What would you recommend to anglers fishing in Panama City, Florida for the first time?

Answers by verified FishingBooker anglers who went fishing in Panama City

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Samantha Horton
Leon, IA
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with GulfCoast Guide Fishing & Adventure on June 24, 2022
Bring a large cooler! We caught lots of fish some targeted species and some not planned. King Mackerel and Red Snapper and that can be a lot of fish. We had a great time and caught a lot. We did do a 4 hour morning trip so we figured the fishing would be good and it was! Bring Dramamine if you think the ocean waters could make you sick it is completely different feeling then being on the lakes in the Midwest!

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Peter Bassett
Panama City, FL
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with Reel Screamer Charters - 22' Boat on June 17, 2019
Use common sense and don't expect everything to be spoon fed to you. For example: Appropriate attire and protection from the sun. Bring sun screen and a hat. Bring water. Don't expect miracles. Every boat captain wants you to have a good trip, but they can't control the weather, sea conditions, or the fish. I would also avoid sharing your opinions about fishing regulations, or politics in general. Just go fishing.

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Michael Jacobson
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with Deep Drop Charters on November 17, 2023
Book as long of a fishing excursion as you can, but Captain Chase will work with your schedule and limitations, and do whatever he can to make this the best experience for you. Sometimes the weather can play tricks with your plans, but Captain Chase is skillful and confident at getting you out on the water when others may not.

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Hugo Duarte
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with Tell'ntails Charters on July 28, 2023
Do not waste your time and money. Moreover, if you choose to pay for this old boat, do not take children. This trip was boring, exhausting, and most importantly it very unhealthy. The boat smoked excessively the entire trip.

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Zach Thomson
Alpharetta, GA
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with Reel Twisted Charters on July 25, 2023
Had a great time in Reel Twisted. Note to anyone booking. Please make sure you check in advance what species are in season at the time off your trip. Captain will definitely put you on the fish but their hands are tied when so many species are not available.

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Melody Cole
Milford, OH
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with Offshore Outlaws on April 25, 2023
It would have been fun to catch something a little bigger. But I think that Spanish mackerel is about the best you can expect at this time of year unless you book a trip that goes out a lot farther from the shore.

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RYAN HAMMOND
KIMBERLIN HGT, TN
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with Tail Addiction Charters on July 15, 2021
July isn't the best month to catch the most fish...but if that's the month you're going on vacation, it's still worth it...you may not catch as many fish as you might in other months, but you're bound to catch some!

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Kristi Johnson
Zimmerman, MN
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with Blue Water Connection- Billistic ll on March 31, 2021
If you want to catch fish - it can and will be done. The fish that are caught may not be the expected "ocean fish" like a marlin or tuna but the fish that are caught are catch worthy -- can put up a fight and taste amazing, too!

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Sonya Nix
Heavener, Oklahoma
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with Too Hot 2 Handle Charters on July 26, 2018
Water, snacks, and anti-nausea medication, sunscreen, and sunglasses. For us not much else, our Captain and crew provided all the angling equipment and bait needed. The crew did offer water to drink also. Do research on the crew, the voyage, and the captain. Ours was amazing!!!

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Burt Mcshan
Columbus, Georgia
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with Too Hot 2 Handle Charters on July 5, 2018
Book a trip with Captain Eric (Too Hot 2 Handle Charters) 850-832-2516 These guys have a great set-up, professional, and very respectful of my wife being on the boat! Best of all.... YOU'RE CATCHING FISH!!

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Sarah Stansbury
Kearney, MO
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with Capt. Sully Charters on August 6, 2019
No need for dramamine for inshore fishing. If you want the big fish you need to do offshore, needs to probably be in the morning so water is not as rough. Good luck out there and remember it's as fun as you make it to be! Go in with the right mindset.

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John Macy
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with Reel Rosie Charters on May 3, 2025
You can be inexperienced and you will have no problem and leave with smiles and newfound love of fishing.

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Shaza Melville
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with Tell'ntails Charters on April 26, 2025
Make sure you check what's in season before you head out, just so you can manage your expectations.

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Catharine Turner
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with Captain Fisher Charters on August 9, 2024
We have caught more on 12 hour trips, but they were in June. From my understanding that is how it was this past year as well. Regardless, I had a great time!

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Kyle K
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with Beyond the Bay Fishing Charters on August 7, 2024
First time fishing in Panama City, did not disappoint. Seas were a little rough but didn’t stop us from catching fish.

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Daisy Wimberly
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with Family Tradition Charters – Panama City on July 24, 2024
I would highly recommend Family Tradition Charters to anyone looking to go deep sea fishing. You will have a blast

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Greg Moermond
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with Reel Twisted Charters on July 22, 2024
I have never fished in the ocean. I recommend a hiring a boat the deck hand takes away a lot issues due to his experience. The captain puts you where the fish are. YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE!!!!

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Lani Allain
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with Reel Twisted Charters 2 on July 5, 2024
Don’t be afraid to let your Captain know what you are expecting. They have so much knowledge and although a catch is never a guarantee, if you are willing to let them lead you will have fun.

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Patricia Brennan
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with Family Tradition Charters – Panama City on July 3, 2024
Bring lots of drink and sunscreen! The bait they provided was better than what we purchased at the bait store, though variety is always good.

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Reese Mccormick
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with Combat Fishing on June 26, 2024
sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen. Learn from my mistakes. Other than that just pick an experienced captain and you’ll have no issue catching your limit

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Kim Sprenger
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with Reel Twisted Charters on June 9, 2024
Great experience ! Great Communication. Good equipment. Expert knowledge of species, local waters, wind patterns and currents.

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Glen Nicholson
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with Tail Raiser Charters on June 9, 2024
If you want to catch fish, bust tail and keep a baited hook in the water whenever they are biting. Save socializing for the travel time, in the comfortable

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Jack Smith
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with Fish on Charters and Guide Service on June 8, 2024
Book with Captain Russell, great dude, fellow veteran. All about making sure you and your family have the best trip possible. I will definitely book with him again!

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Teresa Kupiec
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with Reel Steel Charters LLC on May 23, 2024
Look at what fish are in season, we weren’t able to keep any red snappers due to the season not starting! Beeliners are a smaller snapper which we targeted instead!

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Andrea Bunton
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with Reel Twisted Charters on April 25, 2024
A little early in the season for some of the fish. Would recommend to come late May to be able to keep more.

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Mike Echevarria
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with Kelley Girl Charters – Lady Kelley on April 3, 2024
Weather was tough most of the week but seas were really much more calm today. Great boat and barely felt the waves!

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Charles Kessler
Panama City, Florida
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with Reel Twisted Charters on September 19, 2023
Spring time through June and October and November are the best fishing months according to the captain and pass fishing experience

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Kristin Strayhan
Dallas, Texas
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with Reel Addiction 2 Charters on July 27, 2023
We booked our trip at the end of the Red Snapper season, so the fish were not as plentiful. Regardless, our captain put us on top of some and we managed to take a few home.

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Scott Coffelt
Wagoner, OK
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with Family Tradition Charters – Panama City on July 27, 2023
Charters are an amazing adventure, bucket list for sure.... we also fished the pier with frozen bait, we caught a lot of little ones...but nothing big...still a blast!!

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Chris Wyllie
Knoxville, Tennessee
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with BellyFull Charters on July 15, 2023
Sea Trout and Redfish instead of grouper and snapper because of the higher cost of fuel usage to go 20-30 miles. Easier and just as fun, for less money.