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NAVARREThere 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 & INSHOREWell 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 SYSTEMThe 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.
This Fishing Report was submitted on 3/15/2013 12:35:31 PM by Seamus and last updated on 3/22/2013 12:35:31 PM.
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