Panama City Beach Fishing Report September 2024
Welcome back, Gulf Coast Sportsmen, for the latest fishing report for September 2024 in Panama City Beach, FL. Amberjack season is officially open along the Gulf Coast! Running from September 1 through October 31, the season offers anglers a prime opportunity to target these powerful fish. There are some updated regulations this year, so it’s important to stay informed as the season progresses. Be sure to check the FWC’s official page regularly for the latest updates on bag limits and other fishing regulations. If you’re booking a charter, you can count on your captain to focus on Amberjack during this time. While daily weather patterns have presented some challenges, there’s still plenty of action to enjoy in Panama City Beach this month.
Inshore
September inshore fishing around Panama City Beach is delivering great opportunities to catch black snapper, redfish, and trout. Black snapper, in particular, are holding around structures like the Grand Lagoon Bridge. Using live shrimp and chumming with small cut pieces can increase your chances of landing these finicky feeders. Trout are biting well on the grass flats, with topwater lures, live bait, and swim baits like Mirrolures proving successful. Redfish are active around dock lights at night, and anglers should focus on keeping their bait or soft plastics outside the main light source for the best results.
Nearshore and Offshore
Offshore fishing continues to depend on weather conditions, but when seas are calm, there has been plenty of activity. King mackerel have been biting on the troll, especially when using deep-diving lures or planers to reach 20 feet or more into the water column. Vermillion and mangrove snapper have been caught in deeper waters, with both live and cut bait being effective. It’s essential to use a 20-40lb leader to handle these strong fish.
As for Amberjack, the season is now in full swing. Expect bigger live baits, such as hardtails or mullet, paired with a 6-12 ounce weight and at least six feet of leader to get your bait down to the bottom where Amberjack lurk. Shark activity continues to be high in the Panama City Beach area, so make sure you’re well-prepared with extra gear to handle these aggressive predators when they take an interest in your catch.
Beaches and Piers
On the Panama City Beach pier, Spanish mackerel and hardtails remain the most frequent catches. Gotcha lures and spoons are still the top performers, and using a 40-50lb fluorocarbon leader provides a good balance between durability and stealth. Some king mackerel have also been reported. Surf fishing has been slow, with ladyfish making up most of the catches. A few redfish and the occasional pompano have also been seen.
For those interested in night fishing, targeting sharks from the beach has been productive. Be prepared for some serious action after dark!
Tight lines and good luck this September!
