Water conditions were not ideal as we had dark bay water. The water temperature ranged from 82.4 to 86.5 during this report period. Fishing was good as there were Sailfish and Kings caught throughout the week. Spanish, Bonita, Ladyfish, Bluefish, Hardtails, Yellowtail Jacks were some of the additional species caught. Alewives and Hardtails of all sizes were plentiful for bait. There were a few Cigar minnows.
Sailfish, Sailfish, Sailfish all week. I lost count of how many were seen during the week, but it was more than in the past few years. Most of the Sails were small but there were a few bigger sized ones too. They were coming in, in groups of 3-5 fish. The daily activity below gives the breakdown. Monday was the best day as there were 7 hooked, brought to the pier and released by 1:00 pm. Johnnie and Jacob caught the only legal-size fish. Jacob released his and Johnnie says they are decent table fare. Live small Hardtails were the hot bait, and a few ate small Alewives. (see: Johnnie-461190356)
There have been lots of small King Mackerel this period. Today was the best action as there were 30 caught in the early am and around 20 in the afternoon. The morning bite was lures, and the afternoon fish wanted live bait. Today’s fish were all under 10 pounds. Here are a few shots of fish decked this week.
The Spanish Mackerel bite has been slow but at lease a few bigger fish are around. We have had a couple of weeks with tiny fish, many of which were not legal size. Bait and lures got bites. Here is a couple of the ones caught.
A few Pompano are being caught with most too small to keep. Chuck worked them hard and was able to get enough keepers for dinner. The one he is holding had to go back but you can see he had dinner in his cooler.
Daily activity:
Thursday: water temp 82.8 – 83.1 Two Sailfish hooked, one brought to the pier and released by Jeffery and the other large Sail almost spooled Brad and broke off. At least 7 more spotted by early afternoon. Spanish Mackerel, Pompano, Hardtails, Alewives and a few Cigar minnows
Friday: water temp 82.4 – 84.4 Several Sailfish spotted with two hooked briefly in the morning. Spanish Mackerel, a few small King Mackerel, two more Sailfish hooked in the afternoon. Pompano, Hardtails, Alewives and a few Cigar minnows
Saturday: water temp 83.8 – 85.3 Several Sailfish spotted with two brought to the pier, Hardtails and Yellowtail Jacks. Bait: Alewives, small Hardtails and a few Cigar Minnows.
Sunday: water temp 84.4 – 86.0 Several sailfish spotted with two caught, a few small Kings, Hardtails and Yellowtail Jacks. Bait: Alewives, small Hardtails and a few Cigar Minnows.
Monday: water temp 85.3 – 86.4 Seven Sailfish caught and many more seen. Six were small (Blaz-3, Sam-2, Ash-1) and one legal size caught by Jacob. All released. Several small Kings in the early morning and another run mid-afternoon, A couple of small Spanish, a Pompano, Hardtails and Yellowtail Jacks. Small Alewives, small Hardtails and a few Cigar minnows for bait.
Tuesday: water temp.85.6 – 86.5 Small Kings in the am then “Flipper” came in. A couple of Sailfish spotted with one hooked. Ladyfish and small Jacks in pm. Small Alewives for bait.
Wednesday: water temp 85.6 – 85.8 Over 30 very small Kings in the am with a few Bonita in the mix. A few Sailfish were spotted with two hooked and released. More small Kings in the pm with a few nice Spanish in the mix. Ladyfish, Yellowtail Jacke and Hardtails. Bait available was various size Alewives and a few small Hardtails.
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 Wednesday Oct. 02, 2024 - Full Moon Thursday Oct. 17, 2024
Tides for the upcoming week:
Sunrise: 6:33am Sunset: 6:33pm
Thursday 26th.. 4:35pm Low 0.3 4:38am High 1.9
Friday 5:14pm Low 0.4 6:41am High 1.8
Saturday 5:39pm Low 0.6 7:57am High 1.7
Sunday 5:32pm Low 0.7 8:56am High 1.6
11:57pm High 1.0
Monday 1:58am Low 1.0 9:56am High 1.4
4:56pm Low 0.9 10:57pm High 1.1
Tuesday 4:06am Low 0.9 11:03am High 1.3
4:41pm Low 1.0 10:48pm High 1.3
Wednesday 02nd. 5:18am Low 0.8 12:22pm High 1.2
4:04pm Low 1.1 10:22pm Low 1.4
Sunrise: 6:37am Sunset: 6:26pm CDST
The Marine forecast for the next several days is:
THURSDAY
Hurricane conditions expected. East winds 30 to 35 knots with gusts up to 45 knots, increasing to 70 to 80 knots with gusts up to 100 knots in the afternoon. Seas 8 to 11 feet, occasionally to 14 feet, building to 13 to 18 feet, occasionally to 23 feet in the afternoon. Wave Detail: South 18 feet at 13 seconds. Protected waters extremely rough. Rain with a slight chance of thunderstorms.
THURSDAY NIGHT
Hurricane conditions expected. Southwest winds 85 to 95 knots with gusts up to 115 knots, becoming west 35 to 45 knots with gusts up to 55 knots after midnight. Seas 17 to 22 feet, occasionally to 28 feet, subsiding to 12 to 17 feet, occasionally to 22 feet after midnight. Wave Detail: South 22 feet at 14 seconds. Protected waters extremely rough. A slight chance of thunderstorms. Rain until early morning, then a slight chance of rain late.
FRIDAY
Tropical storm conditions possible with hurricane conditions also possible. West winds 25 to 30 knots with gusts up to 40 knots, becoming southwest 20 to 25 knots with gusts up to 30 knots in the afternoon. Seas 9 to 12 feet, occasionally to 15 feet, subsiding to 6 to 9 feet, occasionally to 11 feet in the afternoon. Wave Detail: West 11 feet at 8 seconds and south 7 feet at 11 seconds. Protected waters very rough. A slight chance of rain and thunderstorms early in the morning.
FRIDAY NIGHT
Southwest winds 15 to 20 knots, diminishing to 10 to 15 knots after midnight. Seas 5 to 7 feet, occasionally to 9 feet, subsiding to 3 to 5 feet, occasionally to 6 feet after midnight. Wave Detail: West 6 feet at 7 seconds and south 3 feet at 8 seconds. Protected waters choppy. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms late.
SATURDAY
Southwest winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas 2 to 4 feet. Wave Detail: Southwest 3 feet at 7 seconds. Protected waters a moderate chop.
SATURDAY NIGHT
West winds 10 to 15 knots, diminishing to 5 to 10 knots after midnight. Seas 2 to 3 feet. Protected waters a moderate chop. A slight chance of showers after midnight.
SUNDAY
West winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas around 2 feet. Protected waters a light chop. A slight chance of showers. A slight chance of thunderstorms in the late morning and afternoon.
SUNDAY NIGHT
West winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas around 2 feet. Protected waters a light chop. A slight chance of showers. A slight chance of thunderstorms late.
MONDAY
Northwest winds around 5 knots. Seas around 2 feet. Protected waters smooth. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms.
MONDAY NIGHT
West winds around 5 knots, becoming northwest after midnight. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters a light chop. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms early in the evening. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after midnight.
(local forecast).
THURSDAY (77/72 rain 100% wind NNE-20)
FRIDAY (82/75 rain 05% wind WSW-19)
SATURDAY (85/77 rain 10% wind WSW-15)
SUNDAY (84/75 rain 15% wind WSW-10)
MONDAY (83/74 rain 32% wind WSW-07)
TUESDAY (85/72 rain 20% wind NW-06)
WEDNESDAY(85/70 rain 16% wind NNW-07)
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
