Capt. Anderson’s Marina & Fishing Fleet

Capt. Anderson’s Marina sits at the north end of Grand Lagoon on Panama City Beach’s Thomas Drive side, a working waterfront that has sent anglers into the Gulf of Mexico for generations. The marina operates a fleet of charter boats, cycling through the names Capt. Anderson, Capt. Anderson II, III, IV and V as the business has grown and the boats have been replaced or added over the years, and it remains one of the more recognizable names in the Panama City Beach fishing community.

The core of the business is deep sea fishing. Trips range from roughly five hours up to full-day and even extended offshore excursions of a dozen hours or more, aimed at the bottom fishing and trolling that this stretch of the northern Gulf is known for. Depending on the season and depth fished, anglers can expect a shot at red snapper, grouper, amberjack, triggerfish, king mackerel and other reef and pelagic species that populate the natural limestone ledges and the artificial reef systems Bay County has built up offshore over the decades. Rods, reels, tackle and bait are included in the charter price, and no separate state fishing license is required when fishing aboard a licensed charter vessel, which makes the boats an easy entry point for visitors who do not own their own gear or want to deal with licensing paperwork during a beach vacation.

Beyond bottom fishing, the marina also runs shorter sightseeing and dolphin watching trips, a popular option for families or visitors who want time on the water without committing to a full day of fishing. These trips typically run a few hours and focus on the bottlenose dolphins that are commonly seen feeding and playing in the pass and along Shell Island, plus views of the beach and Grand Lagoon shoreline from the water.

Because it operates as a marina rather than a single boat, Capt. Anderson’s can usually accommodate a range of group sizes and budgets, from a couple of anglers booking a spot on a shared trip to private charters for a family or group of friends. The dockside seafood market lets customers buy fresh, local catch even if they are not fishing themselves, and the marina’s location near the restaurants and shops of the Thomas Drive and Grand Lagoon corridor makes it a convenient stop for visitors staying on that end of the beach.

Reservations are recommended, particularly during the busy spring and summer tourist season when charter boats fill up quickly. Visitors should call ahead or book online to confirm trip times, pricing and availability before making the trip out to the marina.