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Hooking Up Anglers Since 2011.
PORT ST. JOE/MEXICO BEACH
Offshore & Near ShoreFinally the rain has stopped for a few days the past week. And the few fishermen that have been out are still catching king mackerel in the buoy line off Mexico Beach. Triggerfish, red and gag grouper, and scamp are being caught in the offshore trips. Amberjack and cobia are also keeping the offshore anglers busy.
St Joe BayThe bay fishing has continued to improve this week. Reports of increased speckled trout action is highlighted with a customer reporting over 30 trout caught with two of those being over 25 inches – the exact location in the bay was kept secret, but the bait was divulged, somewhat, dark colored soft plastic swim bait. One angler brought in a 40 lb black drum on a fly rod. Black drum, redfish, flounder, and crabs are still being caught at the mouth of Port St Joe Canal. This bite has been going on for two weeks. The moving water as the tide changes seems to be the key.
Surf/ShoreWhiting are being caught in the surf off Cape San Blas, if you can keep your bait away from the catfish and sharks. The shark lady is still working her magic with an 8 foot shark caught from the beach as well as big bull reds, and monster black drum. The fishing action is getting better as the weather improves. Get Out There, and be safe.
NAVARRE
We may not have the best fishing tides this weekend, but the weather sure looks good for those of us heading both inshore or off.
Bull reds are starting to make a showing in the bays, sound, and at the Pensacola and Destin Pass. Uou will find them feeding on schools of menhaden around Blackwater and East Bay and in the sound under the schools of feeding ladyfish. Around area passes the outgoing tide has been the most productive with pinfish and croakers fished on the bottom. The water clarity is slowly improving in the inercoastal with the reduction of rain in our area. Along with the birds this is making it much easier to sight fish around the large schools of glass minnows. Ladyfish, bluefish, Spanish, and jacks are in a feeding frenzy right now and so are trout and redfish. About any artificial crank bait, spoon or fly will work right now. On the flats top water artificials or shrimp under a popping cork have been the go to presentations first thing in the morning for trout and reds. Black snapper are thick around bridges, deep docks, and rock piles. Live shrimp and live pilchards have been the go to bait for the snapper. Flounder are showing up more and more each day so be sure to drag a few tiger minnows or finger mullets around deeper docks and bridge pilings when you fish those areas. Gulp and Vudo artificial shrimp are excellent choices when targeting flounder.
On the Pier and in the surf there has not been much change from last week. The water quality continues to clear up because of the lack of rain and the June grass dying off. The king bite is about the same with a few Spanish as well. There is plenty of hadtails, cigar minnows and threadfins so bait is not hard to come by. Schools of reds are cruising the surf line and a few are being caught on live bait. Live sand fleas and live shrimp are the top baits right now in the surf weather targeting redfish, pompano, or whiting.
Offshore some of the hottest action this weekend will be had by bottom fishermen. Grouper and amberjack catches are about the best I’ve seen all summer. Mingos, triggers and red porgies are also making a good showing as well. The hottest bite seems to be on reefs and wrecks the 150 to 200 foot depths. Large live baits such as hardtails, pinfish, and red porgies have been the top baits for grouper and amberjacks. For the triggerfish, mingos, and red porgies small pieces of cut squid fished on heave duty circle hooks are the key to putting them in the cooler. King mackerel are also available closer to shore near area passes or on nearshore wrecks. There is no better presentation slow trolling with live baits on flat lines just behind the boat or on planers or downriggers. Although 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. Further off shore just off the edge wahoo, blackfin, yellowfin, mahi, white marlin, and blue marlin are pretty hot right now. The wahoo are really keying in on YoZuri Bonita lures and for every thing else you can’t beat a blue and white islander ballyhoo rig.
Until next week tight lines and get out there!
This Fishing Report was submitted on 9/6/2013 10:30:34 PM by Seamus and last updated on 9/6/2013 10:30:34 PM.
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