Salt Water
MEXICO BEACH/PORT ST JOE OFFSHORE
Those of you who are dragging lures will find the king mackerel over and around wrecks and structure, also the buoy line. Going further out from about ten miles the Wahoo and dolphin activity is heating up. A rigged ballyhoo trolled behind a Boone jet or the high-speed duster of your choice will get you one of these hot rods. If you prefer bottom fishing for grouper and snapper you won’t be disappointed, the snapper are plentiful and hungry. Grouper fishing has been excellent in the one hundred to one hundred fifty feet of water.
ST JOSEPH BAY
Fishing St Joe bay couldn’t be better this week with redfish trout and triple tail all eager to make your day. Redfish are hitting topwater plugs in the early morning around Black’s Island and Eagle Harbor area. They are well scattered throughout the bay so be sure and cover you favorite spots. The Trout are striking topwater plugs also but are favoring live baits, like live shrimp and LYs. As the day progresses you will find the triple tail haunting buoys, markers and submerged structure. They are readily accepting offers of live shrimp. In addition, the bay continues to be quite active with Spanish mackerel, Bluefish and small sharks.
APALACHICOLA /WHITE CITY
Apalachicola is a smorgasbord of good fishing. Triple tail, trout, redfish, and even an early season tarpon were caught this week. Throughout the bays and estuaries Apalach’ is hot fishing.
PANAMA CITY OFFSHORE AND BAYS
Red Snapper are very plentiful over the inshore wrecks and hard bottom areas. Wahoo are being caught from 20-40 miles out. Hi speed trollers, like the Yo Zuri Bonita, are a sure bet. King Mackerel are being caught in great numbers. They are being caught steadily around the Whistle and Weather buoys trolling and free-lining cigar minnows. Several reports of Mahi Mahi being caught from 6-8 miles out are coming in. Spanish Mackerel are biting sporadically out on the beaches. Grouper are still biting well from 7-10 miles out. Use large live baits to get past the Snapper! Lots of AJ’s are still being caught around the 100 foot mark over bridge spans and large wrecks.
ST. ANDREWS BAY SYSTEM
Ladyfish, Bluefish, and Spanish Mackerel are biting good at the jetties on spoons and Gotcha Plugs. Mangrove Snappers are still being caught off the rocks with live shrimp. Redfish have been found on the flats in East Bay; while Bull Reds are still being caught with live shrimp and pin fish around the jetties. Trout are being caught on the flats with topwater lures early and live shrimp under a cork later.
Fresh Water
Bass, catfish and bream are all actively feeding and provide some great action. There is some great late afternoon topwater action for bass at Howards Creek and the Dead Lakes in Wewahitchka. Fly-fishing for Bluegill should be part of your day too. It is easy and fun for all. Some really large catfish can be caught throughout the river and lakes system using anything from stink baits to live bream.