Finally heating up in Panama City Beach
Capt. Scott Fitzgerald
February 18, 2014
Panama City - Saltwater Fishing Report
Hey guys the past week has been awesome!!!!! Water temperatures are starting to rise 57.8 degrees yesterday. Offshore the Rudder Jacks and amberjacks are still killing the jigs.
Bottom fishing has been really good lots of big white snapper, Vermillion snapper, Key West Porgy's,
trigger fish and even a few red grouper. Also lots of big red snapper,
but the highlight's have been the Sharks. We seem to be catching them on most trips. Their eating the fish as we bring them up to the boat and then BOOM SHARK ON!!! Most of them are in the 150 to 200 pound class but we do manage to occasionally get a smaller one like this one here.
Inshore the red fish have been on the flats mostly in small groups but a few big pods can be found. They are really starting to chew!!!! They are eating mostly soft plastics or shrimp but will still chase a gold spoon and even eat a top water lure. The trout are still in the canals, they are starting to eat everything presented to them. Live shrimp is still working best but finger mullet and pinfish seem to be the trick for the bigger ones.
Sheep head are in the pass also under the bridges and on the pier pilings. Live shrimp and fiddler crabs if you can find them work best but I really like to use fresh oysters. The blue Fish are starting to move out onto the beach you will find a few red fish mixed in with them. There has also been a few squid caught off of the piers during the day this is a little strange because you usually catch them at night. Pompano, Spanish mackerel and jack Crevalle are still a few weeks off and cobia should start to show up around the middle to the end of March depending on water temperature. Overall fishing is really starting to heat up here in Panama City so if you're sick of the snow and cold get your butts down here and book a trip with some of our great guides!!!!
As always bent poles and tight lines to everyone.
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