THINGS-TO-DO

A beginner's guide to fishing in Bay County without a boat

KATIE LANDECK
klandeck@pcnh.com
Carter Schaumleffel, 9, checks out a blue runner fish he caught while fishing with his great-uncle, Bill Dowis, at the M.B. Miller County Pier in Panama City Beach.

PANAMA CITY — With summer in full swing, the shoreline is dotted with people hoping to pull a prize fish out of the water. If you’ve always wanted to pick up a pole but don’t have a boat — or know where to start — here are four places to try your hand at inshore fishing as well as tips from local experts on how to catch a winner.

Location: Panama City Marina

What to fish for: Mangrove snapper

Other options: Grouper, Spanish mackerel, cobia

Tips and tricks: Mangrove, or gray, snapper are really thick right now at the Panama City Marina and good eating, according to marina employee Howard Fiser. To catch one, Fiser said, “the best rig is a light weight, just enough to keep the hook steady in the water, with a small hook, about a No. 7, and to fish down the piling or seawall with a tight line.”

For bait, he recommends live or frozen or shrimp or a bit of squid. Mangrove snapper must be 10 inches to keep.

Location: St. Andrews Marina

What to fish for: Flounder

Other options: Catfish, cobia

Tips and tricks: The St. Andrews Marina is better known for its catfish than its flounder, but flounder is regarded locally as a better fish. Hooking a flounder requires keeping the bait moving rather than letting it sit on the bottom, according to Fiser.

“Cast and then retrieve,” he said.

He recommends used a weighted jig hook and either a rubber plastic worm or a grub as bait. Flounder must be 12 inches to keep.

Location: Russell-Fields City Pier, M.B. Miller County Pier

What to fish for: King mackerel

Other options: Spanish mackerel, sailfish, hardtails, tarpon, redfish

Tips and tricks: Mackerel are a hard-biting fish, and thus require a tougher rig. Fishermen at the pier suggested a wire leader with a treble hook, using a cigar minnow as bait. There’s no need for a weight.

To fish it, cast out your bait and try to make the minnow look like an injured baitfish as you reel it in. Mackerel must be 24 inches to keep.

Location: West Beach Drive

What to fish for: Redfish

Other options: Trout, flounder

Tips and tricks: To fish West Beach Drive, the secret it to actually wade into the water. Wade fishing doesn’t require any special equipment, just a pair of shoes you don’t mind getting wet, a spinning rod, hook and some basic wade.

Avid fisherman and Panama City Mayor Greg Brudnicki remembers wading off West Beach Drive as a child. For bait, he recommends either bringing a net to catch live bait or using grubs. Redfish, also known as red drum, must be at least 18 inches to keep.