Panama City Beach, FL

Contributors: Wes Reynolds

Recently I had the opportunity to travel to Panama City Beach for my last TDY with the Air Force. Early Spring, 2020 I’ll be transitioning back into civilian life, and we’re excited for the new experiences this will bring – Hopefully more fishing and hunting opportunities in all of the places we love the most!

This November was my second time in Panama City Beach. The first time I was lucky enough to fish shipwrecks in the Gulf. I managed to land an amberjack and many other smaller species on a good friend’s boat. This year, I told myself I would attempt to stay within St. Andrews Bay and fish the flats for Redfish.

I have never had the chance to chase any saltwater species with a fly rod, and I aimed to change that this trip if the opportunity arose. After some quick research I discovered that not many folks fished St. Andrews Bay in the late fall. There certainly weren’t many fly fishermen doing wade trips. So, I looked for local guides who specialized in fly fishing for Redfish on the flats. I quickly discovered Captain Shep with Fly Times Charters.

I spoke with Captain Shep over the phone and discussed that although my schedule was tight, I was very interested in doing a guided trip. He was extremely accommodating and said we’d get together once I got down to
Florida. The next week I found myself dreaming of sight-casting to tailing Reds in crystal clear water.

I consider myself a decent fly fisherman at the very best of times. I’ve attempted to immerse myself in all things fly fishing since 2014 to hopefully become a better fisherman. Saltwater fly fishing was an obvious transition in my attempt to become even more well-rounded in the sport. Naturally, I expected a learning curve while searching the flats for tailing Reds, but I had no idea just how much different it was to fish for a saltwater species than for the picky trout of central Idaho.

Humble

Honestly, it’s the only word I can use to describe the learning curve I came up against in Southwest Florida. I thought for sure I would have a trip that fell somewhere between my dreams and expectations. I knew I wouldn’t be sight fishing to eager fish all day. I also assumed that with some struggling moments, I would eventually hook into a Redfish.

Again, the word humble comes to mind.

Captain Shep managed to put me on fish all morning. Altogether I would argue we saw well over 300 fish that morning. You would think I could accidentally hook into even a small Red. As Captain Shep explained, I managed to find just about every way in the book to mess up some part of the experience with each fish.

I spooked the fish with my fly line, with my fly, from my feet in the boat, and from my false casting. I had so many opportunities to hook into great fish, and something always managed to go wrong. Still, I could not have been happier.

Of course, I wanted to have the day I had been dreaming of, but I realized quickly that these fish were on a mission to make me think twice. I found myself extremely luck to have the opportunity to be humbled by these fish and my excellent guide. I know I’ll be back. I’ll leave all the mistakes I brought with me on the boat, at the ramp. And I can’t say thank you enough to Captain Shep for a trip of a lifetime.

For more information on fly fishing Redfish and Panama City Beach:

Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission: https://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/red-drum/

Information on Redfish or Red Drum with local regulations.

Florida Outdoors Recreation: https://www.florida-outdoors.com/fsred.htm

Good background on Redfish, techniques, and tips.

Fly Times Charter: https://www.flytimesfishingcharters.com/

Captain Shep’s guide service.

Disclaimer: NONE of the above links or people are paid sponsors, it’s just information I’ve found helpful, and my support for a much appreciated guide experience.