Panama inshore/surf/Pier

NOEoutdoors Fishing Report – Panama City Beach, Florida – Inshore, Surf, Pier & Jetty – Second Week of October 2025

It’s prime time on the Emerald Coast. Panama City Beach is loaded with fish right now, and the conditions couldn’t be better. Water temps are holding in the low 70s, the surf is clean, and the tides are moving strong. The mullet run is winding down, but bait is still thick around the beaches and passes. The first cool fronts of the season have arrived, sparking some of the best inshore and surf fishing of the year.

Inshore Bite

Inshore fishing is on fire across St. Andrew Bay, Grand Lagoon, and the surrounding bay systems.

Speckled trout are crushing topwater early and late in the day. Hit the grass flats and sandy pockets with walk-the-dog baits like Skitter Walks or Spooks. As the sun gets up, switch to soft plastics or suspending twitch baits in white, silver, or new penny. Target 2–5 feet of water with good current and visible bait activity.

Redfish are thick around docks, bridges, and grass edges. Soft plastic paddletails, live shrimp, and finger mullet under a popping cork are all working. The bull reds are showing up strong in the pass and along the beach on incoming tides. Big live baits or cut mullet will get their attention.

Flounder are staging in the creeks and along sandy transitions leading to deeper water. A slow, steady drag with a bull minnow or soft plastic on a jighead is the best way to connect.

Surf Bite

The surf fishing along Panama City Beach is excellent right now. Clean water and mild surf have made for perfect conditions.

Pompano are biting early on the incoming tide. Fish double-drop rigs with sand fleas, Fishbites, or shrimp pieces. Cast beyond the first bar and target the deeper troughs where the water changes color.

Redfish are cruising the beach in small pods — look for them feeding in the surf foam or pushing bait. Fresh-cut mullet or shrimp on a Carolina rig is the go-to setup.

Whiting, bluefish, and ladyfish are mixed in. Light tackle and small jigs or spoons keep the action steady between the pompano and redfish bites.

On calm days, you can sight-fish schools of reds or jacks cruising the shoreline. A well-placed spoon or paddletail will usually seal the deal.

Pier & Jetty Bite

Both the City Pier (Russell-Fields) and County Pier (MB Miller) are hot right now, and the St. Andrews Jetty is producing a mixed bag of quality fish.

Spanish mackerel are biting heavy early and late in the day. Gotcha plugs, bubble rigs, and silver spoons are producing easy limits when the bait is close.

King mackerel are hitting live cigar minnows and large spoons near the end of the pier and around the jetty rocks. Fish the first two hours of an outgoing tide for your best shot.

Bull reds are stacked along the jetty and surf cuts — big live or cut mullet will get hammered. Keep heavy tackle ready, especially when they’re feeding near the rocks.

Sheepshead and mangrove snapper are hanging tight to the jetty and pilings. Use live shrimp or fiddler crabs fished right against the structure.

On calm days, you might also see jack crevalle, black drum, and the occasional cobia cruising through the pass — stay ready with a heavy rod and big bucktail or swimbait.

Cold Front Tips

1. Fish the Lead-Up: The bite peaks just before a cold front hits. Rising wind and dropping pressure mean active fish.

2. Go Deep After the Front: Fish tuck lower in the water column once the front passes. Slow your presentation and focus on structure.

3. Stay Subtle: Clearer fall water means light leaders, smaller hooks, and natural colors will out-fish everything else.

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