Report for 11/14/2008
Salt Water
MEXICO BEACH/PORT ST JOE OFFSHORE
Our first few reports came in this week from anglers who have begun trolling for grouper with some success. With fuel costs and shorter days, you might consider this method of grouper fishing. Typically, you will be fishing in fifty feet or less of water, which means you mostly avoid the long run out to deep water and back. Pull a Mann’s stretch series, which are available for a variety of depths. Most any deep running plug will work however. Downriggers, planers, and trolling weights all will help you tune your lure to the appropriate depth. From there you simply troll over live bottom, on and around shallow water wrecks and reefs, and catch grouper!
ST JOSEPH BAY
The bay is quite productive this week and anglers willing to enjoy the cool fall temperatures and do a little scouting will get their reward. Redfish are scattered throughout the bay as well as trout. Live shrimp is the top bait followed by topwater lures fished early morning and late afternoon before sunset. A falling tide will assuredly mean the redfish will station themselves along channels and the mouths of creeks and bayous as the current begins to flow out. Sheepshead as well as trout and redfish are congregating from the mouth of the ICW beneath the Tapper Bridge all the way up to the T.
PANAMA CITY OFFSHORE AND BAYS
Grouper are still being caught on wrecks and reefs within 9 miles. Also, check the hard bottom areas in the 100-120 feet range further offshore. Take some big live baits and get ready for action! Red Snapper season is closed in Federal and State waters. Plenty of Amberjacks are being caught on the bridge spans.
ST. ANDREWS BAY SYSTEM
Pompano are starting to be caught in greater numbers along the beaches. A 2-hook rig or Pompano jig will catch these fish. Mangrove Snappers are all over the jetties. Live shrimp fished on the bottom is the best bet. Bull Reds are being caught with live shrimp around the jetties. Flounder are biting well now. Try any of the deep points leading out of the bay and the inshore wrecks with live minnows on a Carolina rig. Trout are starting to move into the creeks and bayous with the cooler temperatures. Live shrimp will produce the most fish.
NAVARRE
SURF
The Pompano have showed up along the beaches. There have been some reports of a few good fish being caught. Best baits remain live or frozen sand fleas and live and frozen shrimp. Pompano jigs will catch them too. The Bonito are in the surf too. Any bright colored lure worked fast will catch them. As the water continues to cool, the Pompano bite will increase. There are a lot of Ladyfish (skipjack), Spanish mackerel and Bluefish to be caught as well. Bright spoons, Gotcha plugs, Straw Rigs, Top Water and regular plugs will catch them. Live and frozen Shrimp will take them too. Redfish have showed up on the beach as well. Some will be slot size fish but for the most part they will be over the slot. Live, frozen and cut baits, especially cut mullet will catch them. There have been reports of the occasional Flounder being caught, some will be some nice fish over five pounds. Best baits are Tiger, Bull minnows and live finger Mullet.
SOUND AND BAYS
Trout remain on the grass flats in three to five feet of water. If you have no luck there try to go deeper, say five to nine feet. 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. Now is a good time of year to throw the top water baits early in the morning for the bigger Trout. Redfish can be caught on the same live baits and artificial lures. Work all visible and underwater structure to increase your chances at hooking up with a red. Skipjack, Jack Crevalle, Bluefish, Spanish mackerel and Flounder can all be caught in the bay this time of year. The Flounder fishing should start to pick up with the gradually cooling water. Finger Mullet, Bull Minnows and Tiger Minnows are hard to beat. Mangrove Snapper on are the bridge pilings, tie on a 12” piece of 10# to 12# fluorocarbon leader, a #1 hook, ½oz sinker and a live shrimp. This rig will take Sheepshead as well. The upper part of east Bay has been good for Redfish and Trout. Try fishing around the power lines and the surrounding oyster bars. King Mackerel will be in the bays from now until the water gets to cold. Try slow trolling live baits in the pass, along the three mile bridge and in front of the Palafox Pier should prove productive. Don’t overlook trolling a big Rapala bait for these fish as well. You can also anchor and chum for them with Menhaden Oil or cut up Menhaden. Put your live bait under a balloon and wait for Mr. King to come along.
NEAR SHORE – GULF
There have been some good reports of King Mackerel and Spanish mackerel caught right off the beach and outside Pensacola Pass in the last few weeks. Live Cigar Minnows and Blue Runners (hard tails) are the bait of choice. If there are large schools of bait around the King and Spanish mackerel are not far away. 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. This is a good time of year to look for the big schools of Redfish to be on top just outside and within one or two miles of the pass. Try looking for birds working the schools. Throw top water baits for some great action or a large spoon or jig. For the fly rod enthusiasts this is prime time. Any pattern that imitates a large baitfish will serve you well. Live baits or jigs will catch them to.
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 a Butterfly jig or fishing with live Hardtails. Black Snapper 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. I have had some good reports of Yellowfin Tuna being caught around the offshore oil platforms. The Destin rodeo has weighed in two fish over 100 lbs so far. Most anglers are trolling, jigging or chumming. Look for weed lines and floating debris if you are interested in catching some Mahi Mahi, Wahoo and other species. I had a report today of a couple of Wahoo in the 30lb and 50 lb range being caught yesterday.
Fresh Water
Depot creek is a hotspot this week for Crappie. We have had several reports of full stringers. The bass bite is improving, not a lot of larger fish caught but reports say the bite is consistent. Here are a few lure recommendations, Brush hogs, and ribbon tail worms, Booyah jigs in black/blue, green pumpkin, and crawfish. Fish these lures in the thick cover you can find right now.
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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