You can see the participation list with the 1st and 2nd place anglers, as well as a photo of the tournament prizes listed here: Sam Patrick - 2023 Bay County Outdoors King Mackerel Tournament... | Facebook
The past seven days have given us a mishmash of water quality and water temperatures ranging from 72.9 to 77.7. However, the fish didn’t seem to care. We experienced good catches of King Mackerel, Spanish Mackerel, Bluefish, Ladyfish, Red Drum, Cigar minnows, Hardtails, Alewives and Goggle Eyes. There were even a few Flounder caught. Unfortunately, Flounder are closed for harvest recreationally until Dec. 01, 2023.
The 2023 BCO King Mackerel Tournament saw the leader board remain unchanged with Hachid N. in first and George M. in second place. There were lots of Kings caught and even a couple submitted for the tournament but none heavy enough to qualify. Tuesday was the best King bite of the period with over 20 Kings landed. There were three caught that weighed 18.4#s (Tommy L.), 20.9#s (Sam P.) and 21.6#s (George M.). There were reports of big fish missed, but nothing came close to the minimum 28.22#s to move onto the leader board. We are 25 days in with 18 days remaining in the tournament. Registration is still open so you can still join the current 97 anglers shooting for that big fish. Here are samples of the Kings decked this period:
Spanish Mackerel have been sporadic. The bite has been hot at times and dead others. However, there have been a lot of Spanish caught over the week. A few limits were caught by a few anglers. The fish ranged in size from just under 12 inches to around 3 pounds. Bubble rigs with straw or spoons, Gotchas and natural bait with mono leaders worked well. Here is one I got on a live Cigar minnow:
Red Drum action has been active. Several Reds were decked most days with most fish over slot. Live Alewives or live Cigar minnows were productive. Tommy managed a slot fish, but Quang, Billy and Ivan had to return their “Bulls”.
Daily activity:
Friday: water temp 74.1 – 75.7 Several King Mackerel, a few Spanish Mackerel and Bonita, a couple of Red Drum, Cigar minnows, Alewives and a few Goggle Eyes.
Saturday: water temp 74.3 – 76.1 A few Spanish Mackerel, Whiting, Hardtails.
Sunday: water temp 75.0 – 76.5 A few Spanish Mackerel, one King Mackerel (George M).
Monday: water temp 76.5 – 77.4 Spanish Mackerel, Cigar minnows, Hardtails, Alewives and Goggle Eyes.
Tuesday: water temp 75.2 – 77.7 Over 20 Kings decked, Spanish Mackerel, Bluefish, Ladyfish, Hardtails, Cigar minnows, Alewives and Goggle Eyes.
Wednesday: water temp 74.7 – 75.7 Lots of Bluefish, Spanish Mackerel, Red Drum, Cigar minnows, Hardtails and Goggle Eyes.
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
New Moon Monday Nov. 13, 2023 Full Moon Monday Nov. 27, 2023
Tides for the upcoming week:
Sunrise: 6:52am Sunset: 6:01pm
Friday 4:51am Low 0:6 9:29pm High 1.4
Saturday 6:14am Low 0.3 9:15pm High 1.7
Sunday 7:35am Low 0.1 9:40pm High 1.9
Monday 8:55am Low 0.0 10:19pm High 1.9
Tuesday 10:04am Low -0.1 11:05pm High 2.0
Wednesday 01st. 11:06am Low -0.1 11:53pm High 1.9
Sunrise: 6:56am Sunset: 5:55pm CDST
The Marine forecast for the next several days is:
FRIDAY
East winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas 2 to 4 feet with a dominant period of 6 seconds. Protected waters a light to moderate chop.
FRIDAY NIGHT
East winds 5 to 10 knots, increasing to 10 to 15 knots after midnight. Seas 2 to 3 feet with a dominant period of 6 seconds. Protected waters a light chop.
SATURDAY
East winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet with a dominant period of 6 seconds. Protected waters a light to moderate chop.
SATURDAY NIGHT
East winds 5 to 10 knots, increasing to 10 to 15 knots after midnight. Seas 2 to 3 feet with a dominant period of 5 seconds. Protected waters a light chop.
SUNDAY
East winds 10 to 15 knots, diminishing to 5 to 10 knots in the afternoon. Seas 2 to 3 feet with a dominant period of 5 seconds. Protected waters a light chop.
SUNDAY NIGHT
Northeast winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas around 2 feet with a dominant period of 5 seconds. Protected waters a smooth to a light chop.
MONDAY
Northeast winds around 10 knots. Seas around 2 feet with a dominant period of 6 seconds. Protected waters a light chop.
MONDAY NIGHT
North winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet. Protected waters a light moderate chop.
(local forecast).
FRIDAY (82/65 rain 07% wind SE-08)
SATURDAY (81/65 rain 06% wind SE-07)
SUNDAY (82/64 rain 06% wind SSE-06)
MONDAY (83/60 rain 06% wind NNW-07)
TUESDAY (78/55 rain 03% wind N-12)
WEDNESDAY(67/49 rain 00% wind N-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
