Fishing Panama City and Surrounding Areas Presented by Ron Barwick ron@halfhitch.com Service Manager at Half Hitch halfhitch.com 1
Inshore Fishing Inshore Panama City Fishing Forecast May 2012 Speckled Trout and Redfish will return to the grassy flats. As the water gets nice and warm during this month the fish will become more active and start hitting top water baits. Live shrimp is still the preferred bait but top water plugs like Yo-Zuri crystal minnow are lots of fun to use. Generally, the better tide to fish is the high tide and the first few hours of the outgoing tide. Bull redfish can be found in the along the jetties. Mangrove snapper will be around most structure in the bay as well as at the jetties. Spanish mackerel will be around all month, and it best to troll with a mackerel tree with a Clark spoon. Early in the month use a size 00 Clark spoon and change to a size 0 mid month as both the Spanish and the baitfish get bigger. Inshore Destin to Navarre Fishing Forecast May 2012 All the fish have returned from the rivers to the grass flats to feed and grow on the ever present bait fish and shrimp. They will remain here for the spring, summer and early fall. This is a good time to try some shallow water sight fishing early in the morning for Redfish and Trout. There is also some great top water fishing opportunities for the Speckled Trout. Flounder will be invading the bays and sounds too. All these species are structure oriented fish and you should pay attention to docks, bridge pilings and oyster bars and drop offs. 2
OffShore Fishing Off Shore Panama City Fishing Forecast May 2012 As the warmer waters move inshore the tuna, dolphin and marlin become reachable. Watch the satellite temperature charts to see where the warm waters are to save time and money. Wahoo and dolphin will show up first with tuna right behind. Many people will troll high- speed lures, such as the panhandler, to find the fish or tide line then use natural or live bait to really focus on the fish. The grouper bite should be very good in water 150+ feet deep. Off Shore Destin to Navarre Fishing Forecast May 2012 The King mackerel should be on the beach or very near it along with the Spanish mackerel. Slow trolling live baits, spoons or Duster rigs are very effective. The Grouper, Scamp and Amberjack bite should remain good in 100 to 200 plus feet of water and possibly less. Don't forget that Red Snapper now has a season and be sure to check out when it opens and closes. The Trigger fish bite will be good this month as well. As warmer water continues to push its way to the north the Dolphin, Wahoo and other game fish will become more accessible. 3
Pier Fishing Panama City Pier Fishing Forecast May 2012 Pompano, Spanish mackerel, Lady Fish, Blue Fish and King Mackerel will be easy to target from the piers this month. Pompano can be caught using jigs tipped with shrimp, sand fleas, or fish bites strips; or use a two hook rig weighted with a pyramid sinker. The Spanish, Lady Fish and Blue Fish can be caught using spoons and gotcha plugs. Destin to Navarre Pier Fishing Forecast May 2012 May is here and everything should be in full swing. Hopefully the weather will cooperate with us and bring very little wind. The Pompano fishing should remain good all this month.. The Spanish mackerel should be attacking anything that resembles a small bait fish, and the skip jack (Ladyfish) will begin to show themselves more as well. From here on out the weather and the fishing will continue to get hotter. The Bonita and occasional Bluefish will be near the piers as well and offer some great light tackle angling. Don't be surprised if you hook into a bull Redfish, monster Jack Crevalle, Cobia or even a Dolphin. 4
Tarpon First 1 st full moon in June to the last full moon in August Lots of traveling fish & difficult to get to eat Use small baits, light fluorocarbon leader to get bite Mexico Beach to Eastern end of Shell Island 5
CHART #11390 6
DIURNAL TIDES www.saltwatertides.com Because of East/West shore line & the effects of the Bay there are normally only have 2 tides daily 7
GRASS BEDS Now protected by law Shallow water is marked with signs When fishing shallow water, Pole instead of motoring to avoid damage to sea grass You can be fined for destroying grass beds 8
MEETINGS Next Meeting Scheduled: Gulf Of Mexico Fishery Management Council 2203 N Lois Avenue, Suite 1100 Tampa, Florida 33607 USA Toll Free: 888-833-1844 Email: info@gulfcouncil.org gulfcouncil.org June 18-22, 2012 Hilton 2225 N. Lois Ave. Tampa, FL 33607 9
MEETINGS Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Farris Bryant Building 620 S. Meridian St. Tallahassee, FL 32399-1600 (850) 488-4676 Next Meetings: May 2-3, 2012 Crystal River June 27-28, 2012 West Palm Saltwater Regulations myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/ 10
KIDS FISHING CLINIC May 19, 2012 VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED! Volunteers are needed & will make this a memorable event for children in our community. For more information contact (850) 234-2621 or angie@halfhitch.com. This free event teaches children fishing ethics, angling skills and safety while providing a positive fishing experience. Each child receives a free rod & reel, tackle, and lunch. Mark your calendars and join us for the Kids Fishing Clinic at the Panama City Marina! myfwc.org fishfloridatag.org pcmarina.com halfhitch.com 11
FISHING NEWLSETTER Visit halfhitch.com select Fishing Club and sign up for the Half Hitch Newsletter. By registering your email you will stay informed about what's going on in the fishing industry and receive notification of special buys, seminars and tournament information. halfhitch.com 12