Report for 11-01-07Salt Water
MEXICO BEACH AND OFFSHORE
MEXICO BEACH AND OFFSHORE
Our local charter captains reported nice Grouper catches in 150’ of water and over the hard bottoms off Cape San Blas. Big cuts of Bonita or whole Northern Mackerel are working well on 80lb fluorocarbon with 10/0 size circle hooks on a Carolina rig. Jigging these areas is working also. Some decent Amberjack are around the deeper wrecks hitting jigs too. Spanish Mackerel and Bluefish schools are reported along the shoreline again this week.
ST JOSEPH BAY
ST JOSEPH BAY
Good Trout catches on the flats throughout the bay and increasing numbers reported daily in the intercostals from the “tee” to the White City Bridge. In the bay try, topwater plugs like the 5M series Mirrolure or the very shallow running Yozuri SS minnows. Berkley Gulp and live shrimp account for the most catches in the intercostals canal and beyond. Redfish are also along the deeper pockets of water. The Whiting bite continues along our beaches with the most activity off Mexico Beach. There are spotty reports of Pompano and Redfish being caught along the shore of Mexico Beach as well. In both cases, anglers are using cut bait and live shrimp.
DESTIN
DESTIN
Destin Fishing Rodeo ends with a bang! On the last and final day of the 2007 Destin Fishing 
Rodeo Kelly Winds and the Sunrise finished things off right. The Sunrise was the last boat in line Wednesday night and was to be the final weigh-in of the Rodeo. To everyone’s amazement he had two huge Amberjacks. The two Amberjacks took the lead in both the Ladies and the Overall Amberjack divisions. The ladies fish was 44lb and the overall was 76lbs.
On Tuesday the Perfect Shot took the lead in the King Mackerel division with a 42lb King. They also caught 3 Kings over 30lbs the previous Saturday.
All in all, the weather played many tricks on us during the entire month of October, but the boats and their passengers endured many rough days to make this a very successful Rodeo.
The Grouper bite stayed good the entire month and some monster Snapper were caught.
Inshore the Flounder bite has gotten really good and we finally have a good supply of Bull Minnows. Also for the Flounder the Berkley Gulp Alive minnows have been awesome on the Flounder and coming close to if not more effective than the live Bull Minnows. Reds have been good to very good on the outgoing tide most days around the pass and the bridge. Best baits are live Pinfish and spoons.
In the surf the Pompano bite has turned on good. One angler has been at the docks the last 3 days and had catches of 4, 3, and 3 all in a row. Reports of Sharks and Blues have also been coming from the surf.
Out on the pier there have been a couple Kings, a few Pompano and Reds this week. They have also gotten a few good Flounder and a couple Bonito.
Offshore there have still been Wahoo and Dolphin all week and some very good catches of Black Fin Tuna about 20 to 25 miles out. I think we still have 2 and maybe 4 more real good weeks of offshore fishing unless we have a major change in the weather.
PANAMA CITY OFFSHORE AND BAYS
Rodeo Kelly Winds and the Sunrise finished things off right. The Sunrise was the last boat in line Wednesday night and was to be the final weigh-in of the Rodeo. To everyone’s amazement he had two huge Amberjacks. The two Amberjacks took the lead in both the Ladies and the Overall Amberjack divisions. The ladies fish was 44lb and the overall was 76lbs.On Tuesday the Perfect Shot took the lead in the King Mackerel division with a 42lb King. They also caught 3 Kings over 30lbs the previous Saturday.
All in all, the weather played many tricks on us during the entire month of October, but the boats and their passengers endured many rough days to make this a very successful Rodeo.
The Grouper bite stayed good the entire month and some monster Snapper were caught.
Inshore the Flounder bite has gotten really good and we finally have a good supply of Bull Minnows. Also for the Flounder the Berkley Gulp Alive minnows have been awesome on the Flounder and coming close to if not more effective than the live Bull Minnows. Reds have been good to very good on the outgoing tide most days around the pass and the bridge. Best baits are live Pinfish and spoons.
In the surf the Pompano bite has turned on good. One angler has been at the docks the last 3 days and had catches of 4, 3, and 3 all in a row. Reports of Sharks and Blues have also been coming from the surf.
Out on the pier there have been a couple Kings, a few Pompano and Reds this week. They have also gotten a few good Flounder and a couple Bonito.
Offshore there have still been Wahoo and Dolphin all week and some very good catches of Black Fin Tuna about 20 to 25 miles out. I think we still have 2 and maybe 4 more real good weeks of offshore fishing unless we have a major change in the weather.
PANAMA CITY OFFSHORE AND BAYS
The red tide has completely vacated our area.
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.
The King Mackerel bite is still slow. Small Kings are being caught around inshore 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 oz.s 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.
Amberjacks 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 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
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.
The King Mackerel bite is still slow. Small Kings are being caught around inshore 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 oz.s 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.Amberjacks 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 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 Shantey 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 Berkley 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 top water plugs close to the shoreline. When the sun gets up, throw a Rebel Jointed Minnow in Gold or Silver.
Bull Reds have moved into the pass in numbers. Gulp, Gold Spoons, Live Shrimp, LY’s, Bull Minnows, Pinfish and Cut Bait are working well. Reports of lots of Reds still working the flats in both the West and East Bays.
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 Shantey 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 Berkley 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 top water plugs close to the shoreline. When the sun gets up, throw a Rebel Jointed Minnow in Gold or Silver.
Bull Reds have moved into the pass in numbers. Gulp, Gold Spoons, Live Shrimp, LY’s, Bull Minnows, Pinfish and Cut Bait are working well. Reports of lots of Reds still working the flats in both the West and East Bays.
DAN RUSSEL PIER
The pier tackle shop and snack bar is now closed. The city has opened the gate for free admission until demolition of the pier begins. Currently demolition is scheduled to begin the middle of December.
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.
Fresh Water
Cooler temperatures are signaling Bass to move from summer patterns into winter patterns. This means that Black Bass will begin to gather into small schools and move into shallower water. Typically, they will feed on nearly anything, but the main forage fish will be Shad. Perceptive anglers will be on the water early searching for surface activity. If you hear or see the signs of Shad, flipping on the surface, you will often find schools of Bass very near by. The trick is to pay closer attention to where you hook up and pay less attention to fighting the fish. Often an angler will find a school of Bass and while fighting a fish drift away from the schools location, and not be able to relocate them. It pays to mark your position when you hook up.
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.
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.
Fresh Water
Cooler temperatures are signaling Bass to move from summer patterns into winter patterns. This means that Black Bass will begin to gather into small schools and move into shallower water. Typically, they will feed on nearly anything, but the main forage fish will be Shad. Perceptive anglers will be on the water early searching for surface activity. If you hear or see the signs of Shad, flipping on the surface, you will often find schools of Bass very near by. The trick is to pay closer attention to where you hook up and pay less attention to fighting the fish. Often an angler will find a school of Bass and while fighting a fish drift away from the schools location, and not be able to relocate them. It pays to mark your position when you hook up.
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.
