Report for 02/07/2008
Salt Water
MEXICO BEACH/PORT ST JOE OFFSHORE The fishing continues to be slow mostly due to offshore weather conditions. A few reports from anglers put Grouper at the 120’ depth with bigger fish at 200 plus feet. Conditions permitting try using heavier Diamond jigs or Shimano butterfly jigs. Live baits and or Cigar Minnows will also bring them up. Trolling for Grouper is still a good way to bring home some nice fish. No change as far as the Triggerfish bite goes from last week. They are continuing to bite well and can be caught with a drop rig of three #2 Owner Fly liner hooks placed 12” apart with squid for bait. 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.
MEXICO BEACH/PORT ST JOE OFFSHORE The fishing continues to be slow mostly due to offshore weather conditions. A few reports from anglers put Grouper at the 120’ depth with bigger fish at 200 plus feet. Conditions permitting try using heavier Diamond jigs or Shimano butterfly jigs. Live baits and or Cigar Minnows will also bring them up. Trolling for Grouper is still a good way to bring home some nice fish. No change as far as the Triggerfish bite goes from last week. They are continuing to bite well and can be caught with a drop rig of three #2 Owner Fly liner hooks placed 12” apart with squid for bait. 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 Sheepshead are still in the intercostals canal and around the oyster beds of Indian Pass lagoon and Apalachicola bay. Anglers are using small live shrimp or fiddler crabs. Redfish are reported in the canal jigging live bait along the bottom. Work your way up into the bayous where the bottom is dark for some good afternoon action. The whiting bite improved over the weekend along the surf on Cape San Blas.
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.
ST. ANDREWS BAY SYSTEM Several Black Drum have been caught lately along the jetties. Live Shrimp or just about any cut bait fished on the bottom will work.
Sheepshead are still starting to show up. Around the jetties are the best spots. We have 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 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, Pin Fish and Cut Bait are working well.
Fresh Water
APALACHICOLA/WHITE CITY
Look for the Crappie bite to pick up behind this latest weather system. The best places seem to be Depot Creek or Lake Wimico, and take live minnows along. The Bass moved up a little and can be caught in 10-12’ using soft plastics or crank baits.
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.
Half Hitch Tackle
850-234-2621
2206 Thomas Dr
Panama City, Fl 32408
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.
