About East Bay, Panama City, FL

East Bay is an inshore bay located in Bay County, Florida. It is situated in proximity to Saint Andrew Sound and Saint Andrew Bay. East Bay is also a short drive away from Panama City Beach, which is a renowned tourist destination. Like West Bay, it is also surrounded by wetlands like those found in the Everglades. 

In contrast with the typical volume of individuals visiting West Beach, East Bay is quieter and less frequented as its surrounding areas are more rural than the upscale lifestyle that residential areas near West Bay have. While West Bay is more popular among tourists due to its proximity to Panama City Beach, East Bay is frequented by locals. Due to the lower volume of tourists, East Bay has become a popular spot for families in its surrounding areas looking for a serene day by the bay, hoping for a bountiful fishing trip.  

All About Fishing in East Bay, Panama City, FL

East Bay is comprised mainly of flats and marshlands. Due to the significant amount of aquatic vegetation, locals can enjoy an abundance of both sport- and panfish. The significantly healthy habitat that East Bay offers to fish species allows them to thrive and spawn freely. Although East Bay is not a hotspot for anglers due to West Bay getting more attention, East Bay is a hidden gem within Florida’s rural side. Fish species in East Bay include redfish, sea trout, tarpon, and bluegill. 

What makes East Bay interesting is its varying water bottom depths. The whole bay is comprised of sandbars and grass beds. The parts of the bay near the edges tend to be shallow, and the middle part goes really deep. This characteristic of the bay makes it an ideal location to practice different fishing techniques. Its shallow portions allow anglers to skip the hassle of using a boat and wade straight onto the grass beds to target schools of trout hanging around grass beds stealthily. Anglers typically use the jigging technique when wading through the bay’s grass beds.  For those who wish to target the deeper parts of the bay, using a boat or a kayak to reach the deepest parts is necessary. However, anglers must keep in mind that the deepest parts of the bay are typically populated by redfish, which could be aggressive. Targeting redfish calls for spinning expertise as they could bite quickly and tend to pull lines tight. Nevertheless, for anglers looking for a peaceful day by the bay while trying their luck on bringing home dinner, baitcasting by the edges of a boat is also effective.  

Fishing Seasonality

There are fish to catch in East Bay all year, but they are most abundant during spring to fall, around March to December. Flats fishing is a popular summer activity for locals as fish are easy to spot due to water clarity. However, anglers must still remember that fishing during the summer could be tricky as fish tend to settle at the deepest parts of the bay since water near the surface tends to be warmer due to the heat. To increase the chances of having a bountiful trip, consider planning an early morning trip or some time after sundown.  

Fishing Seasonality

There are fish to catch in East Bay all year, but they are most abundant during spring to fall, around March to December. Flats fishing is a popular summer activity for locals as fish are easy to spot due to water clarity. However, anglers must still remember that fishing during the summer could be tricky as fish tend to settle at the deepest parts of the bay since water near the surface tends to be warmer due to the heat. To increase the chances of having a bountiful trip, consider planning an early morning trip or some time after sundown.  

All About Fishing in East Bay, Panama City, FL

East Bay is comprised mainly of flats and marshlands. Due to the significant amount of aquatic vegetation, locals can enjoy an abundance of both sport- and panfish. The significantly healthy habitat that East Bay offers to fish species allows them to thrive and spawn freely. Although East Bay is not a hotspot for anglers due to West Bay getting more attention, East Bay is a hidden gem within Florida’s rural side. Fish species in East Bay include redfish, sea trout, tarpon, and bluegill. 

What makes East Bay interesting is its varying water bottom depths. The whole bay is comprised of sandbars and grass beds. The parts of the bay near the edges tend to be shallow, and the middle part goes really deep. This characteristic of the bay makes it an ideal location to practice different fishing techniques. Its shallow portions allow anglers to skip the hassle of using a boat and wade straight onto the grass beds to target schools of trout hanging around grass beds stealthily. Anglers typically use the jigging technique when wading through the bay’s grass beds.  For those who wish to target the deeper parts of the bay, using a boat or a kayak to reach the deepest parts is necessary. However, anglers must keep in mind that the deepest parts of the bay are typically populated by redfish, which could be aggressive. Targeting redfish calls for spinning expertise as they could bite quickly and tend to pull lines tight. Nevertheless, for anglers looking for a peaceful day by the bay while trying their luck on bringing home dinner, baitcasting by the edges of a boat is also effective.