Shark fishing in Panama City Beach just leveled up with our Shark Fishing and Research Tour. This unique experience is led by Captain Chris, a marine biologist and shark tagging expert with over 20 years of experience studying and working with sharks. You’ll spend four hours on the water catching, tagging, and releasing sharks while learning how these incredible animals keep our oceans in balance. Every guest plays a role in ongoing local research and conservation efforts by helping collect data—like species ID, measurements, sex, and age estimates—that goes straight to scientists who study shark populations in the Gulf. It’s fun, it’s educational, and every group gets to name their shark before sending it back into the deep.
Shark fishing in Panama City Beach with Flippin’ Awesome Adventures is equal parts thrilling and impactful. Each trip contributes to real shark research and supports conservation efforts in the Gulf. You’ll be guided by Captain Chris, a marine biologist with over 20 years of experience, who makes science approachable and the experience unforgettable. Come for the adventure—leave with stories, skills, and a deeper respect for the ocean.
Catch sharks, collect data, and support real research—all in one unforgettable trip.
No experience needed. We guide you every step of the way.
We bring the gear—you bring the sense of adventure (and maybe a good shark name or two).
Once we’re out on the water, the real fun begins. With Captain Chris at the helm, you’ll hook into local shark species and get hands-on with the tagging process. After safely bringing a shark alongside the boat, you’ll help identify its species, measure it, determine its sex, and record an estimated age—all key data points that support ongoing research in the Gulf of Mexico.
Every trip is a little different depending on the conditions and the sharks we encounter, but each one adds valuable insight to long-term conservation projects. And yes—every group gets the honor of naming their shark before it’s released back into the wild (bonus points for creativity). You’ll also walk away with brag-worthy photos, some serious marine science cred, and a pretty great story to tell.
Every shark fishing trip in Panama City Beach with Captain Chris is designed with purpose. This isn’t just about the thrill of catching sharks—it’s about understanding them, protecting them, and contributing to real research that makes a difference.
Captain Chris is a marine biologist with over two decades of field experience in shark tagging and conservation. Throughout the trip, he shares insight into the ecological role sharks play in the ocean. You’ll learn how they regulate food chains, how scientists track their movements across the Gulf, and what threats are impacting their survival—like overfishing, habitat loss, and public misconceptions.
The data collected during each tour is submitted to trusted marine conservation organizations. That includes species identification, measurements, sex, and estimated age—all valuable information that helps researchers monitor shark populations and migration trends over time.
This tour gives guests a chance to contribute to real-world science in a way that’s approachable and hands-on. It’s an opportunity to step into the role of citizen scientist, support long-term conservation, and gain a deeper understanding of the marine life just beneath the surface.
Yes! Shark fishing in Panama City Beach is both popular and accessible. Our tours are designed to be safe, hands-on, and educational. With the guidance of a marine biologist, you’ll help collect real research data while reeling in Gulf Coast sharks.
Yes, shark fishing in Florida is legal—but it’s highly regulated. We follow all Florida Fish and Wildlife rules and federal guidelines, including proper gear, ethical handling, and strict catch-and-release practices. Our trips also include data collection to support shark conservation.
Our shark fishing tour in Panama City Beach is $650 for a private 4-hour trip, up to 6 guests. The price includes all equipment, licensing, safety gear, and expert guidance from Captain Chris—plus snacks, cold drinks, and plenty of shark tagging action.
Yes! Our shark fishing tours are designed with safety in mind and are great for families with kids who are curious about the ocean. Captain Chris and the crew are experienced with all age groups and provide hands-on guidance throughout the trip. We keep things educational, exciting, and safe for everyone onboard.
Not at all. Whether you’re a first-timer or you’ve got a tackle box at home, our crew will walk you through everything. We provide all the gear, instructions, and support you’ll need for a successful shark fishing experience in Panama City Beach.
We use a mix of fresh bait—usually fish or squid—based on conditions and the shark species we’re targeting. Captain Chris and the crew adjust the bait as needed to make sure you’re in the best position to land and tag a shark.
We’ve got the gear covered. All you need to bring is sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, comfortable clothing, and a fully charged phone or camera for those epic shark pics. We also recommend snacks for the kids or anyone with specific dietary needs.
When you’re shark fishing in Panama City Beach, there’s a good chance you’ll encounter species like blacktip, bull, sharpnose, bonnethead, sandbar, or even hammerhead sharks. The Gulf is home to a wide variety of sharks, and what you catch depends on the season and conditions. Some trips even bring rare surprises like tiger sharks or spinners—and every now and then, a real head-turner like a mako or great white cruises through. You can read more about different shark species here!
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Yes, while it’s not common, shark fishing in Panama City Beach has occasionally turned up some jaw-dropping guests. Rare sightings include mako sharks—known for their speed—and even the occasional great white. These aren’t everyday catches, but they do make the research side of our tours even more exciting. We keep an eye on tracking data so we’re always in the loop when something big moves through the Gulf.Content
Nope—but for good reason. Shark fishing in Panama City Beach with us is all catch, tag, and release. That means every shark is carefully measured, studied, and safely released to continue contributing to research and conservation.
Capt. Chris, a local marine biologist with over 20 years of experience, world traveler, and certified scuba instructor, is the perfect guide for an unforgettable Panama City Beach dolphin tour and snorkeling adventure. With his vibrant energy, love for mermaid tails, and a good dose of dad jokes, Chris ensures every trip with Flippin’ Awesome Adventures is truly memorable.
