I talk about our pier family often in these reports. This report I am talking about blood family. Bobby, from Alabama, has been bringing his family fishing in Panama City Beach for over 35 years. Over the years, new members have been introduced to fishing off our piers. This week, Bobby was joined by four generations fishing together as they have done frequently. Pictured are Stacy, Bobby’s son, Bobby, his great-grandsons Hagen and Lawson and his grandson Chase. Bobby, at 83, continues to keep his family together catching their share of fish. What a blessing and example for us all.
We began this report period with wind which brought nasty water. The water is very warm and hit 87.6 this afternoon. Bait was scarce at the beginning but as the week progressed, they began to return. We are still catching Bonita along with these species this period: Hardtails, Bluefish, King Mackerel, Spanish Mackerel, Red Drum, Threadfin Herring, Cigar Minnows and Alewives.
The Bonita bite continues. It is at its peak in the early morning, but a few are caught throughout the day. A few larger ones are in the mix too. The bigger ones are hitting natural bait, but the others (1.5 to 4 pounds) are hitting bubble rigs with a small spoon or fly. Other lures have worked too but not as successfully as the bubble rigs.
Spanish and King Mackerel were caught but not in numbers to brag about. Only a few of each were hooked. Both hit lures and natural bait. “Flipper”, yet again, took several of our fish and was a pest frequently. Tuesday, two Kings hit the deck. Allan got a smack one and then Quang hooked a “schoolie” on his jerk bait. He immediately handed the rod to Hai who brought the fish to the gaff. Braden caught his first Spanish on a small Cigar minnow.
Shallow water produced a Red Drum. Chuck lost a couple of “Bulls”, but finally brought this 30” fish onto the deck. He tried to get a good picture but learned you must pick your camera operator carefully. After posing with his fish and thinking he had a great shot, this is what he found when he checked the camera:
Daily activity:
Thursday: water temp 82.9 – 84.0 Bonita in am, Hardtails, small Bluefish, small Sharks. Wind -water quality getting nasty
Friday: water temp 82.8 – 85.3 Bonita (3#), Hardtails, a few Cigar minnows and Threadfin Herring.
Saturday: water temp 84.6 – 86.5
Sunday: water temp 84.6 – 85.8 Bonita in am, Hardtails
Monday: water temp 83.8 – 86.7 Bonita, Hardtails, one King Mackerel hooked but hook pulled at the pier, Threadfin Herring
Tuesday: water temp. 84.4 – 87.1 A few Bonita and Spanish Mackerel, 2 King Mackerel, Cigar minnows, Threadfin Herring and a few Alewives.
Wednesday: water temp 85.1 – 87.6 Pier use restricted for fireworks tomorrow.
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
New Moon Friday July 05, 2024 Full Moon Sunday July 21, 2024 -
Tides for the upcoming week:
Sunrise: 5:46am Sunset: 7:48pm
Thursday 04th. 8:14pm Low -0.4 8:44am High 1.9
Friday 9:00pm Low -0.4 9:40am High 1.9
Saturday 9:41pm Low -0.3 10:34am High 1.9
Sunday 10:13pm Low -0.2 11:22am High 1.8
Monday 10:30pm Low 0.0 12:01pm High 1.7
Tuesday 10:24pm Low 0.2 12:31pm High 1.5
Wednesday 10th. 10:13pm Low 0.3 12:54pm High 1.4
Sunrise: 5:49am Sunset: 7:46pm CDST
The Marine forecast for the next several days is:
THURSDAY
Northeast winds around 5 knots, becoming southwest in the afternoon. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters smooth. A chance of showers with a slight chance of thunderstorms.
THURSDAY NIGHT
West winds around 5 knots. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters smooth. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms.
FRIDAY
West winds 5 to 10 knots. Waves 1 foot or less. Wave Detail: West 1 foot at 2 seconds and south 1 foot at 7 seconds. Protected waters a light chop. A chance of showers and thunderstorms.
FRIDAY NIGHT
West winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas around 2 feet. Wave Detail: West 1 foot at 3 seconds and south 1 foot at 14 seconds. Protected waters a light chop. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms.
SATURDAY
West winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas around 2 feet. Wave Detail: West 1 foot at 3 seconds and south 1 foot at 6 seconds. Protected waters a light chop. A chance of showers and thunderstorms.
SATURDAY NIGHT
West winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas around 2 feet. Protected waters a light chop. A chance of showers and thunderstorms.
SUNDAY
West winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas around 2 feet. Protected waters a light chop. A chance of showers and thunderstorms.
SUNDAY NIGHT
Southwest winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas around 2 feet in the evening, then 1 foot or less. Protected waters a light chop. A chance of showers and thunderstorms.
MONDAY
South winds 5 to 10 knots. Waves 1 foot or less, then around 2 feet in the afternoon. Protected waters a light chop. Showers and thunderstorms likely.
MONDAY NIGHT
Southwest winds around 10 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet. Protected waters a light chop. A chance of showers and thunderstorms.
(local forecast).
THURSDAY (88/81 rain 19% wind SSW-09)
FRIDAY (89/81 rain 22% wind WSW-11)
SATURDAY (88/80 rain 43% wind WSW-09)
SUNDAY (89/80 rain 38% wind WSW-09)
MONDAY (88/81 rain 42% wind S-10)
TUESDAY (88/80 rain 55% wind SW-11)
WEDNESDAY(90/79 rain 24% wind W-11)
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
