A Guide to Panama City Beach Fishing

For anglers looking to reel in good times and diverse catches, Panama City Beach is an excellent place to wet a line. Throughout the entire year, the popular Florida Gulf Coast vacation destination offers a wide range of fishing options for anglers of every skill level, along with a broad variety of fish species to chase. The top Panama City Beach fishing opportunities include deep sea fishing, pier fishing, beach fishing, and inshore fishing — and our guide covers them all.

Types of Fishing in Panama City Beach

Whether you prefer venturing offshore into the Gulf, casting your line from a pier or the shoreline, or angling the area’s inshore waters, you’ll find endless opportunities to reel in great catches during a fishing trip in Panama City Beach, Florida​.

Here’s a closer look at the most popular ways to fish the Panama City Beach area waters, and some of the best spots to pursue them.

Deep Sea Fishing in Panama City Beach

For an especially exciting fishing experience in Panama City Beach, head several miles offshore into the Gulf, where you can target prized species like red snapper, grouper, mahi-mahi, and king mackerel. Some of the best spots for deep sea fishing in the area include:

• 10–50 miles offshore into the Gulf
• Artificial reefs and wrecks off the Panama City Beach coastline, including the Black Bart shipwreck, the U.S.S. Strength wreck, and the El Dorado artificial reef site
• Natural bottom structures south of St. Andrews Pass
• Deep-water ledges and drop-offs beyond the Continental Shelf (roughly 20–30 miles offshore)

Top Panama City Beach Fishing Charters

Booking a fishing charter is one of the easiest ways to experience deep sea fishing in the Panama City Beach area. Local captains know the best offshore spots and will provide everything you need for a successful trip — so you can just show up and start casting. These local charter companies can help you make the most of your time on the water:

• The Reel Contender Fishing Charters
• Hook’Em Up Charters
• Game Changer Fishing Charters
• Kelley Girl Charters
• Capt. Anderson’s Marina Charters

Pier Fishing in Panama City Beach

You can catch fish right off the pier in Panama City Beach, and pier fishing is a great option for area visitors seeking a relatively hassle-free way to catch fish without a boat. No fishing license is needed to fish off most public piers in the Panama City Beach area, as they are typically covered by saltwater pier licenses, but a daily fishing fee is often required.

Some of the area’s best fishing piers extend far into the Gulf, allowing you to reach deeper waters where Spanish mackerel, pompano, and cobia can be found. These include:

• Russell-Fields City Pier (also called the City Pier)
• M.B. Miller County Pier
• The fishing pier and jetties at St. Andrews State Park

Beach Fishing in Panama City Beach

Also known as surf fishing, beach fishing lets you cast your line straight from the Emerald Coast’s famed white-sand beaches into the Gulf — so you can catch pompano, whiting, redfish, or mackerel without ever leaving the shoreline. Some of the area’s best beach fishing spots include:

• Panama City Beach public beach access points (especially during early morning or late afternoon)
• The St. Andrews State Park beach
• The beaches along Thomas Drive near Schooners restaurant
• The stretch of beach along the western Panama City Beach coastline near Laguna Beach

Inshore Fishing in Panama City Beach

The calm bays, creeks, and estuaries behind the Panama City Beach coastline also offer fantastic angling opportunities. These inshore waters are great for targeting redfish, speckled trout, flounder, and sheepshead:

• Grand Lagoon
• St. Andrews Bay
• West Bay and North Bay
• East Bay and the Intracoastal Waterway
• Powell Lake (for freshwater/brackish options)

When To Go Fishing in Panama City Beach — and What You Could Catch

Panama City Beach’s waters are home to plentiful large and popular game fish, including red snapper, king mackerel, grouper, cobia, amberjack, and mahi-mahi. Depending on the time of year, you can count on a few of these angler favorites to be biting.

The best time to fish in the Panama City Beach area depends on the species you’re targeting. Spring and summer are peak seasons for popular offshore fish, including mahi-mahi, cobia, and king mackerel, while fall and winter bring strong inshore action for those chasing redfish, trout, and sheepshead.

Here’s a season-by-season dive into top fishing opportunities in the area:

Spring (March–May)

Spring kicks off the Panama City Beach’s prime inshore and offshore fishing season with warming water and migrating species including:

• Cobia (peak migration)
• Spanish and king mackerel
• Pompano
• Redfish and speckled trout
• Flounder
• Yellowfin tuna
• Sheepshead (early spring)

Summer (June–August)

Summer is the prime deep sea fishing season in the area (especially early and late in the day), with top targets including:

• Red snapper and grouper (season-dependent)
• Mahi-mahi
• Amberjack
• Blackfin tuna
• King mackerel
• Spanish mackerel
• Sharks and tarpon

Fall (September–November)

Fall brings cooler waters and feeding fish, making it a great time for both offshore and inshore fishing, with top targets including:

• Redfish
• Flounder
• Speckled trout
• Spanish and king mackerel
• Pompano
• Sheepshead (late fall)

Winter (December–February)

Inshore fishing stays strong during the cooler months, when these popular species are often biting:

• Speckled trout
• Sheepshead
• Redfish
• Amberjack
• Grouper
• Snapper

Plan Your Panama City Beach Fishing Trip with Vacation Escapes

With comfortable, conveniently located condos along the stunning Emerald Coast, Vacation Escapes is your go-to destination for the perfect Panama City Beach fishing trip.

Resorts like Landmark Holiday Beach Resort and Panama City Resort & Club offer not only exceptional oceanfront views but also prime access to local fishing waters and top-rated charter companies. These properties boast stay-enhancing amenities designed to make your angling adventure both comfortable and memorable.

Just visiting for the day? The Bay Club of Sandestin is another excellent option, ideal for day trips and spontaneous escapes. Its convenient location makes it a great launch point for coastal exploration.

These popular Panama City Beach vacation rentals also place you near an exciting range of watersports and outdoor adventures.

Whether you’re traveling solo, with family, or planning a group getaway, Vacation Escapes has the perfect accommodations for your next Gulf Coast experience.

Book your next angling adventure today!