NAVARRE
The last front flew through the area last Friday and Saturday putting a damper on things, but the rest of the weekend and the first part of the week we say outstanding weather. Its pretty much been the story for the last couple of weeks so hopefully we are through with that scenario for a while.

Inshore, the trout and redfish bite is still going strong especially in the sound. The fishing has been especially good at night around lighted docks. Early morning and late afternoon has been the key to when targeting trout, but plenty are still being caught throughout the day. MirrOlures Top Dog, Heddon’s Super Spook, Rapala’s Skitter Walk, and Bombers Badonk-A-Donk have been the go to top water baits. The go to suspending baits are MirrOlure’s MirrOdine in 17 and 27MR in chartreuse and silver with the water so clear lately. The old reliable live shrimp under a popping cork presentation has also been producing good numbers. It is and outstanding presentation with only one drawback and that is that pinfish and catfish are also on the flats and it’s tough to keep them from cleaning you out of bait in very short time. The same presentations are also working for reds on the flats, but I also like to add a ¼ oz to ½ weed less gold spoons to that arsenal. Slot reds are also around the deeper docks in the sound and bays and will readily fall for a live shrimp fished near the pilings with just a split shot to get it to the bottom. Flounder are showing up in greater numbers around deeper structure and drop offs in the sound. White Berkley Gulp on a 1/4oz jig head drug along the bottom and bull or tiger minnows have been the top baits.

On the pier the king bite is still pretty slow, but there have been a few cobia landed this week. There is plenty of live bait as well as spanish, bull reds, black drum, pompano, blue fish lady fish, whiting and the occasional sheepshead. Got-Cha lures and Salt Slayer jigs have been to go to baits for targeting spanish and blue fish. Although I’ve received several reports of redfish and pompano being caught on both lures.  The reds, black drum, pompano, whiting and sheepsheads are really keying in on live bait with live sand fleas and shrimp being the top baits. The pompano bite remains strong with most fish being caught early in the morning or late in the day. Most of the bigger fish are being caught pompano jigs. The redfish bite remains strong and as with last week most of the fish landed have been outside the slot.

Off shore cobia are mostly being caught around near shore wrecks, although a few are still being seen along the beach. The King mackerel bite remains strong with most fish in the 20 to 40 pound range. Slow trolling live baits around schools of bait fish and around most of the near shore wrecks holding plenty of bait has been the most popular presentation. Wahoo are being caught as close in as the edge with most fish running in the 20 pound range. Large deep diving plugs such as Mann’s stretch 25’s and 30’s have been producing the most strikes. Trigger fish, red and scamp grouper, mingo snapper, red porgies amberjacks are what’s available to bottom fishermen right now. Amberjack are on almost any large wreck right now, but most of the bigger fish being caught are in water deeper than 150 feet. We finally received a few blue water reports from out around the Nipple. Wahoo and blackfin with a few mahi thrown in. The blackfin and mahi came from around floating debris and the wahoo were caught trolling.

Until next week tight lines and get out there!

DESTIN

Trolling
Quite a few wahoo are showing up on the edge, around the nipple and over to the Ozark trolling ballyhoo. Kings are biting on the southeast rocks, broken bottom and timber holes.

Bottom Fishing
Triggers and mingos are biting in 80 to 150ft depths, amberjack are good on the edge and deep water wrecks, red grouper are biting on natural bottom 125 to 300ft range.

Surf Fishing
Plenty of pompano on sand fleas, some whiting, lots of hard tails and ladyfish.

Jetties
Some redfish on live shrimp, Spanish on Gotcha’s and lots of ladyfish.

Pier
Some cobia caught this week, an occasional king and nice Spanish through out the day.

PANAMA CITY OFFSHORE AND INSHORE
Okay it looks like we have now gotten the final say on the start of our Red snapper season, 44 days in State waters and 21 in Federal. Two fish per person per day in both cases. I will re iterate, when Red snapper opens June 1^st Amberjack & Triggerfish closes for two months and Gag grouper opens July 1st. Alright back to what happened last week, we are still getting plenty of reports of Amberjack and Kings from twenty miles or more miles out. Even a few Wahoo reports but they were even further out. Red grouper, Beeliners, White snapper, Black sea bass and Trigger fish have hit the docks and there are still a few Cobia coming in too. Bait like Cigar minnows and Herring is still difficult to find so plan accordingly, if you are looking for hardtails you are in business. They are everywhere.

Surf fishing has not changed much since last week, plenty of Ladyfish and Spanish, and if you can get past them you might catch a Pompano. Blue fish and Jacks are running the sand bar and will hit just about anything zipping through the water. At the piers the action has slowed form the prior week, what little bit of King action there has been, has been in the morning. There were no reported catches of Pompano or Flounder and to me that does not mean there are none but probably means they are few. Big bull Redfish are around to play tug of war with but almost all have been over the slot. There are Tarpon rolling in the surf but they are almost impossible to put a bait in front of without spooking. About the only bait you can find at both piers has been hardtails.  If we could get a good southerly wind for several days, better baits should show up and with them come the Kings etc.!

Capt. Jeff Moorman "First Light Charters" below with a stud trout!

ST ANDREWS  BAY SYSTEM
The Menhaden schools have showed up in the northern parts of the bay system and a few LY’s have showed up around Beach drive and areas like it. With that you can count on exactly what we have been hearing, a much better Trout and Redfish bite. If the purist in you drive you to fish with artificial baits only, there are some stick baits that will fool them into a strike like the Mirro dine (regular or the XL) and Bomber also has a few that are dead ringers for an LY. You may want to step up your Flourocarbon leader a little so you don’t lose your rig to a Spanish or the like. There are plenty of them along with Ladyfish and Blues remind you that you are not fishing in a stocked pond. We are still getting reports on Flounder getting picked up in somewhat random places. While working an area for Trout and Reds you might find they have some competition from this evolutionary king of ambush. Big Redfish have been hitting top water plugs on the outgoing tide in the pass again lately and down deep you can count on Mangrove snapper, and Black sea bass. Most have been small but if you get a few keepers you have a fine dinner in my book. 

PANAMA CITY OFFSHORE AND INSHORE
Fishing on natural bottom spots and around the outer edges of wrecks for Red grouper has been pretty productive. Generally speaking, by targeting a “natural bottom” and around the edges of a wreck you can expect to catch fewer Red snapper and Gag grouper. It won’t be long now before we are allowed to keep the Red snapper and Gag grouper (June 1^st for Red snapper and July 1^st for Gag grouper in our area). Also I should mention that when Red snapper opens Amberjack closes and when Gag grouper opens Trigger fish closes (both for a two month period). You can also expect to find White snapper, Black snapper and some Trigger fish in these same areas on or near bottom. Closer to the surface and over a taller wreck or bridge span, Amberjack have been fairly easy targets, jigs or live hard tails have landed more than a few in the ice. Trolling around a wreck or between spots has been productive for King mackerel and once in while a school of Bonita will cross your wake and provide you with some fresh bait.

Surf fishing has slowed a bit with the cooler night time temps but you can still count on some action most days. Pompano, Blue fish (some rather large), Jack crevalle and Spanish mackerel were reported. The same can be said for the piers and throw in some Tarpon, a few King mackerel, Redfish, Sheepshead and some Flounder. Now you cannot count on all this all the time of course, but this is a run down of what we have seen and heard. Lately the live baits they are finding at the County pier were hard tails, a few Ballyhoo, but no cigar minnows. And you can expect some of the same at the City pier, but you can add Cigar minnows to the list.

ST ANDREWS BAY SYSTEM
There is not much difference this week from last in regards to what is out there, Trout and Reds on a falling tide up in the grass flats, Spanish in and around the shipping channels and Flounder around the larger docks and seawalls. Big Redfish, Mangrove snapper, Black sea bass and a few Black drum are still getting picked up around the Hathaway and Tyndall bridges as well as in the pass. We are coming up on a new moon and we have a front coming this weekend too, these together should create the conditions for a bunch of hungry fish! Maybe Mom would like some fresh fish for mother’s day!!!

DESTIN

Kings----Trolling near the pass, around the broken bottom and southeast roks is doing good.

Spanish----Trolling the pass and along the sand bar or casting Gotchas or spoons from the jetties and the pier.

Pompano----Fishing the surf with sand fleas or us pompano jigs from the jetties and pier.

Ladyfish and blues----Use artificial lures form the pier or jetties

Mingo Snapper and Trigger fish---Fish 60 to 200ft with cut squid or northern mackerel

Red Grouper and Scamp----Use live or frozen cigar minnows over natural bottom 100 to 250ft

Amberjack----Fish the large wrecks in 150 to 350ft and use live minnows or butterfly jigs

Reds---fish the bridges with live shrimp or pinfish, also fish the flats with gold spoons and Berkely Gulps.

NAVARRE
Hopefully this last front that flew through the area will be the last we will see this year. It sure did mess the weekend for most of us. The last couple of days have been a complete 180 making it a lot easier for folks to get out on the water. 

Inshore, the trout and redfish bite didn’t suffer a bit and is still about as good as it gets. Santa Rosa Sound and East Bay are seeing some of the hottest trout action in our area. And with little to no moon the fishing at night around lighted docks has been off the charts. Early morning and late afternoon is the best time to target the trout, but plenty are still being caught through out the day. MirrOlures Top Dog, Heddon’s Super Spook, Rapala’s Skitter Walk, and Bombers Badonk-A-Donk have been the go to top water baits. The go to suspending baits have been MirrOlure’s MirrOdine in 17 and 27MR in black and gold for when the water is muddy and chartreuse and silver when the water is clear. And let’s not forget the old reliable live shrimp under a popping cork presentation. It is and outstanding presentation with only one drawback and that is that pinfish are also on the flats and its tough to keep them from cleaning you out of bait in very short time.. The same baits are also working for reds on the flats, but I would also like to add a ¼ oz to ½ weedless gold spoons to that arsenal. Slot reds are also around the deeper docks in the sound and bays. Around the docks the go to presentation is live shrimp with just a split shot to get it to the bottom. Flounder are finally starting to make a showing in greater numbers. White Berkley Gulp on a 1/4oz jig head and bull or tiger minnows have been the top baits. 

On the pier the king bite has slowed down some and the cobia bite is pretty much done fore for the year. Although I think there are still a few that will be landed before its all over. There is plenty of live bait as well as Spanish, bull reds, black drum, pompano, blue fish lady fish, and the occasional sheepshead. Got-Cha lures and Salt Slayer jigs have been to go to baits for targeting Spanish and blue fish. Although I’ve received several reports of redfish and pompano being caught on both lures. The reds, black drum, pompano, and sheepsheads are really keying in on live shrimp. I thought the pompano bite had pretty much peeked, but the last few days it has gotten even better. Most of the bigger fish have come on pompano jigs, but plenty of legal fish are being caught on live sand fleas and live shrimp. The redfish bite has also picked up, however most of the fish landed have been to big to keep.

Off shore I’m still getting plenty of reports of cobia being caught, although most have been caught when folks have been bottom fishing. So be prepared and have a couple spinning rods ready. One for a pitch bait and the other with a jig just in case a cobia shows up. The King mackerel bite remains strong with most fish in the 20 to 40 pound range fish being landed. Most are being caught by trolling around the large schools of bait that have shown up along area beaches or around nearshore wrecks. Wahoo are also starting to show up as close in as the edge with most fish running in the 20 pound range. Large deep diving plugs such as Mann’s stretch 25’s and 30’s have been producing the most strikes. Trigger fish, red and scamp grouper, mingo snapper, red porgies amberjacks are what’s available to bottom fishermen right now. Amberjack are on almost any large wreck right now, but most of the bigger fish being caught are in water deeper than 150 feet. The reports for blue water this week were few and what I got was not to motivating. Hopefully it will improve as the weather improves.

Until next week tight lines and get out there!

NAVARRE
Last week was one of the best weeks for fishing in our area and this week is shaping up for more of the same. That is if the weather doesn’t keep everyone indoors for most of the week. 

Not much has changed since last week inshore. The trout and redfish bite is about as good as it gets right now. Santa Rosa Sound and East Bay is seeing some of the hottest trout action in our area, especially if you are targeting gator trout. The females are full of roe and starving, so please release the larger females. Most are being caught around schools of mullet that are hugging the shore line. Early morning and late afternoon seems to be the best time to target these trout, but plenty are still being caught through out the day. MirrOlures Top Dog, Heddon’s Super Spook, Rapala’s Skitter Walk, and Bombers Badonk-A-Donk have been the go to top water baits. The go to suspending baits have been MirrOlure’s MirrOdine in 17 and 27MR in black and gold for when the water is muddy and chartreuse and silver when the water is clear. And let’s not forget the old reliable live shrimp under a popping cork presentation. It is and outstanding presentation with only one drawback and that is that pinfish are also on the flats and its tough to keep them from cleaning you out of bait in very short time.. The same baits are also working for reds on the flats, but I would also like to add a ¼ oz to ½ weedless gold spoons to that arsenal. Slot reds are also around the deeper docks in the sound and bays. Around the docks the go to presentation is live shrimp with just a split shot to get it to the bottom. There has also been good number of Spanish showing up  and all of the above baits mentioned will woke for them, but be sure to increase you leader size or you will be going through a lot expensive lures.

On the pier the king bite remains strong, but the cobia bite has begun to slow down some. There is plenty of live bait as well as Spanish, bull reds, black drum, pompano, and the occasional sheepshead. Got-Cha lures and Salt Slayer jigs have been to go to baits for targeting Spanish this week.  For the reds, black drum, pompano, and sheepsheads live shrimp fished on the bottom has been the go to presentation. The pompano bite has really exploded the last week with many reporting that they are catching their limit as well as the occasional red fish. The go to bait has been live sand fleas and live shrimp, but frozen fleas and shrimp will also do the trick.

There is some really pretty water offshore right now and more and more bait is showing up every day. The cobia bite is still going strong with most of the fish ranging from 30 to 40 pounds, although 50, 60 and even 90 pound fish have been caught this week. Live eels have been the top baits, but many are also being landed on jigs. The King mackerel bite remained strong with most fish in the 20 pound range, but I’m also getting reports of 30 to 40 pound fish being landed. Most are being caught by trolling around the large schools of bait that have shown up along area beaches or around nearshore wrecks. Wahoo are also starting to show up as close in as the edge with most fish running in the 20 pound range. Large deep diving plugs such as Mann’s stretch 25’s and 30’s have been producing the most strikes. Trigger fish, red and scamp grouper, mingo snapper, red porgies amberjacks are what’s available to bottom fishermen right now. Amberjack are on almost any large wreck right now, but most of the bigger fish being caught are in water deeper than 150 feet. I have still not heard any reports good reports from out around the rigs and the ones I’m getting are seeing great looking water with plenty of weed lines, but have not been landing many fish.

Until next week tight lines and get out there!

DESTIN

Kings rule the day whether you are trolling or pier fishing. Trolling Yo-zuri plugs or casting cigar minnows from the pier you should have some good luck.

Spanish are good in the channel around Crab Island, near the jetties and trolling the sand bar. You can also get them casting Gotcha plugs from the pier or jetties.

Pompano have been excellent in the surf using sand fleas, Fish Bites and jigs.

Bottom fish in the gulf is producing nice catches of mingo snapper, trigger fish, amberjack and red grouper.

Cobia are still coming through, if you want one we probably have a week maybe 10 days of good fishing.

Offshore there have been a few swordfish and a good number of wahoo this week.

Trout are good at night in the harbor and bayous on live shrimp.

PANAMA CITY BEACH OFFSHORE AND INSHORE
Well it appears the Cobia run has come and gone for the most part, not many reports last week and of the few we did hear about, all seemed to be smaller fish. This usually indicates the end of the run. Hopefully the ones that made it through are the prolific spawners we all need them to be. AJ’s, Trigger fish, Red grouper, Bee liners, and White snapper continue to be found on wrecks and reefs in the 100 plus foot depths. Kings and a few Bonita are also being reported both over larger wrecks and just trolling between spots. Wind has really hampered a lot of anglers from being able to (or wanting to) get out offshore but the reports from those that have has been pretty good.

In the surf and at the local piers the Pompano continue to be found in fairly good numbers. Digging for sand fleas gives you a clue as to why. There seems to be plenty of their favorite food to be had. King mackerel have been reported most days, tail hooking a live bait and letting it swim has been the most effective method but a frozen minnow properly presented will get their attention. Bluefish and Spanish mackerel are attacking anything that shines or looks like it could be eaten. Some Redfish, Sheep head and Flounder have been caught as well especially around the piers, but a few are to be found in the surf. Also, we have had several reports of marauding schools of Jack crevalle busting bait at the surface. They can sure be a blast on medium to light tackle with a strong top water plug, one ounce buck tail or just a livey tossed into the melee. Speaking of bait, Speedos, some Herring and a few Goggle eye were found with sabiki rigs at local piers. However you had still better bring along some bait as a back up because it cannot be counted on as yet.

ST ANDREWS BAY SYSTEM

We are still getting good reports on Trout and Redfish in the grass beds in the upper reaches of the bay system. Live baits have produced best but heavy scent release baits like Trigger X or Gulp are pretty effective too. Closer to the inlet (or pass) you can still find Spanish mackerel and some Bluefish. The Sheep head seem to have spread out lately and are getting harder to find but not out of the question. Big Redfish, Mangrove snapper, Black sea bass and a few Black drum are still getting picked up around the Hathaway and Tyndall bridges as well as in the pass. Cut bait will work for most of the afore mentioned species, but in my humble opinion, you just about have to have live shrimp for the Mangroves.

PORT ST. JOE/MEXICO BEACH
The Spanish Mackerel are biting well throughout the area. "Gotcha's, Spoons, Mackerel trees and bubble rigs are all good choices for catching Spanish and you can find them along the seawalls, beaches, piers and jetties. Pompano fishing is great and anglers are getting super results on sand fleas and pompano jigs but "Fish Bites" artificial bait is working well and is extremely easy to use. The wind and weather have been somewhat uncooperative but bottom fishing is very good. This week Amberjack, Gray Snapper and Triggerfish are all biting. Cobias continue to be spotted but catching them has fallen off. Nevertheless, keep trying we have a week or so left of prime cobia fishing. Well offshore, there have been several reports of Wahoo but as of this writing no other big game reports. St Joe Bay has offered anglers some great trout fishing this season. Not to be left out redfish and flounder are biting very well too!

PANAMA CITY BEACH OFFSHORE AND INSHORE
This past week the weather was a little kinder to us than the previous week, and there were good reports from the wrecks and reefs. Big Jacks and Red grouper from ten or more miles out, and plenty of stringer fish (Trigger fish, Bee liners, and White snapper) to help fill the box. Don’t be surprised to pick a Cobia off one of the wrecks, they are out there too and will readily hit baits on or near the bottom as well as swim up to the boat. They are a very curios fish and will investigate something floating above the wreck just like they would a piece of flotsam. King mackerel are being reported more and more along with Bonita, both trolling and flat lining a bait over a wreck has paid off.

In the surf and at the local piers the Pompano are a real good bet. Shrimp, Sand fleas or a tipped jig have produced plenty of fish. The water has cleared up nicely and the fish love it. Of course there are plenty of Spanish and Blues around so you will need plenty of spare tackle on hand to replace what gets clipped off. You will also find Redfish and Sheep head hanging around the pier pilings but they are pretty spooky so you will have to play your “A” game in order to fool them into biting. Most days there are a good amount of Cobia and or King mackerel around for the pier crowd to throw on, but a few days have been less than “stellar”. I guess we will have to continue going out there to see how we do un till someone comes up with a way to see into the future.

Sawyer Marin sent in the pictures below with the following caption, "Most have been caught on 3/4 oz. or 1 oz. Badonkadonk topwater plugs, but a lot have been on 1 1/4 oz. Badonkadonk Super Pogey rattletraps, & a few have been on 1 oz. silver spoons too. We've got 17 bull reds in just this past week.

ST ANDREWS BAY SYSTEM

Reds and Trout are finding their way up into the shallows back in the northern parts of the bay system. The morning bite however has been less than you would hope for probably due to the recent full moon and it’s affects on their feeding habits. Try your favorite point or drop off around dusk and you should have better luck. We are still getting reports on Flounder getting picked off local seawalls and docks that have deeper water access, drag a live bait on a jig head around these areas to try your hand. Sheep head, Reds, Mangrove snapper, and Black sea bass are around the Hathaway and Tyndall bridges as well as the pass. Spanish mackerel and Blue fish are in the pass and the shipping channel headed toward the Panama City Marina. On an incoming tide, you can count on catching them either trolling a mackerel tree or casting Gotcha’s and tandem rigs with small buck tails. It is definitely worth going, and you know you want to! Get out there!!!

NAVARRE
Last week was one of the best weeks for fishing in our area and this week is shaping up for more of the same.

Inshore the trout and redfish bite is in full swing. The trout bite is about as good as it gets in the sound and East Bay right now, especially if you are targeting gator trout. The females are full of roe and starving, so please release the larger females. They can be found around the large schools of mullet that are pretty much everywhere right now. MirrOlures Top Dog, Heddon’s Super Spook, Rapala’s Skitter Walk, and Bombers Badonk-A-Donk have been the go to top water baits this week. MirrOlure’s MirrOdine in 17 and 27MR in black and gold for when the water is muddy and chartreuse and silver when the water is clear are the go to suspending baits. Plenty of fish are also being landed on the old reliable live shrimp under a popping cork presentation. The same baits are also working for reds on the flats, but along the deeper docks you will need to switch to a shrimp and split shot presentation. There has also been good number of Spanish showing up in the sound and bays. All of the above baits will work for them, but be sure to increase your leader size or you will be going through a lot of expensive lures.

On the pier the king bite has begun to surpass the cobia bite in numbers, but there are still good numbers of fish sited and landed most days. Cigar minnows, Spanish sardines and threadfins are pretty thick right now around the pier. Spanish, bull reds, black drum, pompano, and the occasional sheepshead are also available. Got-Cha lures and Salt Slayer jigs have been the go to baits for targeting Spanish this week.  For the reds, black drum, pompano, and sheepsheads on live shrimp fished on the bottom has been the go to presentation.. On the beach the pompano bite is going strong with many reporting that they are catching their limit as well as the occasional red. The go to bait has been live sand fleas and live shrimp, but frozen fleas and shrimp will also do the trick.

Steve Gyurke with a 93lb Cobia caught in the Destin pass!

Off shore the cobia bite is still going strong with most of the fish are ranging from 30 to 40 pounds. Live eels have been the top baits, but many are also being landed on jigs. The amberjack bite is still going strong with most of the bigger fish being caught in water deeper than 150 feet. The King mackerel bite has exploded this week with many fish in the 30 to 40 pond range landed. Most are being caught by trolling around the large schools of bait that have shown up along area beaches or around nearshore wrecks. One of my most favorite methods this time of year is to anchor up on one of the near shore wrecks and chum them up to the boat. When they are really fired up you can catch them on artificial crank baits or even on a fly rod. Those bottom fishing are also getting in the action with trigger fish, red and scamp grouper, mingo snapper and red porgies. Have not hear any reports from out around the rigs this week, but I’m sure that they will explode any day now when the conditions are right.

Until next week tight lines!

PANAMA CITY BEACH OFFSHORE AND INSHORE
Last week had a lot of wind and kept a lot of us either in port or close to shore, but there were a couple days that a few anglers got out far enough to try the bottom bite. Fairly good reports on Red grouper and Amberjack as well as the stringer fish (Trigger fish, Bee liners, and White snapper). A few King mackerel have showed up and there have been some Bonita finally coming around. However most anglers are focused on the Cobia migration and there are quite a few getting caught most days. There have even been a few Triple tail picked up free floating so keep your eyes peeled. Not much out there yet for live bait so plan ahead accordingly, most are either purchasing live bait or setting traps in the bay a couple days ahead of time.

Pictures sent in my Joe McNeal and David Mitchell with their King Mackerel catch from this morning.  Nice catch!

In the surf and at the local piers the Pompano have really showed up in some pretty good numbers but you have to be there at the right time because it is not an all day event. You can also expect to find plenty of Spanish, Blues, and a few Redfish, Sheep head and Flounder. At the piers you will find most anglers are there for the Cobia run we are currently experiencing and there have been some very nice fish landed.

ST. ANDREWS BAY SYSTEM
The bay fishing is really starting to get good. Both Redfish and Speckled trout are on the move in the grass, Spanish are all over the place (especially in the early morning), and you can count on filling out your inshore slam with a Flounder if you know where to look. We are also still finding some Sheep head but they seem to have moved into deeper waters. Hopefully the weather man will give us a break and let the wind lay down, ‘till then I guess we will have to just have take what we are given. Certainly compared to our friends in Boston and now in Texas we have nothing to complain about!!!

NAVARRE
The unpredictable weather tried its best to reduce our time on the water this week, but the bite inshore and off has really picked up and it is only going to get better.

Inshore the sheepsheads are still going strong and the trout bite has exploded this week. Redfish, spanish and the occasional flounder are also available. The sheepsheads are on deep structure in the sound and bays. Live shrimp, fiddler crabs, and fresh oysters are the go to bait. The trout bite is about as good as it gets, especially if you are targeting gator trout. The females are full of roe and starving, so please release the larger females. They can be found around the large schools of mullet that are pretty much everywhere right now. MirrOlures Top Dog, Heddon’s Super Spook, Rapala’s Skitter Walk, and Bombers Badonk-A-Donk have been the go to top water baits this week. MirrOlure’s MirrOdine in 17 and 27MR in black and gold for when the water is muddy and chartreuse and silver as well as Yo-Zuri’s Crystal 3D Shrimp are the go to suspending baits. Plenty of fish are also being landed on the old reliable live shrimp under a popping cork presentation. The same baits are also working for reds on the flats, but along the deeper docks you will need to switch to a shrimp and split shot presentation. There has also been good number of Spanish showing up in the sound and bays. All of the above baits will woke for them, but be sure to increase you leader size or you will be going through a lot expensive lures.

The cobia bite remains rock solid with plenty of fish sighted and landed every day. Jigs and live eels have been the preferred baits. The king bite has begun to heat up in the last couple of days with the south east winds we have had. Cigar minnows and threadfins are also starting to show up around the pier. Spanish, sheepshead, bull reds, black drum, and pompano are also available. Got-Cha lures and Salt Slayer jigs have been to go to baits for targeting Spanish this week.  Sheepsheads, reds and pompano are hitting live shrimp fished on the bottom. On the beach the pompano bite is going strong with many reporting that they are catching their limit as well as the occasional red. To go to bait has been live sand fleas and live shrimp, but frozen fleas and shrimp will also do the trick.

Paul Gambrell caught this 51.8lb cobia off the Navarre Pier this Tuesday on a custom cobia jig

Off shore the cobia bite is about as good as it gets. Most of the fish are ranging from 30 to 40 pounds. Jigs and eels have been the top baits. The amberjack bit is still going strong with most of the bigger fish being caught in at least 150 feet. King mackerel are also starting to make a good showing as the follow the bait that is being pushed in by the south east winds the last few days. Most are being caught by slow trolling around the schools of live baits and around many of the near shore wrecks. Those bottom fishing are also getting in the action with trigger fish, red and scamp grouper, mingo snapper and red porgies.

Until next week tight lines!

PORT ST. JOE/MEXICO BEACH
St. Joseph's Bay is hot! Trout, Redfish, Flounder, Spanish mackerel, Pompano, and Sheepshead are all biting throughout the bay. Early morning anglers along the beaches are rewarded with pompano. Inside the bay, anglers are reaching their bag limits of trout and redfish. Spanish mackerel are hitting everything in sight. Why it's a virtual fishing bonanza! Even novices can do very well right now. For Spanish mackerel, throw small spoons, "gotcha" plugs or bubble rigs. Popping corks and Carolina rigs are working great along the grass flats in the bay for both redfish and trout, but baitfish patterned artificial baits are catching bigger fish. Try them in three to five feet of water nearer the head of the bay. Flounder are biting great all over the bay. Sure, bull minnows are working well, but here again small soft plastics like gulp and curly tail grubs are the ticket to quality fish. The offshore bite is good too! Cobia are becoming more numerous in their spring run into the area. Amberjack are hammering baits on high relief wrecks. Bottom fishing is great bearing in mind that key species are out of season right now. However, that does not mean you can't fill your box with others. Go fishing, now is the time!

NAVARRE
For the next week we will be living through the old saying “April showers bring May flowers”! The rains and the breezy weather will add numerous hurdles to each outing. The water clarity will be down and the wave heights will be up just to name a few.    

Inshore sheepsheads are still making a good showing for themselves along with trout, redfish, and the occasional flounder. The sheepsheads are on deep structure in the sound and bays. Live shrimp, fiddler crabs, and fresh oysters are the go to bait. Slot reds are on many of the deeper docks and on the flats in as shallow as a foot of water in the sound. Suspending twitch baits such as YoZuri’s Crystal 3D Shrimp in black, gold and chartreuse, MirrOlures’ Catch 2000 and MirrOdine in the gold and black or light green and silver sides were the top baits for me this week as I landed seven reds and about a dozen small trout in the Narrows on Wednesday. Because of motor issues I did not get out too early to try any top water baits, but baits such as Rapala’s Skitter Walk, Bomber’s Badonk-A-Donk, MirrOlure’s Top Dog and Live Target’s Mullet would have been my baits of choice. Live shrimp is still the number one bait for those who prefer natural bait. Fished under a popping cork on the flats or with just a split shot around the deeper docks will get you the bite.

The cobia bit is pretty good right now even though the water clarity is less than desirable. Jigs and live eels have been the preferred baits. The first King was also landed this week on the pier and at 41 pounds it would have been a fish of a life time for some of us.  Spanish, sheepshead, bull reds, black drum, whiting and pompano are also available. Got-Cha lures and Salt Slayer jigs have been to go to baits for targeting Spanish this week.  Sheepsheads are also available with most fish hitting live shrimp and fiddler crabs fished on the bottom near the pylons. On the beach the pompano bite has started to heat up, with most being taken on live sand fleas. Redfish, blue fish and whiting are also available in the surf with most being caught on live sand fleas or live shrimp.

Off shore cobia, king mackerel, snowy grouper, scamp grouper, yellow edge grouper, tile fish, amberjacks, triggerfish, mingo snapper, red porgy and sward fish have all been landed this week on nearshore and offshore reefs and wrecks. The cobia bit is shaping up to be much better than we had last year, with most of the fish being caught around the Navarre area. Most fish are in the 30 to 50 pound range and are inhaling almost any jig or live bait tossed their way. A few kings are also being landed on both inshore and off shore trips. Most heading south out of the pass are targeting jacks, flounder, triggerfish and red porgies on near shore reefs and wrecks. Large live baits are landing more keepers jacks these days than jigging. Scamp grouper, red grouper, trigger fish, red porgies and the occasional vermillion snapper are also on many of the near and off shore wrecks. Those with good numbers off shore are deep dropping for snowy and yellow edge grouper, tile fish and bull mingo snapper.  There have also been several reports of swords being caught at night towards the south east.

As the temperature heats up so will the bite so stop making excuses and get out there!

Until next week tight lines!

PANAMA CITY BEACH OFFSHORE AND INSHORE
Well the Cobia have showed up in force this past week, quite a few of fish in the forty, fifty and sixty pound range being caught and even a few seventy pounders. They are being picked off the inshore wrecks and along the beach. If the wind would ever lay down some of us in smaller boats might be able to get out there and try our hand (I know, quit crying). Further out those looking for Red grouper and AJ’s have not been disappointed. Best reports have been from deeper water like in the 100 to 120 foot range. Jigs have worked great on the jacks and live pinfish was the preferred bait for the reds. Although if you have not tried the new Lucanis jig from Shimano, you ought to try it out, you will be surprised how many different species it will work on including Red grouper. It can be a real treat to head offshore without even having to take live or frozen bait, the jigging systems really do work.

In the surf we are hearing of some Pompano, Spanish mackerel, Redfish, Bluefish and a few Flounder. At the local piers the buzz is of course Cobia, and some nice fish have been landed. You can also expect to find plenty of Spanish, Blues, Some Reds, some Flounder and every now and then a decent amount of Pompano come through. There have even been some King mackerel caught out there. I guess you can say spring has sprung!!!

ST ANDREWS BAY SYSTEM
In spite of the wind there were lots of Spanish mackerel around and if you can catch the incoming tide in the morning you will be hooking up. There were some Sheephead around, the bite has slowed a bit but still worth targeting. Big Reds, Mangrove snapper, Black sea bass and a few Black drum are getting caught on the bottom in the pass and at the bridges. Also try places like your larger docks and seawalls that have deeper water. Trout and Redfish are being reported up in the grassy areas around the northern reaches of the bay system. Not in any great numbers but if you are patient you should find them. Bait is still a little hard to find and if you do find any…you should be golden.

PANAMA CITY BEACH OFFSHORE AND INSHORE
Well Grouper opened April 1st (all except Gag) and anglers from all over took advantage of it. There were plenty of Red grouper coming in from natural bottom type spots or around the outer edges of smaller wrecks. A few lucky rod jockeys picked up a Scamp or two but the lion's share was Red grouper. Still getting good reports on Amberjack in the hundred foot or more range, and you can still count on Trigger fish, Bee liners and White snapper to fill out the day. With every day that passes lately we are gaining about a degree per day in water temperature. We have even heard of a King or two being caught locally! Larger and larger schools of Spanish mackerel are coming through along the beach along with good numbers of Pompano. So if you haven't already, it is time to dust off the tackle box and gear up for spring… it's here!

Surf anglers are reporting better numbers of Spanish mackerel and Pompano, Blue fish and every now and then a silvery Redfish comes along (they lose some of their reddish color being out in the Gulf).

ST. ANDREWS BAY SYSTEM
The Sheep head bite slowed a bit last week but you can still find them in their usual haunts (discussed last week and you can view it in the fishing report archives if you missed it). Spanish mackerel are really coming on strong in the pass area and along the channel heading towards the Port. If you catch the tide on the increase when the green water has pushed it's way into the bay you will find them. They don't seem to care for the tannin colored water that flows out on the outgoing tide. You will still find some but not near as much as you will on the incoming tide. Mangrove snapper, Redfish, Black drum and a some Flounder are getting caught in deeper waters around the channels and bridges. Speckled trout and smaller reds are starting to really work the grassy areas over when the sun gets up and the tide is on the increase. Look for any signs of bait to help you to find fish. You can also count on finding Trout and Reds following schools of Mullet. By the way I hear there are some juvenile Tarpon getting caught in cast nets and or on hook and line in with schools of Mullet. If you would like to help find out more about Tarpon we have some free DNA sampling kits available at the Thomas Drive location, its easy to do and will help us to learn a lot more about the life cycle and habits of this hard fighting sport fish. Research like this and the information it reveals is always good for our sport.

NAVARRE
I don’t think we could have asked for a better weekend than what we had last week and this week is shaping up for more of the same. With no real rain in the forecast until next Thursday this should give everyone an opportunity to get out and relax a little on the water.

Inshore sheepsheads are still one of the hottest bites, but trout and redfish are on fire as well. The sheepsheads are on most of the deep structure in the sound and bays. Live shrimp, fiddler crabs, and fresh oysters have been the go to bait. And for a change we have live shrimp and fiddlers available at the store. We also received a shipment of bull minnows this week if you are looking to target flounder that are starting to make a showing. Slot reds are on many of the deeper docks in the sound, the Navarre, and Bob Sikes Bridges. They can also be found mixed in with the schools of mullet that have invaded the flats the last couple of weeks, however don’t be surprised when your red turns in to a gator trout as it gets closer to the net. Suspending twitch baits such as YoZuri’s Crystal 3D Shrimp in gold and chartreuse, MirrOlures’ Catch 2000 and MirrOdine in the gold and black or light green and silver sides. Top water baits such as Rapala’s Skitter Walk, Bomber’s Badonk-A-Donk, MirrOlure’s Top Dog and Live Target’s Mullet should be producing during the late afternoon and early morning bite. With all that said the number one go to bait is still live shrimp, whether fished under a popping cork on the flats or with just a split shot around the deeper docks. 

The cobia are defiantly here at the Navarre pier with any ware from seven to thirteen fished caught on Wednesday. Jigs and live eels have been the preferred baits. Spanish, sheepshead, bull reds, black drum, whiting and pompano are also available. The top bait for the Spanish this week has been Got-Cha lures with bubble rigs and Salt Slayer jigs not far behind. They have also been seeing a few kings around, but no one has landed any yet, but I expect that to change very shortly. Sheepshead are also available with most fish hitting live shrimp and fiddler crabs fished on the bottom near the pylons. On the beach Pompano, redfish and whiting have been the main targets with most falling for live sand fleas and live shrimp.  

Cobia, king mackerel, snowy grouper, scamp grouper, yellow edge grouper, tile fish, amberjacks, triggerfish, mingo snapper, red porgy and sward and many more species are available right now on nearshore and offshore reefs and wrecks. Cobia fever has set in along the gulf coast with more and more landing and sightings every day. Most fish are in the 30 to 50 pound range and are inhaling almost any jig or live bait tossed their way. A few kings are also being landed on both inshore and off shore trips. Most heading south out of the pass are targeting jacks, flounder, triggerfish and red porgies on near shore reefs and wrecks. Large live baits are landing more keepers jacks these days than jigging. Scamp grouper, red grouper, trigger fish, red porgies and the occasional vermillion snapper are also on many of the near and off shore wrecks. A few boats made it out around the rigs this week with many reporting good numbers of blackfin tuna as well as small yellowfin. When not targeting tuna and wahoo, many are deep dropping for snowy and yellow edge grouper, tile fish and bull mingo snapper. There have also been several reports of swords being caught at night towards the south east.

Spring is here and the bite is hot everywhere you go right now so no excuses, get on out there!

Until next week tight lines!

NAVARRE
I think we are over the hump when it comes to colds fronts in our area. This weekend with the exception of Sunday (which is iffy) is forecasted for great weather and outstanding tides.

Inshore sheepsheads are the hottest bite this week on almost every deep structure that is available and it dose not look like it’s slowing down. Live shrimp, fiddler crabs, and fresh oysters have been the go to bait. The water clarity has improved considerably in the sound this week, although the back bays are still under the effects of the last rains. Slot reds are on many of the deeper docks as well as the Navarre and Bob Sikes Bridges; however we are starting to see more and more reds on the flats. Live shrimp being is still the top bait for the reds, whether fished under a popping cork on the flats or with just a split shot around the deeper docks. I’ve finally received a few good trout reports from both the sound and East Bay. In the sound we are starting to see trout on the flats around the mullet schools as well as around much of the deeper structures such as the Navarre Bridge. East Bay has been on fire at night on many of the lit up docks live shrimp, DOA shrimp, suspending twitch baits and soft plastic grub tail are all working once you have located the trout. Bull reds are still around the Destin and Pensacola passes as well as on the many of the near shore reefs. 1 to 2 ounce bucktail and soft plastic jigs are the top producing artificial baits, with live pinfish and croakers the top natural baits for these oversized reds.

The first cobia caught on the Navarre pier was the biggest change for pier and surf fishermen this week. Sheepshead, bull reds, black drum, whiting and pompano are still the sought after species. Sheepshead continue to be the top bite on the pier with most fish hitting live shrimp and fiddler crabs fished on the bottom near the pylons. The pier is still attracting bull reds and large black drum. Live and frozen shrimp are both working on the reds and black drums. On the beach Pompano, redfish and whiting have been the main targets with most falling for live sand fleas and live shrimp.

Not much change last week for near shore and off shore anglers. A few more cobia have been landed as well as a few kings on trips further off shore. Most heading south out of the pass are targeting jacks, flounder, triggerfish and red porgies on near shore reefs and wrecks. Large live baits are landing more keepers jacks these days than jigging, but if you just want to have a good time and release everything you catch jigging can’t be beat. Triggers, red porgies and the occasional vermillion snapper are also on many of the near and off shore wrecks and will gladly gobble up cut bonito or squid.  

Until next week tight lines!

PANAMA CITY BEACH OFFSHORE & INSHORE
This past week held some pretty windy weather and the reports from off shore are not many. Most of those that did manage to go did have good things to say about big jacks. The better catches were from further out. Any wreck in a hundred or more feet of water seemed to be a good bet. Trigger fish, White snapper, bee liners and a few Black snapper were brought to the dock along with the AJ's but everyone is anticipating the re opening of Grouper (all grouper except Gag opens April one). No recent reports of Cobia in our area though people are out there looking. Spanish mackerel are coming through along the beach along with some Pompano. With each degree increase in water temperature we will see more and more fish show up. Low sixties now and it won't be long now before we hit the "magic" number of sixty eight.

Capt Eric with Redfin Charters sent in the below picture of Gary Gault their Amberjack catch about 15 miles offshore.

Surf anglers have reported a fair amount of Pompano, Spanish, Blues and a few Redfish.

ST. ANDREWS BAY
The Sheep head bite is absolutely in full swing. They are chewing on anything that will grow a barnacle. Of course the pass holds quite a few fish but it also holds a lot of anglers competing for the best spot. If you don't want to deal with the crowd, know that you can also find them around your larger docks, seawalls and bridges. Live shrimp, Fiddler crabs, Sand fleas all work real good as bait but you have to rig it as stealthily as you can, fluorocarbon leader is highly recommended along with small but strong hooks. These same locations are holding Mangrove snapper, Redfish, Black drum and a few Flounder too. Trout and smaller reds are getting found in places like the grass beds near the old airport, and up in protected bayous like those in the Cove. Last week had a full moon and the better bite was in the afternoon but that will gradually change as the effect of the moon diminishes and the water warms. We are expecting warmer days and nights for the next week or so and this should have a positive effect on one of our favorite pastimes.

PORT ST. JOE/MEXICO BEACH
What is biting? Last weeks redfish-feeding frenzy beneath the George Tapper Bridge in Port St Joe has slowed with the freshwater run-off from recent rains. Anglers however, are pleased to report that speckled sea trout have replaced the reds beneath the bridge. Where did the redfish go you might ask...further up the intracoastal canal try working the stretch between Wood's Fisheries and the power line crossing. Bounce a live shrimp on the bottom while drifting. St Joe bay is warming up and the trout are hungry. Anglers report increasing flounder catches along with sheepshead. The season is shaping up nicely offshore too. High relief wrecks are producing quality amberjack. On the bottom at other locations, sport fishermen report a variety of snappers' grouper and triggerfish brought to the boat, while observing the fishing regulations of course!

NAVARRE
It looks like we are in for more unpredictable March weather this weekend with small weather windows here and there. There is however one good sign in the forecast and that is for south and south east winds for at least two days this weekend. Hopefully it will blow in a few cobias and kick off this year’s season.

The water clarity is still not what it normally is, but there has been some improvement seen this week, especially in the Sound. The Sound is where I’ve been getting most of my reports from this week. Slot reds are on many of the deeper docks as well as the Navarre and Bob Sikes Bridge with live shrimp being the go to bait. The only trout reports I have received are from folks fishing around the Tiger Point area and around the power lines in East Bay. Again live shrimp has been the go to bait. Bull reds are still around the Destin and Pensacola passes as well as on the many of the near shore reefs. 1 to 2 ounce bucktail and soft plastic jigs are the top producing artificial baits, with live pinfish and croakers the top natural baits for these oversized reds. The sheepshead bite has been outstanding around the area with most being caught with live fiddler crabs and live shrimp around the deeper structure in the sound and bays as well as around the jetties in Destin and Pensacola.

Hannah, Ella, & Ava Traywick had a good day fishing on Navarre Beach

No real change for pier and surf fishermen this week. Sheepshead, bull reds, black drum, whiting and pompano continue to be the targeted species. Although that may change soon with the first king of the year caught on the Pensacola Pier this week they may show up this weekend when the winds shift to the south east. It will also depend on how much bait is in the area, and from the flocks of birds feed just off area beaches there should be plenty to go around. Sheepsheads have been the top bite with most fish hitting live shrimp and fiddler crabs fished on the bottom near the pylons. The pier is still attracting bull reds and large black drum. Live and frozen shrimp are both working on the reds and black drums. Still no sighting of cobia yet along the beach, but with the warmer weather forecasted hopefully the first fish will be on the deck this weekend.

The near shore and off shore report is starting to see a few changes with the landing and sighting a several cobia and King Mackerels along area beaches and near shore wrecks. Hopefully this weekend will kick off the spring season in our area. The flounder and bull reds are still available around the near shore wrecks. 1oz jigs tipped with a Gulp or Trigger X shrimp was all that was needed on the wrecks in less than 70 feet. Many of the near shore wrecks are holding good numbers of amberjacks, with large live baits landing more keepers than Jigging. Triggers and are also on many of the near and off shore wrecks and reefs in 70 to 150 foot depths. Cut bonito and cut squid were the top baits.  The only blue water reports I have received have most getting skunked with the exception of those deep dropping for deep water groupers and tile fish.

Until next week tight lines!

PANAMA CITY OFFSHORE AND INSHORE
March can’t seem to make up its mind whether we are going to have spring conditions or late winter. However if you get a chance to go and the wind lays down enough to allow a trip out, the reports from the bridge spans and other large structures have been real good. There are plenty of keeper size Amberjack to be had. Stringer fish like Trigger fish, White snapper, and Bee liners are around in pretty good numbers too. We have also heard of at least two or three Cobia either caught or speared offshore and at least two caught sight fishing for them locally, and we love to hear that. Maybe we will actually get a Cobia season this year. Give it another week or so and I believe we will start to see them in better numbers.

Gary and Molly below with their Redfish catch!

In the surf we are hearing of some Pompano, Redfish, Bluefish and a few Flounder. Cleaner water has showed up in the last couple of days and we should start seeing some Spanish mackerel around again soon.

ST ANDREWS BAY SYSTEM
Speckled trout and Redfish are being found up in the grass flats especially in the afternoon when the sun has had a chance to warm up the water a degree or two. A good hour or two before high tide seems to provide them the needed depth to forage these shallow areas. Locating warmer water will help you to find fish so pay attention to your bottom machines temperature reading as you travel around. Keep in mind too that in low visibility conditions it helps to use noisy baits like poppers and or add scent to up your chances of them finding your offering. There are plenty of Sheep head around, keep in mind that once they have worked an area over, they will move on to find better feedinggrounds. Where you found them last week may not be where you will find them today. Fortunately barnacles grow pretty fast and strong currents like those at the pass and Hathaway bridge wash in a new supply of food in with each change of the tide so they will swing back around for another look soon. Big Reds, Mangrove snapper, Black sea bass and a few Black drum are getting caught on the bottom in the pass and at the bridges. Also try places like your larger docks and seawalls that have deep water access. Don’t be surprised to pull up a Flounder while working these areas, more than a few have been caught while fishing these deeper spots. The still cool bay water has kept most bait fish down deep so it make sense that you’d find predators there too. Spanish mackerel are around some… but sunny days and green water seem to be the common link we find when we talk to people who have found them.

Angler's Dave Hicks and Nate Sherrer with their Sheepshead catch March 18th, 2013

NAVARRE
There should not be any excuse for not getting out on the water this weekend. The weather is going to be in the 70’s and we should see pretty good water movement with the tides that are forecasted.

The rain we had the last couple of weeks is still flowing south and continues to affect the water quality in area bays as well as the sound. Because of the muddy water popping corks and artificial baits with plenty of rattle will be the go to presentations. Bull reds are still around the Destin and Pensacola passes as well as on the near shore reefs. 1 to 2 ounce bucktail and soft plastic jigs are the top producing artificial baits, with live pinfish and croakers the top natural baits for these oversized reds. Good numbers of slot reds can be had in the sound around docks that have at least four feet of water as well as on the flats that have plenty of decaying organic matter on the bottom. Live shrimp fished under a popping cork on the flats or with just a split shot around the deeper docks in the sound are a couple of great presentations right now. Gulp shrimps fished on a jig or on a carolina rig are also producing. There are still good numbers of specks as well as a few white trout in the deeper canals as well as near the entrance to most of the area rivers. DOA shrimp with a rattle inside and small LIVE TARGET Pinfish lures are really doing the job with all this dirty water in the area. The sheepshead bite has exploded around the area with most being caught around the deeper structure in the sound and bays as well as around the jetties in Destin and Pensacola. Live bait is the key to catching these professional bait thieves with live fiddler crabs and live shrimp the top baits.

Below is Ed with a Redfish caught from the Navarre Pier!  Nice catch Ed!

Sheepshead, bull reds, black drum, whiting and pompano have been the top bite around the pier and surf. Live shrimp, fiddler crabs, and sand fleas are the top baits right now. Sheepsheads have been the top bite with most fish hitting live shrimp and fiddler crabs fished on the bottom near the pylons.

"Thanks for all your help and advice!! Me (Lionel James ) and my pop (Thomas James) this evening on the Navarre pier!  19 total Sheepshead in about 2hrs"
Great catch guys!

The pier is still attracting bull reds and large black drum. Live or frozen shrimp have been the bait of choice for them. Have not heard of any sighting of cobia yet, but with the warmer weather approaching it won’t be long.

Below is a Black Drum also caught from the Navarre Pier!

Flounder and bull reds are available around the near shore wrecks. 1oz jigs tipped with a Gulp or Trigger X shrimp was all that was needed on the wrecks in less than 70 feet. Many of the near shore wrecks are still holding good numbers of amberjacks, with large live baits landing the more keepers than Jigging. Triggers and are also on many of the near and off shore wrecks and reefs in 70 to 150 foot depths. Cut bonito and cut squid were the top baits. The only reports I have received about the rigs have been bad due to the large amount of fresh water coming out of the Mississippi right now. From the latest satellite imagery there is a lot of ugly water as far west as the steps. Hopefully it will start to clear up soon.

Until next week, tight lines!

 PANAMA CITY BEACH OFFSHORE & INSHORE
Well we are still waiting for Cobia to show up inshore but we need the water temp to come up at least eight or nine degrees. We were approaching the mid sixties but then we had another front come through and knock it back several degrees. This could be a good thing as the cold fronts can bunch them up and cause them to come through in wads. Most avid Cobia fisherman will tell you that we need the cold fronts to do just that. As far as offshore fishing the Amberjack and bar jacks are providing plenty of action over the bridge spans. In addition Trigger fish, bee liners and White snapper are there to help fill the box. You just have to get out there and work it to your advantage.

Surf anglers have found a fair amount of Reds, Blues, a few Pompano and Flounder. Spanish have been hard to find lately but should return soon.

Pictured below is a nice Redfish sent in by Capt. Larry Martin, Private Charters Sportfishing from his last trip this week. 

ST ANDREWS BAY SYSTEM
The bay is still stained with all the tannin fresh water from all the recent rain. This along with the constant push of cold fronts has had a somewhat negative effect on flats fishing. The fish are still around but are harder to find due to the constantly changing conditions. Some nice Trout have been reported in Grand Lagoon and up in the canals of places like Pretty Bayou. Pinfish or finger mullet were the preferred bait. Some artificial baits are working but they have to be presented properly. There have been a lot of Sheepshead, Mangroves, Redfish and Black drum getting caught around the pass area and the larger bridge channels. Spanish were active recently but have retreated, give it a few warm days and they will return.