Updated: Thursday, October 22, 2026 · Next update: Thursday, October 29, 2026
This Panama City fishing report covers late October, when fall is on and the bays and passes around Panama City fill with redfish, flounder and mackerel. Bull redfish are the lead target at the St. Andrews Pass jetties and along the beach, flounder stage near the pass and bay edges, and Spanish mackerel run off the piers. The condition to plan around is moving water at the pass, with tides building as the moon heads toward full.
What’s Hitting
Bull reds are at the St. Andrews Pass jetties and along the beach, and flounder stage near the pass and along the bay edges. Spanish mackerel and bluefish are off the piers, speckled trout are on the grass flats, and sheepshead are around bridges and docks.
Expect flounder to keep building as water temperatures drop, with sheepshead action improving through the winter.
Where to Find Them
Fish the jetties at St. Andrews Pass on the outgoing tide for reds and flounder. A falling tide pulls bait from St. Andrews Bay through the pass, and both species set up along the rocks and the channel edges to feed on it.
Work the piers at Panama City Beach for Spanish mackerel. Drift the grass flats of St. Andrews Bay and cast ahead of the boat for trout. Fish bridge pilings for sheepshead, which stay close to hard structure because barnacles, crabs and other crustaceans grow on the pilings.
Tides & Conditions
With the moon heading toward full, tides are building, and moving water at the pass is the best window. Stronger currents concentrate bait at the mouth of the pass, while slack water usually means a slower stretch until the tide turns.
Check a current tide chart and the wind forecast for the day you plan to fish.
Tackle & Tactics
- Staples: live shrimp, mud minnows and cut mullet.
- Mackerel: a small silver spoon on a quick retrieve. Keep it moving.
- Trout: a jig worked over the grass.
- Leaders: 20 pound fluorocarbon for reds, dropping to 15 for trout, since lighter line draws more strikes from line-shy fish on the clear grass flats.
On the jetties, cast beyond the rocks and bring the bait back along the edge, where fish hold in the slower water just off the stones.
Local Intel This Week
St. Andrews State Park gives walk-in access to the jetties and the pass, and Dan Russell Pier at Panama City Beach is the spot for mackerel and bluefish. The Hathaway Bridge area ramps launch you into St. Andrews Bay for the grass flats and bridge pilings. St. Andrews Marina and Carl Gray Park are other public access points in the area. Redfish, flounder and trout each have specific rules worth reviewing. Check current FWC and federal regulations and seasons before keeping fish.
This Week’s Tip
Stay alert on the rocks. Wet jetty stones are slick, so wear good shoes. Pick your footing before you cast, keep your gear compact, and stay off stones that are washed by waves.
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