Things are beginning to heat up. Not just the water temperature, that is back to 67 as of today, but the bite is increasing too. The water has been mostly clear, and a few bait schools continue to be around mainly in the early mornings. Our catch list is growing with the following species caught: Spanish Mackerel, Pompano, Bluefish, Sheepshead, Red Drum, Squid, Small Sharks, Sting Rays, Cigar Minnows and even a couple of Alewives.
Spanish Mackerel were thick this report period. Most anglers who were targeting Spanish were easily able to catch their limit. They were caught all week, but Friday through Monday was on fire. Gotchas and large Sabiki Rigs were the best producers. The Spanish were from the first Tee all the way to the end Tee.
Pompano have begun to show in numbers. Set rigs with Sand Fleas and Pomp Jigs worked well. Also, big Sabiki rigs caught a share of the fish. The bite was mostly in the skinny water, but some were caught as far out as the outer sand bar.
Red Drum have been scarce, but a few were hooked, and one caught during this report period. Carlos braved the foul conditions Monday afternoon and was able to deck a nice Red.
Daily activity:
Thursday: water temp 63.9 – 66.4 Small Spanish Mackerel, a few Pompano, one Sheepshead, one Flounder, Cigar minnows and Squid.
Friday: water temp 66.0 – 65.1 – 65.8 Small Spanish Mackerel, Pompano, a couple of Bluefish, Cigar Minnows and Squid.
Saturday: water temp 65.5 – 65.8 Spanish Mackerel and Pompano
Sunday: water temp 64.8 – 66.6 Spanish Mackerel and Pompano
Monday: water temp 65.1 – 66.9 Spanish Mackerel and Pompano. Strong wind
Tuesday: water temp 65.5 – 66.4 Strong wind, rough water, and rain. Pompano and Spanish Mackerel.
Wednesday: water temp 65.8 – 67.1 Spanish Mackerel, Pompano, Red Drum, a few Cigar Minnows and a couple of Alewives.
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 Monday Mar. 25, 2024 New Moon Monday Apr. 08, 2024
Tides for the upcoming week:
Sunrise: 6:44am Sunset: 6:55pm
Thursday 28th. 10:04pm Low -0.1 11:43am High 1.2
Friday 11:28pm Low -0.2 12:21pm High 1.3
Saturday 1:05pm High 1.4
Sunday 12:59am Low -0.3 1:56pm High 1.5
Monday 2:18am Low -0.4 2:55pm High 1.5
Tuesday 3:18am Low -0.5 4:04pm High 1.5
Wednesday 03rd. 4:06am Low -0.5 5:31pm High 1.4
Sunrise: 6:28am Sunset: 7:03pm CDST
The Marine forecast for the next several days is:
THURSDAY
North winds 20 to 25 knots, becoming northwest 15 to 20 knots in the afternoon. Seas 4 to 6 feet, occasionally to 8 feet with a dominant period of 5 seconds.
THURSDAY NIGHT
North winds 15 to 20 knots. Seas 3 to 5 feet, occasionally to 6 feet with a dominant period of 5 seconds.
FRIDAY
Northeast winds 15 to 20 knots, becoming east 10 to 15 knots in the afternoon. Seas 2 to 4 feet with a dominant period of 4 seconds.
FRIDAY NIGHT
Southeast winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas around 2 feet with a dominant period of 4 seconds in the evening, then 1 foot or less.
SATURDAY
Southeast winds around 10 knots. Seas 1 foot or less.
SATURDAY NIGHT
South winds around 10 knots. Seas 1 foot or less.
SUNDAY
Southeast winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas 1 foot or less, then around 2 feet with a dominant period of 3 seconds in the afternoon.
SUNDAY NIGHT
South winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet with a dominant period of 5 seconds.
MONDAY
South winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet with a dominant period of 5 seconds.
MONDAY NIGHT
South winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet.
(local forecast).
THURSDAY (74/50 rain 03% wind NNW-15)
FRIDAY (71/55 rain 01% wind ESE-10)
SATURDAY (72/62 rain 03% wind SSE-11)
SUNDAY (74/65 rain 07% wind S-12)
MONDAY (76/67 rain 08% wind S-12)
TUESDAY (77/64 rain 39% wind SSW-14)
WEDNESDAY(71/54 rain 58% wind WNW-16)
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
