PC/PCB Fishing Report 3-21-25
“March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb” as the saying goes, but this has been ridiculous! We are due for the wind machine to get unplugged! Every type of fishing has been hampered by this wind. Hopefully it settles down soon!
All the fishing should rebound within a day to 3 days depending on which type/area once it stops. Surf fishing, the piers in the gulf, and the pass around the mouth will take the longest to improve since there will be dirty water for a bit.
Bay Fishing
The bite has been better and more accessible on most days. The trout bite has been good when it is not blowing 25+ mph!
The trout and reds are moving out into a springtime pattern. Your best bet is to watch the wind direction and try to find likely areas that also are wind protected. There have been reports of big trout moving into bayous and into some of the canals.
One customer reported huge trout under dock lights at the corner of a canal intersection. He said they were very wary and would not eat a live pinfish. He did not have any live shrimp, and they love those during this time of year. Capt Eric Wilkas reported success recently with soft plastic shrimp. Usually, an artificial will not do as well as a live bait in a canal fishing the same spot over and over. Free lining a shrimp or using one with a bobber might be the best bet.
*BRAND NEW* Ghost Shrimp FishBites
Get 'em while they're hot! We now have Ghost Shrimp FishBites to pair with your bait.
In May they handed out samples to try that were actually early batches. Reports were excellent. They tweaked and improved a few things and now you absolutely should be using some on your next fishing trip to the beach.
Surf Fishing
As of Thursday, the surf looks more like the muddy Mississippi River than the Emerald Coast. That is definitely not what you want if you could choose.
There were fish caught this week as the wind slowed a bit for a day and a half or so. It was not rapid-fire biting, but more of a wait it out situation. There were some big pompano in the 16.5” to 17.5” range. There were also some big uglies, aka black drum, caught as well as a good supply of catfish. Although most don’t want to catch those. Not much on the redfish or whiting, but both should return with a bit more calm and clear water.
Sandfleas, peeled shrimp, and ghost shrimp seem to be the the best bait. With the turbid waters don’t be afraid to add a small piece of shrimp to your sandfleas to add additional scent as well as a small piece of FishBites or some Pro-Cure. There is currently less visibility so more scent is the goal. It can turn a dead bite into a successful trip.
Once the water clears, go get them. It should be leaning toward the full-on run in the next 6 to 8 weeks.
Fish-N-Mate Rake and Spike Carrier
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Pier Fishing
Wind and dirty water are the report. Not much to say, but dirty water is not good for our piers here. The bait and gamefish usually don’t hang out in any numbers when the water is like this.
Once the wind stops it should be on within a day or two. Expect spanish mackerel to blitz soon. There might be a king mackerel or two, but they like 72+ degrees sustained to get numbers. Most anglers on the end of the pier will be facing east and looking for the cobia to show. The first reported catch happened in Pensacola this week so we should see them soon. Come get your cobia jigs and get ready!
In closer to shore the pompano bite should be great soon. When the water clears have a pompano jig tipped with a small to medium sandflea or a small piece of shrimp. Add a 2-hook set rod to catch whiting or popano you don’t see. Redfish may cruise through there as well. There were some caught last week and there should be more to come.
Bottom Fishing
The bite has good, but most days it has been inaccessible due to the terribly high winds. A couple of days had folks out and they caught vermillion as usual. The out of season red snapper, grouper, and amberjack have continued to be very cooperative if you are looking for a good pull! Many sizable fish are close to shore due to cooler water temperatures.
Always have at least one rod on the boat ready for cobia this time of year. A cobia jig, or an unweighted live bait is what you want since the cobia might suddenly pop up around the boat. If it does happen, chunked up minnows or cut bait can hold them close until they get the hook.
Nearshore Trolling
The wind has been absolutely terrible, but that said there are spanish in the area. Outside the outside sand bar and in and around the outside of the pass should hold them at times.
If you are trolling for spanish, make sure and go “00” on the Clarkspoon, but no bigger than say a “0”. Why? The spanish are smaller and so are the minnows they are going to be targeting. Once the bite is truly on, a christmas tree rig can work well and catch multiples. Hopefully the wind will back off soon.
Offshore
No reports due to terrible wind and weather.
