Backcountry/Bay/Inshore
The key to fishing here in August is to beat the heat. If you can do that, you are in for some of the best fishing of the year. The trout and redfish are biting early and late in the day on the grass flats all over the bays. Reports from West Bay and East Bay seem to be where the bigger trout are being caught. Right at daylight is the best bite. Use your favorite top water lures early for some exciting surface strikes from both species-trout and reds. Most soft plastic baits like Berkley gulps, D.O.A., and Voodoo Shrimp have been working well. Also, a gold spoon will readily be taken by redfish as well. If you can get a net full of alewives, menhaden or pilchards you will be in business. Live shrimp works well if you can fight through the pinfish. There have also been lots of bluefish and Spanish mackerel being caught in the bay and that should continue in August.
There are also plenty of sharks if that’s what you’re looking for. In the Pass, there are some good redfish being caught on live pinfish or just about any other life bait you send down. If you’re in a boat, find the baitfish and drift with the schools. Some big tarpon have been caught in the pass as well as on the beach. Live mullet, blue crabs, and lady fish steaks have been working well. If you can get around structure in the bay, you can catch big Black snapper, some keeper Gag grouper, and even the occasional Red snapper. But bring your heavy gear for the bay grouper or you will only be treated poorly. Inshore the pompano are still biting sand fleas or a jig tipped with shrimp. There have also been some big redfish caught from the beach and the piers. The same goes for King mackerel. It has been a good year for them and it looks to continue. Flat lining live bait works best, but trolling will get plenty of action as well.
Panama City Beach Offshore
The grouper fishing continues to be good if you can get through all the Red snapper. Contrary to popular belief, the inshore wrecks inside of 9 miles (state waters) are still holding red snapper and don’t forget that state waters are the only waters you can keep red snapper out of. In federal waters (outside of 9 miles), not only are the Gag grouper and Red grouper jumping in the boat, but there are plenty of scamp too and lots of other reef species to fill the cooker with. Some big cobia has been caught over the offshore wrecks as well as some big smoker kings and amberjacks. Capt. Bobo Hobbs of the Florida Queen reports that they have made some good hauls this month and it isn’t slowing down.
The best thing about fishing here in August, other than the awesome fishing action, is that the crowds are gone, the weather is beautiful, and the waters around Panama City’s bays and beach can be enjoyed in relative privacy with family and friends. See you at the island! Capt. Daryl Shumate Liquid Native Charters 850-624-6968 Liquidnativecharters.com
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