We had been blessed with clean water most of the year but that came to an end for the weekend. Storms blew in Thursday bringing severe lightning, rain, hail and wind. As a result, all the bait left. The bite slowed significantly. The water began to settle out yesterday and all was good except the shallows by today (Wednesday). A few Cigar minnows were around this morning. Hardtails and Ladyfish came in thick this afternoon.
The 2023 BCO Cobia Tournament is still shy of a legal catch. We went through the entire month of April and through today with no legal fish caught. Hopefully someone will get things started soon as we only have until May 13, 2023 to deck a fish.
King Mackerel were only around Thursday during the storm. Most anglers had abandoned the pier as the lightning was popping too close for comfort. Jay managed to deck this 26.5-pound fish before the pier closed. Fortunately, Carlos was still there to gaff Jay’s fish. This would be the only King for the 7-day report.
A few Pompano and Spanish Mackerel were caught sporadically along with lots of Ladyfish, Bluefish and Hardtails throughout the period.
Daily activity:
Thursday: water temp 73.9 – 74.5 Spanish Mackerel (large), one King Mackerel (26.5# Jay), a few Bonita, Cigar minnows – Severe thunderstorms and lightning
Friday: water temp 72.3 – 75.4 A few Pompano, Spanish Mackerel, Bluefish and one Jack Crevalle (Jackson Z) No bait!
Saturday: water temp 74.3 – 73.4 Pompano, a few Spanish Mackerel and ladyfish.
Sunday: water temp 72.9 – 73.6 One Bonita early, one Sheepshead, a few Pompano, Bluefish and Ladyfish, water getting dirty
Monday: water temp 72.1 – 73.4 Dirty water – Catfish , small Sharks, Bluefish, ladyfish, a couple Pompano
Tuesday: water temp 71.8 – 73.9 Jack Crevalle, Ladyfish, Bluefish, Hardtails, Shark and a few Pompano
Wednesday: water temp 72.1 – 73.4 Lots of Hardtails and Ladyfish, a few Pompao and Spanish Mackerel, a few Cigar minnows early morning
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 Friday May 05, 2023 New Moon Friday Apr. 19, 2023
Tides for the upcoming week:
Sunrise: 5:56am Sunset: 7:22pm
Thursday 04th. 6:51pm Low 0.0 9:05am High 1.3
Friday 7:56pm Low -0:1 9:24am High 1.5
Saturday 9:03pm Low -0.3 9:58am High 1.6
Sunday 10:09pm Low -0.4 10:43am High 1.7
Monday 11:12pm Low -0.4 11:34am High 1.8
Tuesday 12:29pm High 1.9
Wednesday 10th. 12:13am Low -0.4 1:23pm High 1.8
Sunrise: 5:52am Sunset: 7:26pm CDST
The Marine forecast for the next several days is: THURSDAY
Northeast winds 5 to 10 knots, becoming south in the afternoon. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters a light chop.
THURSDAY NIGHT
West winds 5 to 10 knots. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters a light chop.
FRIDAY
East winds 5 to 10 knots, becoming southeast in the afternoon. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters a light chop.
FRIDAY NIGHT
Southwest winds 5 to 10 knots. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters a light chop.
SATURDAY
Southeast winds 5 to 10 knots, becoming south in the afternoon. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters a light chop. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon.
SATURDAY NIGHT
West winds 5 to 10 knots. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters a light chop. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening.
SUNDAY
Northwest winds around 5 knots, becoming southwest in the afternoon. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters a light chop. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms.
SUNDAY NIGHT
Southwest winds 5 to 10 knots, becoming northwest after midnight. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters a light chop. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening.
MONDAY
East winds 5 to 10 knots, becoming south in the afternoon. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters a light chop.
MONDAY NIGHT
Southwest winds 5 to 10 knots. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters a light chop.
(local forecast).
THURSDAY (78/63 rain 01% wind SSE-10)
FRIDAY (79/67 rain 10% wind SSE-11)
SATURDAY (79/67 rain 19% wind S-10)
SUNDAY (81/69 rain 15% wind S-09)
MONDAY (82/71 rain 22% wind SSW-10)
TUESDAY (82/71 rain 18% wind SW-11)
WEDNESDAY(83/71 rain 17% wind SW-11)
PIER MANAGEMENT CONTACT INFORMATION:
Bay County Parks and Recreation – 5304 Majetti Tower Road Panama City, FL 32404
850-248-8730
Joy Saddler – Bay Co. Parks Division Manager –850-248-8730
Vince Martin – Bay Co. Asst. Parks Division Manager - vmartin@baycountyfl.gov - 850-896-6580
Tight lines and screaming drags,
Sam
