We started the report period with rough and very dirty water but finished with clean conditions. The water temperature began at 66.2 and slowly increased. Bait schools began showing up with Ballyhoo, Speedos and a few Cigar Minnows caught. Large catches of Squid were reported after sunset and before sunrise. Species caught were Spanish Mackerel, Bluefish, Whiting, Red Drum, Black Drum, Pompano, catfish and Rays.
Thursday the wind was howling, the water was rough and dirty but that didn’t stop a father and son from braving the elements. Their tenacity paid off as a Bull Red Drum hit their bait. After a good fight, Jayme and his son Nicolas got the Red pier side. The next challenge was getting it into the net with the wind and big waves. After a few tries, we managed to bring the Red onto the pier for a quick picture. Lawrence, from Birmingham, caught a nice slot Red Drum Saturday. Lee
Decked a nice Red Monday afternoon. Several other Bull Reds were caught as well. Fresh Squid seemed to be the hot bait.
Pompano have begun to show in small schools. Several were decked this report period with the best bite coming just before sunset. Casey W., Mike H., and Chuck O. were just three of the anglers who caught Pompano this week. Small Sand Fleas tipped with a small piece if “FishBite” got the most attention.
As Cobia season approached, a few anglers have been staring at the water hoping to see that first one. Conditions are looking good so it shouldn’t be long.
Daily activity:
Thursday: water temp 66.2 – 66.9 The water was very dirty and rough with 25-30 mph NW wind One Red Drum (Jayme and son Nicolas), Catfish and Rays
Friday: water temp 63.1 – 65.7 The water was dirty. Catfish, one Red Drum and a couple of Pompano.
Saturday: water temp 64.2 – 66.2 The water was dirty. A red Drum and a Pompano, a couple of Bluefish and Spanish Mackerel
Sunday: water temp 65.5 – 67.5 Spanish Mackerel
Monday: water temp 66.6 - 66.7 Several Red Drum (Lee L 23 in), a couple of Pompano, Lots of Squid after dark.
Tuesday: water temp.66.0 – 69.1 A Black Drum, a couple of Pompano, a few Whiting, Ballyhoo, Speedos and a few Cigar minnows. Rain minnows everywhere.
Wednesday: water temp 67.5 – 67.9 Lots of Squid after dark and before sunrise, Spanish Mackerel, Pompano and Speedos.
Red Tide status: In Northwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was observed at background concentrations in one sample each from Okaloosa and Bay counties. .
Tides Link
https://tides4fishing.com/us/florida-west-coast/panama-cityngin g
New Moon Saturday Mar. 29, 2025 - Full Moon Saturday Apr. 12, 2025 -
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Tides for the upcoming week:
Sunrise: 6:37am Sunset: 6:58pm
Thursday 27th. 5:59am Low 0.0 10:37pm High 1.0
Friday 5:54am Low 0.3 11:33am High 0.5
4:43pm Low 0.2
Saturday 5:21am Low 0.5 12:16am High 0.8
6:23pm Low 0.0 11:07am High 0.7
Sunday 8:00pm Low -0.2 10:38am High 1.0
Monday 9:44pm Low -0.3 11:01am High 1.3
Tuesday 11:23pm Low -0.4 11:48am High 1.5
Wednesday 02nd. 12:42pm High 1.6
Sunrise: 6:31am Sunset: 7:02pm CDST
The Marine forecast for the next several days is:
THURSDAY NIGHT
South winds 5 to 10 knots, becoming east after midnight. Seas 1 foot or less.
FRIDAY
Southeast winds 5 to 10 knots, increasing to 10 to 15 knots in the afternoon. Seas 1 foot or less.
FRIDAY NIGHT
Southeast winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas 1 foot or less.
SATURDAY
Southeast winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas 1 foot or less. A chance of showers with a slight chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon.
SATURDAY NIGHT
Southeast winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas 1 foot or less. A chance of showers with a slight chance of thunderstorms.
SUNDAY
South winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas 1 foot or less. A slight chance of thunderstorms. A chance of showers, mainly in the morning.
SUNDAY NIGHT
South winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas 1 foot or less. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening.
MONDAY
South winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas 1 foot or less. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms in the morning, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon.
MONDAY NIGHT
Southwest winds 5 to 10 knots, becoming west after midnight. Seas 1 foot or less. A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly in the evening.
(local forecast).
THURSDAY (79/62 rain 01% wind ESE-10)
FRIDAY (76/65 rain 05% wind SE-16)
SATURDAY (74/66 rain 71% wind SE-18)
SUNDAY (73/68 rain 68% wind S-11)
MONDAY (74/65 rain 59% wind SW-11)
TUESDAY (77/68 rain 31% wind SSW-09)
WEDNESDAY(78/68 rain 09% wind SSE-13)
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
Timothy Pentice- Bay Co. Asst. Div. Mgr. – tprentice@baycountyfl.gov – 448-217-4219
Tight lines and screaming drags,
Sam
SLP053@BELLSOUTH.NET
770-265-2879
