Panama City Beach is in the Panhandle of north Florida. Its location and access to the Gulf of Mexico provide ample fishing opportunities for anglers. There are big game fish that swim and feed around coral reefs offshore. Fishing charters troll through the deep waters or bottom fish over both man-made and natural reefs to hunt for fish. There are also shipwrecks off Panama City Beach, where big game fish are located.
Bottom Fishing
Bottom fishing is when the captain of a charter boat positions the boat over an artificial reef, where big game fish swim. The boat may also be taken over areas of natural ocean bottom, where a line can be dropped down, which is called "fire down," and usually consists of live or cut bait to attract the fish on the bottom of the ocean. Red snapper, grouper and amberjack are some of the most sought-after bottom fish. Other fish known to frequent the bottom and reefs include triggerfish, vermillion snapper, white snapper, black snapper, various species of shark, mahi-mahi and mackerels.
Trolling
Trolling means the boat is always in motion while anglers fish. Four to five lines are run out the back of the boat and bait or lures are drug through the water. Anglers wait for a fish to strike at the bait. Once a fish strikes and gets hooked, the fight against the fish begins. The fish caught trolling are usually big-sized game fish such as marlin. Marlin tend to leap out of the water when fighting, to the delight of spectators and the angler battling the fish.
Fishing Excursions and Equipment
Taking a charter boat is easier for the beginning angler because the captain is in charge of the boat and details. Sometimes professional anglers go with a captain as well, because they know where the sporting fish are located and are provided with all the necessary equipment, such as spinning rods, 5- to 10-foot poles and bait. Hours vary for different trips due to the depth of the water and the time it takes to get to the right fishing spots.
Seasons
Spanish mackerel are caught from January until November. In April and May, cobia and Jack crevale fish migrate throughout Panama City Beach waters. They are superior game fish for the sporting angler, as they weigh in at hundreds of pounds. At the end of April until early June, king mackerels are present. They are larger than Spanish mackerel and grow from 40 to 60 lbs. They are found around large schools of bait and bottom structures such as artificial reefs.
Licensing
If fishing solo without a fishing charter, a saltwater license is required. As of 2010, saltwater licenses cost $17 for Florida residents, and $47 for non-residents. A fishing license can be obtained from sporting goods stores or applied for online, at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission website (see Resources).
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