I might be heading to Panama city for a week and would like to catch my first salt water fish . I'm not going to buy new equipment or lures . What would be my best bet to catch a fish?    I have some Krocodile spoons that I was thinking on trying maybe some Little George's.  Also can night fishing be productive ?  It will be in March or April .

You can certainly use bass gear for saltwater. I do  

Just be sure to rinse off with fresh water after you're 

done (both rod and reel).

 

The spoons might fare well. All depends on what is

biting down there. Some locals should be able to give

you good advice. Live bait is *always* good in salt.

 

I've had success with soft plastics I use in fresh for drop

shotting. Caught reds, flounder, croaker, etc.

 

 

I would like to make up a small box . I'm thinking spoons , Little Georges , jigs and some Storm Wild Eye Shads , lures that cast a mile .Maybe even a big chugger . 

5 hours ago, Darren. said:

You can certainly use bass gear for saltwater.

Have you ever tried it at night ?

When walking down the beach is there something to look for that  might suggest a good spot ?

19 minutes ago, scaleface said:

I would like to make up a small box . I'm thinking spoons , Little Georges , jigs and some Storm Wild Eye Shads , lures that cast a mile .Maybe even a big chugger . 

Have you ever tried it at night ?

When walking down the beach is there something to look for that  might suggest a good spot ?

The Storm shads work great here for striper.

 

I have fished at night. I don't have any gear for long

surf casting from a beach. But what I look for is dock

pylons, bridges, etc.

 

Here's something that may help ya. I'm studying it, too

as I'm trying to learn the tidal flows, where fish are

most likely staging, etc.

 

http://www.stripersonline.com/surftalk/topic/177314-reading-the-water-again/

 

Odd, I was just reading the posting there a couple days ago

and the pictures were showing. They're not now - at least

for me they aren't. Hope they work for you. Very informative.

Edited January 28, 20188 yr by Darren.

Just use a #2 circle hook, 1 -2 oz weight and cast fresh dead shrimp in the surf. Use a fish finder rig. 

It isn't too common to use lures in the surf there but if you do spoons are ok. Bluefish are the main target for them in the surf.

If you can find somewhere inshore , use d.o.a shrimp or a chartruese grub on a jig head , or live shrimp under a popping cork . Use a gold spoon for reds.

We usually fish live/dead finger mullet, or mud minnows for inshore fishing. They will work in the surf too.

 

Search my old posts in this forum

 

Go into St Andrews state park and wade the flats.  If you’re going all that way I’d suggest picking up a few lures recommended by the locals.  But if not try ~3 in paddle tails, flukes, small spoons

 

pm me if you want more info

And some advice from someone who has been there......If you use bass freshwater gear, you will need to do a full teardown and cleaning/re-oiling/re-greasing of your reel(s).  If you do not, you can write them off very soon.  Even my gear used in the brackish Potomac River requires a lot more maintenance than my lake setups. There's a reason they make inshore reels with sealed bearings and more stainless components.  Salt is ruthless!!

On 1/28/2018 at 3:17 PM, N Florida Mike said:

It isn't too common to use lures in the surf there but if you do spoons are ok. Bluefish are the main target for them in the surf.

@N Florida Mike,

I've heard that Bluefish have some good teeth on them.  Any special advice the OP might need for handling Bluefish?

10 hours ago, BASS302 said:

@N Florida Mike,

I've heard that Bluefish have some good teeth on them.  Any special advice the OP might need for handling Bluefish?

Boga Grip or cheaper Rapala knockoff.  

Wire leader! To prevent them from biting through the line.

I've never used anything but my hands to unhook em , but a fishing pliers would help !

Another fish caught that way is Spanish mackerel but I'm not sure when they are in that area.