Report for 11/21/2008
Salt Water
MEXICO BEACH/PORT ST JOE OFFSHORE
Not many reports from offshore and the last reports we received had the grouper and amberjack at 150’. Big cuts of Bonita and butter flied whole, northern mackerel were working well on 80lb fluorocarbon with 10/0 size circle hooks on a Carolina rig. Jigging will also bring in the fish using either, the Fairwaters, the Braid or Shimano butterfly jig. The amberjack were still around the deeper wrecks hitting jigs such as the AJ glow jig or cigar minnows.
ST JOSEPH BAY
The intercostals canal from the George Tapper Bridge to the “T” remains a good stretch to fish this week as reports of numerous trout and black drum in the 4-5lb range reported daily with a few redfish and flounder thrown in. The trout are near the edges and caught on live shrimp Carolina rigged with 1 or ¾ oz egg weights and mutu light circle hooks or trolling the heavier 1 oz jig heads with a Berkley Gulp or Gotcha grub. The black drum are caught in the middle of the canal with the same set up, but live shrimp is working much better for this species. In St. Joe, bay some trout caught at the Port St Joe Marina using Gulp or Bass Assassin grubs and live shrimp. The bite at the marina is mainly early morning or late afternoon. With the water temperature dropping, more reports of fish moving into the bayous are coming in.
PANAMA CITY OFFSHORE AND BAYS
Grouper are still being caught on wrecks and reefs within 9 miles. Also, check the hard bottom areas in the 100-120 feet range further offshore. Take some big live baits and get ready for action! Red Snapper season is closed in Federal and State waters. Plenty of Amberjacks are being caught on the bridge spans.
ST. ANDREWS BAY SYSTEM
Bull Reds are being caught with live shrimp around the jetties. Flounder are biting well now. Try any of the deep points leading out of the bay and the inshore wrecks with live minnows on a Carolina rig. Trout are starting to move into the creeks and bayous with the cooler temperatures. The Steam Plant is producing a lot of fish. Live shrimp will produce the most fish.
NAVARRE
SURF
The Pompano are still in the surf. There have been some reports of a few good fish being caught. Best baits remain live or frozen sand fleas and live and frozen shrimp. Pompano jigs will catch them too. The Bonito are in the surf as well. Any bright colored lure worked fast will catch them. As the water continues to cool the Spanish Mackerel and Skipjack will start to move south. There are still a fair amount of Bluefish to be caught. Bright spoons, Gotcha plugs, Straw Rigs, Top Water and regular plugs will catch them. Live and frozen Shrimp is always a good bait choice. Redfish have showed up on the beach. Some will be slot size fish but for the most part they will be over the slot. Live, frozen and cut baits, especially cut mullet will catch them. There have been reports of the occasional Flounder being caught, some will be some nice fish over five pounds. Best baits are Tiger, Bull minnows and live finger Mullet. Don’t forget about the Whiting. The bull Whiting can get up to two pounds and make great table fare. Try peeling your shrimp when fishing for the Whiting.
SOUND AND BAYS
Trout have started to migrate up the rivers and into the bayous. You can still catch your biggest Trout early and late in the day on top water baits and on live baits in the bayous and bayou channels. Live Shrimp and Mullet are the best baits to use this time of year to catch these Trout. Try fishing the deeper holes and bends in the rivers as the water gets colder. Redfish will remain in the sound and bays a little longer. Redfish can be caught on the same live baits and artificial lures will take their share of fish. Work all visible and underwater structure to increase your chances at hooking up with a red. Flounder and Sheepshead can all be caught in the bay this time of year. Finger Mullet, Bull Minnows and Tiger Minnows are hard to beat for the Flounder and Sheepshead can’t resist a small fiddler crab or live shrimp. Tie on a 12” piece of 12# to 20# fluorocarbon leader, a #1 hook, ¼ to ½oz sinker and a live shrimp or live Fiddler crab. This rig is a Sheepshead killer. The upper part of east Bay has been good for Redfish and Trout. Try fishing around the power lines and the surrounding oyster bars. King Mackerel will be in the bays from now until the water gets to cold. Try slow trolling live baits in the pass, along the three mile bridge and in front of the Palafox Pier should prove productive. Don’t overlook trolling a big Rapala bait. You can also anchor and chum for them with Menhaden Oil or cut up Menhaden.
NEAR SHORE – GULF
There have been some reports of the Flounder starting to show up over the near shore wrecks within one or two miles of the beach. Live finger Mullet, Tiger Minnows and Bull Minnows are great baits to use. The big Redfish are in the pass. Jigs, cut bait and live bait all take these fish. You may encounter a slot Red while fishing, but be sure to put the big ones back. This is a good time of year to look for the big schools of Redfish to be on top in the pass, just outside the pass and within one or two miles of the beach. Try looking for birds working the schools. Throw top water baits for some great action or a large spoon or jig. For the fly rod enthusiasts this is prime time. Any pattern that imitates a large baitfish will serve you well. Live baits will catch them to.
OFFSHORE – GULF
The bottom fishing for Amberjack and Grouper remains very good. Live bait and frozen bait will work on the Grouper. Jigging with a Butterfly jig or fishing with live Hardtails remains a good tactic to catch the Amberjack. I have had some good reports of Yellowfin and Blackfin Tuna being caught around the offshore oil platforms. Jigging, chumming and trolling are all effective in taking these fish
Fresh Water
Sorry, no freshwater report this week
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.
No comments:
Post a Comment