Scenic 30A has some of the prettiest beaches in Florida, but if you want to go deep sea fishing, you'll need a boat. This site celebrates local fishing charters doing great work, and one of our first spotlights goes to Hook'em Up Charters, a family fishing charter in Panama City Beach that welcomes guests from all along 30A.
Hook'em Up was founded by Captain BJ Burkett, who was born and raised in Panama City. The company runs private deep sea fishing charters from Captain Anderson's Marina, and their 30A fishing charters page is written for guests staying in places like Rosemary Beach, Seaside, WaterColor, Grayton Beach and Santa Rosa Beach.
Why 30A visitors drive to Panama City Beach
Most of 30A is lined with beach homes and small towns, not marinas. Panama City Beach, just east of Inlet Beach, is home to the PCB Florida charters fleet on Grand Lagoon, right next to the pass that leads out to the Gulf. That short run to open water means more time fishing and less time riding.
The drive depends on where you're staying. From the east end of 30A, it's usually under half an hour. From Seaside, WaterColor or Grayton Beach, plan for longer, especially in summer traffic. Our beach guides cover each 30A community.
What kind of trip to book
Hook'em Up offers several kinds of trips, so you can match the day to your group:
- Private charters, where your group has the boat to itself
- Split trips for small groups of four or fewer who share a boat with another group
- Bottom fishing for snapper, grouper and triggerfish
- Shark fishing for hammerheads, bulls and other big sharks
- Multi-day trips for serious anglers who want to fish far offshore
Their boats range from a smaller six-passenger boat to larger boats built for big groups, which makes Hook'em Up a good fit for family reunions, bachelor and bachelorette parties and company outings. You can see the boats here.
Tips for 30A guests
- Book the morning trip early. Summer mornings are the calmest time on the Gulf, but they're also the busiest time on the road. Leave extra time.
- Bring a cooler. You'll want to carry your cleaned fish back to your rental. At Captain Anderson's Marina, a fish market behind the boats cleans your catch for a fee.
- Pack food and drinks. Hook'em Up doesn't provide meals, so bring what your group needs for the day.
- Little ones ride free. Hook'em Up lets kids under 6 ride at no charge.
Hook'em Up's frequently asked questions page has directions to the marina and more on what to bring. When you're ready, you can book a trip with Hook'em Up Charters.