We are definitely into our summer pattern with the hot water and pop-up thunderstorms. At least the water is clean. We had plenty of bait around including Cigar minnows, Threadfin Herring, Alewives, Small Hardtails, Ballyhoo and Pin fish. Bonita were the mainstay this period and were caught almost every day.
We began Thursday morning with the big Summer Bonita. At least 15 fish were decked during the morning run. The action didn’t stop there as more would hit the deck throughout the week. They were caught on everything from live bait to Spoons, Jerk-bait, Bubble rigs and Gotchas. Many fish were lost to breakoffs and the piling god. Here are just a few of the fish caught by: Phillip, Mahmoud and Juan. Many other anglers decked them as well.
Tuesday would be the only King Mackerel Day as four were hooked. Paul lost a nice one when he got wrapped up in about 4 other lines. One was decked at 05:00 am by an unknown angler. Another was lost as the angler tried to pull it up and Hai brought his fish to the gaff. So, 2 of the 4 were landed.
Mahi were on the catch list. A small school passed through Saturday but no report of any caught. This morning, schools of 10-15 fish began feeding on the plentiful bait. Brad was able to catch two on live bait ( his 1st and 2nd ever pier Mahi) and Tyler, visiting from Texas got one.
Daily activity:
Thursday: water temp 86.5 – 87.7 At least 15 Bonita, Cigar minnows, Alewives.
Friday: water temp 86.9 – Bonita, One Tarpon hooked on a bone/pink Sniper lure, Lots of bait-Cigar minnows and Alewives.
Saturday: water temp 86.9 – 88.0 A Bonita, Mahi and Tarpon came through but none caught. Cigar minnows
Sunday: water temp 87.1 – 89.1 Bonita, One Mahi hooked but lost.
Monday: water temp 86.9 – 88.7
Tuesday: water temp. 87.3 – 88.0 Four King Mackerel hooked- two landed, about a dozen summer Bonita and one Spanish Mackerel, Alewives, Threadfin Herring.
Wednesday: water temp 86.5 – 88.2 Four Bonita hooked and lost, 3 Mahi caught, lots of bait.
Red Tide status: Florida's coastal waters remain free of the red tide organism, Karenia brevis, according to the latest statewide sampling results. This positive news extends to all regions: Southwest Florida, Northwest Florida, and the East Coast.
Tides Link
https://tides4fishing.com/us/florida-west-coast/panama-cityngin g
New Moon Sunday Aug. 04, 2024 Full Moon Monday Aug. 19, 2024 -
Tides for the upcoming week:
Sunrise: 6:01am Sunset: 7:35pm
Sunday 9:06pm Low 0.1 10:46am High 1.8
Monday 9:17pm Low 0.3 11:28am High 1.7
Tuesday 8:55pm Low 0.5 12:07am High 1.6
Wednesday 07th.. 8:40pm Low 0.6 12:44pm High 1.4
Sunrise: 6:05am Sunset: 7:30pm CDST
The Marine forecast for the next several days is:
SUNDAY
North winds 5 to 10 knots, becoming southwest in the afternoon. Seas around 2 feet. Protected waters a light chop. Showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms.
SUNDAY NIGHT
West winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas 2 to 4 feet, building to 4 to 6 feet, occasionally to 8 feet after midnight. Protected waters a moderate chop. A chance of thunderstorms. A chance of showers in the evening, then showers likely after midnight.
MONDAY
Northwest winds 10 to 15 knots, becoming west in the afternoon. Seas 5 to 8 feet, occasionally to 10 feet. Protected waters a moderate chop. Showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms.
MONDAY NIGHT
West winds around 15 knots. Seas 6 to 9 feet, occasionally to 11 feet, subsiding to 5 to 7 feet, occasionally to 9 feet after midnight. Protected waters a moderate chop. A chance of showers and thunderstorms.
(local forecast).
SUNDAY (89/80 rain 48% wind SE-08)
MONDAY (90/80 rain 47% wind E-09)
TUESDAY (92/80 rain 35% wind NW-90)
WEDNESDAY(92/80 rain 36% wind NE-09)
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
Tight lines and screaming drags,
Sam
