2023 Bay County Outdoors King Mackerel Tournament
The 6-week tournament began Oct. 01, and concluded Nov. 12th at 6:00 p.m. We had 108 anglers competing for the largest King Mackerel by weight. There were many fish caught with a good percentage over 20 pounds. Hachid and Jake set a high bar with their 33.48# and 29.15# catches to hold their positions to the finish. Hachid and Jake received their first and second place tackle prizes provided by our great sponsors: Rapala www.rapala.com and D.O.A. www.doalures.com . We extend a special thanks to Vince Martin, Bay County Parks and Recreation, Parks Division Manager for being present to congratulate the winners.
Congratulations Hachid and Jake, well done!
Pictured below are:
- Hachid
- Jake
- Hachid and Jake with prizes
- Prizes
- Vince Martin, Bay Co. Parks Division Mgr., Hachid, Jake and Sam
The past 7 days have been active. We enjoyed clean water. The water temperature was as warm as 73.8 but fell below 70 by today. In fact, we began today at 68.4 and only climbed to 69.1 before the temperature began to fall. We had bait available every day consisting of: Cigar minnows, Alewives, Spanish Sardine, Goggle Eyes, a few small Hardtails, Squid, and a couple of Menhaden. We had favorable wind and chop.
King Mackerel seemed to fire-up this report period with multiple fish catches most days. There were several fish that were decked weighing over twenty pounds. The daily activity shows the breakdown with more than 20 kings caught today. Lures and natural bait were productive. The bite was best early mornings with decent bites throughout the day. Here is a sample of the fish decked:
Other activity included Whiting, Squid, Bluefish, Bonita, Pompano, and Red Drum. Check this “kraken” Squid Brenda caught:
Daily activity:
Thursday: water temp 72.0 – 73.2 Water clean, 10 Kings, a few Spanish, Whiting, small Pompano, Squid, Alewives, Goggle Eyes and Hardtails.
Friday: water temp 72.5 – 73.8 Water clean, One small King (Joe 25 inches), Whiting, Squid, bait scarce but a few Alewives, Goggle Eyes and Hardtails.
Saturday: water temp 72.3 – 72.5 Kings.
Sunday: water temp 71.1 – 72.0 A dozen Kings in the am -all 15# and down, a few Bonita, one 6’ shark brought pier side and released. The tournament ended at 6:00pm.
Monday: water temp (New Moon) 70.1 – 71.2 Over a dozen Kings in the am, a few Bonita early and a few Kings in the afternoon. Whiting thick in the shallows but pinfish would eat your bait before a Whiting could, bait scarce-only a few Alewives and small Hardtails.
Tuesday: water temp 69.3 – 70.2 Over 20 Kings.
Wednesday: water temp 68.4 – 69. At least 25 Kings, a few Bonita, a couple Spanish, lots of big Bluefish, a few Gafftopsail Catfish, Alewives, Cigar minnows, Spanish Sardine and a couple of Menhaden.
Red Tide status: The red tide organism, Karenia brevis, was not observed in samples collected from or offshore of Escambia, Okaloosa, Walton, Bay, Franklin, Dixie, or Levy counties.
Tides Link
https://tides4fishing.com/us/florida-west-coast/panama-cityngin g
New Moon Monday Nov. 13, 2023 Full Moon Monday Nov. 27, 2023
Tides for the upcoming week:
Sunrise: 6:08am Sunset: 4:46pm
Thursday 16th. 9:43am Low -0:4 10:54pm High 1.9
Friday 10:38am Low -0:4 11:47pm High 1.9
Saturday 11:29am Low 0.3
Sunday 12:14am Low -0.2 12:38am High 1.7
Monday 12:46pm Low -0.1 1:28am High 1.5
Tuesday 12:56pm Low 0.2 2:18am High 1.2
Wednesday 22nd. 12:38pm Low 0.5 3:17am High 0.9
7:40pm High 0.9
Sunrise: 6:13am Sunset: 4:43pm CST
The Marine forecast for the next several days is:
GALE WARNING IN EFFECT THROUGH THURSDAY AFTERNOON
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH LATE THURSDAY NIGHT
THURSDAY
East winds 25 to 30 knots with gusts up to 35 knots. Seas 7 to 10 feet with a dominant period of 8 seconds. Protected waters very rough. Showers likely, mainly in the morning.
THURSDAY NIGHT
Northeast winds 20 to 25 knots with gusts up to 30 knots, becoming east 15 to 20 knots after midnight. Seas 6 to 8 feet with a dominant period of 7 seconds. Protected waters rough. A chance of showers.
FRIDAY
Northeast winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas 3 to 5 feet with a dominant period of 7 seconds. Protected waters a moderate chop. A slight chance of showers.
FRIDAY NIGHT
North winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet with a dominant period of 6 seconds. Protected waters a moderate chop.
SATURDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHT
North winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet with a dominant period of 4 seconds. Protected waters a moderate chop.
SUNDAY
Northeast winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas around 2 feet with a dominant period of 4 seconds. Protected waters a light chop.
SUNDAY NIGHT
Northeast winds 5 to 10 knots, becoming east after midnight. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters a light chop.
(local forecast).
THURSDAY (70/61 rain 40% wind NE-15)
FRIDAY (77619 rain 08% wind N-08)
SATURDAY (74/53 rain 07% wind NNW-10)
SUNDAY (70/57 rain 03% wind WNW-05)
MONDAY (74/66 rain 75% wind SSE-15)
TUESDAY (68/49 rain 56% wind W-17)
WEDNESDAY(60/45 rain 12% wind NW-12)
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
