Fly Fishing in Panama City Florida
Capt. James Pic
May 20, 2013
Panama City - Saltwater Fishing Report
Every year I get one or two new clients who come over from the dark side....lol.
What I mean by that is they have fished with other fly fishing guides in the area, or go to a particular group because they are endorsed by a well known long time manufacturer of fly fishing rods and equipment. I had that endorsement 16 years ago, I can tell, you the qualifications then were a lot harder to get through than now. Basically if you can say, "fly fish", breath and stand up your qualified.
These guys that come over from the dark side are tired of standing on the bow of a flats boat being poled around in murky water where the redfish see the fishermen before the fisherman see's the fish. Oh yeah...did I mention the "no see um" that will eat you alive and have been known to carry off small children? Makes for a fishless, miserable day.
Redfishing around here on the fly is not all that. For thirty years I've been fly fishing salt water around Panama City and I can tell you there are a lot better fish to catch on the fly than a redfish.
Yesterday, an accomplished fly fisherman could have caught big amberjack with a sink tip, big fly and a little work. We also had three pound blue runners all around the boat which will kick a five pound redfishes ass all day long. Besides that, you can catch them some days until your arms hurt. Don't forget the bonito. This is the size AJ's you can catch on the fly.
Of course, there is always the chance you can roll up on a big school of (poor man's tarpon) and Spanish along the beach. In the bay, we catch Spanish, skip jacks and bluefish till your arms hurt some days.
If your tired of getting eaten alive in the marsh and not catching any fish on the fly, try me once. I have a big boat with a big casting platform and plenty of room on the deck in case it's a little bumpy. I want you to catch fish...not look at them as they swim away.
Panama City Fishing Forecast:
everything on the fly
Target Species:
Jacks, bonito, mahi mahi, trout, reds, skip jacks, spanish, blues and many more.
More Fishing Reports:
