Panama City is in the home stretch of pre-snapper season — two weeks until June 1 — and the inshore fishery has hit its spring peak. The pompano run is still going on the beaches, and the offshore boats are running scouting trips daily.
Pre-Snapper Prep
Red snapper opens June 1. Boats are running offshore now to scout the inshore reefs in 80–120 feet — every wreck and pile in the region is loaded with red snapper, but find the structure that’s also holding tilefish, amberjack (closed in federal waters this week but check state), and triggerfish for the opening day grab. Vermilion snapper (beeliners) and white snapper are open and biting on cut bonito or squid on the bottom.
Inshore — Spring Peak
St. Andrews Bay is at peak. Speckled trout are blowing up topwaters on the grass flats at dawn — try Walking the Dog with a Top Dog Jr. for the first hour, then drop a Z-Man PaddlerZ on a jighead. Slot trout are common, with gator-class fish over 20 inches getting caught daily. Redfish are on the flats and around the oyster bars; bull reds are starting to show in the deeper holes near East Pass.
Flounder and Sheepshead
Flounder are building. Hit the docks, drop-offs, and bridge pilings with live mud minnows or finger mullet on a 1/2-ounce jighead. Sheepshead are transitioning off the structure but fiddler crabs and live shrimp on the pilings will still produce fish.
Beach and Pier
Pompano are still around — surf anglers from Beach Drive west to Camp Helen are getting fish on sand fleas. Spanish mackerel and ladyfish are blitzing on bait pods from the surf and the pier. The Pier is producing kings — slow-trolled live menhaden under a balloon.
Specific Spots This Week
For snapper scouting, the public numbers in 80–120 feet off St. Andrews Pass and Mexico Beach are all loaded with red snapper — drop a single bait to confirm and mark for opening day. Vermilion snapper are biting now on bonito strips. For trout in St. Andrews Bay, work the grass flats off Shell Island and the deep grass along the Intracoastal at first light. Redfish are on the flats inside Grand Lagoon and the back of Tyndall — sight-cast at low tide on calm mornings. The Mexico Beach Pier and the Panama City Beach Pier are both producing kingfish on slow-trolled live menhaden under a balloon. Pompano in the surf from Camp Helen east through Mexico Beach on sand fleas.
Conditions and Outlook
Water temp 75–77°F. New moon Saturday — softer tides, strong dawn/dusk windows. Light south winds through Friday. Two weeks to snapper opener.
Local Intel This Week
St. Andrews Pass on outgoing tide produces trout, reds, and the occasional king mackerel chasing baitfish through the cut. The Hathaway Bridge pilings hold sheepshead and the first cobia stragglers. East Pass has bull redfish stacking in the deeper holes for cut bait. The Russell-Fields Pier is producing Spanish mackerel and ladyfish on every cast some mornings. Two weeks to snapper. Florida saltwater license required, red snapper endorsement free but required. Tight lines.