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Hooking Up Anglers Since 2011.
PORT ST. JOE/MEXICO BEACHWhat 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!
NAVARREIt 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 INSHOREMarch 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 SYSTEMSpeckled 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
This Fishing Report was submitted on 3/24/2013 7:55:33 PM by Seamus and last updated on 3/25/2013 7:55:33 PM.
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