October is traditionally one of the best pier fishing months of the year. There are a multitiude of species taken off the piers that it makes this time of year very productive. The bigger king mackeral are usually caught this month. Using a #3 or #4 Hayabusa brand Sabiki rig with a 1 or 2 ounce bell sinker is a very productive way to catch the live baits hanging around the pilings of the piers. Take those live baits and attach them to your 8' spinning combo with 20 to 25lb test line with a #4 treble connected by a 40lb single strand wire for some great king mackeral action.

The bigger spanish will move in this month with the bigger fish being caught on bubble and straw rigs with either the neon orange or basic white straws being the best colors.

Big bull redfish will be caught on the second sand bar on cut baits. The big fall push of flounder will usually kick off towards the end of the month. Those targeting the flounder will be using live bull minnows or cut shrimp fished with light 10-15lb test line.

The fall run of pompano will show up in October. For the best success use either a 1 to 2 oz pompano jigs or cut shrimp or sand fleas fished on the inside edge of the second sand bar.

Night fishing will continue to be good in October with catfish and smaller(1to3 feet) sharks being caught on small cut squid and minnows.

September usually brings with it a few cooler evenings which helps cool the water and turn on some great fishing. September always seems to be one of the better king mackerel months. The baitfish have been plentiful and those serious about catching big kings are catching their own live baits. Fish a #3 or #4 Hayabusa sabiki rig with a 1 oz. bell sinker right up next to the pilings for some nice live bait fishing. Take those live baits and hook them to a #4 treble hook with a 12 inch 40lb single strand wire and fish them flat lined off the end of the pier.  

September also brings in the flounder on the pier. Those using a #2 kale style hook with either fresh cut or live shrimp or the preferred bait, a live bull minnow, fish these baits Carolina style rigged on the first and second sand bars and the drop off edges of both bars as well.

The first of the pompano will start to show towards the end of the month. Use a 1 or 2 oz. pompano jig. When the fishing is a little slow a lot of people will tip their jig with a sand flea.

The fall run of bull redfish usually starts in September as well. Most of these fish will be caught on cut bait fished on the second sand bar. Just remember these are a slot limit fish and any fish caught that measures longer than the 27 inch limit must be returned.

September also has been a great month for some big sharks being landed. Serious shark fishermen are usin 12/o hooks with 15 feet of 600lb cable and at least 300 yards of 100lb plus braided line with 80lb mono backing on the reel. They are using whole or cut bonita and using a kayak most nights to paddle out and drop the shark baits well offshore of the piers. Come on out as September is the start of some great fall pier fishing.

The dog days of August are usually great times to catch some quality fish off the piers. Early in the morning and late in the afternoon the King mackeral will be caught by those using 40lb wire leader attached to a #4 treble hook with a live or dead cigar minnow fished flat lined off the very ends of the piers.

A lot of years in August,  Spanish mackeral will be caught all through the daylight hours on Gotcha plugs, silver spoons, and bubble and straw rigs. Remember these fish swim n schools so when you catch one, there will probably be others with it so keep casting away.

Over sized Redfish will be caught on the first and second sand bars using almost any type of cut bait, but shrimp seems to be the number one preference. Just remember these are a slot limit fish and if it is not between 18-27 inches, it has to be released unharmed.

August will also bring in some Bluefish. Use cut minnows with a fairly heavy(30-40lb) leader attached to your hook. Remember those Bluefish have extremely sharp teeth.

August is traditionally one of the best month for shark fishing we have. For smaller sand and black tip sharks try 30-40lb spinning tackle with a large chunk of squid fished near the second sand bar. These fish bite very well and are a blast to catch on small tackle. Those wanting a little more pull will be using whole Bonita fished with 600lb cable attached to 14/0 hooks and floated of the ends of the piers.

The middle of the day in August can be fairly slow fishing, but bring your coolers because the early morning, late afternoon, and night fishing action will more than make up for the mid-day lull.

The middle of the summer brings some great early in the morning and late in the afternoon King mackerel fishing. Use a size 4 Hayabusa sabiki rig with a 1 ounce bell sinker to catch live cigar minnows and herring around the pilings of the piers. Take those live baits and attach them to a #4 treble hook with a 40lb single strand wire leader and cast off the very end of the pier.

Spanish will be caught using 7/8 ounce Gotcha plugs with a 30 pound mono leader. Just remember that Spanish are a schooling fish so when they come by the pier get ready for some fast action.

There have been quite a few schools of big bull redfish cruising the second sand bar. Cut cigar minnows, cut squid, and dead shrimp all work very well for these fish. Just remember there is a 18-27 inch slot limit for redfish and most of the fish caught off the pier will be over that 27" limit.

July brings out some fantastic night fishing on our Panama City Beach piers. For some hard head catfish and small one to three foot sharks, use a 3/0 hook with a 50lb wire leader and any kind of cut bait fished right on the bottom. For those wanting something with a little more pull, bring out your big game reels spooled with no less than 80 pound test line. Use a whole Bonita attached to two 14/0 hooks with 1/16 steel cable. Remember to make the leader two to three foot bigger than the shark you want to catch as their bodies are infamous for being rough and breaking leaders. Night fishing is also a little easier on the fishermen as the temperatures are a little more pleasant. Hope everyone has a great fishing month.

King mackerel will be caught early in the morning and late in the day on cigar minnows fished with a #4 treble hook with a 40lb wire leader off the end of the piers.

Spanish mackerel will also be caught on Gotcha plugs, silver spoons, and bubble and straw rigs fished erratically close to the surface. Some Bonita will also be caught using the same methods as for Spanish.

Those fishing cut bait on the bottom will be catching the occasional small flounder, bluefish, and big bull redfish throughout the day.

For those who want to night fish, a good number of Bonita and Remora will be caught on cut squid.

For those wanting a little bigger fish, use whole Bonita floated off the end at night for good size bull and black tipped sharks. We have stores located at both piers open 24 hours a day for all your pier fishing needs.

May will continue to have great numbers of Spanish and King mackeral being caught. The early morning and late afternoon bites seem to be the best. Even though the Cobia run has been a little slow here in Panama City Beach this year, the first part of the month will still see a few fish caught on jigs and live eels.

The spring run of Pompano has been excellent so far with great numbers of fish coming at first light and a very good bite the last hour or two of the day. Pompano will be caught on sand fleas and pompano jigs.

There should also be a few big Redfish caught this month as well. These fish are being caught with squid or live and dead minnows fished on the bottom. Just remember the slot limit of 18'-27", most pier fish will be over the maximum slot length.

May brings us one of the first great months for shark fishing off the piers. Those most successful shark anglers will be using cut or whole Bonita with a 12/0 hook attached with a 300-400lb wire leader.

May is one of the most productive months for pier fishing here on Panama City Beach. Grab your rods and come out and enjoy some fantastic fishing.