Friday, June 06, 2008

Panhandle Fishing Report 6-6-08


Report for 06/06/2008

Salt Water

PANAMA CITY OFFSHORE AND BAYS
Chicken Dolphin are still making their presence known offshore. Look for weed lines or clumps. Small jigs and spoons work well.

King Mackerel are being caught more frequently now. Several are being caught around the Whistle Buoy with some better fish taken over the hard bottom to the west. Most of the fish are being caught free-lining live baits.

The Red Snapper bite is still going strong with fish being found in all depths of water. Best baits include chunked cigar minnows, squid, live shrimp and small pinfish.

Grouper are being caught over hard bottom areas from 7 – 25 miles out with larger fish being caught from 35-45 miles off. Live bait and butterflied Spanish Mackerel are the best bet.

Amberjack remain plentiful over several of the Bridge Spans with larger fish being caught farther offshore. Live bait, Williamson Jigs, and Butterfly Jigs will bring savage strikes!

Spanish Mackerel are being caught in large numbers. Try the jetties, inside St. Andrews Bay and along the sand bars off the beach.

Ladyfish have moved onto the beaches in droves. For lots of fun and excitement, cast spoons and gotcha plugs for these jumpers.

ST. ANDREWS BAY SYSTEM
Trout are feeding on the flats now. Bayous with nice grass points are producing well and target the deeper grass flats with live shrimp under a popping cork for best results.

Redfish are being caught all over the bay systems. Throw a live Shrimp on a light lead head or weightless for best results. On a high tide, the redfish will be laying up in the flooded Spartina Grass. Weedless jerk baits and gold spoons will take these fish out of the grass.

Pompano are still being taken along the beaches in good numbers. Most fish will be on the inside edge of the first sand bar. Throw a jig tipped with shrimp, sand fleas, or gulp.

They are also being caught using frozen sand fleas and shrimp, rigged on a 2 hook leader and pyramid sinker.

DESTIN
Out on the Okaloosa pier things have gotten better this week. They have had several good King runs. A few have been in the mornings and a few have been in the afternoon. The worst part of pier fishing this week has been the porpoises as they have been keeping the Kings away a lot of the time. There was a Tarpon caught Wednesday and Mahi Mahi. Most every day they get Hardtails, Ladyfish and a few Spanish.

Trolling near the sea buoy has produced lots of Kings early in the day and then the Kings move to deeper water as the day heats up.

Offshore the Dolphin, Wahoo and a few Tuna have been biting, Bill Connally and crew landed a nice 30lb dolphin fishing about 48 miles southeast near the squiggles.
Pictured below is Jeff Thorne with the very nice dolphin.

bull dolphin

Snapper is now open in federal waters and there have been some outstanding catches lately. The New Florida Girl had a nice limit of Snapper a few days ago and ended up releasing an 18lb Snapper caught after they had already limited out. Grouper and Amberjack are biting in water 150-300’ deep.

In the surf the June grass is becoming a bother but there are still some Pompano, Blues and sharks.

In the bay Trout are good at dusk on the flats just outside the bayous. Live shrimp, Gulp shrimp, ly’s and pinfish are working for bait.

Half Hitch Tackle

850-234-2621


2206 Thomas Dr


Panama City, Fl 32408


http://flafin.blogspot.com/2008/05/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.

No comments: