fishing is cool: panama city

Showing posts with label panama city. Show all posts

Hogs in the fog!

I like this Throwback Thursday thing on Facebook. It gives me a chance to go through some old fishing photos and relive the great catches I've had in the past. Sometimes it's not just about what I'm catching, but what I've helped others catch. Here are a few from 2003 when I went snook fishing in Jensen Beach with my production crew and cousin. We were just out for fun one day and each one of us hooked up to a snook of a lifetime. The photo above is Mr. Producerman Kevin with his Mogan Snook. The next photo is Trice our Operations Manager with her impressive linesider.

. . . and then my cousin Shane rockin' one for the photo album. The ride home that day was filled with lots of grins!

Earlier this week we had a really small window of good weather over in the Tampa Bay area and Skeeter Pro Capt. Ryan Farner called to let us know he had a show idea for us - Hogfishin'. Now, I had never caught Hoggies on a hook before, I had only ever caught them spearfishing, so this was going to be a challenge but I was up for it. The only hesitation I had was we had to make sure we could catch 'em for the camera, and the pressure was on. You'll have to tune in to the episode when it airs this Spring, but let me tell you . . . I had a blast catching these crazy and beautiful looking fish. They sure are pretty (and pretty tasty).

Hey Florida Panhandlers - we're coming back up and will be in Panama City Beach next weekend on Friday and Saturday (the 7th & 8th)!! I'll give you all the details on where to find us in next week's blog. My new Skeeter SX220 will be there for you to check out and Legendary Marine will be bringing out a new SX2250. We'll be leaving right from Panama City on Saturday to head to Slidell, LA for some fun with y'all on Sunday, March 9th. After we spend the day with y'all on Sunday, me and the crew are heading to do some Louisiana fishing and shoot an episode for the new AF season. Going to be a long, but very fun trip. Hope to see y'all next weekend . . . I'll fill you in on the where/when soon!

Tune in this week to AF and catch the last airing of "Tortuga Bank" on Sunday at 10:00 a.m. ET (Sportsman Channel). We've got some killer grouper and snapper action to show you from the Dry Tortugas. Then on Monday at 9:00 a.m. and again on Tuesday at 2:30 a.m. check out the "Bits & Bites" episode for footage you didn't get to see before, like blackfin tuna, grouper, redfish and tripletail. Don't forget, if you can't watch it on TV, you can always subscribe to the AF YouTube channel for full episodes anywhere / any time.

I've got to get the oil changed in my truck and get ready to hit the road again. Next stop, Panama City Beach!

Until next week . . . tight lines,

Blair

This weather blows!

Here's a great time on the water from 2008 . . . sure can't wait to be holding one of these again for y'all on television - soon!!

So, the last time I left y'all we were heading to Panama City Beach and then on to Slidell, Louisiana for the grand opening of two Dick's Sporting Goods stores. We did that and had a great time meeting the folks of the Florida panhandle and Louisiana. There was a great turnout at both new stores and I have to admit, it was fun to see all the Flats Blue and Flats Pink rods walking around the store. Our plan was to then drive on to Buras, LA with the AF film crew to shoot some episodes, but a cold front and rain was blowin' straight toward us from Texas. So, we changed directions and headed back East to Jensen Beach to see if we could squeeze out at least one episode. NOPE!

We dunked both Skeeter boats (the SX240 and SX220), got the film crew ready, had Capt. Mark Nichols and Capt. Ed Zyak of DOA Lures on board and nothing. I mean absolutely nothing. Mark hooked into a big jack, but other than that . . . zilch! Now, the wind's blowing and our next chance to get out and film is next week. Cross your fingers, pray to the fishing gods, and wish us luck!

In the meantime, you can come see me and the AF crew in North Ft. Myers on Saturday (March 15th) at the new Dick's store that just opened. We'll be there from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. kicking off their Spring Season with an in-store only promotion: buy a Flats Blue or Flats Pink rod, get a Sabalos reel FREE.

We'll also be at the Bradenton store on Sunday (March 16th) from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. The buy a Flats Blue or Flats Pink rod / get a Sabalos reel FREE promotion starts on Sunday for the rest of the Florida Dick's stores and runs until Saturday, March 22nd, so don't miss your chance to pick up this Flats Blue/Pink combo for $99 ($89 if you come see me and get a $10 off coupon). Remember, every season starts at Dick's! (It's true.)

Right now I'm just focused on getting episodes shot and traveling to Dick's grand openings, other than that it's pretty quiet. We've had a tough start to the television shoot season, but we'll pull it out. I'm gonna make this week's blog short and get my fish mojo working again. Y'all have any superstitious routines or preparations you always do before fishing? I'd love to hear what works for you.

Tune in this week to AF on Sunday at 10:00 a.m. ET (Sportsman Channel), Monday at 9:00 a.m. and again on Tuesday at 2:30 a.m. But remember, if you can't watch it on TV, you can always subscribe to the AF YouTube channel for full episodes anywhere / any time.

Hope this wind stops blowing and we get a break in the weather!!

Until next week . . . tight lines,
Blair

On the road again . . .

Here's a throwback for Thursday for ya from 2006 . . . I sure love catching snook and this one was a beast! Would be nice to see a few that size on the show this season, don't ya think?

We're hitting the road this weekend and coming to a Dick's Sporting Goods near you! Well, that's if you live in Panama City Beach, FL and Slidell, LA. Me and the AF Crew are coming up to the newest Dick's store in Panama City Beach on Friday, March 7th . . . we'll be there from 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. and then again on Saturday, March 8th from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. There'll be lots of fun, in store specials, and the local Skeeter dealer, Legendary Marine, will be coming out with a couple of boats for you to see. Come see us and pick up some sweet tackle deals! Wait, I'm not finished . . . then on Sunday we'll be at the Slidell, Louisiana Dick's grand opening from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

After we wrap up a few days at Dick's celebrating the new stores opening, me and the AF film crew are heading straight to the water for fishing and filming in the Bayou. Can't wait! It's been a while since I've been back fishing in Louisiana and I gotta tell ya . . . one of my favorite places to fish. We'll be filming all week there and I'm not sure what I'm most excited about, the fishing or the food? Ha!

I'm turning around and heading right back to Florida after we wrap the shoots in Louisiana. Got to get back to Dick's in Ft. Myers and Bradenton to kick off the Spring season! I'll get you the details in next week's blog. I know most of you in the country are still battling the winter blahs, but here in Florida we're gearing up, spooling reels and getting our tackle together for another saltwater season of Florida fishin'.