Panhandle Fishing Report 2-6-09

Report for 02/06/2009

Salt Water

MEXICO BEACH/PORT ST JOE OFFSHORE
This week is definitely Sheepshead and black drum week. Big drum and Sheepshead will be found around all the range markers and buoys just outside St Joe Bay. Use a strong short shank hook Carolina rigged with fluorocarbon leader and just enough weight to get your bait down. Use small live shrimp for the Sheepshead and larger live shrimp for drum. February means trout are a catch and release only, if you want some of this type of action, head to the deeper holes and up into the canals and bayous. The bonus is, where the trout are, the redfish are. The intercostals canal continues as the hot spot for both redfish and trout, not to mention those drum and Sheepshead. Do not forget the rivers and bayous, as these areas are great on colder days.

ST JOSEPH BAY
The whiting are schooling along the beaches in large numbers this week and the “stump hole” off Cape San Blas is a fantastic whiting haunt and along Mexico Beach between the pier and the entrance to the canal. Use Half Hitch custom 100% fluorocarbon 2-hook pompano rig with shrimp for a perfect whiting set-up. Use a pyramid weight just heavy enough to hold your rig in place. Some big redfish will also be along the shoreline at sunset. Use a 4/0 circle hook Carolina rigged on a 20lb class rod/reel.

Grouper have moved to the shallower wrecks and reefs as the water temperature drops this month. The big boys will be at 150’ deep or more. Around the inshore wrecks, trolling with a Mann’s stretch series lure works very well and you will want to use the 25+ series in 30’ of water or less and the 30+/40+ series for deeper water. Of course, using live bait works best, but wintertime makes it harder to find live bait. Frozen cigar minnows & northern mackerel will work well.

PANAMA CITY OFFSHORE AND BAYS
The Black and Gag Grouper season is closed now until Mar. 31st. Red Grouper will be closed Feb. 15th through Mar. 15th.

Several AJ’s are being caught around the 100 foot mark over bridge spans and large wrecks.

ST. ANDREWS BAY SYSTEM
Sheepshead have started to move into the jetties now. Live Shrimp or Fiddler Crabs with just a split shot is all you need. Bull Reds are being caught with live shrimp and pin fish around the jetties. Trout have moved 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.

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.