Report for 01-18-2008 Salt Water
MEXICO BEACH/PORT ST JOE OFFSHORE
MEXICO BEACH/PORT ST JOE OFFSHORE
Trolling for Grouper continues to produce nice fish... Troll a Mann’s stretch 25’ in 50’ or shallower over shallow wrecks like the lumber ship and the stretch 30’s in 60’ plus over the car bodies will work. The water is calming this week and if you can get out head to the 120’ mark for the best bite. Live bait is best, Second choice is of course butter flied Northern Mackerel or Cigar Minnows.
Triggers are strong right now and are caught with a drop rig of three #2 Owner Fly liner hooks 12” apart with squid being great bait. They are around any wreck or reef and are a great eating fish.
Amberjack’ are a great target right now and the bite is strong. Set up a chum line over the offshore reefs or Air Force towers and toss a free line bait in amongst the chum line.
ST JOSEPH BAY
Triggers are strong right now and are caught with a drop rig of three #2 Owner Fly liner hooks 12” apart with squid being great bait. They are around any wreck or reef and are a great eating fish.
Amberjack’ are a great target right now and the bite is strong. Set up a chum line over the offshore reefs or Air Force towers and toss a free line bait in amongst the chum line.
ST JOSEPH BAY
Live shrimp fished on the bottom is the bait of choice in the canal and the PSJ marina. Some good Redfish catches are reported from the canal jigging live baits along the bottom. Work your way up into the bayous where the bottom is dark for some good afternoon action. Gotcha grubs and DOA ¼ oz clear/red flake shrimp are bringing them in.
The Whiting are still thick right in the surf with Cape San Blas still being your best option. Best overall rig is a 2-hook Pompano rig with a 2oz pyramid weight (1 oz if using light line). Grasp a shrimp, pinch off the head and tail, and run the shrimp over your hook starting tail first. Sheepshead' are also being caught in the surf on their migration. Flounder will still hang around the inshore wrecks, especially since we have this warming trend going on... Carolina rig a Bull minnow on a 1/0 mutu light circle hook with 15 lb fluorocarbon leader.
PANAMA CITY OFFSHORE AND BAYS
The Whiting are still thick right in the surf with Cape San Blas still being your best option. Best overall rig is a 2-hook Pompano rig with a 2oz pyramid weight (1 oz if using light line). Grasp a shrimp, pinch off the head and tail, and run the shrimp over your hook starting tail first. Sheepshead' are also being caught in the surf on their migration. Flounder will still hang around the inshore wrecks, especially since we have this warming trend going on... Carolina rig a Bull minnow on a 1/0 mutu light circle hook with 15 lb fluorocarbon leader.
PANAMA CITY OFFSHORE AND BAYS
Grouper are being caught in shallower water. Scamp are being caught within 5 miles of the beach. 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.
The Flounder bite has been great. Best reports are coming from close to shore structure in up to 75 feet of water. Use a Carolina rig with live Bull Minnows for the best results.
ST ANDREWS BAY SYSTEM
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.
The Flounder bite has been great. Best reports are coming from close to shore structure in up to 75 feet of water. Use a Carolina rig with live Bull Minnows for the best results.
ST ANDREWS BAY SYSTEM
Sheepshead’ are starting to show up in greater numbers. Under the Hwy 79 bridge and around the jetties are hot spots. We just received a shipment of live Fiddler Crabs. This is the absolute best bait to use. Use a Carolina rig with a small hook and light lead for best results.
Pompano are being caught regularly along the beaches. Throw a jig tipped with Shrimp, Sand Fleas, or Gulp. They are also being caught using frozen Sand Fleas, rigged on a 2 hook leader and pyramid sinker.
Silver Trout are being caught in large numbers under the Hathaway and Tyndall bridges. Use Live Shrimp on the bottom for best results.
The Trout bite has been sporadic. Many have started to move into the creeks, marinas, and intercostals waterway. The cooler water temperatures will push these fish into deep holes in these areas. Not much is better than live Shrimp worked slowly on the bottom with a jighead or Carolina rig.
Bull and Slot Reds have moved into the pass in numbers. Gulp, Gold Spoons, Live Shrimp, LY’s, Bull Minnows, Pin Fish and Cut Bait are working well.
DESTIN
Pompano are being caught regularly along the beaches. Throw a jig tipped with Shrimp, Sand Fleas, or Gulp. They are also being caught using frozen Sand Fleas, rigged on a 2 hook leader and pyramid sinker.
Silver Trout are being caught in large numbers under the Hathaway and Tyndall bridges. Use Live Shrimp on the bottom for best results.
The Trout bite has been sporadic. Many have started to move into the creeks, marinas, and intercostals waterway. The cooler water temperatures will push these fish into deep holes in these areas. Not much is better than live Shrimp worked slowly on the bottom with a jighead or Carolina rig.
Bull and Slot Reds have moved into the pass in numbers. Gulp, Gold Spoons, Live Shrimp, LY’s, Bull Minnows, Pin Fish and Cut Bait are working well.
DESTIN
On the piers they have had a few good days catching Bonita along with the occasional Flounder and a Pompano or two. Days with colder mornings are proving to be good fishing days.
Out on the jetties anglers are catching Reds, Sheepshead’ and a Pompano or two using live Shrimp and Berkley Gulp.
In the bay, you will find plenty of White Trout around the bridges and in the harbor. Small jigs and gulps are working well. The sheepshead’ are good on the bridge pilings using live Shrimp.
In the gulf the Amberjack bite is still very good and few Grouper. The Jacks are best on big steel wrecks and Grouper are on live bottom.
NAVARRE
Out on the jetties anglers are catching Reds, Sheepshead’ and a Pompano or two using live Shrimp and Berkley Gulp.
In the bay, you will find plenty of White Trout around the bridges and in the harbor. Small jigs and gulps are working well. The sheepshead’ are good on the bridge pilings using live Shrimp.
In the gulf the Amberjack bite is still very good and few Grouper. The Jacks are best on big steel wrecks and Grouper are on live bottom.
NAVARRE
The Bluefish and Bonita are still being caught in the Gulf off the piers and from the beach. Anglers are using Jigfish spoons in 1 1/2oz size and Sea Striker spoons in 2 and 3 oz size. There have been sporadic reports of Pompano being caught on shrimp.
The rivers are giving up catches of Trout and Redfish. Most fishermen are using live Shrimp, but there have been good catches made on 1/4oz and 1/2oz grubs. For best results anglers are working live bait and jigs slowly along the bottom in the deeper holes of the river.
Sheephead and Black Drum are still being caught along all the bridge pilings using small Live Shrimp with #4 and #6 hooks. If you can find fiddler crabs, this is an excellent bait to use. Also for all you boat anglers, bring a hoe or a spade to scrape the barnacles off the pilings. This make a great chum line.
Capt. Scott Holmes of the "Yeild Spread" reports good catches of Amberjack on near shore wrecks and structures using Butterfly jigs. Scott says he has tried Live Bait and other lures but the Butterflies are the ticket. The Flounder bite has improved on the wrecks out to five miles. Capt. Robert Cochran reports he has hade some good days with up to 20 fish. Live Bull Minnows and small live Pinfish will get the job done.
Fresh Water
Crappie bite came back on with this cooler weather. Head to Depot Creek with some live minnows and you will have to play with your depth, but start at 6’. Anglers report the bass have moved up a little and are in about 10-12 feet of water and are hitting soft plastics.
The rivers are giving up catches of Trout and Redfish. Most fishermen are using live Shrimp, but there have been good catches made on 1/4oz and 1/2oz grubs. For best results anglers are working live bait and jigs slowly along the bottom in the deeper holes of the river.
Sheephead and Black Drum are still being caught along all the bridge pilings using small Live Shrimp with #4 and #6 hooks. If you can find fiddler crabs, this is an excellent bait to use. Also for all you boat anglers, bring a hoe or a spade to scrape the barnacles off the pilings. This make a great chum line.
Capt. Scott Holmes of the "Yeild Spread" reports good catches of Amberjack on near shore wrecks and structures using Butterfly jigs. Scott says he has tried Live Bait and other lures but the Butterflies are the ticket. The Flounder bite has improved on the wrecks out to five miles. Capt. Robert Cochran reports he has hade some good days with up to 20 fish. Live Bull Minnows and small live Pinfish will get the job done.
Fresh Water
Crappie bite came back on with this cooler weather. Head to Depot Creek with some live minnows and you will have to play with your depth, but start at 6’. Anglers report the bass have moved up a little and are in about 10-12 feet of water and are hitting soft plastics.
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.
