PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL – It’s opening day of grouper season, which means a trip offshore is in order for Capt. Justin Leake and one of his longtime fishing buddies, Ashley Smith. With a new boat to break in and a pair of junior anglers on board, it’s the perfect kick off to the summer season in Grouper Open, this week’s all-new episode of “Chasin’ The Sun.” The award-winning fishing and coastal lifestyle television series produced by Visit Panama City Beach will return on Saturday, May 13, airing at 10:00 a.m. Eastern / 9:00 a.m. Central on Waypoint TV.
Justin has spent many hours fishing with his old friend Ashley Smith over the years and today they’re joined by a new generation of anglers – Ashley’s son Jonah and nephew Brent. After a quick stop at the floating bait barge, Ashley points his new Yellowfin toward deep water. Before long, they encounter a large area of floating sargassum seaweed and make an unplanned stop. These experienced anglers know seaweed often holds fish such as mahi mahi, cobia, triple tail and other species.
“This is exactly why you bring a wide variety of tackle and a lot of baits,” says Capt. Leake. “Even when you have a really good game plan, you need to be willing to fish a different spot at any second.”
Later, the group finds plenty of action at an artificial reef offshore. For the youngsters, it’s a thrill no video game can deliver. “One of the fun things about taking kids fishing is seeing their excitement,” says Justin. “Even if their technique isn’t perfect, they’re giving it 110 percent and cranking on that reel as hard as they can.”
A few groupers and even some blackfin tuna make the day a success, but it’s an epic battle with a powerful predator that makes the day truly memorable. Later in the episode, check out bagpipes, heavy hammers, cabers and kilts at the Panama City Beach Scottish Festival.
“Chasin’ The Sun” airs on Waypoint TV on Saturdays at 10:00 a.m. Eastern / 9:00 a.m. Central during the Living Happens Outdoors content block presented by Exmark. Additional showtimes on Waypoint TV include Sundays at 2:00 p.m. Eastern / 1:00 p.m. Central, Mondays at 4:30 a.m. Eastern / 3:30 a.m. Central, Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. Eastern / 5:30 p.m. Central and Thursdays at 2:30 p.m. Eastern / 1:30 p.m. Central.
Waypoint TV is available on Samsung TV Plus (Channel 1184), PLUTO TV, VIZIO WatchFree+ (Channel 630), LG (Channel 486), fuboTV, SLING, XUMO (Channel 718), and Local Now (Channel 2100), and Tubi, or anytime on the Waypoint TV website and app.
Produced in partnership with Pinfish Media, “Chasin’ The Sun” is sponsored by Dulce Vida Tequila, Florida Watersports, Grundéns, Holiday Inn Resort, Humminbird, Minn Kota, Pirates Cove Marina and Smith Optics.
Previous episodes of the show are available for online viewing at www.visitpanamacitybeach.com/chasin-the-sun-tv/ and on more than 50 of the leading on-demand and streaming services. For more information on “Chasin’ The Sun,” visit the website or stay connected via Facebook (@ChasinTheSunFishingShow), Instagram (@ChasinTheSunTV) and YouTube. Follow Capt. Justin Leake and Meredith McCord via Facebook (@justinleakePCB and @MeredithMcCordFishing) and Instagram (@captjustinleake and @MeredithMcCord).
About Panama City Beach
Panama City Beach is situated on 27 miles of sugar-white sand beaches bordering clear, emerald-green waters where the Gulf of Mexico and St. Andrew Bay converge. With 320 days of sunshine annually and attractions such as St. Andrews State Park and Pier Park, the region has long been favored by travelers seeking an affordable beach vacation with year-round offerings for families, couples, groups and adventure-seekers. These include championship golf courses, spas, sporting events, award-winning dining and diverse recreational activities. In addition, Panama City Beach’s Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport offers non-stop flights on Delta Airlines, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines. For more information, call 850-233-5070 or visit the official website of the Panama City Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau at http://www.visitpanamacitybeach.com. Live HD video of the world-famous beach is now available at http://www.visitpanamacitybeach.com/webcam/. Stay connected with Panama City Beach on Twitter (@Visit_PCB), Instagram (@Visit_PCB) and Facebook (@Visit_PCB).
