BigBendFishing.Net

I will be heading down to Panacea next week and was really wanting to know a near shore fishing report. Hope to fish around the Rotory Reef and Barge 24 area if the seas cooperate. Anyone have any reports from these areas? Any Grouper moved in to the 35' depths yet? Kings? Any info would be greatly appreciated....thanks

The Rotory is in state waters and therefor closed for Gag Grouper

What is the season for gag grouper harvest in Gulf state waters?

The recreational harvest season for gag grouper in most Gulf state waters (within nine miles from shore) will start July 1 and end Dec. 3. This season does not apply to state waters off of Monroe County because Monroe County follows Atlantic rules for gag grouper. It also does not apply to state waters off of Taylor, Jefferson, Wakulla and Franklin counties, including all waters of the Steinhatchee River, Apalachicola Bay and Indian Pass. This area of state waters will be open April 1 through June 30 and will be closed to recreational gag grouper harvest for the remainder of the year, including the July 1 through Dec. 3 season.

The Rotory is in state waters and therefor closed for Gag Grouper

Yes I know that the Rotory reef was in State waters but not Barge 24. I'm just looking to catch something and was wondering if anyone had any reports from these areas. I understand that grouper move in shallow in the Fall and also kings run in the Fall. Just wondering if anyone has caught any in these areas? Also, anyone catching any other species on these reefs? I'm somewhat new to the area but fishesd these areas last time I was down there in August but only managed a load of grunts.

A little info here I aint been offshore in so long, I don't know if I could find my way
http://www.bigbendfishing.net/phpBB3/vi ... =3&t=35099

We went out last weekend to about 50ft and caught all the Kings we wanted. Took a husband and wife and their 14yr old daughter who had never been fishing. They had a friggin blast!!!! We anchored over some decent bottom, hung a chum bag over the side and free lined Spanish Sardines off the stern. The Spanish didn't last 2mins before the lines started screaming. We ended up only fishing one rod as we didn't have time to rig the second before the first went off. No size to the Kings, largest was around 15 -20lbs but they were there, no doubt.