Panhandle Fishing Report 5-15-08

Report for 05/15/2008

Salt Water

MEXICO BEACH/PORT ST JOE OFFSHORE
Red snapper bite is good this week in spite of windy conditions and some nice fish were caught when conditions offshore permitted. The strongest bite seems to be around the twenty-mile mark over favorite spots. Small live baits accounted for most catches of Red snapper this week. The grouper bite is strong with many Reds and a few Gag being caught at 30 miles plus. The Spanish are still here and trolling with a mackerel tree and Clark spoon is working great. You can catch them off the buoy line to east beach and around the cape, both the bay and gulf side.

ST JOSEPH BAY
The flounder caught this week came mostly from under the George C. Tapper Bridge and off the oil docks at PSJ marina. Bull minnows Carolina rigged with a size 1 circle hook using fluorocarbon leader material and a 1 oz or smaller egg weight is the bait of choice. The Spanish mackerel caught off the oil dock wall is much improved this week and trolling off the tip of Cape San Blas peninsula will be productive too. Pompano are still with us and the hot spots are still the stump hole at Cape San Blas and along the Beach of St Joseph Park and a few at east beach and Mexico Beach. Most fish are being caught using shrimp on a double hook pompano rig. The trout fishing has picked up with some nice 20” plus fish being caught in 4-6’ water outside the grass flats. A few hot spots are around Black’s island and in the channel by Pigs bayou. Some Redfish schools are working the flats between Eagle harbor and the tip of the cape.

PANAMA CITY OFFSHORE AND BAYS
Chicken Dolphin has shown up in the past week. A good school was found yesterday on a weed line about 6 miles out. Small jigs and spoons work well.

King mackerel are being caught more frequently now. Several are being caught around the Whistle Buoy and many have been seen running the beaches. Most of the fish are being caught free-lining live baits.

The Red snapper bite is still going strong with fish being found in all depths of water. Best baits include chunked Cigar minnows, squid, live shrimp and small pinfish. The boundary line for State Waters is out to 9 miles. Be sure to go outside of 9 miles for your Grouper and AJ’s before catching your snapper limit! FNG will be watching.

The federal snapper season opens June 1st. At that time all boats fishing for reef fish will be required to use a Venting Tool, De-hooker and Non-Stainless Steel Circle Hooks.

Grouper are being caught over hard bottom areas from 7–25 miles out. Live bait and butterflied Spanish mackerel are the best bet.

Amberjack remain plentiful over several of the Bridge Spans with larger fish being caught farther offshore. Live bait, Williamson Jigs, and Butterfly Jigs will bring savage strikes!

Spanish Mackerel are being caught in large numbers. Try the jetties, inside St. Andrews Bay and along the sand bars off the beach.

Ladyfish have moved onto the beaches in droves. For lots of fun and excitement, cast spoons and gotcha plugs for these jumpers.

ST. ANDREWS BAY SYSTEM
Trout are feeding on the flats now. Bayous with nice grass points producing well and target the deeper grass flats with live shrimp under a popping cork for best results.

Redfish are being caught all over the bay systems. Throw a live Shrimp on a light lead head or weightless for best results. On a high tide, the Redfish will be laying up in the flooded Spartina Grass. Weedless jerk baits and gold spoons will take these fish out of the grass.

Pompano are still being taken along the beaches in good numbers. Most fish will be on the inside edge of the first sand bar. Throw a jig tipped with shrimp, sand fleas, or gulp. They are also being caught using frozen sand fleas and shrimp, rigged on a 2 hook leader and pyramid sinker.

Fresh Water
Bluegill fishing is going strong. Crickets and wigglers are doing the best, so say the "Cane-poler" reports.

Half Hitch Tackle
850-234-2621
2206 Thomas Dr
Panama City, Fl 32408
www.halfhitch.com/

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.