Panama City Beach

[toomanycasts]

Headed to PCB in early June. I want to fish from the beach. Is light tackle an option? Does anyone have a suggestion on a few baits to use? I have no idea what to do. I'm a bass fisherman from souther Indiana. Would any bass rods crossover. I'm not wanting to spend a bundle; just want to spend a few hours early fishing on the beach. Thanks in advance.

[chasmo]

First off, yes bass rods will cross over nicely. Casting rods m-mh with anywhere from 8-17 lb test are fine. Spinning rods perfect as well with 8-12 lb test. I highly, recommend a flouro leader of at least about 1-2 feet in 25lb minimum for the toothy beasts (flounder, mackerel and trout). Be sure to always rinse your rods and reels after use in fresh water to wash off any salt. As for baits/lures, I recommend 1/4 oz lead heads with a 4" curly tail grub and tip with a small piece of shrimp. This will catch anything on the beach that sees it. When you get down there, if you are a lure fisherman, go to a bait shop and grab a couple of 52m mirrolure a in a green top or red head color for fun. Also 1/2 oz spoons are good if there are mackerel around. Bait wise, your best bet is dead (or live) shrimp just dunked in the ocean with a 1/2 oz. slip sinker and. Size 1 to 2/0 oshaunessy hook. Be sure to get an out of state license as well from the tackle shop. If you're fishing with shrimp, don't use anything you wouldn't eat (should not smell at all), otherwise you will wind up fighting crabs and saltwater cats which are not fun (cats barbs are poisonous).