PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla., (June 1, 2016) – MarineMax announced today that their Panama City Beach store will be hosting a fishing seminar on how to catch wahoo, dolphin and tuna on June 11, 2016, from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Each year the offshore fishing begins to pick up beginning in June and lasts through September and many consider this the best time to fish the Panama City area. This seminar is designed to provide tips and techniques that build angler confidence and disseminate methodologies to successfully catch catch wahoo, dolphin and tuna.
Tom Putnam, from Half-Hitch Tackle Store, who has been the fishing seminar instructor for the last 14 years, will be leading the seminar. He will share extensive expertise on catching these elusive game fish. Tom will detail the proper approaches using various rods, reels, tackle and bait. He will also coach on bait presentation and landing techniques for these unpredictable fighters. Printed materials will be handed out for future reference and professional vocalist Bob Fowler will provide entertainment during the halftime break.
“If you are a novice or simply trying to improve your game, this seminar will be informative and entertaining,” said Bob Fowler, sales consultant and broker, MarineMax Panama City Beach. “Even if you are a seasoned offshore fishermen you may glean new skills and learn some successful tips if you attend.”
The event is free to the public and attendees will receive special discount coupon cards good at any Half-Hitch Tackle Store. To reserve a seat, RSVP by Friday, June 10, 2016, to julie.eliasen@marinemax.com or RSVP for the class on the MarineMax Panama City Beach store website http://www.marinemax.com/panamacity.
Category Archives: Tips
MarineMax Panama City Beach to Host Free Seminar on Successfully Fishing the Flats
PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla., (March 31, 2016) – MarineMax announced today that their Panama City Beach store will be hosting a “Fishing the Flats” seminar. The seminar explains the proper techniques and methods to successfully fish the backwaters and nearby sounds around Panama City Beach. The event will be held at MarineMax Panama City Beach on Saturday, April 9, 2016, from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM in a fun, classroom environment.
In this instructive seminar, professional fishermen and owner of Half-Hitch Tackle Stores, Tom Putnam, will share his extensive expertise in shallow water sight fishing for redfish, speckled trout, flounder, jacks, as well as other species. Tom will detail how to target many of the species that forage in the grassy flats off the bayous and creeks surrounding West, North and East Bay. He will share when, where and proper approaches using various rods, reels, tackle and bait. Tom will also coach on bait presentation, casting, hook setting and landing techniques for these elusive fish.
Printed materials will be handed out for future reference and professional vocalist and seminar host Bob Fowler will provide entertainment during the halftime break.
“Fishing the flats requires special skills and knowledge that differ greatly from other styles of fishing. Tom will teach everything you need to know to be successful,” said Bob Fowler, sales consultant and broker, MarineMax Panama City. “Even if you are a seasoned inshore fishermen you may glean new skills and learn some successful tips when you attend.”
The event is free to the public and attendees will receive special discount coupon cards good at any Half-Hitch Tackle Store. To reserve a seat, RSVP by Friday, April 8, 2016 to Julie Eliasen at 850-708-1317 or email to julie.eliasen@marinemax.com.
MarineMax to Host Free Seminar on Successfully Targeting Cobia
PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla., (March 2, 2016) – MarineMax announced today that their Panama City Beach store will be hosting “Learn When, Where and How to Catch Cobia.” The seminar will be held on Saturday, March 12, 2016, from 9 AM to 11 AM in a classroom environment at MarineMax Panama City Beach.
On display at the event will be bay, near-shore and offshore fishing boat models including the latest the Sea Pro lineup. The all-new incarnation of the Sea Pro brand promises seven new models in 2016. The new models will be built in a recently renovated 200,000-square-foot facility in Whitmire, South Carolina.
The waters around Panama City Beach, and the Florida Panhandle in general, are famous for its cobia bite that runs from mid-March through early May. In this timely and instructive seminar, professional fisherman and owner of Half-Hitch Tackle Stores, Tom Putnam, will share his extensive expertise on catching this elusive fish species. Tom will detail the when, where and how to catch big cobia with proper approaches using various rods, reels, tackle and bait. He will also coach on bait presentation and landing techniques for these hard fighting fish.
Printed materials will be handed out for future reference and professional vocalist and seminar host Bob Fowler will provide entertainment during the halftime break.
“Whether you are a novice or want to improve you skills at fishing for cobia, this seminar will be informative and entertaining,” said Bob Fowler, sales consultant and broker, at MarineMax Panama City. “Even if you are a seasoned offshore fisherman, you may glean new skills and learn some successful tips when you attend.”
The event is free to the public and attendees will receive special discount coupon cards good at any Half-Hitch Tackle Store. To reserve a seat, RSVP by Friday, March, 11, 2016, to julie.eliasen@marinemax.com, or RSVP for the class at http://www.marinemax.com/panamacity (scroll down and click on the “EVENTS” tab).
MarineMax to Host 12th Annual Weather, Coastal Waters and Navigation Seminar
PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla., (February 2, 2016) – MarineMax announced today that the Panama City Beach store will be hosting another free seminar, the “12th Annual National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and United States Power Squadron (USPS) Coastal Waters Weather and Navigation Seminar” with instructors Dr. Wil Hugli of the Fort Walton Sail and Power Squadron, Tim Osborn, NOAA Regional Manager of the Southeast Coast, Mark Wool, NOAA Warning Coordination Meteorologist of the National Weather Office and Emma Weston, NOAA Meteorologist Related to Fishing/Boating of the National Weather Office.
The seminar will be held in a classroom-like setting and cover topics via a multi-media presentation that include:
• Coastal Water management and deriving useful information from the buoy system
• Weather relating to boating and fishing
• Navigation and charting
The event will be held on February 20, 2016 from 9 – 11:30 AM. Seminar Host, and MarineMax Sales Consultant / Broker Bob Fowler will also provide entertainment during the “half-time” break.
“Dr. Wil Hugli, Tim Osborn, Mark Wool, and Emma Weston are consummate teachers and have helped uncounted numbers of people to better understand weather and navigation and how they relate when operating in our local waters,” said Fowler. “Every participant, from novice boaters to seasoned operators, will glean knowledge and learn new skills and techniques that will help them gain confidence when out on the water. As we all prepare for the upcoming boating season, these highly-qualified instructors will share their extensive knowledge that will help assure your safety and advance your understanding of these very important subjects.”
Attendees will learn about our coastal waters and how NOAA affects our local enjoyment in recreational boating and fishing. They will also learn how to set and follow way points on a GPS, how to set and follow a course on a chart-plotter, the proper way to set and understand the functions of a fish-finder. They will also learn the proper way to set perimeters and how to interpret what is on the screen of a marine radar, and more.
The event is open and cost-free to everyone who is interested. Participants will receive a special discount coupon good at any of the six Half Hitch Tackle Shop and a complimentary “ride” on a premium brand new boat on display at the seminar. The event will be held at the MarineMax Panama City Beach store located at 3605 Thomas Drive. Please RSVP by Friday February 19, 2016 to Julie Eliasen at 850-708-1317 or email julie.eliasen@marinemax.com.
Show Your Boat Some Love This Winter
When it is cold we tend to forget about boating and our boats. We tuck them away in storage or just leave them sitting, alone and abandoned. You can show them that you care by providing some TLC. The following projects are sure to make your boat happy while preparing it for spring.
Give Your Boat a Hose Job
Hoses and clamps are often overlooked and underappreciated until one of them decides to fail and then it’s panic time. Inspect all your hose runs and hose clamps for cracks, rust and wear. Replace any hose run that show signs of cracking, kinked or abraded. Replace any hose clamp that has rust – even stainless steel corrodes. If the hose leads to a through-hull, double clamp both ends. This will better assure that you will find your boat floating when you get back to boating in the spring. If it is beyond your skill level, hire a professional from MarineMax, and your boat will know how much you care.
Give Your Boat the Spa Treatment
Winter is a good time to fix all the nicks, scratches, dings and dents that you didn’t have time for while you and your boat were playing all summer. Fiberglass repair kits, polishes and wax can be found at most boating accessory and parts stores as well as many MarineMax stores. It may be time to take advantage of a MarineMax Makeover. MarineMax fiberglass repair professionals can make your boat look like new.
Makeover Your Boat’s Bottom
Cleaning your boats bottom of bugs, growth, debris and contaminants will reduce drag and have your boat looking sharp in the spring. If you keep your boat in saltwater, winter is a good time to give your boat a “bottom job” by painting it with anti-fouling paint. Bottom paint varies greatly from hard coating to ablative and by the amount of copper and other anti-fouling chemicals. With hard coat bottom paint the old paint must be removed before applying a new coat. With most ablative paint you can paint over the previous coat after thoroughly cleaning the bottom. With both, you will want to put two coats minimum. Your local MarineMax store is a good resource on what works best in your area.
Buy Your Boat Some New Toys
If your boat has been intending to upgrade her marine electronics, audio system or satellite TV system, winter is a prime time to do-it-yourself or hire a professional installer. Many MarineMax stores have great deals on these systems and can provide for their installation.
Spruce Up Your Boats Ride
Winter is a great time to thoroughly inspect your boats trailer. Putting your boat in and out of the water repeatedly exposes the trailer to a corrosive environment. Make sure the wiring is all intact and all lights work including side lights. Check the brakes (if any) and suspension. You wouldn’t want to stress your boat when a wheel falls off. It may be time to replace your trailer. Your local MarineMax is a great resource for repairing or replacing your boats trailer. I am sure your boat would appreciate an new ride.
Take the time to show your boat you care this winter and be ready for warmer weather!
MarineMax Panama City Beach to Hold Free Fishing Seminar – Trout and Winter Fishing
PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla., (November 30, 2015) – MarineMax Panama City Beach announced today that they will be hosting a free seminar on targeting and landing trout and other area bay and gulf winter species, December 12, 2015, at 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. The “Trout and Winter Fishing on Our Bays and Gulf” seminar will be held at MarineMax Panama City Beach in a classroom setting.
“Join us for our last free seminar of this season. Our resident instructor Tom Putnam, Owner of Half-Hitch Tackle Stores, will teach the techniques, methodology and proper tackle for fishing to successfully catch trout and other winter species,” said seminar host Bob Fowler, Sales Consultant and Broker at MarineMax Panama City Beach. “Tom will share his trade secrets to catching winter trout and other great fish on our beautiful Panhandle Bays and Gulf.”
Trout and other species can be caught in the Panama City Beach area all year. However, as the water cools the populations of fish move to the warmer waters inshore. Trout and other fish species are cold-blooded and their body temperatures stay around the same as the water that they swim in, which factors into slowing their metabolism. Temperate waters in the bays and rivers around the Panama City are warmer and provide sanctuary; good news for local fishermen looking to catch trout.
“Having the proper tackle and knowing how, where and when to find trout and winter species will give you a great advantage. That is what this seminar is all about,” added Fowler
Each participant will receive free instructional sheets and a valuable Half-Hitch Discount Coupon and, as usual, your host Bob Fowler will be providing the ‘half-time entertainment’ with his professional vocal styling.
For more information contact Julie Eliasen at 850-708-1317or email julie.eliasen@marinemax.com.
Planning a Progressive Dinner Party at Your Marina
A progressive dinner party is especially suited for marina life. It can take the guise of an elaborate themed party or a simple affair. However, principles remain the same, each host boat would prepare their contribution ahead of time so they can join in on the guests as they move from boat to boat. Participants choose a course to prepare at home or in their galley. If more boats want to participate, double-up on courses. As a minimum, you would want at least 4 boats to participate with an appetizer, soup/salad, main course and dessert. MarineMax Lifestyles Magazine offers make-ahead and make on board recipes that work for dining aboard.
Anticipate on spending 30 to 45-minutes at each boat which means you’ll want to start early enough to have the main course at a reasonable hour. Plan on a cushion between boat visits for people to move to the next boat. You may want to designate a “shepherd” to move the flock along, especially as the dinner progresses. It is somewhat important to keep on a schedule so boaters that want to drop by for one or two courses will know when to arrive at the designated boat.
A progressive dinner party is a great way to get marina neighbors to get to know each other. For larger groups, the progressive dinner can start appetizers at a designated location, such as the picnic area or tiki bar and then move onto the boats in a round-robin fashion.
The most successful progressive dinner parties, whether on boats or in homes, starts with a great theme. Throwing a progressive dinner around holidays makes the choice of themes easier-a romantic theme in mid-February, Cinco De Mayo in May, patriotic in July, dog days in August, football in September, spooky costumes in October. You can also pick a cuisine such as Italian, German, Mexican, Thai- be creative!
The cost of a progressive dinner party onboard can vary dramatically. It is best that everyone agree on a spending limit so no one is put out. Using environmentally disposable plates, cups and utensils make clean-up easier. Be sure to have containers on hand for leftovers. Ask guests to return to each vessel that they would like to take home any remaining courses that they like.
It is to be expected that guests will want to be served libations throughout the progressive dinner. Remember that although guests may not necessarily be driving, boarding and debarking to and from vessels can be tricky and you don’t want to be fishing guests out of the “drink.”
Visit your local MarineMax store to see the latest models and plan a progressive dinner party of your own.
Kicking Back While Kicking Off
Fall means many things to many people including football. However, not everyone wants to give up their boating on weekends to sit at home or in a bar watching football.
Keep everyone happy, and plan on watching the game on your boat. With today’s technologies it is much easier to watch live television remotely. There are many options to fit your budget and type of vessel. Yachts often have televisions in practically every space and use satellite television antenna systems such as KVH TracVision starting at about $3,000, and the sky is literally the limit. For a fraction of the cost, Winegard Company makes a portable satellite antenna starting around $500. It uses a single coaxial cable to automatically connect to the satellite provider of your choice.
Even easier to use are live streaming options you can get for your laptop or tablet. ESPN and Sling Television have live streaming available starting around $20 per month. Chromecast is a $35 device that allows users to “cast” the live streaming to any television that has a HDMI connector. Roku and Apple TV are gaining favor with people that want to disconnect from cable providers.
Most marinas have internet and cable or satellite television. Usually these are offered to the slip holders for free or at a nominal cost. There’s almost no excuse to skip the football game or time on the boat! Our MarineMax stores agree. Our West Florida stores are hosting the Super Bowl Getaway (click to sign up!) at South Seas Island Resort on Captiva Island.
This fall, get off the couch, pack up the beer and guacamole, call the gang and watch the gridiron grappling from the back of your boat.
This blog is created by MarineMax, the nation’s largest recreational boat and yacht retailer. To further explore MarineMax and our full lineup of premium boat brands or find a store near you, visit our full website at www.MarineMax.com.
MarineMax Panama City Beach to Host Free Kayak Fishing, Scalloping and Discover Our Bays Seminar
Panama City Beach, Fla., (July 8, 2015) – MarineMax Panama City Beach announced today that they will be teaming up with kayak expert David Posey and Tom Putnam, owner of Half-Hitch Tackle Stores, to host a free kayak fishing, scalloping and discover our bays seminar. The seminar will be held at MarineMax Panama City Beach July 11, 2015 from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. This is a timely course since scalloping season annually begins the Saturday before July 1; this year the season opened June 27 and continues through September 24, 2015. The bay scallop harvest zone extends from the Pasco-Hernando County line near Spring Hill to the west bank of the Mexico Beach Canal in Bay County.
“Those who attend will personally interact with our instructors who will share their kayaking techniques, methodology and correct gear to successfully fish from a kayak,” said Bob Fowler, sales consultant and broker, MarineMax Panama City Beach. “They will also share their intimate knowledge of our beautiful panhandle bays and teach the proper techniques for scalloping.”
There will be a full display of kayaks, and attendees will receive instructional sheets as well as a special Half-Hitch Discount Coupon. In addition, participants will be offered a 10% discount on any kayak purchase within 10 days of the seminar.
As usual, your host, Bob Fowler will be providing the ‘halftime entertainment’ with a rousing patriotic theme.
For more information contact Bob Fowler at 727-531-1700 ext. 12912 or by email bob.fowler@marinemax.com.
Celebrate a Spectacular Independence Day Aboard
Most boaters spend the 4th of July holiday on their boats. Many extend the day by rafting-up with friends to enjoy the fireworks after dark. There are many municipalities that launch fireworks displays from or nearby popular anchorages. There is nothing like being a part the excitement, joining in with the revelers at your local raft-up, to watch rockets exploding and percussion bells blasting right overhead. However, it takes planning to make it a safe and enjoyable event. Here are some tips for watching fireworks from your boat.
• Run a systems check. Finding a problem and fixing it is a lot harder in the dark of night. Check fluid levels, bilge pumps, ground tackle, windless and especially, running, steaming and anchor lights.
• Leave your pets at home or better yet with a friend or family. Most pets are terrified by the annual displays of noise and fire.
• Prepare provisions ahead so everyone can enjoy the show without having to be relegated to prepping on anchor.
• Scout your anchorage and get there early. Make sure you will be anchoring outside of any restricted areas. It is not fun, after waiting several hours, to be jockeying around for a new anchorage 15 minutes before the show because the local authorities forced you to move.
• Be sure your anchor is set and the rode has an adequate amount of scope. You do not want to have to deal with the anchor breaking free in the middle of the show.
• Be a good boat neighbor. Turn off bright lights and turn down the radio, unless the fireworks are set to music on the station you are listening to. If you use a dinghy to visit other boats do not wake the neighboring boats. Just common courtesies.
• Make sure children and adults who need supervision wear their life jackets. A splash in the middle of the show will go unheard and everyone will be looking up. Do a head count every so often to make sure everyone is onboard.
• The captain and vital crew should keep their libations to a minimum. You will be dealing with plenty of others who will be drinking too much and watching the “yahoos” play pin-ball with their boats as you wait for the sun to go down.
• Do not light fireworks on your boat. Remember that fiberglass is flammable and you are sitting on a tank of explosive fuel, surrounded by other flammable boats with tanks of fuel.
• When the show is over, take your time leaving. Turn on plenty of lights so those that are in a hurry to return to their docks can plainly see you. Wait until the anchorage is fairly cleared out before pulling up anchor. Better yet, if you can, plan to stay the night. Just remember, if you have a gas generator, turn it off before going to sleep.
MarineMax 