Target Redfish and Trout Inshore
Book offshore light tackle fishing trips in Panama City and target king mackerel, mahi, cobia, and amberjack in the Gulf of Mexico.
You can fish the offshore waters near Panama City and catch species that fight harder and run longer than inshore fish. King mackerel, mahi-mahi, cobia, amberjack, and grouper are found around wrecks, reefs, and structure anywhere from a few miles to twenty miles offshore, and light tackle setups let you feel the full power of these fish without relying on heavy conventional gear.
Gulf Coast Guide Fishing and Adventures offers offshore light tackle trips in four-hour, six-hour, eight-hour, and twelve-hour options. Each trip includes all rods, reels, bait, and tackle, and your guide will run to productive areas based on water conditions, bait schools, and recent activity on the structure.
Learn more about booking your offshore trip in Panama City.
How offshore trips are structured
Your guide will run the boat to offshore structure in Panama City such as artificial reefs, natural rock piles, or wrecks where fish hold and feed. You will use spinning rods with live bait, jigs, or trolled lures depending on the target species and what the fish are chasing that day.
After your trip, you will have filleted fish ready to take home if you keep your catch. Your guide will clean any legal fish on the boat or at the dock and pack them on ice so they stay fresh during your ride back.
Offshore trips involve a longer boat ride than inshore fishing, and the water can be rougher depending on wind and wave height. Your guide will check marine forecasts before the trip and adjust the departure time or location if conditions offshore are not safe or comfortable.
Here are answers to help you plan
People booking offshore trips in Panama City usually want to know about the ride, the fish, and how long they should be on the water, so these answers cover the most common questions.
What fish will I catch on an offshore trip?
You can catch king mackerel, mahi-mahi, cobia, amberjack, red snapper, and grouper depending on the season and what is biting. Your guide will target the species that are most active during your trip.
How far offshore do we go?
Most trips run between five and twenty miles offshore depending on where the fish are holding. Your guide will choose the distance based on conditions, target species, and the length of your trip.
What is the difference between a four-hour and an eight-hour trip?
A four-hour trip gives you time to fish one or two spots, while an eight-hour trip lets you cover more structure and target multiple species. Longer trips allow more flexibility if the bite is slow in one area.
Do I need offshore fishing experience?
You do not need any offshore experience to book a trip. Your guide will show you how to use the gear, set the hook, and fight the fish, and you will handle species that pull harder than inshore fish.
What should I bring on an offshore trip?
You should bring sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, seasickness medication if you are prone to motion sickness, and a cooler if you plan to take fish home. Gulf Coast Guide Fishing and Adventures provides all fishing gear, bait, and tackle.
Gulf Coast Guide Fishing and Adventures runs offshore trips year-round in Panama City, and you can book the trip length that matches your schedule and fishing goals.
Contact us to check availability and reserve your spot on the water.