Boating & Fishing

Panama City Beach is home to one of the largest sport fishing fleets in the country. The clear waters of the Gulf of Mexico and St. Andrews Bay are packed with fish. There are over 75,000 acres of saltwater grass flats, cobalt bays and slow-moving waterways to choose from in addition to the entire Gulf of Mexico. The January 2008 issue of US Airways Magazine labeled Florida’s Panhandle as the best coastal fishing departure in the United States. Panama City’s St. Andrews’ Bay was listed as the number 2 place on that list.

Visitors may bring their boat when they come or rent one at a number of outstanding marina’s including the St. Andrews Marina on Grand Lagoon. Catches considered common to the area might include: Speckled Trout, Redfish, Flounder, Red Snapper, Black and Gag Grouper or King Mackerel.

Panama City Beach is home to more than ten fishing tournaments annually, the most famous is the Bay Point Bill fish Invitational Tournament in July. The newest tournament, The Grand Lagoon National Saltwater Fishing Tournament, will include more than 300 boats and 40,000 spectators. This 5 day tournament will include more than different categories including fly cast, trolling and dive. The Grand Lagoon National will culminate in awarding of a One Million Dollar prize.