Panhandle Fishing Report 1-23-09

Report for 01/23/2009

Salt Water

MEXICO BEACH/PORT ST JOE OFFSHORE
Trolling for grouper continues to produce some nice fish. Troll the Mann’s Stretch 25’s in fifty feet or shallower water, or over shallow wrecks like the lumber ship. Use your stretch 30’s in sixty plus feet of water. If you must anchor up, the water is calming some and if you can head to the 120’ mark for the best bite. Reports say Triggerfish are around any wreck or reef and are abundant. Amberjack’s are a great target right now and the bite has been strong. Set up a chum line over the offshore reefs and Air Force towers and toss a free line bait in amongst the chum line.

ST JOSEPH BAY
We are hoping this cold front will move in some bigger fish and this week several larger trout were caught at the PSJ marina. Live shrimp fished on the bottom is the bait of choice. The canal is a good back up location with some larger fish moving in there too. Good redfish numbers also reported in the canal jigging live bait along the bottom. The whiting are still thick in the surf at Cape San Blas.

Fresh Water
The Crappie bite came back on with this cooler weather. Investigate Depot Creek with a couple of dozen minnows. The bass moved up a little and reports have them in ten to twelve feet of water. Successful anglers are using plastics. The bass are hitting the plastics on the way down, so keep your line tight and watch for the slight movement as the fish takes your lure and then set that hook home.

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.