JUNE & JULY Outstanding Fishing in Panama City Florida!
Capt. Rob Womble
June 29, 2008
Panama City - Saltwater Fishing Report
Right now you could go out into the bay or just off the beach and see large schools of bait getting hammered by game fish. When they are pushing trough schools of bait like that you can throw just about any lure you want and you're going to catch a Spanish Mackerel, Lady Fish, Jacks, Blue Fish, Bonito etc. The schools of bait are so thick it is keeping all these game fish close to the beach and in the middle parts of the bay. This is a good time to get the kids out there and let them have hook-up after hook-up. One of the easiest ways to get in on some of this action is to be out on the rocks or in your boat during the early morning hours or when the tide is shifting. Have a spoon or a heavier jig rigged up and toss it in the middle of the action and hang on.
Mark Nethery with Blue Grass Game Calls getting in on some of the beach front action.
Along the beach we are seeing more and more Tarpon. I was lucky enough to get a hook-up this week but it didn't last very long. The Pompano are still here in good numbers. If you want a tasty fish for dinner, Pompano is a good choice. With all the bait pushing along the beach we are seeing all the above mentioned fish push the bait up against the beach and crush them in the surf. If you're going to chase the action that close to the surf, be careful not to swamp the boat.
Mark with dinner! He got a little wet when the fish pulled the rod out of the boat. He was quick to jump in after it. Good Job!
Up on the flats is where we do a majority of our fishing the action continues to be real good. I have read that the larger trout are starting to show up. Well we will just let that be their little secret, as for Capt. Todd and I, we have been taking trout over 5lbs since February. Go back and check out our reports starting in March. We have been trying to beat the heat by running most of our trips early in the morning or later in the afternoon. A word of advice, if you're going to fish the late afternoon try to wear a pair of light weight long pants and long sleeve shirts. When you push up close to the marsh grass the mosquitoes and flies can be a pain. With the large amount of bait pushing up on the flats we have switched up from a regular Top-Water plug to a bigger and louder plug. Try the Zara Spook. It seems to be working pretty good. If you can find them the redfish pattern seems to be the best.
Capt. Todd finding those nice trout.
Double on the Reds!
Thanks to Ronnie for guiding me on a trip for a change. We like to get out there as much as the next guy.
For those of you who travel to Panama City on vacation and want to hire a fishing guide I have a few recommendations. Check your guide out. Just because your potential guide has a website does not make him reliable. You can call the Department of Fish and Wildlife and ask if he or she has any fishing and or hunting violations. I would also contact our local tackle shops, Half Hitch Tackle 888-668-9810 or Howell Tackle 800-423-8954. They deal with the local guides around here on a daily basis. If they don't recommend your choice of guide, well you might want to think twice before hiring him.
As always, good luck on the water. Please watch out for the other guys on the water.
Capt. Rob Womble & Capt. Todd Jones
Back Bay Adventures
Panama City Fishing Forecast:
With the temperatures getting a little hotter every day we recommend you change the time of day you get out there on the water. Try a louder topwater plug. We have also had good luck with spinner baits. Target the 1 to 2 foot drop and focus your attention on pot holes, prop scares and natural drops. For those of you who like to target flounder, hit each hole with a jig.
More Fishing Reports:
