Big reds in the shallows, trout on the flats, lot's of spanish.
Capt. James Pic
June 18, 2009
Panama City - Saltwater Fishing Report
First thing, sorry about the lack of reporting. I didn't take the advice of some of you that emailed me about a waterproof camera although I definitely appreciate your emails. I want to thank all of you that read my reports I know that there are a lot of you which is part of the reason for my success along with the above board operation of Cyberangler. There were a lot of good fish on the boat this week. Pictures will start showing up tomorrow.
As for the fishing, I'll start with the redfish. West and East Bays are full of fish of all sizes this summer. Early you can find them nudging against the grass and banks. We have hooked several "pigs" this week on DOA, Gulp and my favorite Zara Spook Jr. Bob Bain had one on this morning that he couldn't turn. The fish chased the spook down hitting it three times in less than a foot of water before finally making a commitment. The commitment to follow was to run up into the grass with no mercy breaking off rather quickly. The fish had to be 15lbs. There have been many hooked this week most very large and very exciting when they attack a lure. Most of the fish we are catching are bigger than this:
Trout are all over the flats. For the next month and a half the big fish (those over 26") will be harder to find. They scatter after the spring spawn. Normally you can start getting bigger fish in better numbers by mid August and through the fall. There are a lot of fish on the flats in both West and East Bay that can be caught on popping corks. If you work hard, throwing topwater early and then going to soft plastics you will get some good keeper fish. The amount depends on the day. I have a new favorite color DOA this year. Watermelon with sparkle, seems to do very well. Heres a decent trout caught by Bob Bain in between fly fishing and spinning this morning.
St. Andrew Bay and the ledges just don't seem to hold the large numbers of spanish this year as in years past. My opinion on that is during the start of the run last spring there was so much fresh water running out of the bay due to all of the rain the fish by passed our area. I believe spanish are very sensitive to brackish water and will avoid it. We have been taking good numbers but have to work at finding them every day. Some time in August a second run will start and the fishing for spanish should be hot through fall.
Overall, you can't complain about the fishing this year. You come with me you will catch fish and many species. There are a lot of big blues this year and a good amount of flounder in the bay to compliment the regular fare.
Offshore the king bite is still on fire.
I have been taking a lot of fly fishers this week. There is a lot of action for you guys out there. From trout and snobbish reds early to spanish, blues and skipjack later in the day. The fish seem to be readily attacking the fly this year.
Panama City Fishing Forecast:
It has been unusually warm this year. There are fish to catch but you can bet you have to work for them. I have worked harder this year getting clients on fish than in many years. I have had to hit spots I haven't fished in years and they are paying off. You can see me in West, East, North or St. Andrews Bays....I'm going where the fish are.
Target Species:
All the players are here. All species are available.
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