Report for 09/28/2007
Salt Water
MEXICO BEACH/PORT ST JOE OFFSHORE
Get out there, the seas are calm and you do not have to go far to catch snapper and grouper. One of our local anglers caught several keeper Red Snapper while fishing for bait on the number four buoy. Wrecks and reefs within ten miles are holding nice fish due to the water temperature holding at around 78 degrees. Grouper are hitting on live Pinfish and frozen cigar minnows rigged Carolina style. Start a chum line and pull out the light tackle rigged with a Mustad live bait hook and a fluorocarbon leader and just free line your bait down with the chum. Spanish Mackerel and King Mackerel are still hard to predict, but find the baitfish and you will find the kings. Start your search along the buoys 5/6 and head out from there to above the car bodies and over Virginia reef. Live hard tails, slow trolled with dusters/widgets or the same with cigar minnows.
ST JOSEPH BAY
The trout are hitting well and the red fishing has been great. Flounder are still on the sand flats inside the tip of the St Joseph peninsula, right outside the entrance to the Gulf canal on the outgoing tide, or just inside the cut on crooked island are still producing, but expect to bring in a few redfish along the way. There are several reports of some big bull reds caught along the beaches of Mexico Beach. The grass flats between Black’s Island and the fire tower were hot with trout this week also.
DESTIN
Well the Destin Fishing rodeo is upon us and just days away we look forward to some great October fishing. There are several new divisions this year. In the Rodeo there is now a Non-Motorized Division (kayaks, canoes and jon boats), there is the new Extended Voyage Division, blackfin tuna division and lastly the Trash Can Slam Division which has one of the largest cash prizes in the rodeo. The Trashcan Slam has a $1000.00 first place for the larges Sail Cat, Ladyfish and Jack Cravelle caught in the same day total weight. Don't forget you need to register for the rodeo at least 24 hours prior to fishing. Now for the actual fishing report. Kings are back on the move with cooling temps, even though this has been a tough week because of the full moon. Reds all over the bay have been very good and plenty of flounder in the bay for both rod and reel fisherman and those who like to go gigging at night. Also finally hearing of a few trout on the flats and around boat docks. On the pier the are getting blues, reds, Spanish a few pompano and a few kings. Along the surf good numbers of whiting and pompano and quite a few sharks. Out in the gulf the bottom fishing for snapper near shore has been quite good. Lots og amberjack on natural bottom in 185-300 foot water. The wahoo and blackfin tuna have been just south of the Ozark and the south edge this week. A few white marlin near the nipple and just a few reports on the swordfish near the spur.
PANAMA CITY OFFSHORE AND BAYS
Several Spanish Mackeral and Bonita are being caught from just outside the pass to the weather bouy. Look for birds working bait schools and troll dusters tipped with cigar minnows or spoons for good action. The King Mackeral bite is still slow but getting better. A few more have been caught over the hard bottom areas out of Pinnacle Port, while the Box Cars and Fountain Blue are still holding some fish. Better reports are coming from hard bottom areas well offshore. Troll Dusters and free-line live or dead bait for the most action. Try a Stretch 25 or large Drone Spoon with 4-6 oz.s of lead for bigger kings. The Wahoo bite is still good and they are being found in greatest numbers far offshore (50 miles) around the Squiggles and Nipple. High speed trollers like the Panhandler and Yo Zuri Bonita in back and purple colors are working best. Also, try slow trolling rigged ballyhoo or live hard tails. Mahi Mahi are spread out. Lots of chicken dolphin are being caught around many of the offshore wrecks and bigger dolphin are being caught from 25 miles out. Chicken Dolphin can be caught using small hair jigs tipped with shrimp or gulp. The Grouper bite is still good over hard bottom areas. Live bait, whole boston mackerel and jigs(Shimano Butterfly or Williamson) are working well. Jigs with a glow color to them are a sure bet. Amberjack are on many of the inshore wrecks and reefs in good numbers. Try the Bridge Spans for lots of action. The larger fish will be well offshore over hard bottom. Live cigar minnows or pinfish will entice the larger fish, while jigs (Williamson Jig or AJ Jig) will trigger the most bites. Snapper action is still very good. Squid, cigar minnows and chunks of northern mackerel are working well. The bag limit for state waters remains four snapper per person and 16” length, however in federal waters only two snapper per person and 16” length. Federal waters start basically nine miles from land, and is noted on your maps as the Natural resources boundary. Ladyfish, Bluefish and Bar Jacks are everywhere up and down the beaches right now. Throw Pompano Jigs, Gotcha’s and Spoons on light tackle for a lot of fun.
ST ANDREWS BAY SYSTEM
Spanish Mackeral are being caught in great numbers off the jetties. Bubble Rigs seem to be the lure of choice, but spoons and gotchas will also work. Flounder are starting to move and are still being caught on drop-offs in the bays and on the edges of grass flats. Try the deep channel leading into the Spanish Shante in St. Andrews Bay. Use a Carolina rig with live bull minnows for the best results. For artificial bait fishermen, use an 1/8 oz. jig with Gulp Curl Tail Minnows in a variety of colors. The Trout bite is very good and with the cooler weather have been biting throughout the day. Target spotty bottom grass flats in the 1-3 foot range. Big trout can be caught early in the day on topwater plugs close to the shoreline. When the sun gets up, throw a Rebel Jointed Minnow in Gold or Silver. Good reports are coming from Grand Lagoon. Redfish are all over the jetties right now and schools are being seen around the mouth of Grand Lagoon. Gulp, Gold Spoons, Live Shrimp, LY’s, Bull Minnows and Cut Bait are working well. Late in the day, when the tide is rolling out, the reds are coming to the surface. Throw a topwater plug and hold on!
DAN RUSSEL PIER
Spanish mackerel and a few Kings are being caught every day at the pier right now. Sharks, Pompano, Whiting, Blue Fish, and Lady Fish are also being caught. Call 850-233-5080 for the latest pier fishing information.
Fresh Water
APALACHICOLA /WHITE CITY
Reports say the largemouth bite has slowed slightly. Your best bet is fishing buzz baits along the weed lines early in the morning. Switch to jerk baits and spinner baits in the afternoon and back to the buzzes in the evening.
Fishing Report prepared by Half Hitch Tackle Staff.
Salt Water
MEXICO BEACH/PORT ST JOE OFFSHORE
Get out there, the seas are calm and you do not have to go far to catch snapper and grouper. One of our local anglers caught several keeper Red Snapper while fishing for bait on the number four buoy. Wrecks and reefs within ten miles are holding nice fish due to the water temperature holding at around 78 degrees. Grouper are hitting on live Pinfish and frozen cigar minnows rigged Carolina style. Start a chum line and pull out the light tackle rigged with a Mustad live bait hook and a fluorocarbon leader and just free line your bait down with the chum. Spanish Mackerel and King Mackerel are still hard to predict, but find the baitfish and you will find the kings. Start your search along the buoys 5/6 and head out from there to above the car bodies and over Virginia reef. Live hard tails, slow trolled with dusters/widgets or the same with cigar minnows.
ST JOSEPH BAY
The trout are hitting well and the red fishing has been great. Flounder are still on the sand flats inside the tip of the St Joseph peninsula, right outside the entrance to the Gulf canal on the outgoing tide, or just inside the cut on crooked island are still producing, but expect to bring in a few redfish along the way. There are several reports of some big bull reds caught along the beaches of Mexico Beach. The grass flats between Black’s Island and the fire tower were hot with trout this week also.
DESTIN
Well the Destin Fishing rodeo is upon us and just days away we look forward to some great October fishing. There are several new divisions this year. In the Rodeo there is now a Non-Motorized Division (kayaks, canoes and jon boats), there is the new Extended Voyage Division, blackfin tuna division and lastly the Trash Can Slam Division which has one of the largest cash prizes in the rodeo. The Trashcan Slam has a $1000.00 first place for the larges Sail Cat, Ladyfish and Jack Cravelle caught in the same day total weight. Don't forget you need to register for the rodeo at least 24 hours prior to fishing. Now for the actual fishing report. Kings are back on the move with cooling temps, even though this has been a tough week because of the full moon. Reds all over the bay have been very good and plenty of flounder in the bay for both rod and reel fisherman and those who like to go gigging at night. Also finally hearing of a few trout on the flats and around boat docks. On the pier the are getting blues, reds, Spanish a few pompano and a few kings. Along the surf good numbers of whiting and pompano and quite a few sharks. Out in the gulf the bottom fishing for snapper near shore has been quite good. Lots og amberjack on natural bottom in 185-300 foot water. The wahoo and blackfin tuna have been just south of the Ozark and the south edge this week. A few white marlin near the nipple and just a few reports on the swordfish near the spur.
PANAMA CITY OFFSHORE AND BAYS
Several Spanish Mackeral and Bonita are being caught from just outside the pass to the weather bouy. Look for birds working bait schools and troll dusters tipped with cigar minnows or spoons for good action. The King Mackeral bite is still slow but getting better. A few more have been caught over the hard bottom areas out of Pinnacle Port, while the Box Cars and Fountain Blue are still holding some fish. Better reports are coming from hard bottom areas well offshore. Troll Dusters and free-line live or dead bait for the most action. Try a Stretch 25 or large Drone Spoon with 4-6 oz.s of lead for bigger kings. The Wahoo bite is still good and they are being found in greatest numbers far offshore (50 miles) around the Squiggles and Nipple. High speed trollers like the Panhandler and Yo Zuri Bonita in back and purple colors are working best. Also, try slow trolling rigged ballyhoo or live hard tails. Mahi Mahi are spread out. Lots of chicken dolphin are being caught around many of the offshore wrecks and bigger dolphin are being caught from 25 miles out. Chicken Dolphin can be caught using small hair jigs tipped with shrimp or gulp. The Grouper bite is still good over hard bottom areas. Live bait, whole boston mackerel and jigs(Shimano Butterfly or Williamson) are working well. Jigs with a glow color to them are a sure bet. Amberjack are on many of the inshore wrecks and reefs in good numbers. Try the Bridge Spans for lots of action. The larger fish will be well offshore over hard bottom. Live cigar minnows or pinfish will entice the larger fish, while jigs (Williamson Jig or AJ Jig) will trigger the most bites. Snapper action is still very good. Squid, cigar minnows and chunks of northern mackerel are working well. The bag limit for state waters remains four snapper per person and 16” length, however in federal waters only two snapper per person and 16” length. Federal waters start basically nine miles from land, and is noted on your maps as the Natural resources boundary. Ladyfish, Bluefish and Bar Jacks are everywhere up and down the beaches right now. Throw Pompano Jigs, Gotcha’s and Spoons on light tackle for a lot of fun.
ST ANDREWS BAY SYSTEM
Spanish Mackeral are being caught in great numbers off the jetties. Bubble Rigs seem to be the lure of choice, but spoons and gotchas will also work. Flounder are starting to move and are still being caught on drop-offs in the bays and on the edges of grass flats. Try the deep channel leading into the Spanish Shante in St. Andrews Bay. Use a Carolina rig with live bull minnows for the best results. For artificial bait fishermen, use an 1/8 oz. jig with Gulp Curl Tail Minnows in a variety of colors. The Trout bite is very good and with the cooler weather have been biting throughout the day. Target spotty bottom grass flats in the 1-3 foot range. Big trout can be caught early in the day on topwater plugs close to the shoreline. When the sun gets up, throw a Rebel Jointed Minnow in Gold or Silver. Good reports are coming from Grand Lagoon. Redfish are all over the jetties right now and schools are being seen around the mouth of Grand Lagoon. Gulp, Gold Spoons, Live Shrimp, LY’s, Bull Minnows and Cut Bait are working well. Late in the day, when the tide is rolling out, the reds are coming to the surface. Throw a topwater plug and hold on!
DAN RUSSEL PIER
Spanish mackerel and a few Kings are being caught every day at the pier right now. Sharks, Pompano, Whiting, Blue Fish, and Lady Fish are also being caught. Call 850-233-5080 for the latest pier fishing information.
Fresh Water
APALACHICOLA /WHITE CITY
Reports say the largemouth bite has slowed slightly. Your best bet is fishing buzz baits along the weed lines early in the morning. Switch to jerk baits and spinner baits in the afternoon and back to the buzzes in the evening.
Fishing Report prepared by Half Hitch Tackle Staff.
Half Hitch Tackle
850-234-2621
2206 Thomas Dr
Panama City, Fl 32408
www.halfhitch.com/
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.
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.
