Good day for fly fishing and the trash can slam!
Capt. James Pic
June 1, 2009
Panama City - Saltwater Fishing Report
Met Brad Cripe from southern Illinois at the dock bright and early this morning. We had a date with some red fish I haven't visited in a couple of weeks. As we eased into the spot, fish were pushing wakes in front of us. We set up and waited for the fish to swim by so we could put a fly in front of them. For the first hour many fish swam within close range but due to various reasons we couldn't ge one on. The parade of reds slowed down the second hour with one bump but no hookup. Maybe next time Brad.
We looked for reds in a couple of other spots. The bay was still and slick as glass...not the best conditions. We did manage to find a big school of jacks. 100 fish or more ranging anywhere from ten to thirty pounds. We put a fly into them many times.....each time they looked, followed but turned their nose up at the fly. Knowing when to give it up we headed out to the other part of the bay for some action.
One thing about me....I won't sit on fish all day that won't bite. Brad wanted a red but we only had six hours and he needed to catch some fish. We spent the last two hours catching a bunch of bluefish, blue runners, ladyfish and spanish on the fly. Brad picked up the "Trash can Slam" (bluefish, bluerunner, skipjack) on the fly. It's a joke but the real joke is all of them can pull you around with an eight weight. Mixed in were some decent spanish macks. All in all it was a great trip and Brad learned a lot about casting for distance and fishing in salt water.
Anyone that comes to Panama City Florida that wants to catch fish on the fly give me a call. We can sight fish for reds and trout early...every now and then we will run into a school of jacks like today. If that bite is off or we get tired of it we can hit another part of the bay for palegics and a lot of fun. No other guide knows the bay or fly fishing better than I, been doing it for over 35 years.
Panama City Fishing Forecast:
Kings along the beach mixed in will be bonito and mahi mahi.
Trout, reds and flounder on the flats and in the holes.
Spanish, blues and ladyfish on the ledges.
Target Species:
Everything
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