and half day trips. Also linked from the St. Andrews Marina charters page. | Offshore | Panama City and Panama City Beach | ||
| Better Dayz Fishing Charter (opens in a new tab)25 foot boat for up to 6; listed under deep sea, half day and family trips. | Offshore | Panama City | ||
| Offshore Outlaws (opens in a new tab)27 foot boat for up to 4; listed under deep sea, half day and family trips. | Offshore | Panama City | ||
| Tail Raiser Charters (opens in a new tab)35 foot boat for up to 6; listed under deep sea and half day trips. | Offshore | Panama City | ||
| Reel Deal Fishing Charters (opens in a new tab)Runs the 41 foot ShortFuse and the 35 foot DeepWater out of St. Andrews Marina; listed on FishingBooker for deep sea and half day trips. | Offshore | St. Andrews Marina, 3151 W. 10th St., Panama City | (850) 771-1378 | |
| Combat Fishing (opens in a new tab)28 foot boat for up to 6; listed under deep sea trips. | Offshore | Panama City Beach | ||
| Tell'ntails Charters (opens in a new tab)31 foot boat for up to 6; listed under deep sea trips. | Offshore | Panama City | ||
| My Fishing Company, Capt. Joe (opens in a new tab)45 foot boat for up to 6; listed as family friendly. | Panama City | |||
| Panama City Guide Fishing (opens in a new tab)24 foot boat for up to 5; listed as family friendly. | Panama City | |||
| Pierbred Charters (opens in a new tab)22 foot boat for up to 4; listed as family friendly. | Panama City | |||
| Captain J's Charters (opens in a new tab)32 foot boat for up to 6; listed as family friendly. | Panama City | |||
| Fishwhacker Charters (opens in a new tab)24 foot boat for up to 4; half day trips that explore the Shell Island area. | Panama City Beach | |||
| Chief N Reef Charter Fishing (opens in a new tab)23 foot boat for up to 4; half day trips. | Panama City | |||
| Grocery Gettin Charters (opens in a new tab)Listed on the Panama City booking page with a 32 foot cabin cruiser. | ||||
| Slack Tide Fishing Charters (opens in a new tab)Listed on the Panama City booking page with a 24 foot center console. | ||||
| Mo Grouper (opens in a new tab)Listed on the Panama City booking page with a 26 foot center console. | ||||
| Salty C's Charters (opens in a new tab)Listed on the Panama City booking page with a 25 foot center console. | ||||
| Old Town Charters (opens in a new tab)Veteran owned; listed on the Panama City booking page. | ||||
| Able Fisherman Charters (opens in a new tab)Listed on the Panama City booking page. | ||||
| Bayflats Fishing Charters (opens in a new tab)Listed on the Panama City booking page. | ||||
| REEL Viking Charters (opens in a new tab)Listed on the Panama City booking page. | ||||
| Fish Now PCB (opens in a new tab)Listed on the Panama City booking page. | ||||
| Florida Panhandle Charters (opens in a new tab)Listed on the Panama City booking page. | ||||
| Blue Water Connection, Billistic II (opens in a new tab)Listed on the Panama City booking page. | ||||
| 9 Hooks Fishing Charters (opens in a new tab)Listed on the Panama City booking page. | ||||
| Reely Blessed Fishing Charters (opens in a new tab)Listed on the Panama City booking page. | ||||
| Showtime Charters (opens in a new tab)Listed on the Panama City booking page. | ||||
| Advanced Fishing With JP (opens in a new tab)Listed on the Panama City booking page. | ||||
| Charter Boat Freedom (opens in a new tab)Listed on the Panama City booking page. | ||||
| Diamond in the Rough Charters (opens in a new tab)Listed on the Panama City booking page. | ||||
| Chances R Charters (opens in a new tab)Listed on the Panama City booking pages; Captain Experiences lists Chances R Deep Sea Charter Fishing with 30 years of guide experience. | Offshore | |||
| Panama City Beach Inshore Fishing Charters (opens in a new tab)Listed on the St. Andrews Marina charters page. | Inshore | St. Andrews Marina, Panama City | ||
| Goldenrod Fishing Charters (opens in a new tab)Listed on the St. Andrews Marina charters page. | St. Andrews Marina, Panama City | |||
| Southern Dawn Charters (opens in a new tab)Listed on the St. Andrews Marina charters page. | St. Andrews Marina, Panama City | |||
| Catch It Fishing Charters (opens in a new tab)Listed on the St. Andrews Marina charters page. | St. Andrews Marina, Panama City | |||
| Seminole Wind Fishing (opens in a new tab)Listed on the St. Andrews Marina charters page. | St. Andrews Marina, Panama City | |||
| Top Deck Charters (opens in a new tab)Listed on the St. Andrews Marina charters page. | St. Andrews Marina, Panama City | |||
| Miss Rachel Fishing Charters (opens in a new tab)Listed on the St. Andrews Marina charters page. | St. Andrews Marina, Panama City | |||
| Tail Hunter Charters (opens in a new tab)Listed on the St. Andrews Marina charters page. | St. Andrews Marina, Panama City | |||
| Pisces Fishing and Adventures (opens in a new tab)Listed among the best charters on the Panama City booking page. | ||||
| Inshore Charters (opens in a new tab)Listed among the best charters on the Panama City booking page. | Inshore | |||
| Knott Workin (opens in a new tab)Listed among the best charters on the Panama City booking page. | ||||
| Gotta Believe Charters (opens in a new tab)Booking site lists 4 hour bay and 5 hour Gulf shark trips. |
We are not paid to list anyone. Rates, boats and trips change, so confirm when you book.
70 ft, on the calendar
Tournaments and events
Annual events on this water. Dates move, so confirm with the organiser.
- Tournament
Bay Point Billfish Open (opens in a new tab)
usually late June
2027: June 22 to 27; captains meeting June 23Point South Marina, Bay Point, 3824 Hatteras Ln, Panama City Beach, on St. Andrew Bay
- Tournament
MBARA Kingfish Tournament (opens in a new tab)
usually late July
2026: July 24 captains party, July 25 fishing and weigh-in (30th annual)Mexico Beach public boat ramp, about 25 miles east
80 ft, asked and answered
Fishing Panama City, asked and answered
When is the best time to fish Panama City for redfish and trout?
Fall, September through November, is when inshore boats target redfish, trout, flounder and sheepshead. Reds are caught all year, and trout move from the grass flats in spring to the bayous in fall. Trout harvest is closed in February.
Where can I launch a boat in Panama City?
The city lists a boat launch ramp at Bob George Park, and the Downtown Marina at 1 Harrison Ave. serves as a launch point while it is rebuilt. St. Andrews Marina at 3151 W. 10th St. sells fuel.
Is red snapper still open out of Panama City?
For private boats, Florida has set fall days open: Oct. 30 to Nov. 1, weekends through November and December, Thanksgiving and Christmas weekends, and Jan. 1 to 4, 2027. The federal for-hire season closed Oct. 26, 2026.
Can I keep a gag grouper or amberjack now?
Not in late 2026. Gag was open Sept. 1 to 30 and amberjack Sept. 1 to Oct. 13 in Gulf state and federal waters, even though both peak on the October calendar.
Where do Panama City charters leave from?
Many charters run out of St. Andrews Marina, which lists more than a dozen fishing charters on its site, and others leave from the Panama City Beach marinas across the bay.
90 ft, the kit
What we would take to Panama City
Sources for this guide (28), last checked 2026-10-30
- captainexperiences.com/locations/florida/panama-city (opens in a new tab)
- fishingbooker.com/destinations/location/us/FL/panama-city (opens in a new tab)
- mbara.org/kingfish-tournament/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/flounder/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/groupers/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/red-drum/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/snappers/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/spotted-seatrout/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/tarpon/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/news/all-news/efp-snapper-0526/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/news/all-news/gag-grouper-0826/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/news/all-news/gray-triggerfish-0226/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/news/all-news/greater-amberjack-0826/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/news/all-news/recreational-red-snapper-0926/ (opens in a new tab)
- reeldealfishingpc.com (opens in a new tab)
- standrewsmarinapc.com/charters/ (opens in a new tab)
- baypointbillfishopen.com (opens in a new tab)
- fisheries.noaa.gov/bulletin/noaa-fisheries-announces-2026-gag-recreational-season-federal- (opens in a new tab)
- fisheries.noaa.gov/bulletin/noaa-fisheries-announces-2026-gulf-america-red-snapper-recreat (opens in a new tab)
- fisheries.noaa.gov/bulletin/recreational-fishing-season-length-announcement-greater-amberj (opens in a new tab)
- google.com/maps?cid=17990203990849281237 (opens in a new tab)
- google.com/maps?cid=7372057017053175240 (opens in a new tab)
- google.com/maps?cid=8116679116492288688 (opens in a new tab)
- google.com/maps?cid=9634663757682829588 (opens in a new tab)
- panamacity.gov/665/Marinas (opens in a new tab)
- panamacity.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=795 (opens in a new tab)
- panamacity.gov/Facilities?clear=True (opens in a new tab)
- visitpanamacitybeach.com/things-to-do/fishing-charters/ (opens in a new tab)
100 ft, the seabed
Gear up for Panama City
UPF 50+ fishing shirts, hats and gloves for the Gulf Coast. Free shipping over $100. Ships from Texas, usually within 1 to 2 business days.