Panhandle Fishing Report 2-13-09

Report for 02/13/2009

Salt Water

MEXICO BEACH/PORT ST JOE OFFSHORE
The amberjack are still hanging out in the deeper water at the 120’-200’ range. Remember the regulations on length for Greater amberjack is now 30” to the fork. Since live bait is so hard to come by this time of year, bring yourself some Northern mackerel, or Cigar minnows, and squid as back up. If you have not yet, try jigging the Shimano or Williamson jigs for grouper, both can be great producers and many times better that cut or live bait.



ST JOSEPH BAY
Many anglers are enjoying catch and release fishing for trout in the gulf canal and along the wall of the PSJ marina. Black drum are still a good target for the gulf canal too. Use live shrimp directly on your jig-heads or frozen shrimp on the bottom using a Carolina rig and Mutu light circle hooks size 1/0. Some big Sheepshead are being caught this week around the seawall and out around the range markers and buoys. Use a small shank Mustad live bait hook and fluorocarbon leader with just enough weight to keep your rig under control. Remember to set the hook on the first nibble or you will lose the fish. The whiting bite has been solid in the surf and most were caught were off Cape San Blas around the Stump Hole.



APALACHICOLA /WHITE CITY
Fishing Bob Sikes cut on a calm day will catch you some nice Sheepshead. Use small shrimp or dig up some fiddler crabs for the best bait. The current gets strong, so have some heavy lead available.



DESTIN
Mot much has changed over the last few weeks but new things are just around the corner. Reds, Blues, and Sheepshead are off the jetties. In the bay, the trout have been very good around areas where rivers and creeks feed into the saltwater bayous.

In the gulf, the Reds and Bonito are roaming the beaches for both surf fisherman or boaters. Offshore the Amberjack and Triggers are the main stay.

On the pier, a few Bonitos, Sheepshead and a Red or two.

We expect to get a batch of eels the last week of the month so that the last weekend someone will hopefully go and find the first Cobia of the year. The Full Pull is one of the boats that tries hard for the first one. I believe the earliest they have ever seen one is February 26th, and the earliest they have hooked one is February 28th and they have caught one as early as March 2nd.

Also in the near future is the arrival of the Spanish Mackerel. They normally show in the middle of March.

The Florida Sportsman Show held at the Okaloosa Fairgrounds is Saturday and Sunday February 21st and 22nd. They have a good list of seminar speakers and you will have the opportunity to meet Factory Reps from your favorite tackle makers. They will be there to answer questions on products, give fishing advice and help anyway possible.

Lastly, Wednesday the 18th at McGuire’s is the Emerald Coast Saltwater Seminar Series. Sonny Granger will be talking about spring time Redfish tactics. The Seminar is sponsored by Half Hitch Tackle and the Ships Chandler.

Fresh Water

Bass anglers tell us the bass will start hitting the beds now, so go sight fishing in Lake Wimico around any good sandy areas like cold-water bend and the mouth of Depot Creek. White lizards, Zoom flukes (watermelon/white), and really any of your soft plastics will work. The fish that are in transition right now will hit Bandit crank baits in the Humble Bee color in depths of 4-8’. So, go cross some eyes and have fun bass fishing.

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.