We had clean water on Thursday and Friday. Friday afternoon the wind began howling and the water got trashed. It was still silty on the end Tee but dirty in the skinny water today. The water temperature has been in the upper 70’s. We caught the following species during the past seven days, King Mackerel, Spanish Mackerel, Pompano, Red Drum, Ladyfish, Bluefish, Hardtails, Mahi, Cobia, Sharks, Catfish and Tripletail. Bait fish were Cigar minnows, Speedos and Alewives.
The big news is a new Pier record was set Sunday afternoon when Allen S. caught a big Tripletail. The fish came floating- in near the outer sandbar. Allen made a few casts presenting a Cigar Minnow with no interest shown. The Tripletail drifted to the west side of the pier and almost too far to cast to. Allen made one more very long cast that made a perfect placement – fish on. The Tripletail fought hard, but it was brought into the drop net and onto the pier. The old record was shattered with this 15-pound 9-ounce beauty. Congratulations Allen on a fish of a lifetime off the pier.
Our sloppy water definitely killed our King Mackerel Bite. There was a nice King hooked Thursday afternoon only to get cut off in the pilings. Later that afternoon, Hector decked a small King. Friday there was only one small King and Saturday afternoon, Jeffery decked a “schoolie”. No more were hooked through today.
A few schools of Jack Crevalle have passed the pier this week. Jeffery caught one on Tuesday and three were decked today.
A few small Cobia are still being spotted. The catches have slowed and I’m aware of only one short one that was caught this week. Brad W. netted a 32.5-inch Cobia today.
In other action, there were several Mahi spotted with one decked Thursday. The Pompano catches have dropped with only a few caught some of the days. Sharks have been very active with many in the 3 to 5 feet size. Red Drum have been prowling and several were caught, both over and in slot.
Daily activity:
Thursday: water temp 76.6 – 78.6 The water was clean and choppy. A few Spanish Mackerel and Ladyfish. A Red Drum. One nice King Mackerel was hooked and lost in the piling and a second small one landed late day. One Mahi.
Friday: water temp 77.7 – 79.2 Water clean but rough with high wind. Spanish Mackerel, one King Mackerel Hardtails, a Red Drum, Cigar Minnows and Speedos.
Saturday: water temp 76.6 - 77.4 Water rough with high wind. Spanish Mackerel, Hardtails and one King Mackerel (Jeffery)
Sunday: water temp 76.3 – 76.6 Water dirty. Hardtails, Tripletail (Allen S. new pier record 15# 9 oz)
Monday: water temp 75.6 – 78.3 Water was dirty but began to clean by the end of the day, Ladyfish, a few Pompano and Spanish Mackerel, Several Red Drum, Sharks, no bait fish
Tuesday: water temp 75.9 – 78.1 Water still dirty with strong West wind. A Jack Crevalle (Jeffery), a few Pompano, Ladyfish, Hardtails and a few Spanish Mackerel.
Wednesday: water temp 76.6 – 77.9 Water still dirty. Jack Crevalle, a small Cobia, Spanish Mackerel, a few Pompano, Bluefish and Hardtails. A few Alewives inside the outer sandbar.
Red Tide status: In Northwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was observed at background concentrations in one sample collected from Bay County.
Reminder Notice: There will be a memorial service and bench dedication for our friend Von Haynes on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., on the M. B. Miller Pier.
(see: Von-486387765)
Also, we lost another pier family member, Mikel Clark. Please keep Mikel and his family in your thoughts and prayers.
(see: Mikel-480632871)
Tides Link
https://tides4fishing.com/us/florida-west-coast/panama-cityngin g
New Moon Sunday Apr. 27, 2025 - Full Moon Monday May 12, 2025
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Tides for the upcoming week:
Sunrise: 6:05am Sunset: 7:16pm
Thursday 15th. 10:48pm Low -0.3 11:21am High 1.7
Friday 11:31pm Low -0.3 12:09pm High 1.7
Saturday 12:55pm High 1.7
Sunday 12:11pm Low -0.2 1:39pm High 1.6
Monday 12:45pm Low -0.2 2:23pm High 1.5
Tuesday 1:11am Low 0.0 3:09pm High 1.3
Wednesday 21st. 1:26am Low 0.2 4:04pm High 1.0
Sunrise: 5:45am Sunset: 7:33pm CST
The Marine forecast for the next several days is:
THURSDAY NIGHT
Southwest winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas 1 to 2 feet. Protected waters a light chop.
FRIDAY
Southwest winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas 1 to 2 feet. Protected waters a light chop.
FRIDAY NIGHT
Southwest winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas 1 to 2 feet in the evening, then 1 foot or less. Protected waters a light chop.
SATURDAY
Southwest winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas 1 to 2 feet. Protected waters a light chop.
SATURDAY NIGHT
Southwest winds 5 to 10 knots. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters a light chop.
SUNDAY
Southwest winds around 5 knots, increasing to 5 to 10 knots in the afternoon. Waves 1 foot or less, then 1 to 2 feet in the afternoon. Protected waters a light chop.
SUNDAY NIGHT
Southwest winds 5 to 10 knots, diminishing to around 5 knots after midnight. Seas 1 to 2 feet in the evening, then 1 foot or less. Protected waters a light chop.
MONDAY
West winds around 5 knots, becoming southwest in the afternoon. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters a light chop.
MONDAY NIGHT
Southwest winds 5 to 10 knots, becoming west after midnight. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters a light chop
(local forecast).
THURSDAY (82/74 rain 18% wind SSW-13)
FRIDAY (82/75 rain 15% wind SW-11)
SATURDAY (83/75 rain 11% wind SW-12)
SUNDAY (83/75 rain 07% wind SW-12)
MONDAY (83/75 rain 07% wind SW-11)
TUESDAY (84/77 rain 07% wind SW-12)
WEDNESDAY(84/75 rain 16% wind SW-14)
PIER MANAGEMENT CONTACT INFORMATION:
Bay County Parks and Recreation – 5304 Majetti Tower Road Panama City, FL 32404
850-248-8730
Vince Martin – Bay Co. Parks Division Manager - vmartin@baycountyfl.gov - 850-896-6580
Timothy Pentice- Bay Co. Asst. Div. Mgr. – tprentice@baycountyfl.gov – 448-217-4219
Tight lines and screaming drags,
Sam
SLP053@BELLSOUTH.NET
770-265-2879
