Our best news is Kings returned for several days. Clean water and good winds helped along with good quantities of bait fish. The water hovered between 72 and 74 all week. Spanish Mackerel, Bonita and Red Drum were around along with a few Flounder and Pompano. Bike week is behind us, so the pier was not as crowded except late afternoons. Air temperatures have been pleasant.
We have been waiting and wondering if or when we would have a good King bite. Finally, the wait is over, and we caught more King Mackerel in three days than we have caught all year. A few fish were decked Thursday through Sunday but Monday, Tuesday and Today were amazing. So many Kings hit the deck that I lost count. Live bait seemed to out fish artificial, but both were productive. The bite was slow until early afternoons and lasted until dark Monday and Tuesday. Today, the bite was before 10:00am and then stopped. Several anglers caught their limit of three. The best part, most fish were good size. Several were over twenty pounds. The highlight of the week was Tuesday afternoon when George M. landed a 45-pound smoker. We had decked fish up to 24-pounds, but they looked tiny compared to George’s fish. He had just cast a live Threadfin Herring when the big fish began to scream line off the reel. It made a long run then paused before another screamer of a run. The maneuvering through all the other angler’s lines was tense for a while but the gaffer made the first attempt count. Getting it over the rail took two anglers before they dropped it onto the deck. Lots of high fives and congratulations were given as we put the fish onto the scale. This is George’s second big fish, just a few pounds lighter than the 53 ½ last year. The irony was he caught it on the same rod and reel and in the same spot as the last one. There are too many names to list and I missed getting pictures of many of the anglers with their fish. So, here is a sample of some of the Kings caught, starting with George’s “beast”.
Along with the Kings, Spanish Mackerel and Bonita were biting. Early mornings and late afternoons continue to be the best times to fish. Bubble rigs with a spoon or small jerk bait are very productive. Most of the Spanish were average but there were a few “axe-handles” in the catches. The Bonita averaged 3-5 pounds.
Red Drum were caught both in the shallows and on the outer sand bar. Small live Pin fish or Alewives seemed to be your best option to get a hit. Most fish were over-slot, but a couple of keepers got invited to dinner. Chuck had a good week catching several nice Reds. Josh, a visiting angler from Rushville, Indiana had success fishing on the outer sand bar.
Not many anglers are targeting Flounder as the recreational season is closed for harvest until December 01, 2022. However, Slick just enjoys fishing for them. He proved there are a few around as he put two just over 14 inches and a third at 18 inches on the deck. He got a quick picture before returning them to grow a little until Dec. 01.
Tides Link
https://tides4fishing.com/us/florida-west-coast/panama-cityngin g
New Moon Tuesday Oct. 25, 2022 Full Moon Tuesday Nov. 08, 2022
Tides for the upcoming week:
Sunrise: 6:53am Sunset: 5:59pm
Thursday 27th. 9:07am Low 0.1 10:56pm High 2.0
Friday 10:23am Low -0.1 11:46pm High 2.0
Saturday 11:36am Low -0.1
Sunday 12:45pm Low -0.2 12:41am High 2.0
Monday 1:49pm Low -0.1 1:38am High 2.0
Tuesday 2:44pm Low 0.0 2:38am High 1.8
Wednesday 02nd. 3:24pm Low 0.2 3:46am High 1.6
Sunrise: 6:57am Sunset: 5:53pm CDST
Water temperature: 72-74
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MM | DD | TIME
(EDT) | WDIR | WSPD
kts | GST
kts | WVHT
ft | DPD
sec | APD
sec | MWD | PRES
in | PTDY
in | ATMP
°F | WTMP
°F | DEWP
°F | SAL
psu | VIS
nmi | TIDE
ft |
10 | 26 | 7:42 am | NNE | 11.1 | 15.0 | - | - | - | - | 29.92 | - | 58.8 | 73.6 | - | - | - | - |
10 | 26 | 7:36 am | N | 12.0 | 15.9 | - | - | - | - | 29.92 | - | 58.8 | 73.6 | - | - | - | - |
10 | 26 | 7:30 am | N | 9.9 | 15.9 | - | - | - | - | 29.92 | - | 59.0 | 73.6 | - | - | - | - |
10 | 26 | 7:24 am | N | 11.1 | 15.9 | - | - | - | - | 29.92 | - | 59.2 | 73.6 |
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The Marine forecast for the next several days is:
THURSDAY
Northeast winds 10 to 15 knots, diminishing to 5 to
10 knots in the afternoon. Seas 2 to 3 feet with a dominant
period of 6 seconds. Protected waters a moderate chop.
THURSDAY NIGHT
North winds 5 to 10 knots, becoming northeast
after midnight. Seas around 2 feet with a dominant period of
6 seconds. Protected waters a light chop.
FRIDAY
East winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas around 2 feet with a
dominant period of 3 seconds. Protected waters a moderate chop.
FRIDAY NIGHT
East winds 15 to 20 knots. Seas 2 to 4 feet with
a dominant period of 4 seconds. Protected waters choppy. A slight
chance of showers and thunderstorms.
SATURDAY
East winds 15 to 20 knots. Seas 2 to 4 feet with a
dominant period of 5 seconds. Protected waters choppy. A slight
chance of showers and thunderstorms.
SATURDAY NIGHT
East winds 15 to 20 knots. Seas 2 to 4 feet
with a dominant period of 4 seconds. Protected waters choppy. A
chance of showers with a slight chance of thunderstorms.
SUNDAY
Southeast winds 15 to 20 knots, becoming south 10 to
15 knots in the afternoon. Seas 2 to 4 feet with a dominant
period of 5 seconds. Protected waters choppy. A chance of showers
with a slight chance of thunderstorms.
SUNDAY NIGHT
Southwest winds around 10 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet
with a dominant period of 6 seconds. Protected waters a light
chop. A chance of showers with a slight chance of thunderstorms.
MONDAY
West winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet with a
dominant period of 6 seconds. Protected waters a light chop. A
chance of showers with a slight chance of thunderstorms in the
morning.
MONDAY NIGHT
Northwest winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas around
2 feet. Protected waters a light chop.
(local forecast).
THURSDAY (76/58 rain 06% wind N-08)
FRIDAY (80/64 rain 12% wind E-11)
SATURDAY (78/67 rain 38% wind ESE-14)
SUNDAY (76/61 rain 94% wind SW-11)
MONDAY (76/57 rain 06% wind WNW-09)
TUESDAY (78/57 rain 07% windNNSSW-06)
WEDNESDAY(80/59 rain 09% wind NNE-08)
PIER MANAGEMENT CONTACT INFORMATION:
Bay County Parks and Recreation – 5304 Majetti Tower Road Panama City, FL 32404
850-248-8730
Vacant – Bay Co. Parks Division Manager –850-381-8155
Vince Martin – Bay Co. Beach Operations Manager - vmartin@baycountyfl.gov - 850-896-6580
Tight lines and screaming drags,
Sam
