We had a scorcher this week with an extreme heat wave. Unfortunately, another one is forecasted for the next 7 days. The water was hot but at least it was clean. Bait was limited to Alewives and small Hardtails. A King Mackerel or more were caught almost every day. Spanish Mackerel were best very early mornings. The Bonita came in thick Tuesday morning. One Mahi was decked Friday. Sam hooked a Sailfish Monday but the leader broke. Jose hooked and fought a Barracuda for 15 minutes Monday, before his line broke at pier side. A few Red Drum were in the shallows.
We had a decent King bite the past seven days, but many were lost to “Flipper”. Most fish were “schoolies” however, Creed got a 20-pounder Thursday the 3rd. Wednesday, the 9th was our best day for Kings as 6 were decked and several others lost. Sam got a small fish. Hachid decked an 18.6-pound fish. Nory hooked and was fighting a big fish only to have “Flipper” take it. He only got the head back. Then, Iquan landed a 17.5-pound King. Both natural bait and lures produced action.
The Spanish Mackerel have been most active at daybreak. However, some were caught throughout the day. Most of the fish were from 12-15 inches with a few larger fish in the mix. Hai managed to get a decent one past “Flipper”, today, the 9th. Bubble Rigs and Gotchas were the go-to baits.
We have had an unusual season for Mahi, and they are still coming through. Sam was the lucky angler to get the only one this week. It came in Friday and ate an Alewife.
Daily activity:
Thursday: water temp 84.6 – 87.6 Two King Mackerel- Kalil got a small one and Creed got a 20.0 lb., Alewives.
Friday: water temp 86.4 – 88.9 Four Kings hooked- 1st lost to Flipper, Two hooks pulled, last small King bitten in half by a Barracuda, One Mahi by Sam.
Saturday: water temp 86.9 A couple of Bonita, a few Spanish, Alewives
Sunday: water temp 87.8 One King, a few Spanish, Alewives
Monday: water temp 86.7 – 88.7 One King in early am, Spanish Mackerel, Jose fought a Barracuda for 15 minutes before line broke, Sam had a Sailfish bite but it broke the wire leader
Tuesday: water temp 85.5 – 88.3 Bonita in the am, couple of Kings hooked and eaten by Flipper, a few Spanish, Hardtails, Alewives, Flipper was a nuisance all day.
Wednesday: water temp 83.8 – 87.6 David hooked and brought a Tarpon pier side, Several Spanish Mackerel, Six King Mackerel, Alewives, Flipper got Nory’s big King.
Red Tide status: The red tide organism, Karenia brevis, was not observed in samples collected from or offshore of Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Bay, Gulf, Franklin, Wakulla, Dixie, Levy, Hernando, or Pasco counties.
Tides Link
https://tides4fishing.com/us/florida-west-coast/panama-cityngin g
New Moon Wednesday Aug. 16, 2023 Full Moon Wednesday Aug. 30, 2023
Tides for the upcoming week:
Sunrise: 6:02am Sunset: 7:34pm
Thursday 10th. 5:14pm Low 0.1 4:58am High 1.8
Friday 6:00pm Low 0:0 6:20am High 1.8
Saturday 6:43pm Low 0.1 7:35am High 1.8
Sunday 7:23pm Low 0.1 8:35am High 1.8
Monday 7:58pm Low 0.2 9:26am High 1.8
Tuesday 8:24pm Low 0.3 10:11am High 1.8
Wednesday 16th. 8:30pm Low 0.4 10:53am High 1.7
Sunrise: 6:10am Sunset: 7:22pm CDST
The Marine forecast for the next several days is:
THURSDAY
Southwest winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas around 2 feet with a dominant period of 3 seconds. Protected waters a moderate chop. A chance of showers and thunderstorms.
THURSDAY NIGHT
Southwest winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas around 2 feet with a dominant period of 4 seconds. Protected waters a moderate chop. A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly in the evening.
FRIDAY
West winds around 10 knots. Seas around 2 feet with a dominant period of 4 seconds. Protected waters a light chop. A chance of showers and thunderstorms.
FRIDAY NIGHT
Southwest winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas around 2 feet with a dominant period of 4 seconds. Protected waters a light chop. A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly in the evening.
SATURDAY
West winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas around 2 feet with a dominant period of 4 seconds. Protected waters a light chop. A chance of showers and thunderstorms.
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.
SUNDAY
Southwest winds 5 to 10 knots. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters a light chop. A chance of showers and thunderstorms.
SUNDAY NIGHT
Southwest winds 5 to 10 knots. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters a light chop. A chance of showers and thunderstorms.
(local forecast).
THURSDAY (91/83 rain 15% wind WSW-14)
FRIDAY (90/81 rain 24% wind WSW-12)
SATURDAY (92/81 rain 24% wind W-10)
SUNDAY (92/81 rain 24% wind WSW-10)
MONDAY (91/82 rain 21% wind WSW-10)
TUESDAY (91/81 rain 24% wind WSW-11)
WEDNESDAY(91/80 rain 31% wind WSW-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
