[dropcap]J[/dropcap]une fishing is very similar to May. However, the warmer temperatures will send the fish to a little bit deeper waters and tend to scatter the fish instead of them schooling. Typically in St. Joe Bay, early mornings with good tides will move some fish into the shallows. The topwater bite is usually good this time of year… If you can get away from the floating grass. I prefer the bone colored Spook JR or Rapala Skitterwalk. Work the contour changes where grass beds and sand are mixed in together, or work the ledges where there is a sudden change in depth. As the sun gets higher and temps rise, most of your bites will come in depths from 4-8 feet. Trout and redfish will be congregated around those deeper grass beds, while the flounders will stack in the sandy pot holes in the grass. Suspension baits like the Mirrolure mirrodines or the Rapala X-rap work great because they sink deeper in the water column. Also, soft plastics like Berkley Gulps or Gotcha curly tail grubs in the pearl white on a 1/4 ounce jig head will produce a lot of strikes in those deeper depths.
East Bay in Panama City is also a great location this time of year. It’s very similar to St. Joe Bay, so look for the grass beds in 4-6 feet of water. The western bank, directly behind the Tyndall Air Force base produces lots of trout and redfish. Using the same lures as in St. Joe, however, the top-water bite tends to last a little longer because of the darker water color.
Remember, as the summer approaches and temperatures rise, fish will become less and less active throughout the day. Don’t be to prideful for live bait. Live pilchards, or alewives (LYs), and live pin fish work great during the summer months. Free-line them under a cork or on a drop rig with a 1/2 ounce sinker. This will greatly increase your hook ups this summer. Also, remember to apply sun block, stay hydrated and beat the heat. For guide services and a fun day on the water, give me a call to get “hooked up.” Good Luck and Tight Lines!
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