07/06 – Weekly Fish Report Presented By Half Hitch Tackle
Report for 07/06/2009
Salt Water
MEXICO BEACH/PORT ST JOE OFFSHORE
The snapper bite is hot on near and offshore structure. The Grouper bite has also been very good, for larger grouper; head out to at least 150 foot of water. Reports have the best catches at 25-40 miles out. Live bait remains plentiful. The mahi-mahi bite reports have been patchy, but reports have put them some twenty miles or so out. The King Mackerel bite has really turned on with large numbers reported around local structures like the Virginia reef and car bodies. Anglers are reporting larger than usual kings this season as well as larger Spanish mackerel.
ST JOSEPH BAY
Redfish and trout catches are good this week. Fishing early, from daylight to middle morning is going to be most productive. As usual, the hot spots are around Black’s island and in the channel by Pigs Bayou. The Flounder bite is still very good throughout the bay.
PANAMA CITY OFFSHORE AND BAYS
A few Sailfish have been caught free-lining live baits out at the buoy line and Cobia are popping up on the wrecks. The Red snapper bite is still real good over 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. The Grouper bite has slowed inshore, but good reports are coming from 30 miles out. Use large live baits to get past the snapper! Lots of Amberjacks are still being caught around the 100’ mark over bridge spans and large wrecks.
ST. ANDREWS BAY SYSTEM
Tarpon have shown up on the beaches for their annual migratory run. Be stealthy, throw live baits, and keep your fingers crossed for a hook up! 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
The bass have moved out into deep holes and around the mouth of channels. Your best bet is deep diving crank baits. The Shell cracker and Bluegill bite is going strong this summer. Bottom fishing in 3-4 ft. with a wiggler is producing good numbers. In the after noon, try the zoom brush hog in 6 to 8 foot of water.
Weekly fishing report brought to you by half hitch tackle on Panama City Beach.
