Gulf Coast 3-Hour Inshore Fishing | Dauphins Charter

Published Date: July 18, 2025
Fishing

Panama City Beach
$400 - $2,520 price range

Summary

Ready for some fast-paced Gulf fishing action? Hop aboard our 23' Sea Pro for a 3-hour inshore trip that packs a punch. We'll zip around the productive coastal waters, targeting prized species like Redfish, Sheepshead, and Spanish Mackerel. This trip is perfect if you're short on time but still want to feel the rush of hooking into some quality fish. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just getting your feet wet, our experienced crew will put you on the bite. We provide all the gear, so just bring your enthusiasm and maybe a snack. With room for up to 4 guests, it's a great option for families or a small group of friends looking to test their skills against some of the Gulf's feistiest inhabitants. Don't be surprised if you end up with some tasty fillets for dinner – these waters are known for producing some real beauties!

Gulf Coast 3-Hour Inshore Fishing | Dauphins Charter

Rods Bent, Lines Tight

Ten grey snapper and african pompano, 24 inches, fishing in FL

Loaded with red snapper and African pompano!

8 grey snapper fish caught on fishing trip in FL

Stacked with red snapper!

Colorful red snapper haul!

Angler with a huge Atlantic Sailfish at Panama City Beach

Massive sailfish catch!

Gulf Coast Inshore Fishing: 3-Hour Action-Packed Trip

Ready for some fast-paced inshore fishing action on the Gulf Coast? Our 3-hour private trip aboard a sleek 23' Sea Pro is perfect for anglers itching to wet a line without committing to a full day. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just getting your feet wet, we'll put you on the fish and show you why our local waters are a angler's paradise.

What to Expect on the Water

As soon as we shove off, you'll feel the excitement build. Our seasoned captains know these waters like the back of their hand, and we'll waste no time getting to the honey holes. We'll target some of the Gulf's most sought-after inshore species, including redfish, sheepshead, and Spanish mackerel. The beauty of inshore fishing is the variety – one minute you might be sight-casting to tailing reds in the shallows, the next you could be battling a hard-fighting jack crevalle. Our 23' Sea Pro is perfect for navigating the skinny water and grass flats where the big boys like to hang out. With room for up to 4 guests, it's an ideal setup for families or a group of buddies looking to test their skills.

Techniques That Hook 'Em

We use a mix of tried-and-true techniques to put you on the fish. Depending on the conditions and what's biting, we might start with some light tackle casting along the mangroves or grass beds. There's nothing quite like the thrill of watching a redfish crush your topwater lure! If the fish are holding deeper, we'll switch to bottom fishing with live bait or jigs. Spanish mackerel love a fast retrieve, so be ready to reel when we troll for these speedy fighters. Our gear is top-notch, and we'll show you the ropes if you're new to these methods. The best part? In just three hours, you'll get a taste of several different fishing styles, keeping things exciting from start to finish.

Species You'll Want to Hook

Tarpon: Known as the "Silver King," hooking into one of these acrobatic giants is the highlight of many anglers' lives. Tarpon in our waters can easily top 100 pounds, and their spectacular leaps and powerful runs will test your skills to the max. Spring and early summer are prime tarpon time, but be prepared – landing one of these monsters is no easy feat!

Greater Amberjack: These bruisers are the heavyweight champs of the reef. "AJs" as we call them, are pure muscle and will give you one of the toughest fights of your life. They typically hang around deeper structure, so when we hook one, hold on tight! Fall is a great time to target these powerhouses, and they make for some mighty fine eating too.

Great Barracuda: With their menacing teeth and lightning-fast attacks, 'cudas are the wolves of the sea. These predators are a blast to catch on light tackle or fly gear. They'll often follow your bait right up to the boat, making for some heart-stopping visual strikes. You can find them year-round, but they're especially active in the warmer months.

Cobia: Also known as ling or lemonfish, cobia are curious creatures that often swim right up to the boat. They're strong fighters and grow to impressive sizes – 50-pounders aren't uncommon. Spring is the best time to target them as they migrate along the coast. Sight-casting to a cobia is an unforgettable experience for any angler.

Red Snapper: These tasty bottom-dwellers are a Gulf Coast staple. Known for their delicious white meat, red snapper put up a great fight as you wrestle them up from the depths. The season is tightly regulated, but when it's open, it's game on! We know the best spots to find the big ones, often in the 10-20 pound range.

Time to Book Your Spot

Our 3-hour inshore trip is the perfect way to squeeze some quality fishing into a busy schedule. Whether you're a local looking for a quick fix or a visitor wanting to experience the best of Gulf Coast angling, we've got you covered. With our knowledge, top-notch gear, and fish-catching expertise, you're in for a treat. Don't let the big ones get away – book your trip now and get ready for some rod-bending action! Remember, the early bird gets the worm (or in this case, the fish), so don't wait to reserve your spot. See you on the water!

Learn more about the species

Cobia

Cobia are one of our most sought-after fish. These powerful bruisers average 20-40 pounds but can reach 100+. You'll find them cruising near the surface around buoys, wrecks, and other structure from spring through fall. Cobia are curious fish - they'll often swim right up to the boat to check things out. Anglers love their hard fights and excellent table fare. To catch one, have a heavy rod ready with a live eel or large jig to pitch when you spot them. My top tip: Chum with cut bait to bring them in close, then sight-cast. Once hooked, cobia will make powerful runs and try to wrap you in structure, so be ready for a battle. Landing a big one is a real accomplishment.

Great Barracuda

Great barracuda are the speedsters of the reef. These toothy predators can hit 6 feet long and 60+ pounds. You'll spot them lurking around shallow reefs, wrecks, and channel edges year-round. Cudas are ambush hunters - they'll suddenly appear and rocket after your bait or lure. The excitement is in their blistering runs and acrobatic jumps when hooked. We mainly catch and release due to concerns about ciguatera. For the best action, try trolling with tube lures or casting topwater plugs around structure. My go-to trick is using wire leader - those razor teeth will slice through mono. Keep your fingers clear when unhooking! Barracuda fishing is fast-paced and keeps you on your toes.

Greater Amberjack

Greater amberjack are bruisers that'll test your strength. These powerful fish average 20-40 pounds but can top 100. Look for them around offshore reefs and wrecks in 60-240 feet of water. Spring and fall are prime seasons as they migrate. Anglers love 'jacks for their aggressive strikes and bulldog fighting style - they'll try to dive back to the bottom and wear you out. The meat is good eating too, with a firm texture. To land one, use heavy tackle and drop a live bait or vertical jig near the structure. When you feel that telltale thump, reel fast and pull hard to keep them from breaking you off in the wreck. It's a serious workout, but landing a big AJ is a real rush.

Red Snapper

Red snapper are the Gulf's premier eating fish. These beautiful red beauties average 5-10 pounds but can top 30. You'll find them on natural and artificial reefs in 60-300 feet of water. The short recreational season makes them a prized catch. Snappers put up a stubborn fight, trying to dive back to their rocky homes. Anglers target them for their firm, sweet fillets - some of the best seafood you can get. To land one, use heavy tackle and drop cut bait or live pinfish to the bottom. My local trick: Add a chunk of frozen chum to your weight to create a scent trail. When you feel that sharp bite, reel fast and pull hard to turn their head up. Getting a limit of big red snapper is the mark of a successful offshore trip.

Tarpon

Tarpon are the ultimate trophy fish around here. These silver kings can grow over 6 feet long and put up an epic fight when hooked. You'll find them cruising the flats, channels, and passes from spring through fall. They love to hang around structure like bridges or deep holes. Tarpon fishing is all about the thrill of the chase and battle - we catch and release to protect the population. When you hook one, hold on tight! They're known for spectacular aerial leaps and long, powerful runs. My top tip: Use circle hooks with live bait like mullet or crabs. Let the tarpon eat the bait for a few seconds before slowly tightening the line. Once that hook is set, you're in for the fight of your life against one of the Gulf's most iconic gamefish.

About the 23' Sea Pro

Vehicle Guest Capacity: 4

Manufacturer Name: Mercury

Maximum Cruising Speed: 40

Number of Engines: 1

Horsepower per Engine: 150

Hop aboard our 23' Sea Pro for a laid-back 3-hour inshore fishing trip along the Gulf Coast. We'll cruise to some prime spots where you can try your luck at catching popular local fish like redfish, sheepshead, and Spanish mackerel. Whether you're a seasoned angler or it's your first time holding a rod, this trip is perfect for everyone. The Gulf's waters are teeming with fish, so you've got a good shot at reeling in something impressive. It's a quick trip, but there's plenty of time to enjoy being out on the water and hopefully land a few good catches. With room for up to 4 guests, you can bring along family or friends to share in the fun. So grab your hat and sunscreen, and let's head out for some quality fishing time on the Gulf!

Sitemap