Panama City, Bay County, FL
Sunny
·
84°F
·
Feels 89°
Naples Premier Offshore Fishing Charter
Pattern day — fish are predictable. Work structure and watch the feeding windows.
80-150lb mono leader with crimps
Tarpon require heavy, abrasion-resistant leaders; their mouths are tough and bony
Versatile soft plastic shrimp in rootbeer, chartreuse, or pink
Bay standard — works for redfish, seatrout, snapper, permit
Weedless gold spoon with fiber guard
Excellent for redfish in shallow bay grass — flash and vibration trigger strikes
Popping cork with shrimp or DOA below
Perfect for bay structure — create commotion above grass flats
Local Fishing Resource
St. Andrews Bay, St. Joseph Bay, and some of the most pristine Gulf waters in Florida
Open the Bay & Gulf Cheat Sheet
Paralichthys albigutta
Flatfish common in coastal bays and flats. Excellent eating and popular sport fish.
Local Notes: Bury in the sandy and muddy bottom throughout West Bay Creek. Slow-drifted live shrimp or finger mullet near bottom, or a 1/4-oz white jig.
Megalops atlanticus
Large powerful fish known for spectacular jumps. Migrates along Florida coast.
Local Notes: Migrate through West Bay Creek on their way upriver. Rolling fish are visible — free-line a live mullet or crab at the edges.
Pogonias cromis
Large drum species found in estuaries. Can reach impressive sizes.
Local Notes: Feed on the bottom of deeper bends in West Bay Creek. Shrimp or sand flea on a knocker rig.
Lutjanus griseus
Versatile species found from mangroves to offshore reefs. Excellent eating.
Local Notes: Hold in deep bends and around any overhanging structure at West Bay Creek. Light fluorocarbon with live shrimp.
Sciaenops ocellatus
Popular game fish with distinctive black spot near tail. Found in shallow coastal waters.
Local Notes: Push into West Bay Creek on incoming tides. Work weedless gold spoons along the grass banks.
Archosargus probatocephalus
Bottom feeder with strong teeth. Found around structures and pilings.
Local Notes: Congregate around dock pilings and fallen trees in West Bay Creek. Fiddler crabs produce the most bites.
Cynoscion nebulosus
Popular inshore species with distinctive spots. Found over grass flats and sandy bottoms.
Local Notes: Seek the deeper river holes at West Bay Creek during cold spells. Slow-sink MirrOlures at first light.
