Those beautiful turquoise waters off Panama City Beach are filled with more than just swimmers, seashells, and dolphins. Fishing is a must in Florida, and Panama City Beach is no different.
To the south, the deep Gulf of Mexico brings opportunities for snapper, grouper, and seasonal pelagic species, while St. Andrews Bay and Grand Lagoon offer calm, productive waters filled with grass flats, oyster bars, and tidal channels that stay active year-round.
Whether you are planning a full week trip or a long weekend, The Pines at West Bay is ready to welcome all anglers. Just a short drive from Panama City Beach and only a ten-minute walk from West Bay, it’s the perfect home base for a fishing trip.
Here is a breakdown of the best fishing spots, charter options, and everything else you need to know before you head out for a day of fishing in Panama City Beach.
Where to Fish in Panama City Beach
From the pier to the open Gulf, Panama City Beach offers more fishing access points than most coastal destinations of its size. Here is a look at the top spots for each fishing genre.
Surf Fishing
Surf fishing is one of the most accessible ways to fish in Panama City Beach. Almost any stretch of the 27-mile beach works, and no boat is required.
Pompano, whiting, redfish, black drum, and the occasional shark are all common surf catches, with early morning and the hour around sunset being the most lucrative windows. At these times, the beach is quiet, the light is good, and the fish are moving.
The main thing to keep in mind is beach etiquette. Cast well away from swimmers and always be aware of your surroundings, especially on crowded summer days.
Pier Fishing
This is one of the most popular fishing methods in PCB year-round.
Russell Fields City Pier
Photo Credit: B. D. Moeller
Russell Fields City Pier stretches more than 1,500 feet into the Gulf of Mexico, making it one of the longest fishing piers on the entire Gulf Coast. Common catches include Spanish mackerel, flounder, and red fish, along with the occasional king mackerel or cobia during peak seasons.
This pier is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and no fishing license is required, which makes it an ideal starting point for beginners or anyone who wants to wet a line without a lot of planning. Simply pay a daily fee and get angling.
Bring your own gear or pick up basics at nearby bait shops before heading out.
The pier is wheelchair-accessible and sits directly across from Pier Park, so it is easy to combine with a morning of shopping, thrifting, or dining.
M.B. Miller County Pier
M.B. Miller County Pier is the second public pier option in Panama City Beach and tends to draw a slightly quieter crowd than Russell Fields. It offers a similar species mix (mackerel, sheepshead, flounder, redfish, and drum) and is a solid alternative if the larger pier is crowded.
While a valid fishing license is not required, a daily angler pass is. Fortunately, it’s available on-site alongside bait and tackle, as well as gear rentals.
St. Andrews State Park Jetties
Photo Credit: Mathew Risley
St. Andrews State Park has two jetties that rank among the best fishing spots in the area.
The West Jetty is accessible directly from the park and offers easy wade fishing along the rocks, where sheepshead, flounder, and snook tend to hold. The East Jetty sits on Shell Island and is only reachable by boat, which keeps it less crowded with people and more crowded with fish.
The park charges a per-vehicle entry fee, and a fishing license is required here. Plan to arrive early on summer mornings because the park fills quickly and has a capacity limit on peak days.
Inshore Bay Fishing
Inshore fishing is quite popular with families in PCB trying to avoid the seasickness of the open ocean. For those not familiar, it’s saltwater or brackish water fishing within the bays, shallow flats, and estuaries.
St. Andrews Bay and Grand Lagoon
The estuary system north of the beach strip is where inshore fishing in Panama City Beach really shines.
St. Andrews Bay and Grand Lagoon offer calm, protected waters with grass flats, oyster beds, and channel edges that hold speckled trout, redfish, flounder, cobia, and sheepshead year-round.
This is the kind of fishing that rewards patience and local knowledge. A guided inshore charter is the best way to learn the spots quickly.
West Bay, a ten-minute walk from The Pines at West Bay, is part of this same estuary system and is worth exploring on its own. Check out our guide to fishing and boating on West Bay to learn more.
Offshore and Deep-Sea Fishing
Photo Credit: MR.Surat Match
Head a few miles out into the Gulf of Mexico, and the fishing changes entirely.
Deeper water and the artificial reef systems off Panama City Beach support some of the best offshore fishing in the Southeast, with species like yellowfin tuna, mahi-mahi, wahoo, sailfish, amberjack, red snapper, and grouper all within reach, depending on the season and how far offshore you go.
Unless you’re a seasoned seaman with your own boat, you’ll probably be hiring a charter or joining a half-day trolling trip for this kind of fishing excursion.
The operators below are among the most established in Panama City Beach.
Capt. Anderson’s Marina
Capt. Anderson’s Marina is one of the most recognized names in the PCB fishing scene, having run charter trips on the Gulf for generations.
The fleet covers everything from 5-hour morning and afternoon trips to 12-hour deep-sea expeditions, with both party boat and private charter options available. It is a natural fit for groups of all sizes and experience levels.
After the trip, Capt. Max’s Bar and Grill on-site makes it easy to end the day with a cold drink and a meal while you swap tales from the sea and lament the ones that got away.
Kelley Girl Charters
Kelley Girl Charters is a third-generation, family-owned operation running two large vessels — the 52-foot Kelley Girl and the 55-foot Lady Kelley — each capable of accommodating up to 20 guests.
Trip options include trolling charters targeting king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, mahi-mahi, wahoo, and cobia, bottom fishing charters on local reefs for snapper, grouper, triggerfish, and amberjack, and dedicated shark fishing trips for those after something with a little more bite.
Both captains have decades of experience on these waters, and the setup is welcoming for first-timers and kids. It is one of the best options for a large group or a multi-family fishing day.
Fishing Party Boats
If you want to get offshore without booking a private charter, party boats are the most affordable and beginner-friendly option.
Operators like Jubilee Deep Sea Fishing run open-boat trips where you join a group, pay per person, and share the boat with other anglers. All gear is included, and the crew handles bait, rigging, and fish cleaning.
This is a great format for solo travelers, families, or anyone who wants a taste of offshore fishing without the full cost of a private trip. Plus, if anyone in your group wants to join the boat trip without doing any fishing, they’re welcome to ride for a reduced rate.
When to Go Fishing in Panama City Beach
The short answer is that Panama City Beach fishes well year-round, but the species and best spots shift with the seasons.
If you’re looking for the absolute best time to go to Panama City Beach, it depends on what kind of fishing you’re after.
Spring is one of the most exciting times on the water; cobia begin showing up in March, mahi-mahi arrive offshore, and inshore fishing picks up quickly as water temperatures rise.
Summer brings the full range of species and the most charter availability, though you will want to book trips well in advance.
Fall is quietly excellent; the crowds thin out, offshore fishing remains strong through October, and inshore species like redfish and speckled trout are active in the West Bay.
Winter slows things down a bit offshore, but pier fishing and inshore bay fishing stay productive through the cooler months.
Fishing Licenses in Panama City Beach
A saltwater fishing license is required for anglers aged 16 and older in most locations in Panama City Beach. The exceptions are Russell Fields City Pier and M.B. Miller County Pier, where no license is needed when you pay the daily fishing fees.
Party boat and charter fishing trips typically include a captain’s license that covers all passengers, so you do not need your own license (or usually even gear) for those kinds of trips.
If you’ll be fishing from your own boat or from a structure or the shore that isn’t covered by a license, you’ll have to buy one. Licenses are available through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and can be purchased online before your trip.
Plan Your Panama City Beach Fishing Trip With Us
Easy access, diverse habitats, and consistently active waters come together to make Panama City Beach one of the most reliable and exciting fishing destinations on the Gulf.
From slow, easy mornings on the pier to hard runs out to the deep Gulf reefs, the action never really stops. With so many ways to fish and the Gulf’s rich biodiversity driving it, there’s always something ready to bite.
The Pines at West Bay offers a comfortable, strategically located base to make the most of your time on the water. Book your stay today and start planning your Panama City Beach fishing trip.