Saturday, April 09, 2011

Panhandle Fishing Report 4-9-2011

Report for 04/01/11

Salt Water


PORT ST JOE OFFSHORE AND INSHORE

The Spanish mackerel have arrived in greater numbers this week and have become the leading bite along the coast from Crooked Island to East Point. Anglers are having great success trolling the bays, channels and the beaches.

The cobia' have shown up in good numbers all along our coast. Reports of catches range from the buoy line off Mexico Beach to Crooked Island and along the Cape San Blas peninsula. Anglers report spotting several cobia in the vicinity of cape shoals.

The Pompano numbers are increasing as the spring run heats up and can be caught in good numbers from the surf along Cape San Blas.

PANAMA CITY OFFSHORE AND INSHORE

Grouper opens today in state waters (within nine miles of the coast). So set those traps and wipe the dust off your lucky bottom fishing rig, it is time to plan a trip offshore. While you are out there be sure to have what you will need to target Amberjack, Trigger fish Bee liners, even King mackerel, because different techniques are required for best results. Be aware of what may swim up to the boat while bottom fishing because it is not uncommon to have a curious Cobia come up to see what all the commotion is about. The Cobia are definitely still a hot topic inshore, several tournaments are scheduled, and there have been some very nice catches both from boat and pier. Jigs are working well especially if you tip it with something to give a scent trail. If they don't give chase to your favorite jig, maybe a nice sized live bait will coax them into eating.

ST. ANDREWS BAY SYSTEM

Boat loads of Spanish mackerel, and Bluefish to occupy your day on the bay. This would be a good time to take the kids out, plenty of action to hold their interest. Good Trout and Redfish populations working in the grass flats and around docks. Live shrimp will definitely get their attention. Some nice Flounder have been found dragging a grub around some of the rip rap along the seawalls, and along the edges of the grass. Sheep head are out in good numbers feeding around just about anything that has barnacles, especially the pass and around your local bridges. If you can't get a bite out there right now, you don't have a bait on!

PANAMA CITY BEACH SURF & PIER

King mackerel have made their slightly early presence known with a few rather large catches from the local piers. Spanish mackerel, Bluefish, Sheep head, Redfish and Pompano are feeding around the piers and in the surf. If you have not yet planned a trip to wet a line you are missing out. We must not forget to mention the big brown brute (Cobia). Get yourself some good polarized sunglasses and keep your eyes peeled. They are definitely on the spring run to their spawning grounds. They require some hefty tackle choices so if you do not know how to target them be sure to ask someone who does or you will be out gunned in short order!

SOME PICTURES FROM THIS WEEKS CATCH
   

Half Hitch - Panama City employee Mike with a Black Drum
   

Captain Jeff Moorman & Captain Kyle Pitts with a couple of nice Cobia

DESTIN

What a great week to really get the spring fishing going, Spanish, Spanish, everywhere Spanish. Whether you are trolling the pass or out along the sand bar straw rigs and spoons are doing great. Casting Gotcha lures from the jetties, pier or surf is producing fish for shore bound anglers.

Cobia have arrived in good numbers, and as for size the largest of the week was caught from the pier, it was just over 90lbs.

Bottom fishing is good for amberjack, mingo, snapper, and triggerfish. April 1st also marks the reopening date of grouper in state waters out to 9 miles.

Surf fishing for pompano has been very good especially just east of the eastern most jetty.

In the bay, good numbers of reds and trout on Mann's Hard Nose Mullet.

NAVARRE

PIER

The fishing has been very good on the Navarre Pier this week. The Spanish Mackerel are being caught with the tried and true Gotcha plugs. Although other bright silver spoons will work if they are retrieved extremely fast. Don’t forget your leader! The Whiting bite has been steady for the last couple of weeks, but I expect this to slow down as the water temp climbs. Live shrimp fished on a fish finder rig is a good way to catch them. Sheepshead are there too, try small live shrimp or fiddler crabs. Redfish and Black Drum are also being caught. They are not too particular this time of year, but cut mullet is hard to beat. There have been a few Cobia sighted and caught. The fishing for these gamesters should continue to improve as we head into April. The King Mackerel shouldn’t be too far behind. I have had some reports of some cigar minnows and speedos starting to show up. Always a good sign!

SURF

The action on the beach remains consistent. I have had good reports of the Pompano bite starting to pick up. Best baits remain live sand fleas with live or fresh dead shrimp coming in at a close second choice. Redfish, Bluefish and some Spanish Mackerel have been caught. Redfish will hit the sand fleas and shrimp. The Blues and Spanish prefer small silver spoons or Gotcha plugs traveling at high speed. Be sure to use a heavy mono leader in the 50# range or light 27# wire. Fishing should get better each week as the water temp increases.

SOUND AND BAYS

As the water temperature warms more Trout will continue to stay on the grass flats. I have heard the trout have still been on the small side on the flats this week. Bigger fish have been caught around the canal mouths and rock piles throughout the sound and bays. Don’t overlook fishing the drop off edges in the sound and bays. Live shrimp fished with a popping cork will produce on the flats. Live shrimp on a split shot cast around the structure will yield good results. Redfish can be found cruising the grass flats and stacked up on deep water docks and pilings. Johnson Silver Minnows in gold in ¼ and ½ oz sizes score well. Don’t overlook the top water baits, Gulp!, Mirro Lures, Yozuri's and soft plastic baits for both species.

NEAR SHORE – GULF

Red Snapper are everywhere! Live pinfish and frozen cigar minnows will catch them. Jigging the Shimano and Williamson jigs are also very productive. The season is still closed so make sure you throw them back. Trolling for Spanish Mackerel should only get better. The King Mackerel will show up a little later this month. Try trolling some Mann’s Stretch 25 or 30 baits, Yozuri and Rapala swim baits will work too. The oversized Redfish will hit them along with Cobia and big Jack Crevalle. The Black Fin and Yellowfin Tuna bite at the rigs has been very good. Butterfly jigs have been producing well. Most fish have been caught in the 60 to 100 foot depths. There have been some Amberjack caught at wrecks in the 300 foot depths. Most have been really nice fish. Jigs and live bait have been producing well.

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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