The weather and water were beautiful. The water temperature has hovered between 78 and 84 degrees. Again, we have had plentiful bait schools around the pier (Cigar minnows, Spanish Sardine). Our resident “Tax Man” Flipper has been a thorn in our side all week and has taken several of our fish along with dozens of baits. The King Mackerel bite was some better than previous weeks. There were also: Tarpon, Spanish Mackerel, Mahi, Bonita, and Hardtails. The only downside is the “June grass”, algae has begun to increase in the shallows and is stretching into the outer sandbar. The shallows are difficult to fish due to the algae collecting onto your line in wads.
The Kings were more cooperative, and several were hooked during the past seven days. The Dolphin took his quota and made fishing a challenge. Most Kings were schoolies, but there were two decent fish decked. Ben got a nice fish Monday and was assisted by Jose on the gaff. Today, Wednesday, I got slammed followed by a long run. Fortunately, Flipper had not yet arrived, so I was able to fight the fish without worrying about Flipper taking it. Ivan helped on the gaff and brought the fish onto the deck.
Spanish Mackerel have been around but not in big numbers. A few were caught most days using live bait and lures. There were no individual limits but enough for dinner. No big “axe handle” ones were caught but they were decent size like this one Brad got today.
We do not get Mahi often but there were four caught Monday with a few more seen a couple of other days. They were not big but at least better than the small chicken dolphin that are more typical. Michael shows his fish:
Tarpon schools are increasing and have begun to show more interest in biting. Several were hooked during the week. Most spit the hook quickly but Dylan was able to keep his fish hooked and brought it to the pier. After a short video, the fish was released.
Daily activity:
Thursday: water temp 80.2 – 82.8 A few Spanish Mackerel and Hardtails, 2 small King hooked and lost to Flipper, Cigar minnows. Flipper stayed eating our bait and fish all day. Dolphin left about 6:00pm and three small Kings were decked
Friday: water temp 81.5 – 82.6 Spanish Mackerel, A King hooked and eaten by Flipper
Saturday: water temp 78.6 - 81.3 Tarpon, a few Spanish Mackerel, Cigar minnows
Sunday: water temp 81.0 – 83.1 One small King, Tarpon, Cigar minnows
Monday: water temp 79.9 – 84.7 Spanish Mackerel, Bonita, King Mackerel, Mahi Mahi (4), Cigar minnows, Flipper ate a King and a Bonita
Tuesday: water temp 79.7 – 83.1 A few Bonita and Spanish Mackerel. Several Tarpon hooked, Cigar minnows, Flipper a constant nuisance-ate a Bonita and a couple of Spanish along with lots of our bait
Wednesday: water temp 81.3 – 83.7 One King decked in am (Sam 24.5#), 3 Kings hooked in pm with none landed, a few Spanish Mackerel and some Hardtails, a Bonita eaten by Flipper, Cigar minnows
Red Tide status:
Tides Link
https://tides4fishing.com/us/florida-west-coast/panama-cityngin g
New Moon Saturday June 17, 2023 Full Moon Friday July 03, 2023
Tides for the upcoming week:
Sunrise: 5:401am Sunset: 7:45pm
Thursday 15th. 7:15pm Low -0.2 8:02am High 1.6
Friday 8:00pm Low -0:3 8:28am High 1.7
Saturday 8:44pm Low -0.3 9:04am High 1.8 FULL MOON
Sunday 9:26pm Low -0.3 9:46am High 1.8
Monday 10:02pm Low -0.2 10:32am High 1.8
Tuesday 10:32pm Low -0.2 11:18am High 1.7
Wednesday 21st. 10:51pm Low -0.1 11:58am High 1.7
Sunrise: 5:41am Sunset: 7:47pm CDST
The Marine forecast for the next several days is:
THURSDAY
Southwest winds 10 to 15 knots, increasing to 15 to 20 knots in the afternoon. Seas 3 to 4 feet with a dominant period of 6 seconds. Protected waters choppy. A chance of showers and thunderstorms.
THURSDAY NIGHT
Southwest winds 15 to 20 knots. Seas 3 to 4 feet with a dominant period of 6 seconds. Protected waters choppy. A chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening, then showers and thunderstorms likely after midnight.
FRIDAY
West winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas 3 to 4 feet with a dominant period of 6 seconds. Protected waters a moderate chop. Showers and thunderstorms likely.
FRIDAY NIGHT
Southwest winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet with a dominant period of 6 seconds. Protected waters a moderate chop. A chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening, then showers and thunderstorms likely after midnight.
SATURDAY
West winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet with a dominant period of 6 seconds. Protected waters a moderate chop. Showers and thunderstorms likely.
SATURDAY NIGHT
Southwest winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet with a dominant period of 6 seconds. Protected waters a moderate chop. A chance of showers and thunderstorms.
SUNDAY
Southwest winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet with a dominant period of 5 seconds. Protected waters a moderate chop. A chance of showers and thunderstorms. SUNDAY NIGHT
Southwest winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet with a dominant period of 5 seconds. Protected waters a moderate chop. A chance of showers and thunderstorms.
(local forecast).
THURSDAY (84/78 rain 63% wind SW-17)
FRIDAY (85/76 rain 67% wind WSW-12)
SATURDAY (84/76 rain 58% wind WSW-12)
SUNDAY (86/78 rain 42% wind SW-11)
MONDAY (85/76 rain 58% wind SW-16)
TUESDAY (85/75 rain 58% wind WSW-15)
WEDNESDAY(85/75 rain 58% wind WSW-13)
PIER MANAGEMENT CONTACT INFORMATION:
Bay County Parks and Recreation – 5304 Majetti Tower Road Panama City, FL 32404
850-248-8730
Vacant – Bay Co. Parks Division Manager –850-248-8730
Vince Martin – Bay Co. Asst. Parks Division Manager - vmartin@baycountyfl.gov - 850-896-6580
Tight lines and screaming drags,
Sam
