Report for 11-08-2007
Salt Water
MEXICO BEACH AND OFFSHORE
Off shore reports from our anglers is sparse this week. Heavy seas and strong winds have kept fishermen on the hill. Nevertheless, do not despair because the fish are still there.
There is usually a calm day or two between cold fronts and you should capitalize on those days. Red Snapper season is closed until Spring but, bumping baits on the bottom will still produce Grouper and a host of other species.
Concentrate your efforts in depths from 150’ to 300’ and try both live and dead baits. Mullet, Pinfish, and Hard Tails make great live baits and of course, Squid, Cigar Minnows, and Northern Mackerel make great dead baits.
ST JOSEPH BAY
There is usually a calm day or two between cold fronts and you should capitalize on those days. Red Snapper season is closed until Spring but, bumping baits on the bottom will still produce Grouper and a host of other species.
Concentrate your efforts in depths from 150’ to 300’ and try both live and dead baits. Mullet, Pinfish, and Hard Tails make great live baits and of course, Squid, Cigar Minnows, and Northern Mackerel make great dead baits.
ST JOSEPH BAY
The intercostals canal from the George Tapper Bridge to the “T” of the intercostals is a good spot to hit this week. Anglers report numerous catches of Trout and Black Drum. Some reports of Redfish and Flounder too. The trout are nearer the edges of the canal and are caught on live shrimp. The Drum are in the middle of the canal.
In St. Joseph's bay, the Trout are showing up at the Port St. Joe Marina. The bite at the marina is mainly early morning or late afternoon.
Water temperatures are dropping and we are receiving more reports of fish moving into the bayous, creeks, and tributaries.
PANAMA CITY OFFSHORE AND BAYS
In St. Joseph's bay, the Trout are showing up at the Port St. Joe Marina. The bite at the marina is mainly early morning or late afternoon.
Water temperatures are dropping and we are receiving more reports of fish moving into the bayous, creeks, and tributaries.
PANAMA CITY OFFSHORE AND BAYS
Snapper season is now closed. For catch and release of these fish, try to stay in 60 feet of water or less to help insure a better mortality rate.
King Mackerel can be caught on hard bottom areas well offshore. Troll Dusters and free-line live or dead bait for the most action. Try a Stretch 25 or large Drone Spoon with 4-6 oz’s of lead for bigger kings.
Grouper have started to move toward shallower water. Lots of Red Grouper can be caught within 10 miles over hard bottom areas. Live bait, whole Boston Mackerel and jigs (Shimano Butterfly or Williamson) are working well. Jigs with a glow color to them are a sure bet.
Amberjack are on many of the inshore wrecks and reefs in good numbers. Try the Bridge Spans for lots of action. The larger fish will be well offshore over hard bottom. Live Cigar Minnows or Pinfish will entice the larger fish, while jigs (Williamson Jig or AJ Jig) will trigger the most bites.
Ladyfish, Bluefish and Bar Jacks are everywhere up and down the beaches right now. Throw Pompano jigs, Gotcha’s and Spoons on light tackle for a lot of fun.
ST. ANDREWS BAY SYSTEM
King Mackerel can be caught on hard bottom areas well offshore. Troll Dusters and free-line live or dead bait for the most action. Try a Stretch 25 or large Drone Spoon with 4-6 oz’s of lead for bigger kings.
Grouper have started to move toward shallower water. Lots of Red Grouper can be caught within 10 miles over hard bottom areas. Live bait, whole Boston Mackerel and jigs (Shimano Butterfly or Williamson) are working well. Jigs with a glow color to them are a sure bet.
Amberjack are on many of the inshore wrecks and reefs in good numbers. Try the Bridge Spans for lots of action. The larger fish will be well offshore over hard bottom. Live Cigar Minnows or Pinfish will entice the larger fish, while jigs (Williamson Jig or AJ Jig) will trigger the most bites.
Ladyfish, Bluefish and Bar Jacks are everywhere up and down the beaches right now. Throw Pompano jigs, Gotcha’s and Spoons on light tackle for a lot of fun.
ST. ANDREWS BAY SYSTEM
Schools of Bonita are moving through the pass in large numbers. They will hit Spoons, Gotchas, Bubble rigs and free-lined minnows.
Mangrove Snappers are all over the jetties right now. They are easy to catch and great to eat. Use live shrimp with light weight and small hooks for best results.
The Flounder bite is really picking up. Try the deep channel leading into the Spanish Shante in St. Andrews Bay and Deep Water Point in the state park. Use a Carolina rig with live Bull Minnows for the best results. For artificial bait fishermen, use a 1/8 oz. jig with Gulp Curl Tail Minnows in a variety of colors.
The Trout bite is very good and with the cooler weather they have been biting through out the day. Target spotty bottom grass flats in the 1-3 foot range. Big trout can be caught early in the day on top-water plugs close to the shoreline. When the sun gets up, throw a Rebel Jointed Minnow in Gold or Silver.
Bull Reds have moved into the pass in numbers. Gulp, Gold Spoons, Live Shrimp, LY’s, Bull Minnows, Pinfish and cut bait are working well. Lots of Reds are still working the flats in West and East Bays.
DAN RUSSEL PIER
Mangrove Snappers are all over the jetties right now. They are easy to catch and great to eat. Use live shrimp with light weight and small hooks for best results.
The Flounder bite is really picking up. Try the deep channel leading into the Spanish Shante in St. Andrews Bay and Deep Water Point in the state park. Use a Carolina rig with live Bull Minnows for the best results. For artificial bait fishermen, use a 1/8 oz. jig with Gulp Curl Tail Minnows in a variety of colors.
The Trout bite is very good and with the cooler weather they have been biting through out the day. Target spotty bottom grass flats in the 1-3 foot range. Big trout can be caught early in the day on top-water plugs close to the shoreline. When the sun gets up, throw a Rebel Jointed Minnow in Gold or Silver.
Bull Reds have moved into the pass in numbers. Gulp, Gold Spoons, Live Shrimp, LY’s, Bull Minnows, Pinfish and cut bait are working well. Lots of Reds are still working the flats in West and East Bays.
DAN RUSSEL PIER
The pier tackle shop and snack bar has closed and the City has opened the pier gate for free admission until demolition begins. Pier demolition is scheduled to begin during the middle of December. Non-residents will be required to obtain a fishing license.
Spanish Mackerel and a few Kings are being caught every day at the pier right now. Sharks, Pompano, Whiting, Blue Fish, and Lady Fish are also being caught.
FRESH WATER
Spanish Mackerel and a few Kings are being caught every day at the pier right now. Sharks, Pompano, Whiting, Blue Fish, and Lady Fish are also being caught.
FRESH WATER
Wind can wreck an offshore bottom-fishing trip, but wind is the bass angler’s friend. Not only does wind mask noise from your boat, it drives baitfish, algae, and other foodstuffs towards your target, Big Bass! Like many predatory species, Black Bass are also opportunistic feeders. What this means is that very often bass will station themselves on the lee side of points and structure from the wind. In this way, a bass expends very little energy swimming against currents. Moreover, it is perfectly positioned to snap up food as the wind driven current pushes it by. Spinner baits and shad imitations in soft plastics are excellent choices for bass in windy conditions.
Half Hitch Tackle
850-234-2621
2206 Thomas Dr
Panama City, Fl 32408
Fishing Report prepared by Half Hitch Tackle Staff.
The Captains Corner Fishing Report is provided by local charter captains and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of Half Hitch Tackle.
This report is dedicated to the memory of Al Hubbard. Al Hubbard was a field editor for Florida Sportsman magazine, an outdoor writer for the News Herald and a board member of the Florida Outdoor Writer's Association. Mr. Hubbard was also the owner of Al's Outdoors Outfitting Services.
