Bluewater Outriggers Fishing Report 10-02-2026
The clouds are rolling in over Port St. Joe, and it looks like they’re going to be here for a while. In fact, I think the city’s preparing for a real toad-strangler as I just got word that the kiddos’ schools will be closed due to heavy rain forecasts. That’s a real treat for us single, working parents that have to find childcare at the last minute, let me tell ya. But by all accounts, they got the forecast right. I found that out a little before 6 this morning when I awoke in a panic realizing I had forgotten to take the trash out. Clad in nothing but my boxer shorts and a pair of socks, I hurriedly fumbled through the dark to roll my can out to the street. By the time I got back, I was so soaked it looked like I fell off the boat and had to swim back to shore. On the bright side, having garbage day panic and then getting blasted in the face with a downpour of rain is a very efficient way to wake up and get the body going.
While the forecast looks very wet for the foreseeable future, this last week had its share of fair-weather fishing days. Heading offshore from Mexico Beach in no more than 90’ of water, Captain Jake Harpe had a very successful trip landing some monster red snapper and some last-minute gag grouper, which have now gone out of season. He also ran across some FADs out there that were loaded (and I mean loaded) with mahi.
Captain Gary Dunn and I headed out of Carabelle into the 50’ range and had a great day. By “day,” I mean we had about two hours. It takes me an hour to drive to Carabelle, and we must get to our spot and fish then be back at the boat ramp in time for me to drive back and pick my son up from school. But the two hours we had were well worth it and we put the hurt on some red grouper. Gary did have to lecture me a little bit because I was fishing two rods at once and missed a few good ones. My bottom bait rig was more productive, but I couldn’t resist throwing a 5” NLBN paddle-tail and skipping it across the sea floor. There’s nothing better than when a big grouper slams that rig, and you get to fight him on light tackle. I finally managed to make that happen, and shortly thereafter I caught a small cobia on the same jig. I wish I still had it so I could tell you exactly which one it was, but Gary wanted to borrow it for his next trip.
While I’ve never met him in person, I’ve spoken with him on the phone many times. He goes by the name, Tanglefoot, and the man knows his fishing. He resides around the Panacea area but knows all the fishing spots from here and in between. In fact, he can describe them in detail down to the very last oyster covered rock 25 feet out from the point that has a wad of old green Power-Pro stuck to it. Inshore or offshore, he does it all, and he can tell you when and where the fish are going to be. While he knows his way around a Lowrance, he has some issues with the cellphone, but he finally got his nephew to help him and sent me a photo of a nice flounder he pulled out from under the bridge here in Port St. Joe. Tanglefoot can be seen with his flounder in the center photo above. The photo to the left shows a mess of blue crabs he caught down here as well. That’s a nice catch, my friend, and I look forward to us fishing together sometime soon!
Drew Biven, from Louisville, KY is down here in search of the big sharks. He told me he hasn’t got a big one yet, but he still has three more days! He did send me a picture of a bonnethead shark he caught fishing off Indian Pass. That photo can be seen (above right). I’ve spoken with Drew several times in Bluewater Outriggers, and he is having a ball down here in PSJ. I wish you the best of luck Drew, and don’t worry, I’ll hold a photo spot for you in next week’s article for the big boy!
Folks, keep those umbrellas and rain jackets handy for the upcoming week; it’s going to be a wet one. On behalf of Bluewater Outriggers, I hope you and yours are comfortable and safe. Have a great week, my friends. Tight lines ‘til next time.
-Jeremiah Beasley