Panhandle Fishing Report 11-12-09

Report for 11/12/2009 Salt Water


MEXICO BEACH/PORT ST JOE OFFSHORE
The weather is a vast improvement over last weeks & the rough seas are lying down considerably. The grouper bite is improving with the more favorable weather conditions & again this week the reports indicate deeper water for the best catches. Of course, live bait is going to be your best bet & following that are jigs. Braid Slammers & the Shimano Butterfly jigs are doing the job. If you are using traditional styled jigs try tipping them with squid.

ST JOSEPH BAY
You can catch all the trout you like this week. Reports say that they are plentiful & hungry too. Throughout the bay, both trout & redfish are feeding & it should not be too difficult at all to catch your limit. Overall, live shrimp is the ticket. Longer cooler nights are finally putting the redfish into a predictable pattern. Fish the falling tides if you are in the bay. Try to station yourself along channels & the mouths of creeks & bayous as the current begins to flow out. Do not forget to try the intercoastal waterway. Sheepshead, as well as trout & redfish are congregating from the mouth of the ICW beneath the Tapper Bridge all the way up to the T. Again live shrimp is the way to go.

PANAMA CITY OFFSHORE AND BAYS
Flounder are all over the inshore wrecks in large numbers right now. Use live bull minnows or pilchards on a Carolina rig & target the edges of the wrecks. Redfish are starting to move offshore, some are being caught along the beach & in the pass. Amberjack are closed in Federal waters Oct. 24 through the end of the year, state waters are still open, & remember the new 30” length limit. The King Mackerel are still biting very well, look for water temps around 70 degrees or higher, coastal water temps are cooling off & pushing them out. Grouper are being found well offshore from 20+ miles out, best bet is to use large live baits. Wahoo are still being caught from 20-40 miles out. Hi speed trollers, like the Yo Zuri Bonita & Marlin Man, are a sure bet.

ST. ANDREWS BAY SYSTEM
The White Trout bite is in full swing. They can be found in deep water under the Hathaway & Tyndall Bridges. Use live shrimp on a Carolina rig for best results. The Redfish action is heating up on the flats in East & West Bays. Slowly & quietly drift the flats in 3’ or less water using a ½ ounce Gold Spoon or your favorite Top-water Plug. The Bull Reds are still being caught with live shrimp & pinfish around the jetties. Speckled Trout are biting well on the flats in 3 to 5 feet of water with top-water lures early morning & live shrimp or Gulp under a popping cork later in the day. Larger Trout are being caught free-lining live LY’s. Mangrove Snappers are very plentiful under the bridges & at the jetties. Use live shrimp. Flounder can still be found making their way towards the pass, fish slowly along sandy patches in the grass & drop offs with Bull Minnows or artificial grubs on a jig head.

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.