January fishing in Panama Beach FL? help!

[pauljok1]

HI

New to this board and new to FL Fishing.

Thinking about a quick vacation from Chicago to Panama Beach with the intent of taking my kids fishing for the very first time.
Probably the week of Jan 25th, 2009.

I've only ever fished in Illinois and Wisconsin and was looking at going to Arkansas for a quick get-a-way now that I am unemployed - but my wife says its too cold there. So I'll drive the extra 4 hours as we have a time share in Panama Beach.
Can't afford a boat so looking for some dock or shoreline fishing.
Never ocean fished - biggest lake was Lake Michigan - mainly used a bobber for perch and bottom rig for trout.

What do I need to know - help? Places? Licenses?
Will regular reels and rods work or do I need special salt water stuff?

Driving down with my wife and a kids - 8 yr old, 6 yr old, and 2yr old.

Whatever help and advice would be very much appreciated.

Thanks gang
Paul

[fishnfool73]

Never fished that area but I know the pier there is famed for tarpon, kingfish, mackerl, pompano, and such.
http://www.ultimatefishingsite.net/stat ... lpier.html
http://www.destin-ation.com/fishing_piers_florida.htm

[pauljok1]

Thanks fishnfool73!

Great info - didn't know where to go next - so those links are very helpful!

[fishnfool73]

Just google.com and type in Panama pier ....google is the greatest thing since youtube.

[Green Tide]

The city and county piers are closed for repairs until april. Your best bet would be to go to the state park and use their pier even though it is very short you can still get reds pomano and whiting. There is also a great set of jetties at the park and the area known as deep water point is a good beach fishing for flounder.
You will need an out of state license at $17 for 3 days.
Call half hitch tackle when you get in and you can get an accurate report as well as rigs and bait/licenses. They also have a website you can try before you get there.
I think you should be able to fish with light to medium gear. If the pompano or mullet are running the pier will be very busy.
It can get very cold so bring jackets to handle 30 degree weather at 10 knots or more.

[pauljok1]

Thanks Green Tide

Not 100% sure but we should be in Fort Walton FL from the 26th of Jan for a week

Thanks for the info - http://www.halfhitch.com/ looks helpful.

My 6 year old boy is worried about getting pulled in by a big fish!

Florida ever lose any kids to a tarpon or just fishing rods?