Panama City Fishing Report — Week of November 5, 2026: Bull Reds, King Mackerel, Pompano

Updated: Thursday, November 5, 2026 · Next update: Thursday, November 12, 2026

Here is the Panama City fishing report for the week of November 5, written as a seasonal outlook based on typical early-November patterns on the Panhandle. Cool fronts usually begin to arrive, fall bull redfish and pompano move through the area, and the new moon on Monday, November 9 should bring stronger tides. Daylight saving ended Sunday, so dawn comes sooner on the clock.

What’s Hitting

Bull redfish often gather near the pass and in the nearshore Gulf in fall, and anglers target them from piers, jetties and boats. Pompano are known to cruise the surf and along sandbars at this time of year, offering a favorite meal for those who find them. King mackerel may remain around nearshore reefs and wrecks until water temperatures drop further. Flounder tend to move toward the passes and may be in the mix near St. Andrews Bay. Sheepshead start to appear on pilings and rock jetties, and speckled trout generally move into deeper bay waters as fronts arrive. A passing front can make the surf choppy for a day, but clear conditions afterward often produce active fish.

Where to Find Them

St. Andrews State Park, with its jetties and the Grand Lagoon, is one of the most productive areas for bull reds, flounder and sheepshead. East Pass and the St. Andrews Pass jetties concentrate bait. On the beaches, the Panama City Beach shoreline has long stretches of sandbar and trough where pompano may travel. Offshore, the nearshore wrecks and artificial reefs hold king mackerel, amberjack and snapper when the Gulf is calm. Inside St. Andrews Bay, grass edges and creek mouths remain good redfish and trout areas, especially on tide changes.

Tides & Conditions

The new moon on Monday, November 9 should create strong tidal movement in the days around it, particularly at the passes, where current speeds can be high. The Panhandle often has smaller, more diurnal tides than the Atlantic coast, so wind direction and speed frequently matter as much as the predicted height. Flounder and bull reds often feed on the outgoing tide near jetties. For pompano, a rising tide helps bring fish within casting range of the sandbars. Consult the NOAA predictions for Panama City or Panama City Beach and check marine forecasts before heading out in a small boat.

Tackle & Tactics

For pompano, a nine-foot spinning rod with a light leader, a small sinker, and a pompano rig baited with sand fleas or fresh shrimp is a classic setup, as are pompano jigs. Bull redfish call for a heavier rod, thirty-pound line, a circle hook, and cut mullet or crab. Flounder prefer a jig with a soft plastic and a piece of shrimp. King mackerel anglers use wire leaders and live or frozen bait, trolled or drifted. Bring a long-handled net or gaff if you fish from the pier, and a hooded jacket for windy afternoons.

Local Intel This Week

Panama City has several accessible fishing sites. St. Andrews State Park offers jetty and pier fishing and is a popular local site. The Russell-Fields City Pier on Panama City Beach is a major public structure with a long platform over the Gulf, while Pier Park draws visitors in a nearby area. Shell Island, reached by boat or ferry, offers a quieter beach experience. Be mindful of strong currents near the jetties. Piers may have fees or hours that vary by season, so confirm locally before you drive over. Weekend parking near the beach fills early, so arrive at first light. Rubber-soled shoes help on rocks, and a long-handled net is useful from a pier deck. Bring water and a rain jacket for passing fronts. Check current state and federal regulations and seasons before keeping fish.

This Week’s Tip

Try the St. Andrews State Park jetties on a falling tide with a cut mullet for bull reds and a flounder jig on a second rod. Fish the first and last light, and leave at once if the swell begins to wash over the rocks.