Mid summer pattern has begun, still hammering the fish.
Capt. James Pic
July 11, 2008
Panama City - Saltwater Fishing Report
I'm glad that I now have two fishing reports! Some of the "other" guides always want to talk about me. Whether true or not! Thanks for all the business guys!
Fishing has been great. So far this year we have measured in 13 trout over 24 inches and catching many in the 17" to 22" range each day we go out. I run every day this time of the year and am able to stay on top of where the fish can be found. Most days we fish for the trout and then go after the big spanish. Some days we go outside and fish for kings. Some days flounder. Some days reds. Everything is out there to catch all you have to do is get on the boat and let's go.
The big schools of reds are starting to show up. We had five last Sunday morning along with some random fish here and there. I took a local business man out last week to teach him how to look and catch redfish. You should have seen the look on his face as my boat parted a school of about 100. The are bunching up for that end of the summer push.
Along the flats we are getting big numbers of trout each time we fish for them. Not just one or two here and there but on most days 8, 9 or 10. We fished a spot last week that produced 8 trout. The smallest was 14 1/2. The next smallest, pictured below righ, was 16. The largest was over 24 inches with the second 22 inches. Those are the kind of fish we catch every day.
As always, taking a lot of kids fishing and they are having the times of their life. Nothing like a live well full of bait to catch big fish. In fact, 90% of all the guides use live bait each day. All of the guides that I work with in the St. Andrews Guides Association fish with live bait this time of the year. 'Cause if you don't have live bait you need to have a couple of sticks of dynomite....that is, if you want to catch fish EVERY DAY.
The St. Andrew Guides Association is available to take out large groups. Up to 15 devided onto several boats. We can offer light tackle bay fishing, king fishing, grouper and snapper. I can take a few more than some because I have a Masters license. Give me a call and I will put you on the right captain for what you want.
I'm staying booked a week out so if you want to get on a boat with someone that actually grew up here, fished these waters for over 37 years, has an outstanding record of putting clients on fish, has an unbelievably long client list, likes to play golf on his days off (cause I already know where all the fish are), has such a clean record with the Marine Patrol that they stop to talk and don't check my fish (most days), cause they trust me...and last, don't have to talk about my competition because, well they just whine like a bunch of silly little children that would rather run my business when they can't run thier own. Come fish with me, then you will figure out why the "other" reporters want to spend most of their fishing report talking about other guides.
Panama City Fishing Forecast:
Fishing will not change until the middle of August and then it will begin to get better.
Night trips are available for those who want them but you need to call way in advance.
Target Species:
Anything that swims...cause there is more out there than specs and reds.
More Fishing Reports:
