"4lb. Ray" and the "lug nut".
Capt. James Pic
April 13, 2010
Panama City - Saltwater Fishing Report
Several years ago another long time client, Dr. John from Tupelo, split a trip with Ray. Doc was fly fishing for spanish and blues while Ray stood in the back of the boat casting a spoon. It's not really a spoon that Ray likes to throw at spanish and blues but a diamond jig. As Ray continually hit the water that day with the diamond jig it made a distinctive thud. At some point Doc, who has a very dry sense of humor, looks over at Ray and ask's him "what are you using?...a lug nut with a hook attached to it?" Due to that comment we always refer to Ray's lure as a "lug nut". Well, he was back at it this morning.
One thing about Ray; he likes that Deepwater Point, hand to hand combat action for spanish in the spring. Almost every morning during the spanish run you can find Ray out on the point throwing a lug nut. Problem is, this year the point has been slow. Ray, wanting to cure his itch, got on the boat today to chase the big schools of spanish in the bay. After all, spanish are ole "4lb.'s" fish of choice.
The fish were not up today like they have been although there was plenty of action. The wind howled again keeping the fish down.
Every day I have new people that read my reports. Whether you just found me searching the net, fished with me, know someone that has, or you read it just for a chuckle, I'm always honest about things that are going on. If I have a question as to what is happening compared to the "word on the street" I check with my sources. Having fished here for over twenty years prior to guiding the last 16 allows me the opportunity to be able to pick up the phone and call some of the best fishermen in the area. You won't see these guys on the internet, because they have real jobs, fishing when they can.
I talked to one such friend several times about cobia over the last couple of weeks. We agree, along with some of his network, the bite was slow. Greg told me last night he and his wife fished most of the day on Saturday and Sunday without seeing any fish. That all changed yesterday with him seeing six and boating four. The flood gates could be open and what was a trickle could be the beginning of a 10 to 15 day heavy run before they start to deminish. It's probably the time to get here to cobia fish.
Fortunately/unfortunately I have to do what my clients ask me to do. Fortunately that I am so busy this time of year that I don't get to cobia fish much, unfortunately that, well, I don't get to cobia fish much. Many of my clients, like Ray, want to catch a lot of fish on light tackle. Others want to catch big trout and reds (thats what I'm known for) on the flats. I'm going to take a day for me tomorrow and cobia fish....hope we see some, then it's back to work.
As always I welcome emails with questions to help you become a better fisherperson, just don't get mad because I won't tell you the lat and long where the giant trout live. As they say, I could tell you, but then I'd have to kill you....lol
Hope everyone gets that big one this year. Keep it fun.
Panama City Fishing Forecast:
Fishing is good and will remain that way for all species.
Target Species:
Spring is here....let's go fishing!
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