Panhandle - Panama City, West Bay & Port St. Joe

Capt. Rob Womble
October 15, 2007
Panama City - Saltwater Fishing Report

COOL WEATHER PANAMA CITY REDFISH!

The redfish bite over the last week or so has been pretty consistent. Although they have not been as aggressive as previous weeks they are still there for the catching. The cooler weather has started to group them up a bit. When your pushing along you more than likely wont see them spread out all along the flats. No instead you will notice large area's of only one's and two's and all of a sudden you will find yourself in the middle of 20 to 30 fish tailing about feeding without a care in the world. Normally I would focus in on the creeks but the last week or so they have been randomly positioned along stretches of my favorite flats.

If you have a polling platform or a tower on your flats boat us it. The water is pretty clear right now and we have had our best luck catching redfish and trout by slowing down a waiting for them to show us there tails or silhouette themselves against a light sand bottom or prop scare. The south end of West Bay and in and around the airport have been really good for the reds. We have switched up a bit on the lures and started throwing a black Johnson's weedless spoon. For tailing red's I suggest you use a 4” Gulp Shrimp (New Penny) with a 4/0 hook and no weight. Work it slowly towards the fish and lift it lightly so not to spook the fish. He will more than likely pick it up with a very soft attack so pay attention to the line.

I fished the first ever Howell Tackle Redfish, Trout and Flounder tournament this week with partner Joe Pindino. Although we did not win we placed a strong 4th and had a great time. We caught 8 redfish with the biggest coming in at 5 lbs. Oh well maybe next time.

I would report on Capt. Todd this week but he was busy hunting (opening season bow). He hunts like he fishes.....normally I would take this chance to get a dig in on him but he bagged a nice 8 point on the first day so.....good job is all I can say. Look forward to getting him back on the water this week.

Earlier in the week I fished with a friend of mine Ky Lafoon who pretty much schooled me on the use of a Cajun Thunder. Normally I like to use it out in the open but Ky put that dude right up in the grass and caught every fish within a mile. Naturally I switched up and still didn't catch up to his numbers. I guess you can't know it all.

With the cooler temps coming the tides this time of year will start to get shallower and shallower. Please be mindful of this decrease in depth and be sure to shut your engines off well before you chew up the grass flats. As always good luck on the water.

Capt. Rob Womble & Capt. Todd Jones

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