Gag Grouper....Panama City, 9/20 & 9/21

[Beckcl]

The morning wasnt looking great. White caps as far as I could see, and a light drizzle. I decided to take my little girl for a walk on the beach and let her pick up some shells.

After about and hour on the beach, the Gulf slicked out, and I couldnt take it any more. I kissed my wife and little girl goodbye, went to the house, hitched the boat, and headed for St. Andrews Marina. We met Chumhead at the marina. About 11:30 I cleared the pass doing 30, and never slowed down for the 20 mile ride. We had 1-2 foot chop the whole day with around 5-10 winds.

First up were several short Gags and Red Grouper:

http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc488/Beckcl/DSCF0109-1.jpg

http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc488/Beckcl/DSCF0103.jpg

Always some Red Snappers:

http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc488/Beckcl/DSCF0105.jpg

http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc488/Beckcl/DSCF0110-1.jpg


A 20 pound pig:

http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc488/Beckcl/DSCF0113.jpg

Picked up the first legal Gag:

http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc488/Beckcl/DSCF0106.jpg

And Another:

http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc488/Beckcl/DSCF0116.jpg

http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc488/Beckcl/DSCF0121.jpg

A Triggerfish or two thrown in:

http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc488/Beckcl/DSCF0107-1.jpg

We caught a bunch of fish, but just 2 keeper Gags for the day and some Triggerfish.

Nice sunset on the ride in:

http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc488/Beckcl/DSCF0120.jpg

It was a great day on the water!

[Beckcl]

Day two was another late start, but earlier than the first. With just myself and Jerry on board, we cleared the pass at 11:00. We were met by flat calm conditions. We headed South West for another 20 mile run to the live bottom. Four or five miles out, the seas picked up to 1 foot chop. There were a few storms and showers around, but we stayed between them. Sirius Sat. Weather comes in handy for this.

We decided to use only large live baits to cut out some of the smaller Snapper and Triggerfish. We dropped a chicken rig tipped with squid and started putting a few in the bait well.

I dropped one down, and got nailed on the first drop:

http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc488/Beckcl/DSCF0124.jpg

Jerry kept fishing for bait, and I dropped again:

http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc488/Beckcl/DSCF0126.jpg

and again:

http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc488/Beckcl/DSCF0127.jpg

and again:

http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc488/Beckcl/DSCF0129.jpg

At this point, with three keepers in the bag, I told Jerry he better quit fooling with bait, and put a line down. He made a drop and right off, the rod went down and fish on. The rod bent hard and shattered into 3 pieces. I grabbed the reel while he held the mid section of broken rod, and we managed to winch the Gag off the bottom.

http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc488/Beckcl/DSCF0131.jpg

In short order, we had a limit of four keeper Gags so we decided to catch a few Triggerfish to go with them:

http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc488/Beckcl/DSCF0136.jpg

http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc488/Beckcl/DSCF0134.jpg

After another fantastic day on the water, I pointed the boat back toward the pass, hit plane, and settled in for the 40 minute ride in. Got home, washed the boat, cleaned fish, and called it a day!

[DWood]

Excellent report with great pictures and a good narrative!*thumbsup* Glad you had a good trip and a safe one.*rod*

Dan

[gut wrench]

whats your legal size Gag in GOM?

we are only allowed 1 per fisherman in sc now.

[Beckcl]

whats your legal size Gag in GOM?

we are only allowed 1 per fisherman in sc now.

Legal Gags are 22" in the GOM and 2 per person.

[Island Man]

Wow great trips guys, gonna have to join you down there one day ;D

[CFISHN]

I Really like seeing the post from PMC lot's of big old bottom fish !

Good to see Craig & you'll Catching fish too *kickrock*

[gut wrench]

Legal Gags are 22" in the GOM and 2 per person.

ours has to be 24",when does your season close?


how far offshore do you have to go?


been throwing around a vacation to Destin area,would love to take the skiff and get some good offshore fishing in too.*rod*

[Beckcl]

ours has to be 24",when does your season close?


how far offshore do you have to go?


been throwing around a vacation to Destin area,would love to take the skiff and get some good offshore fishing in too.*rod*

This years season is from Sep. 16 thru Nov 15.

http://www.gulfcouncil.org/fishing_regulations/regulations_matrix/Site/Regulations_Matrix.html

The spot I was fishing was around 15 miles from the coast or about 20 miles from the pass.

Let me know if you go to Destin, I know some guys there thay might give me a number or two for you.

[Gunnar]

Thanks for the fine fishing report *Cheers*

Gregg

[Dave]

Man, I just love it when a plan comes together...Great report and pics Beck, and glad to hear you got ol' chum out there witcha too *Cheers*

[mperkins6188]

Can you tell me what kind of Lowrance electronic you are using and if they are easy to use

thanks






The morning wasnt looking great. White caps as far as I could see, and a light drizzle. I decided to take my little girl for a walk on the beach and let her pick up some shells.

After about and hour on the beach, the Gulf slicked out, and I couldnt take it any more. I kissed my wife and little girl goodbye, went to the house, hitched the boat, and headed for St. Andrews Marina. We met Chumhead at the marina. About 11:30 I cleared the pass doing 30, and never slowed down for the 20 mile ride. We had 1-2 foot chop the whole day with around 5-10 winds.

First up were several short Gags and Red Grouper:

http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc488/Beckcl/DSCF0109-1.jpg

http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc488/Beckcl/DSCF0103.jpg

Always some Red Snappers:

http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc488/Beckcl/DSCF0105.jpg

http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc488/Beckcl/DSCF0110-1.jpg


A 20 pound pig:

http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc488/Beckcl/DSCF0113.jpg

Picked up the first legal Gag:

http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc488/Beckcl/DSCF0106.jpg

And Another:

http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc488/Beckcl/DSCF0116.jpg

http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc488/Beckcl/DSCF0121.jpg

A Triggerfish or two thrown in:

http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc488/Beckcl/DSCF0107-1.jpg

We caught a bunch of fish, but just 2 keeper Gags for the day and some Triggerfish.

Nice sunset on the ride in:

http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc488/Beckcl/DSCF0120.jpg

It was a great day on the water!

[Beckcl]

Can you tell me what kind of Lowrance electronic you are using and if they are easy to use

thanks

My Electronics are Lowrance HDS units. Like all units, there is a learning curve, but I think they are fairly easy to use.

Good Luck!

[mperkins6188]

thanks for your help great pics of fish



My Electronics are Lowrance HDS units. Like all units, there is a learning curve, but I think they are fairly easy to use.

Good Luck!

fishingsmilie*

[Beckcl]

thanks for your help great pics of fish




fishingsmilie*
No problem.....If you do a search on Lowrance HDS you will find several threads on the units!