Report for 08/10/2008
Salt Water
MEXICO BEACH/PORT ST JOE OFFSHORE
Do not forget! Red snapper season closed in federal waters on August 4. Several anglers reported nice catches of scamp in the last week, in water from 180-200’. White snapper and triggerfish are abundant, and mangrove (Black) snapper reports are steady from the car bodies and Air Force tower areas. King mackerel, as of this writing, are biting well west of Indian Pass, around the Air Force tower, and around the car bodies. The Kings should stay as long as the bait fishes are present, so far so good. Live bait slow-trolled works and dusters with cigar minnows are also very effective.
No changes in the Spanish mackerel bite as they continue to be caught trolling Clark spoons and Mackerel trees. Dorado are still with us and a few people found 3-5 lb. chickens around the larger weed beds. Wahoo are still hitting blue/white islanders rigged with ballyhoo starting at 20 miles out. Tarpon are moving east, caught quite regularly from outside Cape San Blas to Bob Sikes Cut, the water between Indian Pass and West Pass have the best reports right now. Live mullet and pogies on a 9/0-10/0 circle hook with 6’ fluorocarbon leader is an effective rig.
ST JOSEPH BAY
The Bay fishing report stays the same this week with the only change coming from an increase in flounder caught in the gulf canal and intercostals waterway on live bull-minnows fished on a Carolina rig along the drop-offs. Scalloping remains good with the easiest and best scallop numbers coming from the flats between Presnell’s Marina and Oak Grove on the east side of the bay. On the west side, try between Blacks Island and Pigs Island in water waist-deep and deeper.
The reports for redfish are coming from Eagle Harbor to Pompano Point. Hit the flats early morning and late afternoon for your best chances at trout and redfish. Try throwing jerk baits and live bait under a Cajun thunder. The Rapala skitterwalker and the Mirrolure Top Dog/Top Dog Jr. have proven effective. Also, try the Yo-zuri or rebel floating lures twitched above the edges of the grass flats.
PANAMA CITY OFFSHORE AND BAYS
Snapper season is closed in Federal waters. The State Snapper season remains open within 9 miles from shore until November 1st.
Wahoo are still biting from 20 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.
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. Live alewives will produce better sized fish, while grubs and topwater plugs will yield the most strikes.
Bluefish, Spanish and Ladyfish are plentiful on all of the major points around St. Andrews Bay, the Middle Grounds, and Camel Back Shoals.
Redfish are spread out over the bay systems. On a high tide, the redfish will be laying up in the flooded Spartina Grass. Top water plugs, weedless jerk baits and gold spoons will take these fish out of the grass.
Fresh Water
No freshwater reports this week.
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.
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