The week started with decent water but that quickly got destroyed as gale force winds hit Friday. We had sustained 25 knot wind with gusts to 40. Even with the dirty water, Spanish showed early Friday morning. As the week progressed, the water cleared, and the Spanish bite improved. We also had numerous Sharks, Red Drum, Bonita, Bluefish, Cigar minnows and some Squid at night.
The Bull Red Drum were prowling the pier and feeding on fresh Squid and live Cigar minnows. Chuck O. got a nice one Thursday before the blow hit. Then Tuesday, the big boys were chewing. Several were caught Tuesday along with more that were hooked and lost. Broken lines were common. Chuck O. got things started, then Steve L. put a Bull on the deck. Early afternoon, I hooked five but only landed two. They looked like twins and were 38 inches and 37.5 inches. Wednesday a couple more big ones were hooked as a school of Menhaden came in.
Spanish Mackerel hit the deck in big numbers most every day. Bubble rigs, Spoons, Gotchas and live Cigar minnows got you strikes. Many limits were caught by multiple anglers. Most fish ranged from 12 to 15 inches but a few were up to 21 inches. Steve L. got one of the larger ones that was 2.9 pounds.
Bonita have been scarce for weeks but a few came in Tuesday. There were even three reports of Blackfin Tuna seen mixed with the Bonita. Five Bonita were decked before the day was done. Casey B. was jigging for Spanish with his light-weight rig when a Bonita popped up and inhaled his lure. Chuck O. got surprised as one hit his Spanish rig.
Daily activity:
Thursday: water temp 71.2 – 72.7 One Red Drum, a few small Bluefish and small Sharks
Friday: water temp 72.3 – 69.8 Several Spanish Mackerel early am, Sharks, water very rough with gale force wind from South.
Saturday: water temp 69.8 – 71.8 Spanish Mackerel, Sharks. Dirty water
Sunday: water temp 70.7 – 72.3 Spanish Mackerel. Dirty water
Monday: water temp 71.8 – 72.5 Spanish Mackerel
Tuesday: water temp 72.5 – 73.9 Spanish Mackerel, Bonita, Red Drum, Bluefish and Cigar minnows
Wednesday: water temp 72.9 Spanish Mackerel, Bluefish, a couple of Red Drum and Cigar minnows.
Tides Link
https://tides4fishing.com/us/florida-west-coast/panama-cityngin g
Full Moon Tuesday Mar. 07, 2023 New Moon Tuesday Mar. 21, 2023
Tides for the upcoming week:
Sunrise: 5:59am Sunset: 5:46pm
Thursday 09th. 5:33am Low 0.2 11:59am High 0.5
6:12pm Low 0.1
Friday 4:43am Low 0:3 1:11am High 0.4
7:59pm Low 0.0 11:34am High 0.7
Saturday 10:41pm Low -0.1 11:45am High 0.9
Sunday 1:16pm High 1.1 Daylight Savings Time Begins
Monday 12:39am Low -0.2 1:58pm High 1.2
Tuesday 2:23am Low -0.4 2:53pm High 1.3
Wednesday 15th. 3:30am Low -0.6 4:01pm High 1.4
Sunrise: 6:52am Sunset: 6:50pm CDST
The Marine forecast for the next several days is:
THURSDAY
Southeast winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet with
a dominant period of 4 seconds. Protected waters a moderate chop.
THURSDAY NIGHT
Southeast winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas 1 to 2 feet
with a dominant period of 5 seconds. Protected waters a light
chop.
FRIDAY
South winds 5 to 10 knots, becoming southwest 10 to
15 knots in the afternoon. Seas around 2 feet with a dominant
period of 3 seconds. Protected waters a moderate chop. A slight
chance of thunderstorms. A slight chance of showers in the
morning, then a chance of showers in the afternoon.
FRIDAY NIGHT
West winds 10 to 15 knots, becoming northwest
after midnight. Seas 2 to 3 feet with a dominant period of
4 seconds. Protected waters a moderate chop. A chance of showers
with a slight chance of thunderstorms in the evening.
SATURDAY
North winds 10 to 15 knots, becoming northwest 5 to
10 knots in the afternoon. Seas 2 to 3 feet with a dominant
period of 5 seconds. Protected waters a moderate chop.
SATURDAY NIGHT
West winds 5 to 10 knots, becoming east after
midnight. Seas around 2 feet with a dominant period of 5 seconds
in the evening, then 1 foot or less. Protected waters a light
chop.
SUNDAY
Southeast winds 5 to 10 knots, becoming south 10 to
15 knots in the afternoon. Seas around 2 feet with a dominant
period of 3 seconds. Protected waters a moderate chop.
SUNDAY NIGHT
South winds 10 to 15 knots, becoming southwest
15 to 20 knots after midnight. Seas 2 to 4 feet with a dominant
period of 4 seconds. Protected waters choppy. A slight chance of
thunderstorms. A slight chance of showers in the evening, then
showers likely after midnight.
(local forecast).
THURSDAY (74/68 rain 09% wind SE-12)
FRIDAY (77/53 rain 35% wind W-13)
SATURDAY (74/63 rain 03% wind WNW-07)
SUNDAY (77/62 rain 44% wind SSW-18)
MONDAY (69/46 rain 52% wind NNW-15)
TUESDAY (63/44 rain 05% wind N-13)
WEDNESDAY(64/53 rain 03% wind ENE-08)
PIER MANAGEMENT CONTACT INFORMATION:
Bay County Parks and Recreation – 5304 Majetti Tower Road Panama City, FL 32404
850-248-8730
Joy Saddler – 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
