Just got back from Panama City Beach and can't wait to go back. Picture thread
 

Well about 10 of us made it down to the Panama City Beach/Destin area to fish for a week. Some were spouses and or girlfriends who didn't fish much and some were hard core. Sarah and I came home with about 30lbs of filets, good thing we brought the vacuum sealer with us. I gained about 13lbs over the vacation beer, bourbon, scotch, and lots, and lots of food.

There was a bunch of firsts and personal bests caught like sharks, black fin tuna, dorado and king fish. A friend of Sarah and mine came over from Jacksonville Florida Wednesday and fished with us for the rest of the week. He had never been in a kayak on the ocean as he usually fish's for reds, trout, and flounder in the creeks. He is now hooked. There is nothing like hooking into a fish and the first 10 seconds is drag screaming, or it taking 15 minutes to land a fish because the fight is so strong, or just not knowing what is on the other end.

After the first day of fishing Sarah picked up a new rod and reel an Okuma level wind with bait alarm, and roller guide rod. This really helped her put some fish in the boat.

This was a great trip, and trying to plan another this fall, and definitely at least one per year. I'll get some pictures up soon.

Sunday was a sad departure, but 8 days is the perfect length to make a good vacation.

The view from our balcony, this was breakfast about every morning.
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Every evening beverages.
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The usual right after fishing
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The living room which was never used.
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And a lot of this
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My biggest King 38"
My Dorado 28"
My Biggest Spanish 28"
Sarah's Biggest King 35"
Sarah's Biggest Spanish 33"

If you would like to see more pictures here is my Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...turnto=profile

AWESOME PICS!!!! Thanks for sharing! I have a question... when you catch the 10+ pound fish... (especially that dolphin!!!) how far do they pull you before you can get them in? I just picture a few kayaks fishing around together and then one of them being pulled off into the gulf... with me screaming ITS A BIG ONE while everyone else is screaming CUT THE LINE!!!

lol

Pcb
 

Wow!

thats funny right there

That looks like some great fishing, thanks for sharing
your adventure!!!!

I'm only using 17-20lb mainline on my trolling rods, coupled with the hard mouths of and amazing runs of Kingfish you cannot have the drag very tight our you will loose fish. The dolphin hit while I was trolling about 4mph, and all I saw was a spash out of the corner of my eye, and my first thought was a sailfish. After about 3 minutes I knew it wasn't a sail, but knew it was a good fish. Once I got it about 10 yards from the kayak I could see the blue, green and yellow and knew exactly what it was. It made about 5-6 runs the entire fight, and when I thought I had it whipped it would take of again. I would grab it by the tail when I got it close and it would shoot off like a rocket, and when I would try to get the Boga Grips near it, it would head shake and dive. Sarah was the one who actually landed the fish for me, she pulled up beside me and took control, what a trooper.

I haven't found an experience that quite compares to fishing in the ocean from a kayak, where I know I'm not at the top of the food chain, or even close to the biggest thing out there like those sea turtles that chased Sarah when she interrupted there mating ritual.

Thanks for all the kind responses.

Jeremy

Awesome trip man.

I just got back from 7 days in Daytona area. Didn't get to fish but took the little ones to the beach a few days, zoo, marine rehabilitation complex and sea world.

Maybe I can get the wrats to you this week sometime. Sorry it wasn't before I left.

I'm sure you had a great time, I haven't been to Daytona since I lived in Jacksonville. No rush on the wrats the 2 weeks are 72hr work weeks.

Jeremy