Weekly Fishing Report 08/08/2013

NAVARRE
Hopefully the weather will work with us this weekend and we will be able to get out and enjoy some of the great fishing that is going on right now.  

Black snapper is still the hottest bit right now and are easily found around docks, bridges, and even the pylons at the pier. Small shrimp and small hooks has been the key to landing these expert bait thieves. The trout and redfish bite is still going strong in the sound and East Bay. The flats around the Tiger Point area in the sound continues to be especially productive first thing in the morning for angler using top water plugs such as Zera Spooks, Top Dogs, and Skitter walks.  Live shrimp, pinfish, croakers, finger mullet and pilchards fished under a popping cork is producing some monster trout right now.  The flounder bite remains steady, although most are undersize.

On the pier black snapper are tearing up small live shrimp fished around the pylons. The king bite has improved some with the recent south east winds and should continue to improve it continues to flow from the south. Live bait has been the tom bait for the king, but they will hit frozen as well. .The Spanish are being caught are pretty small with a few keepers mixed in. There is plenty of hadtails, cigar minnows and threadfins so bait is not hard to come by. Bull reds are cruising the surf line and will readily eat a live pinfish fished right on the bottom. The occasional redfish and pompano in the surf if you can get through the seaweed and grass that seem to be accumulating. The most reliable catches right now seem to be ladyfish, hardtails and blue fish.

Kings continue to be the main target this week by most anglers trolling around the pass and near nearshore wrecks. Slow trolling live baits on planers or downriggers has been the most productive presentation, although trolling deep diving plugs such as Mann’s Stretch 25’s, YoZuri deep diving 3D minnows, and X’Rap deep diving plugs are a good alternative.  The bottom fishing right now is outstanding it seems like everyone has a great fishing report on amberjacks, triggerfish, Large live baits such as hardtails, pinfish, and red porgies have been the top baits for grouper and amberjacks. For the triggerfish small pieces of cut squid fished on heave duty circle hooks are the key to putting them in the cooler.

Until next week tight lines and get out there!

PANAMA CITY BEACH OFFSHORE
If you can find the time to get offshore you will not be disappointed, the Amberjack are thick over the bridge spans and over large wrecks like the Putnam reef and the USS Strength. They respond well to jigs but a live hard-tail or squirrel fish will get slammed. After you are done with the reef donkeys try for some Trigger fish and or Bee liners. Small strong circle hooks and squid will do the job and there are a gracious plenty of them out there. Grouper are on these wrecks too but getting your bait to the bottom can be the tricky. Use a heavy weight and try to drop near but not on top of the structure. There are a lot of sharks and Barracuda around so don’t dally on the way up or when you get the fish boat-side, have that landing net or gaff handy or you might lose your catch. King mackerel are getting picked off over the wrecks flat lining or slow trolling with a planer or down rigger to get the bait down deep. Wahoo and Dolphin reports have been pretty good but have come from out in the thirty to fifty mile range. Also remember to be looking for Tripletail, this is the time of year we see them. Ease up to anything floating and have a rod rigged and ready. If you come in “hot” they are gone and re-rigging a rod on the spot is probably not the best move. Flourocarbon leader is a must (twenty pound or so) and live pinfish or shrimp will usually do the trick.

SURF AND PIER
Fishing from the beach has been kind of slow. The water has cleared up nicely though and I believe things will change for the better. Some early risers have managed to pick up a few Pompano and Whiting but soon after the sun gets up the bite stops. During the day the Ladyfish and hard-tails take over. Shark fishing from the beach at night is about as close as you can get to a guaranteed hook up. Lots of three to four foot Black tips around along with some big Hammerheads.

Pier fishing is better if you go early or late. Middle of the day has been real slow, not saying you won’t catch anything but you will have to work at it. Kings and Spanish on live minnows if you can get them, if not frozen will work. Gotchas and bubble rigs are catching their share of Spanish too. Redfish (usually over slot) and a few Sheep head can be seen hanging around the pilings but they are pretty wary. If you can coax them into a strike you have done better than most anglers out there. A few Flounder were caught this past week so keep in mind if you are going out there be ready to change tactics. It’s kind of hard to fish for Flounder with King tackle.

ST ANDREWS BAY SYSTEM
The water is getting pretty warm lately, between the dark brown color and the fact that it is August water temperatures in the upper eighties and even low nineties can be found. Finding cooler water and fishing in places that get a better tidal flow can definitely make a difference. Mangrove snapper, Sheep head, Redfish, and Speckled trout can be found but you may have to move around a bit to find them. Use brightly colored artificials and scents to your advantage, cut the tail off of your live or dead baits to help them find your offering. Chumming can be good too but, there are a lot of sharks in the bay so you may get more than you bargained for. Or maybe a few small Blacktips can save the day. Some action is better than no action!