Report for 11-15-2007
Salt Water
MEXICO BEACH/PORT ST JOE OFFSHORE
MEXICO BEACH/PORT ST JOE OFFSHORE
Not many reports from offshore this week. The last report we received had the Grouper moving in closer than in previous weeks around the hundred foot depths. Big cuts of Bonita and butter flied whole- Northern Mackerel were the baits used.
The Amberjack are still around the deeper wrecks hitting jigs such as the AJ glow jig or cigar minnows.
ST JOSEPH BAY
The Amberjack are still around the deeper wrecks hitting jigs such as the AJ glow jig or cigar minnows.
ST JOSEPH BAY
The Gulf canal fishing is turning on. Anglers report limits of Trout and Black Drum, along with Flounder and Croaker. The majority of anglers used live shrimp on a jig head or live shrimp rigged Carolina style.
In St. Joseph’s Bay, some Trout were caught at the Port St. Joe Marina using live shrimp. The bite at the marina is mainly early morning or late afternoon.
With the water temperature dropping, more reports of fish moving into the bayous are coming in.
NAVARRE
In St. Joseph’s Bay, some Trout were caught at the Port St. Joe Marina using live shrimp. The bite at the marina is mainly early morning or late afternoon.
With the water temperature dropping, more reports of fish moving into the bayous are coming in.
NAVARRE
Fishing has been good with nice catches of Pompano, Redfish, Trout, and the occasional Flounder. The Pompano are being caught both in the surf at Navarre Beach and under the Navarre bridge. I do realize that Pompano in the intercostals is strange but too many are being caught to dismiss the idea.
Bull Reds are being caught in Pensacola Pass trolling Stretch 25's and Yo-Zuri Hydro series lures. Speckled trout seem to be spread out with catches being reported in both the intercostals and back bay areas. Live shrimp seem to be the ticket, but the Reds will always hit Gold Spoons so have them along when you plan your trip.
White Trout are around all the local bridges so fish live or fresh dead shrimp on the bottom around these structures and have some fun.
PANAMA CITY OFFSHORE AND BAYS
Bull Reds are being caught in Pensacola Pass trolling Stretch 25's and Yo-Zuri Hydro series lures. Speckled trout seem to be spread out with catches being reported in both the intercostals and back bay areas. Live shrimp seem to be the ticket, but the Reds will always hit Gold Spoons so have them along when you plan your trip.
White Trout are around all the local bridges so fish live or fresh dead shrimp on the bottom around these structures and have some fun.
PANAMA CITY OFFSHORE AND BAYS
Snapper season is now closed. For catch and release of these fish, try to stay in 60 feet of water or less to help insure a better mortality rate.
King Mackerel can be caught on 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.
Grouper are being caught in shallower water. Lots of Red Grouper can be caught within 10 miles 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.
Ladyfish, Bluefish and Bonita 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
King Mackerel can be caught on 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.
Grouper are being caught in shallower water. Lots of Red Grouper can be caught within 10 miles 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.
Ladyfish, Bluefish and Bonita 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
Schools of Bonita are moving through the pass in large numbers. They will hit Spoons, Gotchas, Bubble rigs and free-lined minnows.
Mangrove Snappers are all over the jetties right now. They are easy to catch and great to eat. Use live shrimp with light weight and small hooks for best results.
The Flounder bite is really picking up. Try the deep channel leading into the Spanish Shante in St. Andrews Bay and Deep Water Point in the state park. Use a Carolina rig with live Bull Minnows for the best results. For artificial bait fishermen, use a 3/8 oz. jig with Gulp Curl Tail Minnows in a variety of colors.
The Trout bite is very good as many have started to move into the creeks, marinas, and intercoastal waterway. The cooler water temperatures will push these fish into deep holes in these areas. Not much is better than live shrimp worked slowly on the bottom with a jighead or Carolina rig.
Bull Reds have moved into the pass in numbers. Gulp, Gold Spoons, Live Shrimp, LY’s, Bull Minnows, Pin Fish and Cut Bait are working well. There are a lot of reds still working the flats in both the West and East Bays.
Fresh Water
This week we received a single report of a striper/hybrid bass catch. Where there is one there are others, and this single report may be the indicator of stripers beginning their fall migration. Stripers can be caught using silver grubs or live shrimp on a jig head. These fish are best caught on an incoming tide and behind structure.
Mangrove Snappers are all over the jetties right now. They are easy to catch and great to eat. Use live shrimp with light weight and small hooks for best results.
The Flounder bite is really picking up. Try the deep channel leading into the Spanish Shante in St. Andrews Bay and Deep Water Point in the state park. Use a Carolina rig with live Bull Minnows for the best results. For artificial bait fishermen, use a 3/8 oz. jig with Gulp Curl Tail Minnows in a variety of colors.
The Trout bite is very good as many have started to move into the creeks, marinas, and intercoastal waterway. The cooler water temperatures will push these fish into deep holes in these areas. Not much is better than live shrimp worked slowly on the bottom with a jighead or Carolina rig.
Bull Reds have moved into the pass in numbers. Gulp, Gold Spoons, Live Shrimp, LY’s, Bull Minnows, Pin Fish and Cut Bait are working well. There are a lot of reds still working the flats in both the West and East Bays.
Fresh Water
This week we received a single report of a striper/hybrid bass catch. Where there is one there are others, and this single report may be the indicator of stripers beginning their fall migration. Stripers can be caught using silver grubs or live shrimp on a jig head. These fish are best caught on an incoming tide and behind structure.
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.
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.
