Panama City is fishing a classic summer card. Red snapper season has the offshore boats loading up, Spanish mackerel are blitzing the beaches, and the bay and pass are holding plenty of inshore action for those staying close to home.
What’s Hitting
Red snapper lead the offshore bite on the wrecks and reefs. Spanish mackerel and bluefish are crashing bait along the beaches and at the pass, and king mackerel are on the nearshore structure. Inshore, trout, reds, and flounder are working the bay grass and around the bridges and St. Andrews Pass.
Where to Find Them
Fish the artificial reefs and natural bottom in 60 to 120 feet for snapper. Spanish and kings are on the nearshore reefs and along the beaches. St. Andrews Pass and the bay grass flats hold trout, reds, and flounder, and the bridges hold mangrove snapper. St. Andrews State Park’s jetties and the bay grass flats hold trout, reds, and flounder, a productive sheltered option when the Gulf is up.
Tides & Conditions
Warm, clear Gulf water and calm morning seas set up the offshore window. The beach and pass bite is best early on the moving tide. Afternoon thunderstorms build daily, so plan an early start and an early finish. Watch the sea breeze offshore.
Tackle & Tactics
Drop cut bait or live pinfish to snapper with enough weight to hold bottom. Throw Gotcha plugs and spoons to Spanish on the beach, and slow-troll for kings on the nearshore reefs. Inshore, work soft plastics and live shrimp on the flats and around the pass. Use enough lead to hold bottom over the reefs for snapper, and a fast-retrieve spoon or Gotcha plug on light spinning gear for the beach Spanish.
Local Intel This Week
Launch from the St. Andrews Marina or the Earl Gilbert (Carl Gray Park) ramp for bay and pass access. Snapper are concentrating on the reefs and Spanish along the beachfront. Red snapper seasons are tightly regulated — check current FWC and federal Gulf regulations and open-season dates before keeping fish. The St. Andrews jetty and the County Pier give shore anglers a strong shot at Spanish, kings, and bottom fish.
This Week’s Tip
For beach Spanish, a fast, erratic retrieve draws more strikes than a steady one. When you see them busting bait, cast past the school and burn a spoon through it — the faster it moves, the harder they hit.