Report for 02/28/08 Salt Water
MEXICO BEACH/PORT ST JOE OFFSHORE
The grouper continue to be caught trolling the Mann’s stretch 25’s 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. No change as far as the trigger fishing goes, they are biting well right now and can be caught with a drop rig of three #2 Owner Fly liner hooks 12” apart baited with squid. They are around any wreck or reef and are a great eating fish. Amberjack are also still hitting well, set up a chum line over the offshore reefs and Air Force towers and toss a free line bait in amongst the chum line.
ST JOSEPH BAY
The trout season will be back open as of March 1st. This week has been hit or miss at the PSJ Marina and outside the mouth of the gulf canal. However, the action is consistent further up the canal around the “T” and beyond to lake Wimico. With the warmer weather trend, look for the trout fishing to improve on the flats over the next few weeks. Sheepshead fishing is still great at Bob Sikes cut in Apalachicola bay and at the old bridge pilings of the St George bridge. Use small live shrimp or fiddler crabs. Redfish also reported on the flats of St Joseph bay on the incoming tide. A few flounder have found their way back from offshore and some were caught on the sandbars and entrances to the intercostals canal this week. The whiting bite continues along the surf at Cape San Blas and The Stump Hole. The first solid reports of pompano being taken along St Joe beach have come in this week too.
PANAMA CITY OFFSHORE AND BAYS
Grouper is closed in Federal waters until March 15. 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.
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.
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
Sheepsheads 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 opens March 1st. Most Trout will still be holding in the creeks and canals. Live Shrimp on the bottom is the best bait.
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.
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 opens March 1st. Most Trout will still be holding in the creeks and canals. Live Shrimp on the bottom is the best bait.
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.
Fresh Water
APALACHICOLA /WHITE CITY
The Crappie bite has slowed dramatically this week. So, go after those pre-spawning largemouth bass. They have bass moved up a little and can be caught using Bandit crank baits at the mouths of the tributaries right along shore. They are hitting the bait about 2 feet from shore so be ready to set your hook quickly.
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.
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