Report for 10-25-2007
Salt Water
MEXICO BEACH AND OFFSHORERED TIDE UPDATE: Reports of red tide moving about inside St Joseph Bay continue this week. Remember, red tide can show up at nearly anytime or anywhere in salt water. For an up to date report, or to report red tide please give us a call at 227-7100.
The water has been rough offshore, but the boats who did make it out reported good grouper catches in 120’ depths. Big cuts of Bonita for bait is working well with 80lb fluorocarbon and 10/0 size circle hooks. Jigging is producing nice sized fish too.
The natural bottom, South of Cape San Blas is a hot spot right now. Anglers braving the high waves found a few king mackerel hanging around in 100’ of water and can still be caught on flat lines or trolling Mann’s Stretch 25’s and 30’s.
Some decent amberjack are around the deeper wrecks hitting live cigars/pinfish. Big Spanish mackerel and bluefish schools continue to feed along the shoreline.
ST JOSEPH BAY
MEXICO BEACH AND OFFSHORERED TIDE UPDATE: Reports of red tide moving about inside St Joseph Bay continue this week. Remember, red tide can show up at nearly anytime or anywhere in salt water. For an up to date report, or to report red tide please give us a call at 227-7100.
The water has been rough offshore, but the boats who did make it out reported good grouper catches in 120’ depths. Big cuts of Bonita for bait is working well with 80lb fluorocarbon and 10/0 size circle hooks. Jigging is producing nice sized fish too.
The natural bottom, South of Cape San Blas is a hot spot right now. Anglers braving the high waves found a few king mackerel hanging around in 100’ of water and can still be caught on flat lines or trolling Mann’s Stretch 25’s and 30’s.
Some decent amberjack are around the deeper wrecks hitting live cigars/pinfish. Big Spanish mackerel and bluefish schools continue to feed along the shoreline.
ST JOSEPH BAY
Not much change here and with the red tide still around, fishing is hard and you will have to search for the bite. Some trout are moving to the deeper pockets as the waters cool down and a few have been caught inside the St Joe Marina on DOA shrimp and live shrimp. They should start their move into the intercostals soon. Fishing a live shrimp on the bottom with a lightweight on a Carolina rig is a simple straightforward rig to get started.
Blacks Island is a good spot for redfish and trout when the water is clear. Fishing outside the flats with live bait works well.
For artificial baits, you might try a red/white topwater plug in the morning. A few pompano and redfish caught this week along the shore in Mexico Beach. Use a pink pompano jig or fresh shrimp on a surf rig for these species.
DESTIN
Blacks Island is a good spot for redfish and trout when the water is clear. Fishing outside the flats with live bait works well.
For artificial baits, you might try a red/white topwater plug in the morning. A few pompano and redfish caught this week along the shore in Mexico Beach. Use a pink pompano jig or fresh shrimp on a surf rig for these species.
DESTIN
Even though the weather was not the best this week fishing was still good. The Blackfin Tuna bite has been good about 20 miles out on the rocks. The Wahoo and Dolphin also showed early in the week around the nipple.
There have been very good catches of Amberjack and some very nice Snapper at the docks the last few days for the few that braved the seas to run offshore a bit.
This week in the Destin Fishing Rodeo we had a true Black Grouper caught (often called a Carburetor Grouper) and a Speckled Hind locally known as a Kitty Mitchell, (see pictures below).
The trout have finally started to show back up and Tuesday we had a nice 3.8lb trout weighed in. The weekend weather looks fishable and the red tide is dissipating with the cooler nights, this should also turn the kings on.
Everyone is invited to the Halloween Party at the Destin Rodeo Docks on the 31st for the final weigh-in for the rodeo for this year.
There have been very good catches of Amberjack and some very nice Snapper at the docks the last few days for the few that braved the seas to run offshore a bit.
This week in the Destin Fishing Rodeo we had a true Black Grouper caught (often called a Carburetor Grouper) and a Speckled Hind locally known as a Kitty Mitchell, (see pictures below).
The trout have finally started to show back up and Tuesday we had a nice 3.8lb trout weighed in. The weekend weather looks fishable and the red tide is dissipating with the cooler nights, this should also turn the kings on.
Everyone is invited to the Halloween Party at the Destin Rodeo Docks on the 31st for the final weigh-in for the rodeo for this year.
Black Grouper
Speckled Hind
Miss Destin Rodeo with a Mackerel
PANAMA CITY AND OFFSHORE
The red tide seems to be nearly gone. No reports of significant blooms this week.
The King Mackerel bite is still slow. Small Kings are being caught around in-shore reefs. 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 ounces of lead for bigger Kings.
The Grouper bite is good well offshore 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; this 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
The King Mackerel bite is still slow. Small Kings are being caught around in-shore reefs. 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 ounces of lead for bigger Kings.
The Grouper bite is good well offshore 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; this 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
Mangrove Snappers are all over the jetties right now. They are easy to catch and great to eat. Use live shrimp or chub minnows with light weight and small hooks for best results.
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 they 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.
Redfish are biting good again in Grand Lagoon. Gulp, Gold Spoons, Live Shrimp, LY’s, Bull Minnows and Cut Bait are working well. Many more bull reds are starting to move into the pass. Live bull minnows, shrimp and LY’s work best.
DAN RUSSEL PIER
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 they 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.
Redfish are biting good again in Grand Lagoon. Gulp, Gold Spoons, Live Shrimp, LY’s, Bull Minnows and Cut Bait are working well. Many more bull reds are starting to move into the pass. Live bull minnows, shrimp and LY’s work best.
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
The big bluegill bite is on right now. Fish live crickets and wigglers along the drop offs in 5-6 ft of water to catch some nice ones.
DESTIN RODEO REPORT
Fresh Water
The big bluegill bite is on right now. Fish live crickets and wigglers along the drop offs in 5-6 ft of water to catch some nice ones.
DESTIN RODEO REPORT
One customer Bill Conally caught a Blue Marlin this week while his wife ran the boat it was just the two of them and they were 50 miles out on the 100 fathom line 15 miles from the squiggle trolling toward the squiggle. It was the first marlin of any description they had caught. He wired the fish himself and cut the leader after he saw that the fish had swallowed the hook. It was approximately 125 inches long and the calculated weight from the internet at about 350 pounds. They caught the fish on a blue and white islander with a ballyhoo. It took them 2 hours and 20 minutes to land the fish. Can you say MAKO SHARK, well this week in the Destin Rodeo we had the largest fish ever brought to the dock in the 59 year history of the Destin Fishing Rodeo. While we are all about tagging and releasing sharks this one was amazing. To date we have 2 vessels tied with 5 tagged sharks each the Charter Boat Twighlight with Captain Robert Hill had a 844.2 pound Mako. This Mako is the new bench mark for the Destin Fishing Rodeo, to even bring a shark to the dock it has to beat the previous rodeo record which was 339.6 pounds and now the new official record after the Mako was drawn is 638.6 pounds. The Twighlight was grouper fishing when the huge shark started eating the groupers they were catching 70 miles from shore. Then the massive Mako came to the surface. They used a 20 pound amberjack for bait to catch the beast. It took over 30 minutes to catch the shark and even with the help of 10 men they could not get the fish in the boat. They eventually ended up tying the fish to the boat and dragging it to the dock. Once at the Destin Fishing Rodeo dock, it took over 30 minutes and a block and tackle to get the giant Mako from the water and onto the dock to be weighed. As for what is happening with the fish for those concerned that such a magnificent fish was killed; the Mako is an excellent eating fish and it was cleaned at the Fleet Marina Docks. The patrons, captain and crew divided up much of the fish for them selves. They also gave some to the dock helpers for there friends and family and the rest was donated to a local fish market for distribution to those in need. Lastly the angler is having the head mounted for his house.
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.
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.
Half Hitch Tackle
850-234-2621
2206 Thomas Dr
Panama City, Fl 32408
www.halfhitch.com/
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.
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.
