Panther Point 2016

After a delayed start, the PACK team loaded gear then kayak on the Skimmer like they knew what they were doing. It's been a popular trip over the years, one the highlights on the PACK Calendar. We got to Panther Point with plenty of daylight left to reveal that several hundred yards of normally dry reef has been washed out on the West bank. We still had room to camp, but less room to walk and explore. Camp was set up and we all went fishing. Many of us opted for Panther Point Lake, its close and it holds fish. I caught a flounder and I believe most everybody caught fish that afternoon. We were treated to chicken and sausage gumbo, compliments of Blaine.

With lower humidity the mid-80's temperature was tolerable. Sleeping was just fine with the steady ESE breeze. There were reports of critters coming close to camp, snorting and exhaling. The little island was too small to hide a rabbit much less a hog or coyote. From previous trips we deduced it was dolphin cruising the shoreline for flounder because our tents are pitched just a few feet from the bay. Then around 2 or 3 AM a pesky flounder-gigging duo buzzed the shoreline. They were actually nice enough on Saturday night to not disturb us, staying about 1/2 mile away on the Matagorda Island shoreline. After coffee and breakfast off we went. Now I know everybody caught fish, and we have photo's to prove it. I know I need a crash course on targeting speckled trout. All my trout were accidental catches. Michael brought his BioLite Grill and made short work of his redfish filet. I old-school fried some trout and reds, while Brad and Steve made a nice presentation of fish and shrimp taco's with black beans, rice and cabbage filling. Pretty good stuff.

I think it was Sunday morning we were treated to a total pelican bombardment of bait off to north of camp. The water was boiling with pelican strikes. Joel took and saved some photos of that event. Oh yeah, sunrises and sunsets and pretty cool out there.

We welcome Russell and Bobby, as first timers to the point. Russell had that place patterned in no time. With prior agreement Capt. Tommy came 90 minutes later than previously planned, allowing some of us to catch more fish Sunday morning. They were cleaning fish while loading gear. Tommy is a cool guy, he acknowledge that PACK and the Alamo Flyfishers have been with him for years. He told me he has a 12-bunk trailer we can use if we need his help with a shuttled trip. Listen, I'm taking a poll now to see who wants to start next year's trip at 08:00 instead of 10 or 12 noon. Also, what's wrong with the Skimmer making 2 runs to the Point on PACK weekend. I think we can fill it. Check out the photos! See ya on the water, Chris