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PC/PCB Fishing Report 3-19-26
Bay Fishing
The Spanish mackerel have not arrived just yet, but it should be anytime now. They are due and the bait is here, so it’s only a matter of time. Water temps are sitting around 63 degrees, which is still a little cool, but with warmer weather and sunny days ahead, that should start climbing. Once we see a steady 65, it becomes possible, but 67 to 68 is usually when they really show up.
There are some nice redfish being caught under the Hathaway Bridge at night, mostly on live bait like pinfish. Even with the cooler water, trout are active all over the bay and feeding well. They are already moving into canals with dock lights. Live shrimp or pinfish will get bites in these areas, but after catching a couple, it’s a good idea to let things settle for about 20 minutes. Too much action can temporarily shut the bite down in a canal.
There are some sheepshead around in the pass, but not a lot on the jetty tips just yet. Fiddler crabs are working best, fished on jigs, knocker rigs, or Carolina rigs with about a 1 oz sinker. A size 1 offset J hook, a small light wire circle hook like the Owner Mutu Light, or a size 4 wide gap kahle-style hook will all do the job. Use a 20 lb leader, and if the bite gets tough, add a fluorocarbon top shot to your braid. About 8 feet is plenty to keep the bait separated.
Surf Fishing
The cooler temperatures slowed the surf bite down quite a bit, but we’re past that now and conditions should improve each day. Peeled shrimp is the easiest bait to use right now. Ghost shrimp are probably the best option, but they require a pump to catch and magic thread to keep them on the hook.
Before the cold, there were good schools of pompano, but overnight temperatures in the 30s and near 40 pushed a lot of fish off the beach. A few pompano are still being caught, along with some decent bluefish and whiting. To the east near Mexico Beach, there has been a strong whiting bite, so hopefully that trend moves our way. Sand fleas disappeared with the cold but should start showing back up soon. Fishbites and Fishgum have been working well as bait enhancers, so keep them handy.
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Pier Fishing
The squid have been the big story since the cold snap, with some really large ones being caught. The bite typically turns on shortly after dark and continues through the night. There have also been a few bonita and the occasional flounder, but overall the cold weather slowed things down on the pier.
Water temps are around 63 degrees, but things should improve soon. Spanish mackerel have still not shown up yet, but it shouldn’t be long.
A notable catch came out of Pensacola where the first cobia of the year was landed off the pier. That’s a good sign, and it likely won’t be long before we start seeing them here as well.
Bottom Fishing
Bottom fishing continues to be solid. Several captains running early spring charters have reported good catches. There have been plenty of red grouper, along with triggerfish, gag grouper, scamp, porgies, and the usual mix of red snapper and amberjack.
The good news is that many of these fish are holding closer inshore than normal, meaning shorter runs and more time fishing.
Nearshore Trolling
Not a lot to report just yet, but once the Spanish mackerel arrive, this will pick up quickly.
Offshore Fishing
Reports have been limited, but there have been a few mahi caught offshore.
