Report for 06/22/2007 Salt Water
DESTIN - This is an exciting week here in Destin, Most everyone is getting ready for the Emerald Coast Billfish Classis. Offshore fishing is really hot so the tournament should be great. The weather looks good for the weekend and the fishing is good from the nipple and out. Plenty of dolphin, wahoo and blue marlin, even a few sails and white marlin are showing up. We have a good supple of all the offshore baits, ballyhoo, mullet both split tailed and deboned and both ate wedged headed and we also have Spanish. For the bottom fisherman snapper on butterfly jigs in 60 to 150 ft water and grouper and amberjack in water 160-300 ft. Kings are hot all over the nearshore reefs. The Island Pier have been awsom again this week for kings, bonito, hardtails and bait. The surf is pretty slow with all the seaweed right now but that should clear our in a few weeks. Right now theay are getting a few ladyfish, hardtails and sharks. Back in the bay the reds are good close to the bridges but the trout have moved close to the rivers much like winter with the lack of rain. The bay is so salty they have moved into and around the rivers looking for lower salinity Tim Broom
MEXICO BEACH/PORT ST JOE OFFSHORE - The King Mackerel bite is on and should remain steady for some time barring major weather disturbances. Trolling duster rigs and Drone Spoons (down-rigged) is working. You can catch them off the channel buoys to east beach and around the cape shoals area. Drift fishing near and around wrecks with live hard-tails have produced some super kings in the thirty-pound range. There were several reports of Wahoo caught at 30-50 mile range, trolling panhandlers during the Big Bend tournament. Half Hitch Tackle
ST JOSEPH BAY - Preliminary scallop reports indicate a good harvest this season. The trout bite is in full on. Gator trout are primarily in the head of the bay, but fish are widespread and nearly anywhere will result in some great catches. Redfish numbers are good this week and early morning top water fishing is fantastic. Live shrimp are working well and for artificial, try a Capt Mikes spoon. Fish the flats from Pig Island all the way to pompano point and you should be able to catch nice redfish and trout on top water lures like the Mirrolure top dog juniors. Of course, you can never go wrong with the traditional live LY and/or live shrimp under a Cajun thunder float. The Spanish mackerel bite is still very good and their size has improved as the season progresses. Spanish, four pounds and larger are reported daily. Half Hitch Tackle
Fresh Water - Now the water has warmed the bass have moved out into deep holes and around the mouth of channels. Your best beat is deep diving crank baits. Shell cracker and Bluegill bite is going strong this summer. Bottom fishing in 3-4 ft. with a wiggler is producing good numbers. In the afternoon, try the zoom brush hog in 6 to 8 foot of water. Half Hitch Tackle
For more information contact;
Half Hitch Tackle
850-234-2621
2206 Thomas Dr
Panama City, FL 32408
www.halfhitch.com/
