Top-Rated 6-Hour Bottom Fishing in Panama City

Reel In Big Grouper: 6-Hour Bottom Fishing Trip

Ready to hook some monster grouper off Panama City Beach? Our 6-hour private bottom fishing trip is your ticket to some of the best reef action around. We'll cruise out to prime fishing grounds where gag, red, and scamp grouper are just waiting to test your skills. With our top-notch gear and expert captains, you'll be dropping lines and hauling in fish before you know it. Whether you're a seasoned angler or trying your hand at saltwater fishing for the first time, this trip's got something for everyone. So grab your crew (up to 6 people) and get ready for a day on the water you won't forget!

What's the Fishing Like?

Picture this: You're out on the sparkling Gulf waters, the Panama City Beach skyline fading behind you as we motor to some of the best bottom fishing spots around. We're talking artificial reefs, natural ledges, and underwater structure that grouper just love. Once we find a hot spot, it's all about getting your bait down deep where the big boys hang out. You'll feel that telltale thump when a grouper takes the bait, and then it's game on! These fish put up one heck of a fight, so be ready to put your back into it. Don't worry if you're new to this - our crew's always ready to lend a hand and share some tips to help you land that trophy fish.

Gear Up for Grouper

When it comes to bottom fishing for grouper, we don't mess around. We're talking heavy-duty rods and reels that can handle the pressure when a big gag decides to make a run for it. We use a mix of live bait and cut bait - think pinfish, squid, or chunks of mullet - to entice those grouper out of their rocky hideouts. Our go-to technique is good old-fashioned bottom fishing. We'll drop those baits down and let them sit right in the strike zone. Sometimes we'll do a little drift fishing too, covering more ground to find where the fish are biting. And hey, if the grouper aren't cooperating, we might switch it up and do some trolling for other species. Flexibility is the name of the game out here!

Anglers Can't Stop Talking

"Had a fantastic time fishing with Captain Ashton on Showtime Charters. He was knowledgeable, friendly, and made the trip enjoyable for everyone. The boat was well-maintained and we had a successful day of fishing." - Chris

Grouper You'll Be Gunning For

Gag Grouper: These bruisers are the heavyweight champs of the grouper world around here. They love to hang out near structure and can grow up to 50 pounds or more! Gags are known for their powerful first run - when they hit, hold on tight because they're heading straight back to their hole. The meat on these guys is firm and white, perfect for grilling or blackening. Best time to target them is usually in the cooler months, but we catch them year-round.

Red Grouper: Don't let their smaller size fool you - red grouper fight like fish twice their size. These guys typically run 5-15 pounds and have a beautiful reddish-brown color. They're less structure-oriented than their gag cousins, so we often find them on more open bottom areas. Red grouper meat is super sweet and flaky, making them a favorite for fish tacos. We catch these fellas pretty consistently throughout the year.

Scamp Grouper: If you're looking for quality over quantity, scamp is your grouper. These guys don't get as big as gags, usually topping out around 20 pounds, but what they lack in size they make up for in taste. Scamp have a more slender build than other groupers and a distinctive forked tail. They're often found a bit deeper than reds or gags, so when we're targeting scamp, we might run a little further offshore. The meat is considered by many to be the best of all groupers - mild, sweet, and oh-so-flaky.

Time to Get Your Grouper On!

Alright, folks - if you're itching to bend a rod over some hard-fighting, great-tasting grouper, now's the time to lock in your spot. Our 6-hour trips are perfect for getting out to where the big boys play without eating up your whole day. Remember, we're running these trips from June 1 to August 25, with an early bird 6 AM start time to beat the heat and get on the fish when they're most active. You can secure your date with a low deposit, but don't wait too long - prime dates fill up fast around here. So round up your fishing buddies, grab your sunscreen, and get ready for some serious rod-bending action. Book your Panama City Beach bottom fishing adventure with Showtime Charters today, and let's go show those grouper who's boss!