Panama City fishing report for the week of October 8, 2026. The fall run is underway on the Emerald Coast, with the water cooling and the fish moving toward the passes. A new moon this weekend should add to the action.
What’s Hitting
Bull reds are starting to show at the St. Andrews jetties and the pass, eating mullet and cut bait. Flounder are staging in the bay and the pass, speckled trout are on the grass beds, and Spanish mackerel and bluefish are hitting along the pier and the beach. King mackerel and cobia are still around the nearshore reefs, and sheepshead are starting to appear.
Where to Find Them
The St. Andrews State Park jetties and the Panama City Beach Pier are the best bets for bull reds and mackerel. In the bay, the grass flats near Shell Island and Hathaway Bridge hold trout and redfish. The wrecks and artificial reefs offshore hold amberjack, snapper and kingfish.
Tides & Conditions
The new moon this weekend means stronger tides. The pass will run strongly, and the fish will gather on the edges of the current. A passing front can pack winds and bring a change in the fishing, so keep an eye on the weather.
Tackle & Tactics
Cut mullet on a fish-finder rig works for bull reds around the jetties. A Gulp or a jig head with a minnow is good for flounder. Spanish mackerel take small silver spoons or Gotcha plugs, and trout take live shrimp under a popping cork. Use a wire leader for mackerel and bluefish.
Beyond the jetties, the grass flats behind Shell Island and the bridges across the bay are worth a stop on a slack tide. Sheepshead are just beginning to gather on the pilings, and a fiddler crab or small piece of shrimp on a short leader will tell you quickly whether they have arrived.
Local Intel This Week
Public access includes St. Andrews State Park, Carl Gray Park, and the M.B. Miller County Pier, with several public ramps on the bay. Fish are concentrating at the jetties and the pass. Check current FWC regulations and seasons before keeping any fish.
This Week’s Tip
Use a long-handled net or a gaff at the jetties and be careful on the wet rocks. A big red can wrap you around the rocks, so keep pressure on and steer the fish away from the structure.
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