Report for 08/29/2008
Salt Water
MEXICO BEACH/PORT ST JOE OFFSHORE The King mackerel fishing is still the main target with a few caught off the buoy line and inshore wrecks on drone spoons and dusters. The bigger schools are at about 18 miles out with the hot spot still being the 30-mile buoy off Cape San Blas. Remember, the MBARA King Mackerel Tournament is re-scheduled for Saturday, September 13 and you can sign up here at Half Hitch Tackle, Port St. Joe location. Reports are sparse from last week due to in climate weather. However, they should pick back up as long as the weather keeps cooperating.
Offshore reports from the squiggles have some nice Wahoo, Dolphin, and Tuna being caught on Blue Islander skirts and Ballyhoo.
ST JOSEPH BAY
The redfish are really coming alive around the grass flats and sand bars with the area between Eagle Harbor and pompano point producing the most the last few days. Anchor up on a sand bar and catch the schooling reds on the outskirts of the thick grass on an outgoing tide.
The trout are mixed in with these schooling redfish. Top water and artificial baits are still catching nice trout and redfish in the early morning and late afternoon. Spanish mackerel are still around the bay in good numbers. A Christmas tree rig is still the best bet.
PANAMA CITY OFFSHORE AND BAYS
Tropical Storm Fay made fishing impossible for most of the week. Yesterday was the first day nice enough to really fish offshore. Therefore, the report has not changed from last week.
The Black Snapper bite has been very good as of late. These fish can be caught over most any of the in-shore wrecks and reefs. The key to catching them is to lighten up. Use 1 or 2 oz’s of lead, light wire 4/0 or 5/0 circle hooks, 30 or 40# fluorocarbon leader and live Cigar Minnows or Herring.
Red 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.
The first picture is Keleigh with a nice redfish. The second picture is Brian Tally and Bryan Knowles with reds, all fish were caught off the jetties.
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.
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.
Bluefish, Spanish and Ladyfish are plentiful on all of the major points around St. Andrews Bay, the Middle Grounds, and Camel Back Shoals.
DESTIN
The pier is getting a few reds, blues, Spanish and hardtails. There we a couple kings and a bonita or two this week also.
The charter boats have been mainly targeting kings and snapper near shore. Offshore they are getting a few grouper and some amberjack. Some Wahoo and a few blackfin tuna near the edge.
We have not had any bluewater reports this week.
In the bay there is a good bite of reds and some black snapper near the bridges and jetties. A few trout near the 332 bridge area.
The weather looks good on Friday and Saturday for a change!!
NAVARRE
SURF
Fishing for Pompano has slowed in the last couple of months. There have been some reports of an occasional fish caught. Best baits remain live or frozen sand fleas and live and frozen shrimp. There are a lot of Ladyfish (skipjack), Spanish mackerel and Bluefish to be caught. Bright spoons, Gotcha plugs and Straw Rigs will catch them. Live and frozen Shrimp will take them too. There is no shortage of sharks to catch on the beach, there have been a lot of reports of Bull, Blacktip and Spinner sharks caught using Bonito and Skipjack (ladyfish) for bait. September and October should be great months for surf fishing.
SOUND AND BAYS
Trout remain on the grass flats in three to five feet of water. You can catch your biggest Trout early and late in the day on top water baits and on live baits. Live Shrimp, Tiger Minnows, Pinfish, Menhaden and Mullet all catch Trout. A host of artificial lures will catch them as well. Redfish can be caught on the same live baits and artificial lures. Skipjack, Jack Crevalle, Bluefish, Spanish mackerel and Flounder can all be caught in the bay this time of year.
NEAR SHORE – GULF
There have been some good reports of King Mackerel and Spanish mackerel caught right off the beach in the last few weeks. Live Cigar Minnows and Blue Runners (hard tails) are the bait of choice. Jack Crevalle has also been caught while fishing for King and Spanish mackerel. The big Redfish have begun to show up in the pass. Jigs, cut bait and live bait all take these fish. You may encounter a slot Red while fishing, but be sure to put the big ones back. I have heard of Cobia being caught on the inshore reefs with some consistency. Use live baits or jigs to catch them.
OFFSHORE – GULF
The bottom fishing for Snapper and Grouper remains very good. Live bait and frozen bait will work on both. Don’t be surprised if an Amberjack shows up, especially if you are jigging with Butterfly jigs or fishing with live Hardtails. Black Snapper (Mangrove) have been on all the reefs this year. Use live shrimp and live Tiger Minnows. However, they will eat the same baits as Red Snapper.
Remember that Federal waters are closed to Red Snapper but State waters (within 9 miles) remain open. I have had some good reports of Yellowfin Tuna being caught around the offshore oil platforms. Most anglers are trolling, jigging or chumming. Look for weedlines and floating debris if you are interested in catching some Mahi Mahi, Wahoo and other species.
Fresh Water
The largemouths are at the tributaries and hitting spinner baits regularly. For the big boys, fish wild shiners along the grass lines, or if you want to use an artificial, try shallow running jerk baits and topwater along the shore. Shell cracker and Bluegill bite is going strong this summer.
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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