Great conditions, warm water, and lots of anglers for the July 4th week. Bait schools returned and Tarpon schools were passing the pier. There were a few hooked but I am only aware of one brought pier side and released. The vast majority of schools had lock jaw. We caught a few more Mahi, some Spanish Mackerel, a few Bonita, and the King Mackerel finally returned. Hardtail anglers were not disappointed in their numbers.
Kings have been scarce but this week, they returned. As you can see in the daily activity, we decked quite a few Kings during the 7-day period. Most fish were “schoolies”, but there were some in the 14 to 16-pound range. Natural bait got more attention than lures, but some were caught on artificial bait. McRae from Peachtree City, Georgia caught his first ever King. Khalil and Wesley both decked nice fish and Tommy finally broke his bad luck streak and decked his first King of the year. Another first for the year, we had 4 generations of anglers fishing and all of them caught Kings. Bobby, (Grandad), Stacy, (Dad), Chase, (Son), Chandler, (Son-in-law), and Hagen, (grandson) fished side by side and had a very productive week. This family has been regular visitors and have fished the Miller pier many times. This is a first that each of them landed Kings during the same trip.
The summer Bonita are beginning to show and a few were caught this week. These fish were in the 8 to 10-pound range and gave us quite a battle. A few were landed, but more took the angler to school and shot the pilings. Hagen and I were lucky enough to get our fish to the gaff.
Daily activity:
Thursday: water temp 82.2 – 84.4 Over a dozen Kings up to about 14-pounds, all in S/E corner, Several Mahi and Spanish Mackerel, lots of Hardtails and Cigar minnows, Tarpon schools with lock jaw
Friday: water temp 82.2 – 85.3 Over a dozen Kings up to about 16-pounds, all in S/E corner, Spanish Mackerel, a few Bonita, lots of Hardtails and Cigar minnows, Tarpon schools with lock jaw
Saturday: water temp 84.7 – 87.1 Eight Kings, mostly “scoolies”, 2 Mahi, a few Bonita
Sunday: water temp 83.3 – 86.2 A few small Kings, Hardtails, Spanish and Cigar minnows
Monday: water temp (Full Moon) 83.5 – 87.3 A few Spanish and Hardtails, one Bonita, pier closed early am to load fireworks then partially reopened with last 100’ closed.
Tuesday: water temp 86.0 – 86.7 (July 4th fireworks) Last 100’ of pier closed all day for fireworks @ 9:00
Wednesday: water temp 86.2 – 86.9
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 July 03, 2023 New Moon Tuesday Aug. 01, 2023
Tides for the upcoming week:
Sunrise: 5:46am Sunset: 7:47pm
Thursday 06th. 11:16pm Low 0.0 12:49pm High 1.8
Friday 11:23pm Low 0.2 1:35pm High 1.6
Saturday 10:57pm Low 0.5 2:10pm High 1.2
Sunday 10:36am Low 0.8 6:01am High 0.9
9:28pm Low 0.6 1:49pm High 0.9
Monday 4:24pm Low 0.5 5:46am High 1.1
Tuesday 4:59pm Low 0.2 5:56am High 1.4
Wednesday 12th. 5:40pm Low 0.0 6:18am High 1.6
Sunrise: 5:49am Sunset: 7:46pm CDST
The Marine forecast for the next several days is:
THURSDAY
Northwest winds 5 to 10 knots, becoming west 10 to 15 knots in the afternoon. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters a light chop. Showers and thunderstorms likely.
THURSDAY NIGHT
West winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas around 2 feet with a dominant period of 3 seconds. Protected waters a light to moderate chop. A chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening, then showers and thunderstorms likely after midnight.
FRIDAY
West winds 5 to 10 knots, increasing to 10 to 15 knots in the afternoon. Waves 1 foot or less, then around 2 feet with a dominant period of 3 seconds in the afternoon. Protected waters a light chop. Showers and thunderstorms.
FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY
West winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas around 2 to 3 feet with a dominant period of 4 seconds. Protected waters a light to moderate chop. Showers and thunderstorms.
SUNDAY NIGHT
Southwest winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas around 2 feet with a dominant period of 4 seconds. Protected waters a light to moderate chop. Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly in the evening.
MONDAY
West winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas around 2 to 3 feet. Protected waters a light to moderate chop. Showers and thunderstorms.
MONDAY NIGHT
Southwest winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas around 2 to 3 feet. Protected waters a light to moderate chop. Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly in the evening.
(local forecast).
THURSDAY (89/78 rain 41% wind W-10)
FRIDAY (89/77 rain 39% wind W-11)
SATURDAY (89/79 rain 50% wind W-12)
SUNDAY (90/79 rain 58% wind W-14)
MONDAY (88/78 rain 58% wind WSW-13)
TUESDAY (87/79 rain 58% wind WSW-11)
WEDNESDAY(88/79 rain 58% wind WSW-10)
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
