The pier was crowded for Labor Day weekend but what fantastic weather we had. The water was pristine and boasting our beautiful emerald colors. Fish were caught and everyone seemed to have a great time. There were tons of baby Spanish Mackerel, a few King Mackerel, Bonita, Bluefish, Hardtails, Red Drum, and today, a Sailfish was hooked.
The Kings and Spanish have been small. One group of anglers fished all weekend and only had 7 keeper Spanish out of scores they caught. The Kings were little “snakes”, and you had to fight with the tax man “Flipper” to get one to the gaff. Here is Chem with one of the seven keeper Spanish his group caught and Chuck with one he invited for fish tacos.
There were still a few of the larger Bonita coming through. Of course, the baby Bonita were around too. They seemed to prefer tiny live hardtails over live Alewives.
The hordes of Red Drum we had in previous week had dwindled to only a few this period. If you were persistent and patient, you could get a bite. Khalil and Paul did just that.
Daily activity:
Thursday: water temp 86.7 – 88.5 One small King Mackerel, lots of tiny Spanish Mackerel with a few keepers in the mix if you could get them past “Flipper”, Hardtails and a few baby Bonita
Friday: water temp 86.5 – 88.3 One small King Mackerel, 2 Bonita (5-7#), tiny Spanish Mackerel, big Hardtails, one upper slot Red Drum, lots of tiny Hardtails, a few Cigar minnows, Alewives and Goggle Eyes.
Saturday: water temp 86.5 - 88.2 Hardtails, tiny Spanish Mackerel with a few keepers.
Sunday: water temp 86.5 – 88.2 Hardtails, tiny Spanish Mackerel with a few keepers.
Monday: water temp 87.1 – 89.1 Hardtails, tiny Spanish Mackerel with a few keepers.
Tuesday: water temp.87.3 – 88.3 Hardtails, tiny Spanish Mackerel with a few keepers, two Bonita
Wednesday: water temp 85.3 – 86.4 Five small Kings hooked, “Flipper” got a couple, a few Bonita, lots of tiny Spanish with a few keepers in the mix, a few Bluefish, Hardtails, small Alewives. Ernie hooked a Sailfish, had it on for about 4 minutes before it shot the pier and came out the other side.
Red Tide status: In Northwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was not observed.
Tides Link
https://tides4fishing.com/us/florida-west-coast/panama-cityngin g
Full Moon Tuesday Sept. 17, 2024 New Moon Wednesday Oct. 02, 2024 -
Tides for the upcoming week:
Sunrise: 6:22am Sunset: 6:59pm
Thursday 05th.. 6:25am Low 0.8 12:46am High 1.2
6:00pm Low 1.0 1:40pm High 1.2
Friday 7:49am Low 0.8 12:10am High 1.3
5:07pm Low 1.1 3:00pm High 1.1
Saturday 9:15am Low 0.7 12:08am High 1.5
Sunday 10:45am Low 0.6 12:34am High 1.6
Monday 12:36pm Low 0.5 1:10am High 1.7
Tuesday 2:29pm Low 0.4 1:56am High 1.8
Wednesday 11th. 3:33pm Low 0.3 2:51am High 1.9
Sunrise: 6:25am Sunset: 6:52pm CDST
The Marine forecast for the next several days is:
THURSDAY
East winds 15 to 20 knots. Seas 3 to 4 feet. Wave Detail: East 4 feet at 5 seconds. Protected waters choppy. Showers and thunderstorms.
THURSDAY NIGHT
East winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet. Wave Detail: Southeast 3 feet at 5 seconds. Protected waters a moderate chop. Showers. Thunderstorms likely, mainly in the evening.
FRIDAY
Southeast winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet. Wave Detail: Southeast 3 feet at 5 seconds. Protected waters a moderate chop. Rain with a chance of thunderstorms.
FRIDAY NIGHT
Southeast winds around 10 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet. Wave Detail: South 2 feet at 6 seconds. Protected waters a light chop. Rain with a chance of thunderstorms.
SATURDAY
North winds 10 to 15 knots, becoming south in the afternoon. Seas around 2 feet. Wave Detail: South 2 feet at 5 seconds and northeast 1 foot at 3 seconds. Protected waters a moderate chop. Rain with a chance of thunderstorms in the morning, then showers with a chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon.
SATURDAY NIGHT
North winds around 10 knots, becoming northeast after midnight. Seas around 2 feet. Protected waters a light chop. A chance of thunderstorms. Showers.
SUNDAY
Northeast winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas around 2 feet. Protected waters a light chop. Showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms.
SUNDAY NIGHT
Northeast winds around 10 knots. Seas around 2 feet. Protected waters a light chop. Showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms.
MONDAY
East winds around 10 knots. Seas around 2 feet. Protected waters a light chop. Showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms.
MONDAY NIGHT
East winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas around 2 feet. Protected waters a moderate chop. Showers likely with a chance of thunderstorms.
(local forecast).
THURSDAY (85/75 rain 62% wind ENE-12)
FRIDAY (82/74 rain 92% wind ENE-09)
SATURDAY (81/73 rain 79% wind NE-11)
SUNDAY (85/72 rain 50% wind NE-09)
MONDAY (86/73 rain 46% wind ENE-11)
TUESDAY (85/72 rain 49% wind ENE-13)
WEDNESDAY(84/72 rain 57% wind ENE-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
