Report for 10/11/2010
Salt Water
PORT ST JOE OFFSHORE AND INSHORE
The King mackerel bite is great this week several anglers reported a full bag limit of nice kings. Reports say the catches were not typically over or even near wrecks but in open water areas. The key to locating these fish was scanning the water for working schools of baitfish disturbing the surface and of course, diving birds. Further offshore, Dolphin and Wahoo have been drilling high speed trolling lures.
Flounder are running throughout St Joe Bay and its surrounds. Shore fishermen are enjoying the cooler weather and the flounder are too. Redfish catches remain sporadic, but again this week many slot size reds were caught on live baits like finger mullet and LYs. Trout seem to be restless, early morning is still your best bet, but with cooler temperatures we may see their migration into the creeks bayous and canals sooner than usual.
Beef up your leader system this time of year, the bluefish are devouring everything presented to them and so are the Spanish mackerels. Lastly, we are beginning to see an increase of pompano catches along our beaches and a welcome change in action from whiting catfish and small sharks.
PANAMA CITY OFFSHORE AND INSHORE
The Red Snapper season we have been waiting for is here (Oct. 1st thru Nov. 21st on Friday Saturday and Sunday only). Lots of Red snapper are hitting the docks, good sized ones too! There are plenty of Bonita, Hard tails and King mackerel running along the second sand bar, or following large schools of bait. Some nice Wahoo and Bull Dolphin catches coming in from out in the blue water. Some days that is closer in than others but generally around 20 to 30 miles out. Gag grouper are biting well, and larger baits are yielding larger fish. They will come out of their hole for a red lipped grunt or a butterflied hard tail. Trigger fish are a good bet where you find grouper and squid works well for them, remember the new limit on them, 14” now not 12”.
ST. ANDREWS BAY SYSTEM
Flounder are showing up at the dinner table more and more, and these cooler temperatures will get them moving even better. They like rocky areas and a mix of grass and sand. Trout are a good bet up in the grass early and hiding behind a drop off during a falling tide later in the day. Drift a bait , live or artificial under a popping cork in the grassy areas, or flip a bait upstream of the drop off and wait for it to drift and sink down to where they are hiding. Reds are feeding on finger mullet and LY’s and are not as interested in much else, so your best bet is to cast net some of what they are after and offer it up. I am not saying they won’t hit something else but they will jump on a finger mullet or LY. Still plenty of Spanish mackerel to be found, good sized ones too. They will of course hit a Gotcha plug or spoon as well as live bait. Either use heavy mono (50lb) or wire to prevent losing your plug or hook.
PANAMA CITY BEACH SURF & PIER
Lots of large Spanish mackerel, Ladys and Bluefish feeding on LY’s around the pier. Some King mackerel are getting caught just about everyday. The water has had a little algae these days but nothing extreme. No reports of Flounder or Sheephead yet but it should not be long, a few more of these cooler nights should do it. Pompano are starting to show up in the surf but not the fall run we are looking for yet. While prospecting for the first scouts of Pompano, some nice catches of Whiting have been had so it’s not a waste of time. Current water temp is around 83 degrees at the beach and it is dropping slowly each night.
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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