Report for 05/01/2008
Pier Fishing
King mackerel will be the main target this month. Those catching live baits at the pilings and hooking them up to #4 Malin wire with a #2 treble hook will have the most success. Don't forget the big spinning rod, as there will be a few pier-dwelling cobia still around. These fish are usually smaller than the main run so make sure they meet the 33" minimum before gaffing them. Pompano, redfish and Spanish mackerel will also be caught from the pier this month.
Trolling
Everything is pretty much in full swing during May. A few cobia will still be around and can be caught along the beaches. Red snapper season is open and there should be plenty to be caught on the inshore wrecks. Along with red snapper, expect to catch beeliners, triggerfish and amberjack over the same structures. King mackerel will make their presence during this month. People will generally slow-troll a lipped lure like a Mann's stretch 30, or a duster/cigar minnow combination for the kings. Another very popular and effective way to catch king mackerel is flat-lining a live cigar minnow. Spanish mackerel will be caught along the sand bars as well.
Offshore Fishing
As the warmer waters move inshore the tuna, dolphin and marlin become reachable. Watch the satellite temperature charts to see where the warm waters are to save time and money. Wahoo and dolphin will show up first with tuna right behind. Many people will troll high- speed lures, such as the panhandler, to find the fish or tide line then use natural or live bait to really focus on the fish. The grouper and red snapper bite should be very good in water 150+ feet deep.
Bay Fishing
The speckled trout and redfish will return to the grassy flats. As the water gets nice and warm during this month the fish will become more active and start hitting top water baits. Live shrimp is still the preferred bait but top water plugs like Yo-Zuri crystal minnow are lots of fun to use. Generally, the better tide to fish is the high tide and the first few hours of the outgoing tide. Bull redfish can be found in the past between the number 5 buoy and the jetty, again on an outgoing tide. Mangrove snapper will be around most structure in the bay as well as at the jetties. Spanish mackerel will be around all month, and it best to troll with a mackerel tree with a Clark spoon. Early in the month use a size 00 Clark spoon and change to a size 0 mid month as both the Spanish and the baitfish get bigger.
This Forecast Prepared by the Staff at Half Hitch Tackle - Panama City
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