Panama City Florida Fishing Report April 24th 2009
Capt. Rob Womble
April 24, 2009
Panama City - Saltwater Fishing Report
Fishing on the Flats is on Fire Right Now!
The trout fishing is outstanding right now. We have been focusing most of our efforts on top-water lures because the water is still a little stained from all the rain we had a couple weeks ago. Normally by this time we would use a combination of Gulp Shrimp, Sinking Minnows, Suspending Lures and spoons. With the water being a little stained we have had better luck on the top-water plugs. I have found that the full size Spook and Spook juniors as well as the Skitter walks work the best. Capt. Todd has also had a good deal of success using a popping cork rigged with Gulp Shrimp. We have been locating the trout on the open flats with good grass beds. Behind the Airport, and all along Shell Island near the golf course have been really good spots. We have had several trout this week in the 3 to 4lb range. Most however have been around 16 to 19 inch. Good eating size.
Deasn and I with a couple of nice trout!
The redfish have also been taking the top-water plugs. With the water stained like it is the redfish will normally take several passes at the plug before they actually take it. When the redfish short strike top-water plugs Capt. Todd and I like to have a soft plastic bait or a 1/8oz gold spoon at the ready. Have your partner throw the lure just past the plug and slowly work it towards the plug. This technique usually produces. Flooded marsh grass and the entrances to bayous have been the place to find the reds. If you can time your trip on a falling tide you will have better luck. Now is also the time to try out live bait on both the reds and trout. We like to grab some pinfish, trim off some of their tail fins and back fins. This will make them flutter in the water making them very attractive to the reds and trout. When we fish shallow sand bars or potholes we will suspend the bait under a clear plastic cork just deep enough to keep it off the bottom and out of the grass.
We have been running a lot of trips over the last week or so with some really nice trout and reds being put in the boat. We will be stepping up the reports a little more now that we are running a more full time spring/summer pace. We have are starting to get a lot of calls on general fishing information such as where to go and what bait to use. We are more than happy to help out where and when we can. If you want a more detailed report of the types of areas we are fishing or the equipment or techniques we are using please feel free to give us a call. You don't have to book a trip with us to get some good info…..its free! If you are going to book a trip with one of our local guides make sure you take the time to check with one of our local tackle shops. They will be more than happy to recommend a great local guide or give you a report on your potential guide. If you are going to spend several hundred dollars on a fishing trip you should take a few extra minutes and make a few phone calls to ensure your getting your money worth.
As always good luck on the water!
Capt. Rob Womble & Capt. Todd Jones
Back Bay Adventures
Panama City Fishing Forecast:
As the water starts to clear up more and more, the fishing is only going to get better and better.
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