Panama City is dialed into summer this week. With red snapper season open the reefs are the main draw, while Spanish mackerel blitz the beaches and passes for fast, light-tackle action close to the sand.
What’s Hitting
Red snapper are stacked on the reefs and wrecks with the season open. Spanish mackerel are chasing bait along the beaches and through St. Andrews Pass. King mackerel are on the nearshore structure, and inshore the trout and redfish are working the grass and the jetties.
Where to Find Them
Run to the public reefs and wrecks in 60–120 feet for snapper. Spanish and kings blitz the St. Andrews Pass and the beachfront on clean mornings. Inshore, the grass flats in St. Andrews Bay and around the jetties hold trout and reds.
Tides & Conditions
Gulf temps are in the mid-80s. Early morning is the best offshore window before the afternoon sea breeze builds a chop. Snapper feed steadily on the structure through the day. Inshore, the pass on a moving tide is where the Spanish and reds set up. Glass minnows and cigar minnows are stacking on the nearshore reefs and along the beaches, and the Spanish, kings, and snapper are all keyed on them. A short sabiki stop on the way out fills the well, and watching for diving birds over the bait schools is the fastest way to find the fast-moving Spanish along the beach.
Tackle & Tactics
Drop cut bait, squid, or live cigar minnows to red snapper on a knocker rig with 40–60 lb leader. Spanish eat a Gotcha plug, a small silver spoon, or a jig fished fast. Slow-troll live baits for kings, and throw a popping cork and shrimp for inshore trout.
Local Intel This Week
St. Andrews State Park ramp gives the fastest run to the pass and nearshore reefs, with Carl Gray Park and the Earl Gilbert ramp serving the bay. Snapper are concentrating on the offshore reefs, Spanish and kings around St. Andrews Pass and the beaches. Always check current FWC/state and federal regulations and open seasons before keeping any fish — bag and size limits change through the summer.
This Week’s Tip
For beach and pass Spanish, speed is everything — retrieve your spoon or plug fast enough that it skips just under the surface. Spanish are sight feeders that chase down fleeing bait, and a lure that looks like it’s escaping draws far more strikes than a slow one.