The Blue Board

I did a little inshore guiding out of a kayak in Little Lagoon in Panama City one Summer. We launched off of the Lime Bar Beach and hit Shell Island, the Pass, the Kiddie Pool, and a Spec and Flounder spot I have. But I haven't done any since then.

The Sailfish bite is dying down from the really cold months but it's still very good. You can catch several in one day close to shore.

The big news will be the Mahi Mahi. They come into the reefs in 100 feet to spawn. They will be going crazy and bitting anything. It lasts 10-17 days or so so you got to hit it right, but if you do it's amazing.

From now through Mid May the Hammerhead fishing is really good. They are migrating South to spawn too and there will be hundreds of them close to shore. Paying for a good guide will almost guarantee a hook up but a bloody Bonita head off the beach will bring strikes.

The Amberjack are breeding as well so they will be thick on deep reefs (150 feet+). Bring a thick rod because they don't call them "the back breakers of the sea" for nothing. Big live bait and large jogs jigged hard will get strikes.

Tarpon fishing near Naples is where its at man

We are in a waiting pattern for the water to make it up a few more degrees, at about 46-49 the Tog start snapping in the Bay, they are hitting on the Ocean Wrecks but I'll catch mine closer.

I've caught a few of those at the CBBT, the first one blew us away, we thought we had a baby Tarpon. A buddy ran into a school of Tarpon working bait in the open Bay last year, went under before they could get a bait out, first time I've heard of that. And he knows what he's looking at, former VDGIF guy.

Mid-March update:

No Cobia yet as the water is still in the 60's. "Supposedly", and I can't stress that enough, a large 60-80 pound Cobia was spotted off the PC pass pier. Somehow these fish ALWAYS get away and nobody hooks them. This weekend will prove to be a chance for anglers to get out on the water and throw baits. But hwile the amount of traffic will increase, it might still be a little cold to expect the same from strikes.. The bite will still be off due to low temps and the catches few between...if any. The first fish could very well be caught this weekend but I'd go out on a limb and say there's a better chance of mid next week. Also, those of you in the Panhandle area looking to get into Cobia fishing, there is a free seminar at the North Light Marina in Destin on March 20 at 6pm. There's a free buffet at 5:30 too before speakers take the stage. Bring the kids.

Two Blue Marlin were caught last week by the same boat on the same oil rig (video below). The fishing looks good this weekend and the local wave report looks real good. Look for a few more fish to be hooked.

The Spanish Mackerel are already here. Not in huge, huge numbers just yet, but they are here. Look in the regular Summer spots but Redfish Point in PC is a good place to start. Troll Christmas tree jigs to find the fish and toss spoons and Gotcha plugs to the school once it's found. For those in Destin, the jetties are proving to be a hotter spot than even normal.

Speaking of Destin, those in the Bay need to target the bridge for Sheepshead and Redfish. Live Mullet and Pinfish are top baits for Reds, but lures that look like each are OK too. Fiddler Crabs for Sheepshead are as always the top bait.

Good luck guys

In 2 weeks I will be sitting on the James River (VA) pulling out shad after shad after shad. CAN'T WAIT (Bart Scott voice)

Just starting to catch some Walleye, still a little small but nice eaters

Looked like those boys were by Petronius..
What you think?

Very nice Spec Willie

Y'all like eating specs? I find em mushy