Panhandle Fishing Report 7-4-08

Report for 07/04/2008

Salt Water

MEXICO BEACH/PORT ST JOE OFFSHORE
The snapper bite is hot on near and offshore structure. The Grouper bite has also been great, but for good numbers you need to head out to at least 150 foot of water. Reports have the best numbers at 25-40 miles out, just look for bottom structure and you cannot go wrong.

Live bait is plentiful and will continue to be easy to catch at the buoys and over wrecks and reefs close in. The Mahi-Mahi bite reports have been patchy, but reports have put them 20 to 40 miles out. Look for the weed lines and troll small Boone jet baits or ballyhoo until you find a school and keep the first dolphin in the water to attract the others to the boat, then toss jigs or cut bait.

The King Mackerel bite has really turned on with large numbers reported around local structures like the Virginia reef and car bodies. Look for bait schools around the bottom structure and along the buoy line. Your best bet is trolling dusters and flat lining over structure where bait is holding.

ST JOSEPH BAY
The scallop report is poor these first few days of the season. Reports say they are small and few. Your best bet will be in the head of the bay behind Black’s Island.

For trout, this week will be along the St. Joe side of the bay across from the hospital. Redfish numbers have been good this past week and fishing at first light is going to be most productive. Choice spots are around Black’s island and in the channel by Pigs bayou.

The Flounder bite is still strong with good numbers caught on a daily basis. The best spots are still George C. Tapper Bridge, or the PSJ marina. The number one rig is a Bull minnow Carolina rigged with a size 1 circle hook using fluorocarbon leader material and a 1 oz or smaller egg weight.

PANAMA CITY OFFSHORE AND BAYS
Wahoo have started to show up in better numbers lately. Most fish are being caught from 30 miles and further offshore. Look for weed lines or large clumps. High speed trollers are working well, as well as ballyhoo and large live baits.

Tarpon are running the beaches in schools. These fish are very wary and will spook easily. Get in front of the school or anchor and wait for the schools to come to you. Be very quiet and pitch live baits ahead of the lead fish.

Chicken Dolphin are all over the place offshore. Tons of weed lines and clumps are present from 3 miles out. Small jigs, spoons and cut bait work well.

King Mackerel are plentiful offshore and near shore. Trolling has picked up while most of the fish are being caught free-lining live baits.

ST. ANDREWS BAY SYSTEM
Trout are all over deep grass beds in all of the bays. Grubs and top water plugs will yield the most strikes.

Redfish are being caught all over the bay systems. 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.

Bluefish, Spanish and Ladyfish are plentiful on all of the major points around St. Andrews Bay, the Middle Grounds, and Camel Back Shoals.

Fresh Water
The bass have moved out into deep holes and around the mouth of channels. Your best bet is deep diving crank baits. The Shell cracker and Bluegill bite is going strong this summer. Bottom fishing in 3-4 ft. with a wiggler is producing good numbers. In the after noon, try the zoom brush hog in 6 to 8 foot of water.

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.