Panama City is running the standard late-July program — an early offshore run for bottom fish, then back inside before the afternoon builds. St. Andrew Bay has been productive at first light, and the pass is holding a steady mackerel bite on the moving tide.
What’s Hitting
Red snapper lead the offshore report, with good fish on the wrecks and hard bottom out past 100 feet. Vermilion snapper, triggerfish, and scamp are rounding out the bottom bite. King mackerel are working the nearshore reefs and the bait pods off the beach. Inshore, speckled trout are the most consistent target on the early grass flats, redfish are on the bay shorelines and around the jetties, and Spanish mackerel and bluefish are running the pass hard.
Where to Find Them
Offshore, work the wrecks and hard bottom in 100 to 160 feet. Nearshore, the reefs in 50 to 70 feet are holding kings and bonito. Inside, the grass flats in West Bay and around Shell Island are producing trout early. Reds are on the St. Andrew jetties and along the Gulf-side beach troughs at daybreak. The pass itself is loaded with Spanish and ladyfish on the outgoing tide.
Tides & Conditions
Tides off the July 29 full moon are strong early in the week and easing toward the weekend. Water temps are 86 to 88 in the bay and near 85 in the Gulf. Mornings have been calm with the sea breeze filling in around 10 a.m. Daily thunderstorms build inland and push offshore in the late afternoon.
Tackle & Tactics
Bottom fishing wants a 7/0 circle, 60-pound fluoro, and a whole cigar minnow or squid; drop clean and reel fast to get past the smaller fish. Trout are a popping cork over grass with a live shrimp or a soft plastic. Reds at the jetties take a heavy jighead and paddletail or a live pinfish on the bottom. Spanish in the pass want a fast-retrieved spoon on 20-pound leader with a short trace of light wire if the bluefish are cutting you off.
Local Intel This Week
The Carl Gray Park ramp, the St. Andrews Marina ramp, and the Under the Bridge ramp on Thomas Drive are the main public launches. The St. Andrews State Park jetty is the best land-based access for reds, Spanish, and the occasional tarpon. Fish are concentrating on offshore structure and the pass rather than the open bay in the middle of the day. Snapper and grouper seasons vary between state and federal waters — check current NOAA and FWC regulations and seasons before keeping any fish.
This Week’s Tip
Fish the jetties on the last two hours of the outgoing rather than the flood. The bay pushes bait out through the pass on that tide and the reds and Spanish set up in the current seam waiting for it.