Panama City -- A fishing-vacation paradise
by Kevin Lee McIver
If you're ready for some of the best
fishing action you've ever experienced, it's time to head to the warm
waters of the Gulf of Mexico and Panama City, Florida.
Diversity is the greatest part about
saltwater fishing -- you never know what's going to strike. The first time
you drop a line, you might reel in a 5-pound trigger fish. Next time, you
might land an octopus. It is this element of the unknown which makes
fishing the big waters truly unchallenged.
Recently, I had an opportunity to fish the
warm waters around Panama City. I went to this vacation Mecca on business,
but just had to get my hands on a fish other than from one of the fine
seafood restaurants located there. So to satisfy my desires, I opted for
one of the afternoon voyages aboard a fishing excursion.
For around $50, you can go out to sea with
a crew and 30 other passengers for a little saltwater action. The trip
lasts about four hours, and the crew does most of the work for you to
include cutting bait and putting your catch on ice.
Now this isn't a $700 private fishing trip
for six people, but the fishing is usually fantastic just the same. After locating the fish
on sonar, the ship's captain blasts a horn and everyone drops their lines
straight down over the side. When the horn sounds a second time, up come
the lines and the ship repositions over the fish.
It is within this time period that the
action begins. Each saltwater rod and reel is rigged with three to four
hooks suspended above a lead sinker, with squid as the cut-bait. When the
sinker reaches the bottom, you back up the line about one turn to keep it
taught and the action begins.
Everyone's first instinct is to set the
hook when the fish strike, but since there are several hooks, you must
patiently wait. After feeling a few hits, you quickly reel in the line,
the crew removes the fish, you place on more bait and drop it back down
before the horn. This is actually a fine art, as each person quickly
anticipates the horn and tries to pull in as many fish as possible in
between blasts.
By the end of the trip, most anglers will
have a nice stringer of fish. From this expedition, I netted five trigger
fish and some snapper -- a total of 25 pounds of fresh seafood.
Upon returning to port, the crew takes the
catch, cleans them and packs them in a cooler (you must furnish) for your
trip home. Here is where those returning home can make out like bandits
because those anglers remaining in Panama City will gladly donate their
catches to your coolers.
In addition to great fishing, Panama City
affords vacationers unlimited attractions. Amusement parks, clubs, oyster
bars, dancing and recreational opportunities abound, not to mention the
white-sandy beach along the Gulf.
If you're looking for warm weather,
beautiful beaches, saltwater fishing, and fun for the entire family, head
south to Panama City. You won't be disappointed.
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