beach fishing Florida Panhandle

[Andrew LaVigne]

Hello TPFR Hive Mind - I'm heading down to the Panama City Beach/Destin area next week, and I've convinced myself that getting up early every morning to fish seems like a good idea. I've got access to beaches on the gulf, as well as canoe/kayak on one of the brackish dune lakes in the area. I am doing one day with a guide, but that will likely be targeting amberjacks on some offshore reefs. 

My flats & surf experience are limited, but I want to give this a real shot this year. I'll have 8 & 9 weight rods, with floating, sinking, and intermediate line options. 

Any takes on timing, location, tides, flies are all welcome. Anyone tried in this neck of the woods before? 

[puppydrum]

Hi,

Many years ago Destin/Ft.Walton Beach was home for me and I try to make it back at least annually.  For the beaches/jetties, sunrise/sunset are usually best regardless of season but otherwise try to fish a moving tide.  From east to west, St. Andrews State Park in Panama City Beach has a short jetty with access to deep water in the pass, with shots at redfish, spanish mackerel, bonito, mangrove snappers available, and this time of year you'll see the occasional cobia swim through.  You can't access the park at sunrise though, and it closes at sunset.  North and West Bays are great places to kayak (preferably not on the weekend) since both have sea grasses; in fact I caught my first redfish on fly sightcasting in West Bay.  Speckled trout and bluefish will keep you busy.  Beaches in Destin can be good provided you find space away from other beachgoers.  Lots of bluefish (again; keep in mind they seldom approach the sizes of their NE cousins), with shots at reds and pompano.  Perhaps the best spot is around East Pass; the jetty on the east side is more accessible therefore more pressured but offers ladyfish, blues, spanish, pompano, reds, and small groupers if you can get your fly down to them.  The west jetty is super long and not so safe (always go with a partner) but fishes better in my experience and hosts jack crevalle plus the other species mentioned.  Choctawhatchee Bay has little grass thus you need to be mobile to find fish.  Traveling west toward Pensacola, Navarre Beach State Park offers lots of space but you'll need to move around to find the fish.  If you can find grass on the sound side you'll find speckled trout.   

8 and 9 weights are fine.  I seldom use a full floater vs. a sink tip or sinking head backed with a mono running line, and an intermediate on the beaches.  Clousers, bendbacks, and minnow patterns in general work best.  Your offshore guide can probably tell you what fish are eating inshore at this time of year.    

Good luck! 

[Andrew LaVigne]

Quick post-trip report - 

1.) Amberjacks are awesome fun. Shallow Water Expeditions guide Kyle Pitts put me on these...highly recommend him if you're down there.  

2.) trying to fly fish in moderate surf from the beach was not a winning proposition...although even the guys with surf rigs weren't getting into much last week. 

3.) St. Andrew's state park was a great suggestion - the bay side had huge areas of grass flats to wade, and I did manage a redfish there on my last day. Will be back in the bay almost exclusively next trip.