Report for 02/22/2008 Salt Water
PANAMA CITY OFFSHORE AND BAYS
Grouper is closed in Federal waters until March 15th. However, Grouper and Scamp are being caught within state waters 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.
Grouper is closed in Federal waters until March 15th. However, Grouper and Scamp are being caught within state waters 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.
ST. ANDREWS BAY SYSTEM
Sheepshead are slowly starting to migrate to the jetties. Live Fiddler Crabs 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 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.
Trout season is closed for the month of February. For catch and release, try the hot water canal in Warren Bayou.
Bull and Slot Reds are still in the pass. Gulp, Gold Spoons, Live Shrimp, LY’s, Bull Minnows, Pinfish and Cut Bait are working well.
Redfish caught on Perfect Cast Charters with Capt. Dan Van Treese. 850-227-5149
DESTIN
Things are starting to look up for Spring as the water is warming so is the fishing. This weekend the Sheepshead were good at the jetties and the Destin Bridge. A big surprise from fishermen this week; reports of several Spanish Mackerel being caught on the jetties and many were keepers.
In the surf, we had reports of Pompano from Topsail Hill and also in Navarre. The report from Topsail was an angler that had 3 Pompano. The angler in Navarre reported catching 7 Pompano while fishing with a friend. In the bay, some Reds and plenty of Sheepshead along with a few Black Drum.
Out in the gulf the Amberjack bite is on! If you fish the large wrecks with butterfly jigs or clouts you will have a great day. Also good reports of Red and Gag grouper on the east beach, fishing waters 40 to 80 foot deep on natural bottom.
NAVARRE
The Whiting and occasional Pompano are still being caught in the surf using live shrimp and frozen shrimp. Bluefish are being caught on 1oz. and 2 oz. silver spoons off the beach.
The rivers continue to hold Trout and Redfish in the deeper holes and bends. Live shrimp, curly tails and grubs on jig heads and GULP shrimp on jig heads will catch fish. There have been a lot of White Trout caught off the Three Mile bridge in Pensacola over the last four weeks. Live shrimp on a bottom rig and 3/8 oz. Jig Heads with Nuclear Chicken and New Penny Gulp Shrimp are catching the fish.
Sheepshead, some Black Drum and an occasional Redfish are being caught off all the bridge pilings in the bays and sounds. Live shrimp, Gulp and gold spoons do well. The Flounder bite with in five miles of the beach on structure is still on. Get there when you can. Live Pinfish and Bull Minnows will catch them.
Fresh Water
Half Hitch Tackle
850-234-2621
2206 Thomas Dr
Panama City, Fl 32408
www.halfhitch.com/
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.
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.
