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Winter Inshore Bottom Fishing Panama City FL PCB
Panama City BeachWhat you will be catching:
Black Sea Bass
Cobia
Crevalle Jack
Grey Snapper
King Mackerel
Wahoo Fish
Trip Pricing and Availabilities :
No trip pricing information available at this time.
Panama City Winter Bottom Fishing Adventure
When the winter months roll around in Panama City, the fishing doesn't slow down – it just gets better. From December through February, these waters transform into a bottom fishing paradise that'll have you questioning why you ever doubted winter fishing in Florida. Our 3-bottom fishing trip with PCB Water Adventures puts you right in the heart of the action, targeting structure-loving species that are hungry and aggressive during the cooler months. With room for up to 4 anglers, this is the perfect setup for families or small groups looking to experience some of the Gulf Coast's most consistent fishing.
What to Expect on the Water
This isn't your typical summer fishing trip – winter bottom fishing in Panama City is a completely different animal. The cooler water temperatures stack fish on the bottom structure like you wouldn't believe. We'll be hitting multiple spots throughout the day, working productive reefs, wrecks, and ledges that hold serious fish. The beauty of this fishery during winter is the variety – one drop might produce a hefty Cobia, while the next could see you battling a screaming King Mackerel. The fish are feeding aggressively to build up energy reserves, which means they're not picky about what they eat. Expect to spend your day bouncing between proven spots, adjusting depths and techniques based on what the fish are telling us. The Gulf stays relatively calm during these months, making it comfortable for anglers of all experience levels.
Techniques & Bottom Setup
Bottom fishing here is all about reading the structure and putting your bait where the fish are living. We'll be using medium to heavy tackle depending on the target species, with circle hooks and enough weight to get down and stay down in the current. Live bait works magic out here – pinfish, sardines, and cigar minnows are absolute candy to these bottom dwellers. We'll also run some cut bait for the bigger predators that cruise these reefs. The key is staying in contact with the bottom while being ready to react when something picks up your offering. Don't be surprised if we switch up techniques throughout the day – sometimes a slow presentation works best, other times the fish want something moving with more action. The structure we're fishing ranges from 40 to 80 feet, with plenty of relief and hiding spots that concentrate fish.
Top Catches This Season
Black Sea Bass are the bread and butter of winter bottom fishing in Panama City. These chunky fighters live on the structure year-round, but winter is when they really shine. They typically run 1-3 pounds, with occasional bruisers pushing 5+ pounds. What makes them special is their aggressive nature – they'll hit almost anything that looks like food, making them perfect for newer anglers. Plus, they're absolutely delicious on the table. Grey Snapper, or what most folks call mangrove snapper, are another winter favorite. These smart fish require a bit more finesse, but when you hook into a 3-4 pound snapper, you'll understand why they're so prized. They're incredibly structure-oriented and will test your skills getting them away from their rocky homes.
King Mackerel might surprise you during winter months – most people think of them as summer fish, but the smaller "school" kings stick around and provide fantastic action on lighter tackle. They're typically in the 10-20 pound range and will absolutely smoke your drag when they take off. Wahoo are the wildcards of winter bottom fishing. These speed demons cruise the deeper structure looking for an easy meal, and when one picks up your bait, you better hold on tight. They're not as common as the other species, but landing one is always a trip highlight.
Crevalle Jack are the bulldogs of the bunch – pure muscle and determination. They'll wear you out on medium tackle and never give up until they're in the boat. Winter jacks are typically in prime condition, thick and strong from feeding heavily. Cobia are perhaps the most exciting winter catch in Panama City. These curious fish often cruise the structure in small groups, and they're known for their unpredictable behavior. One minute they're following your bait to the surface, the next they're trying to wrap you around the nearest piling. Winter Cobia are typically in the 20-40 pound range and provide some of the best fights you'll experience.
Time to Book Your Spot
Winter bottom fishing in Panama City offers some of the most consistent and productive fishing of the entire year. The combination of cooler water, aggressive fish, and relatively calm seas creates the perfect storm for an outstanding day on the water. Whether you're looking to put some fresh fish in the cooler, introduce kids to the sport, or just enjoy a day away from the crowds, this trip delivers on all fronts. The December through February window is prime time, and these trips fill up fast once word gets out about the bite. Don't let another winter pass without experiencing what many consider the best bottom fishing on the Gulf Coast. Book your spot with PCB Water Adventures and get ready to see why winter fishing in Panama City has such a loyal following among serious anglers.
Learn more about the species
Black Sea Bass
Black Sea Bass are solid fighters that'll give you a good tussle until they break the surface. These chunky members of the grouper family typically run 1-4 pounds, though we see some pushing 8+ pounds around deeper structure. They love hanging around wrecks, jetties, and rocky bottom in 30-120 feet of water. Winter's actually prime time since they migrate closer to our warmer Gulf waters. What makes them popular is their excellent table fare - firm, white, flaky meat that's hard to beat. They're also pretty cooperative biters on squid strips and cut bait. One tip: use a two-hook rig since they're bottom huggers, and don't be surprised if that "female" you caught earlier in the day changes to a male later - they actually switch sexes as they grow!
Cobia
Cobia are one of our most prized catches - think of them as the perfect combination of size, fight, and flavor. These brown, shark-looking fish typically run 20-50 pounds and are absolute powerhouses on the line. They cruise shallow reefs, wrecks, and structure in 30-70 feet, often visible just under the surface during spring migration. Spring through fall is prime time, especially around spawning season. What makes them special is that incredible table fare - firm, white meat that rivals any fish in the Gulf. They're usually loners, so when you see one, get ready. Bucktail jigs in the 4-8 ounce range work great, and color doesn't matter much. Here's the secret: sight-cast ahead of them and work the jig with steady hops off the bottom. They're curious and aggressive, but give them time to commit.
Crevalle Jack
Crevalle Jacks are the bulldogs of our waters - pure muscle and attitude packed into 3-15 pound packages. These brassy, golden fighters school up in shallow bays, grass flats, and around structure where they terrorize baitfish. They're year-round residents but really turn on during cooler months when bait concentrates. What guests love is their non-stop fight - they'll pull drag from hookup to boat. While they're not great table fare, they're fantastic sport fish that'll wear you out. Look for diving birds - that's your signal that Jacks are pushing bait to the surface. They're aggressive and will hit spoons, jigs, and topwater plugs. Key tip: cast past the school and retrieve fast with erratic action. They love the chase, and that aggressive presentation triggers their predator instincts every time.
Grey Snapper
Grey Snapper, or Mangrove Snapper as most folks call them, are some of the smartest fish we target. These copper-colored fighters usually run 1-3 pounds inshore, but we've seen 20-pounders in deeper water. They love structure - docks, piers, mangroves, and grass flats where they can ambush prey. Being nocturnal, early morning and late evening are your best shots. What guests love is their excellent white, flaky meat that's restaurant-quality. They're also opportunistic, so they'll hit live shrimp, mud minnows, and small baits. Here's the key trick: once your bait hits bottom, reel up just a turn or two to keep it off the structure, then be patient. Don't jig it around too much - they like to study their meal before committing to the bite.
King Mackerel
King Mackerel, or "Kings" as we call them, are pure speed and excitement on the line. These silver bullets typically weigh 10-30 pounds, though we regularly see 40+ pounders that'll test your arms. They cruise in 40-150 feet of water, especially around structure and temperature breaks. Winter months are fantastic here since they follow bait into the Gulf. What makes them special is that blazing run when they first get hooked - nothing quite like it. The meat's great too, though it's got some oil to it. Best technique is trolling with wire leaders since their razor teeth will cut through anything else. Pro tip: rig your live bait with two hooks - one in the nose, one trailing behind. Kings love to hit the tail section first, and that back hook will save you from a lot of missed fish.
Wahoo Fish
Wahoo are the Ferraris of the fish world - sleek, fast, and absolutely thrilling when hooked. These torpedo-shaped speedsters average 20-40 pounds but can push 80+ pounds. They patrol open waters in 40-200 feet, often around floating debris or structure. Peak season runs July through November when they're abundant in our area. What gets people fired up is their blistering initial run - they can hit 60 mph and will smoke your reel. The meat is premium too - white, mild, and flaky like expensive sushi. We usually high-speed troll at 12-15 knots with wire leaders since their teeth are like razors. Here's a solid tip: when you hook one, don't horse it. Let it make that first screaming run, then work it steady. Try to muscle them early and they'll either break off or throw the hooks.
About the
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Vehicle Guest Capacity: 6
Manufacturer Name: Yamaha
Maximum Cruising Speed: 40
Number of Engines: 2
Horsepower per Engine: 150
