Report for 04/23/2009
Salt Water
MEXICO BEACH/PORT ST JOE OFFSHORE
Offshore reports this week suggest there are so many red snapper that anglers are having trouble getting their baits past them to the grouper waiting below. One hundred fifty feet of water continues to be the best depth for catching grouper. Live baits have accounted for most of this week’s catches with northern mackerel running a close second. AJ activity has returned for anglers working the deeper structures offshore with jigs. There are sporadic reports of king mackerel activity. Spanish mackerel fishing is good along the buoy line and beaches and the clearer the water the better for these fish. We are still seeing a lot of stained water due to the recent rains.
ST JOSEPH BAY
The Spanish mackerel are moving around inside St Joseph Bay from the buoy line to Blacks Island. Schools of ladyfish and bluefish reported outside Eagle harbor. The flounder bite is good around the deeper holes near the head of the bay and around Black’s Island and many caught under the Tapper Bridge ICW and in the Mexico Beach canal. Some nice big trout and redfish caught on live shrimp, grubs, and top waters in the head of the bay drifting over the middle grounds. The pompano numbers were just ok this week and a lot of black drum and redfish caught in the surf as well along with just a few whiting.
PANAMA CITY OFFSHORE AND BAYS
The Cobia bite is on!!!! Find clean water away from the pass and start looking. Jigs or eels will work, these fish are hungry. The Spanish Mackerel bite is a little slow but they can be caught down the beach to the east or west. Grouper have been biting well from 7-10 miles out. Lots of big AJ’s are still being caught around the 100 foot mark over bridge spans and large wrecks.
Picture courtesy of Gary Bryant. Two cobia caught 4/22/09 - 33lbs and 28lbs
ST. ANDREWS BAY SYSTEM
The bay water is very stained. Mangrove Snappers and Sheepshead are still being caught at the jetties. Live Shrimp is the best bait. Spanish Mackerel have slowed down in the bay but can be caught trolling or casting. Some small schools of Redfish have been found on the flats in West Bay; while Bull Reds are still being caught with live shrimp and Pinfish around the jetties. Trout are being caught on the flats with topwater lures early and live shrimp under a cork later.
DESTIN
It has been a good week of Cobia fishing if you were in the right place at the right time. Sunday, on the Pensacola Beach Pier, reports of 15 Cobia were caught and well over 50 Cobia were spotted that day. Earlier in the week, when the wind was terrible, the Cobia bite was good early each day; but if you did not get out to fish before 10am your chances were slim. Early Tuesday morning 5 Cobia were caught from the Okaloosa Pier. Wednesday many boats reported having a good day and I heard through the grapevine that Thomas Norvell was 6 for 7 by mid afternoon.
As for Pompano, reports have been good on both piers and the surf. Spanish were out again on Wednesday and some Kings were also caught.
Bottom fishing for Grouper on the east beach was good this week. Many reports of sharks on both sides of the pass from 1-10 miles offshore. Several anglers reported catching sharks on Wednesday.
There were reports of bait near the pass during mid-week. Most were Thread-fin Herring and a few Cigar Minnows. Reds and a few Trout were reported in the bay. We also heard of Jack Cravelle along the beaches and at both piers this week.
Bluefish, Ladyfish, Hardtails and a few Kings were caught at both piers this week.
NAVARRE
SURF
Area fisherman can expect to find plenty of Pompano, Blue Fish, Spanish Mackerel and Redfish in the surf. The Reds and Pompano are hitting on live and fresh frozen sand fleas. A few reds will be in the slot. Fresh dead shrimp is working real well too. The Spanish and Bluefish can’t resist a silver spoon, Got-Cha lures or bubble rigs. The faster the retrieve, the better the results.
SOUND AND BAYS
Rat Redfish and Speckled Trout are available at the three foot drop offs near most flats in the sound. Also, look for Redfish around the deeper docks and in the canals. Redfish, Trout, Sheepshead and the occasional Spanish Mackerel are all being caught at the causeway and near the bridges. Live shrimp is the bait of choice for the Redfish, Trout and Sheepshead. But Gulp! shrimp has been working on the Redfish.
NEAR SHORE – GULF
The fronts keep coming and the surf stays up! While we have had some beautiful spring days here and there it has continued to be blustery most days. The good news is the fish have moved in close with all this weather. Kings are leading the way this week with many being caught by Cobia fisherman trolling stretch 25’s and 30’s as they sight fish near the beach. The Cobia bite has remained strong all week and should remain strong as the water begins to clear. The average fish right now is in the 40# range with jigs taking most of the fish. Live eels are still the go to bait for the finicky fish that won’t eat anything else. Large schools of Jack Crevalle have invaded the beach this week too. They are fun to catch on light tackle. They are not finicky and will readily take just about anything offered live or artificial.
OFFSHORE – GULF
Red Snapper are so thick right now it is hard to get bait past them to the Grouper. I believe if the current regulations stay in place we will see the average Red Snapper in our area increase to double digits. Look for the larger Grouper to be in 100 plus feet of water. Live Pinfish, Ruby Redlips and large Sand Perch are the go to live baits. Grouper are also being caught on bucktail jigs tipped with cigar minnows or squid. If you are looking to fill up a cooler quickly downsize your tackle and cut up some squid and target the Triggers, Vermillion and Red Porgies that have moved in over the shallow reefs in 60 to 80 feet of water. Further offshore the Black fin tuna bite has been strong at the rigs, especially at night after the moon comes up. The Yellowfin tuna on the other hand has been a little slow with most fish being caught at sundown near the deeper rigs on live bait.
Fresh Water
Great Shellcracker/Bluegill action happening as floodwaters subsides. Live crickets or wigglers fished outside of structure is working great.
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.
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