Panama
City Beach Fishing
No trip
to Panama City Beach would be complete without some
fishing. After all, with so many great fishing
opportunities, it would be foolish not to take advantage of
them.
Old and new
fisherman will find Panama City Beach fishing to be fun and
challenging.
Whether you are into bay fishing or would like to try your
hand at deep sea fishing, you have a chance to both at
PCB. The
options of fish are quite diverse as well as you can catch
red snapper, trout, pompano, blue marlin and plenty
more. Plus, if
you are seasoned fisherman, you will be glad to know that
there are a large number of fishing tournaments held each
year. This
gives you a chance to battle the best, but more importantly
gives you an excuse to enjoy some great
fishing.
Bay Fishing
One popular form of fishing,
Bay Fishing, lets you fish with rod and tackle in the
wonderful East and West Bays. Here, you will be able to
enjoy fishing at a discounted rate as there are a large
number of charter services which provide Bay Fishing
options. The
two main options are: (1) fishing on a party boat or (2) a
private charter trip. The main distinction is
the number of people and individual attention from the
captain and his crew. Fishing party boats can
have well over 10 people whereas a private charter trip is
reduced to your party. Fishing on a party boat is
cheaper in comparison with a cost of roughly $20 to $30 per
fisherman.
Private charter trips tend to begin at $350 for 2
people. Group
rates are also available that may provide some additional
savings. All
prices are subject to change without notice and vary with
each charter service. Still, the main benefit of
the private charter trips is their privacy and individual
attention. Most
bay fishing trips are done in 3 to 5 hour intervals and
go throughout the day.
Deep Sea
Fishing
Something every fisherman
should experience once in their life is Deep Sea
Fishing. This
fishing gives you the opportunity to see a wide assortment
of aquatic life from sting rays to sharks is a rare
treat.
Generally, most of the deep sea fishing is focused on
catching fish like red snapper, mackerel, and
pompano. With
Deep Sea Fishing, most of the charters offer half day and
full day options. The half day options
usually run four hours and the whole day options run
anywhere from 8 to 10 hours depending on the charter
company. The
private charter trip costs begin at $350 for 2 people for a
half day trip and $500 for a full day trip. Party boat costs for deep
sea fishing range from $50 to $80 a person depending on the
number of hours. Spectators who are not
fishing can generally get a reduced price as
well. All
prices are subject to change and will vary with each charter
service.
Additional Fishing
Tips & Advice
Determine
whether you will need a fishing license. The best way to figure
this out is to talk to either the captain of the
charter or the state. If a state license is
needed, you can call 1-888-347-4356 to purchase one.
Here are few items
to consider when determining which charter company to
use:
o
Captain’s years of
training:
The captain should have several years experience guiding
tours. This
training will help add to your overall fishing experience
by providing you with a knowledgeable guide and someone
who knows what to do if a problem arises at
sea.
o
Boat’s
Age and Upkeep:
The concern here isn’t really that the ship will be
seaworthy. The
concern is over whether you will run into any engine
difficulties while on the sea. The smart choice is to go
with charters that have newer boats and appear to be in tip-top
shape.
o
Cooking your fish at the
pier?: Some charter places let you
cook your catch on the pier.
o
Determine what supplies to
bring: Most places for
deep sea fishing and private trips will provide you with rods
and tackle free of charge. However, it is still a good
idea to find out beforehand on whether you will have to pay
extra. Also, a
number of charters let you bring refreshments with you;
however, some do not allow glass and some other
materials. It is
best to find out what you can’t bring before you get to the
pier.
All and all, Panama City Beach
is a can’t miss experience. For those who have never
gone deep sea fishing, you definitely want to check it
out. Even if
you will not be fishing, just going as a spectator would be
well worth it.
The chance to see exciting aquatic wildlife and the battles
for the big catch could create a memory that can be
shared with family and friends for years to
come.
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