jim mills
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Friday, 28 AugWas on the pier from before daylight until about 10:30 AM again this morning. The Kings did not show before I left for the day.
However, the Spanish did put in an appearance in pretty good numbers. A lot of the ones I saw caught were really nice good sized Spanish. I saw several that almost made the minimum length for Kings. I didn't fish for them myself because I never fish for Spanish Macks. Today I just sat there and frowned at those people who were fishing for and catching the Spanish. I never would fish for them because, being a Pompano purist, I always said that Spanish require no skill whatsoever to catch. Anybody who can fling a bubble rig or Gotcha can catch Spanish. They just never seemed to be any challenge.
I may have to rethink that. I realized today that I sat there frowning, looking for Pompano that didn't exist, while all those people were having a ball whacking the snot out of Spanish. Of course, this means I will have to acquire another rig since I don't have one that I would consider a good Spanish rig. You know, one that is a little too light for Kings but will allow you to crank a Spanish right up on the pier. I think I have always been mad at Spanish because they have eaten so many of my Pompano jigs and the few times I allowed someone to net a Spanish with my pier net, the blames things chewed holes in my net.
Jim
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blaminack
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They are fun to catch. Try unusual methods to do it. Make it more challenging on your end some how. I do this by experimenting with different lures that I tie up to put on bubble rigs. Sure they will eat almost anything... but hey they are not bad eating if eaten fresh. You can usually find some one who wants them if you are not going to be able to get them into the grease early enough. All in all with the appropriate tackle they are a blast and a great way to introduce folks to pier fishing. They are King fishing training. They fight hard enough to teach noobs how to fight and land a fish. Less challenging maybe, BUT they are better than blisters on the elbows from leaning on the rail.
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robertyb
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I enjoy catching Spanish when the Kings are slow.
The 4 to 6 lbs. are really fun and I love it when I am throwing a bubble and a pack attacks all at the same time.
They are good eating fresh and on the grill. 
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mike83z
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You are missing out. Spanish are a ton of fun to catch. I think in certain conditions it takes some skill to catch them, not so much today when at times they were just devouring anything in sight.
I got to the pier around 9:30. First cast I hooked up with a Spanish :D Flipper was around but the Spanish stayed in the area. Like Jim said there were some nice sized Spanish out there. It lasted until about 11:00 and it was over. I was able to catch 13, 6 of them were around 4 lbs. Everyone I talked to that came from the end said no Kings. I left a little after 3.
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Jhurley27
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| mike83z wrote: | You are missing out. Spanish are a ton of fun to catch. I think in certain conditions it takes some skill to catch them, not so much today when at times they were just devouring anything in sight.
I got to the pier around 9:30. First cast I hooked up with a Spanish :D Flipper was around but the Spanish stayed in the area. Like Jim said there were some nice sized Spanish out there. It lasted until about 11:00 and it was over. I was able to catch 13, 6 of them were around 4 lbs. Everyone I talked to that came from the end said no Kings. I left a little after 3. |
The only thing you can catch is Spanish.... Ha might be out there sat (tomorow) and cast at a few Spanish 
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mike83z
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Haha yeah right. I wanted to fish for Kings today, I brought plenty of bait. But the King bite has been  If you fish tomorrow make sure you catch a couple before getting cut off and losing your lure 
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WD
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Thanks for the reports
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ironman172
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the spanish is what hooked me on pier fishing when I first started coming there, now I have other goals in mind to catch when there....but the spanish will be sought after if not much else is around(a heck of alot of fun & not bad eating either)....it will be to late for the tarpon 
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Jhurley27
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| mike83z wrote: | | Haha yeah right. I wanted to fish for Kings today, I brought plenty of bait. But the King bite has been If you fish tomorrow make sure you catch a couple before getting cut off and losing your lure |
Probably
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teamreelloco2
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It is true that anyone throwing a gotcha or a bubble rig can catch spanish. Those trully desiring the thrill of skill should throw those little ly's or popeyes on 18# leader. You have to work those fish up like regular macks. I enjoy it more. And sometimes the payoff is getting better fish.
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robertyb
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| teamreelloco2 wrote: | | It is true that anyone throwing a gotcha or a bubble rig can catch spanish. Those trully desiring the thrill of skill should throw those little ly's or popeyes on 18# leader. You have to work those fish up like regular macks. I enjoy it more. And sometimes the payoff is getting better fish. |
I can catch the better fish throwing a #1 Clark spoon and fishing it correctly and that does take skill. A straw rig is pure fun when the fish are slashing the surface though. And yes, I do know how to fish bait for Spanish.
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Jhurley27
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Cobia jigs on spanish is way more challenging 
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teamreelloco2
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Easy does it, don't get excited. We're just talking about spanish here. Bubble rigs and gotchas (I will throw a gotcha but never a bubble rig) are the easy way to catch them. Fun, yep. I just enjoy baiting them because, to me, it is way more fun than using a gotcha. Plus, it's easier on the throwing arm.
And, yes, cobia jigs are the ultimate test. I know they don't work for reds on the flats.
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MS PAT
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SPANISH LOVE LITTLE CIGS I SURE DIDN'T HAVE A PROBLEM CATCHING SPANISH ON THE LITTLE CIGS AND POPEYES I GOT AT PANAMA CITY PIER SUNDAY. THE LARGER FISH SEEM TO BE MORE ATTRACTED TO NATURAL BAITS, AND THE "SCHOOLIES" OR YOUNGER FISH THE FLASHY ARTIFICIALS. MIGHT BE WRONG BUT DON'T THINK SO. ONCE THE SPANISH GET FIRED UP, THEY WILL HIT ANYTHING
LOVE TO CATCH THEM AND TURN THEM INTO MACK SALAD
HAPPY HOOKIN'
ROLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL TIDE
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teamreelloco2
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Amen on that Ms Pat. I have always caught better quality spanish on bait. And I love using light tackle on them, makes it more fun.
I guess things have been kinda not so good here lately. I haven't even been to the pier in over a week. I guess I should get out there to at least try for some bait.
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