Report for 12-27-2007 Salt WaterPANAMA CITY OFFSHORE AND BAYS
Snapper season is 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.
Grouper are being caught in shallower water. Scamp are being caught within 5 miles of the beach. 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.
Team Half Hitch employees:Capt. Dan, Tanya, Gary, and Jay showing off their Bull Reds. Fish caught on Perfect Cast Charters, (850) 227-5149.
ST ANDREWS BAY SYSTEM
ST ANDREWS BAY SYSTEM
Silver Trout are being caught in large numbers under the Hathaway and Tyndall bridges. Use live shrimp on the bottom for best results.
The Flounder bite has been great. Best reports are coming from close to shore structures in up to 75 feet of water. Also, try Deep Water Point in St. Andrews 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 intercostals 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, Pinfish and Cut Bait are working well.
The Flounder bite has been great. Best reports are coming from close to shore structures in up to 75 feet of water. Also, try Deep Water Point in St. Andrews 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 intercostals 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, Pinfish and Cut Bait are working well.
DESTIN
On the piers the best action is still on the Pensacola Gulf Beach Pier where there has been a few good Bonito runs, some Flounder and Sharks. On the Okaloosa Pier there have been a occasional Bonito and some Flounder.
Out at the jetties there are a few Sheepshead and a occasional Red Fish. Some reports of a few Black Drum and an occasional Grouper.
In the bay we have heard of Grouper on the bay wrecks and Reds trolling in the channel that surrounds Crab Island and the Destin Bridge. In the Fort Walton bayous there are a few Trout and Sheepshead around most bridges. Also up near the river mouths we have heard of a few Stripers.
Out in the gulf there are Flounder on most of the near shore wrecks. In 60-100 foot of water you can find some Triggers and White Snapper. Most of the Grouper and Amberjack are in water 160-400 foot deep and biting on butterfly jigs and Pinfish.
Out at the jetties there are a few Sheepshead and a occasional Red Fish. Some reports of a few Black Drum and an occasional Grouper.
In the bay we have heard of Grouper on the bay wrecks and Reds trolling in the channel that surrounds Crab Island and the Destin Bridge. In the Fort Walton bayous there are a few Trout and Sheepshead around most bridges. Also up near the river mouths we have heard of a few Stripers.
Out in the gulf there are Flounder on most of the near shore wrecks. In 60-100 foot of water you can find some Triggers and White Snapper. Most of the Grouper and Amberjack are in water 160-400 foot deep and biting on butterfly jigs and Pinfish.
A Yellowfin Tuna and a catch of Amberjack
If you are wiling to travel to the rigs they are getting the Yellowfin Tuna when the weather is right along with lots of Blackfin Tuna.
If you are wiling to travel to the rigs they are getting the Yellowfin Tuna when the weather is right along with lots of Blackfin Tuna.
NAVARRE
Offshore: The Head Boat "The Swoop" is reporting catches of Amico Jacks, Grouper and Mingo's. They have also had plenty of action on Red Snapper, but keep in mind that the season is closed. Take advantage of the days that have a light wind and calm seas.
Inshore: We have had some reports of anglers catching Redfish and White Trout around the Garcon Point bridge. They are drifting live Bull Minnows and live Shrimp on the bottom around the bridge channel and around the deeper pilings in twenty to twenty five feet of water.
Sheepshead and Redfish are being caught around structures in the sound and Pensacola Bay. The Three Mile bridge is holding White Trout, Sheepshead and some Redfish. Anglers are using live Bull Minnows, live Shrimp and 1/2oz jigs tipped with shrimp. Color does not seem to be important.
Half Hitch Tackle
Inshore: We have had some reports of anglers catching Redfish and White Trout around the Garcon Point bridge. They are drifting live Bull Minnows and live Shrimp on the bottom around the bridge channel and around the deeper pilings in twenty to twenty five feet of water.
Sheepshead and Redfish are being caught around structures in the sound and Pensacola Bay. The Three Mile bridge is holding White Trout, Sheepshead and some Redfish. Anglers are using live Bull Minnows, live Shrimp and 1/2oz jigs tipped with shrimp. Color does not seem to be important.
Half Hitch Tackle
850-234-2621
2206 Thomas Dr
Panama City, Fl 32408
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.
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.
