Von was a familiar and frequent face we knew on the pier. We were proud to call him a friend. He has been in a battle with cancer for months and fought it with dignity and tenacity. He made many trips to fish on the pier during this fight. Last Tuesday evening, June 18, he lost the fight. Even though we know he is free of his pain and struggles, his comradery, wit and giving nature will be missed. Thanks, Von, for all the great memories!
We began the period, Thursday, with dirty water. Friday the water began clearing but was not good until Monday. The water is very warm and hovered in the mid 80’s most of the week. We saw the following species caught: King Mackerel, Spanish Mackerel Bonita, Red Drum, Mahi, Hardtails, Ladyfish, Cigar minnows, Alewives, Threadfin Herring, .and a few Lookdowns. Tarpon schools continue to pass through but very few bites have happened.
Thursday through Sunday was tough fishing. Except for a few Red Drum in the shallows, there were only Ladyfish and Hardtails caught. Brandon M. had a good Thursday and Friday. Here are three of the Reds he decked and released:
King Mackerel were hooked Monday, Tuesday and Today. Monday saw two caught Billy W. got one about 10-pounds early am, and Son caught a decent one later in the morning. Tuesday, one small King was hooked but lost at the gaff. Today I got two tiny ones after lunch, and both were returned.
There were a few Spanish Mackerel caught, mostly mixed with the Bonitos. A couple of mornings, there was a decent bite, but the fish were small. Danny C. is holding one that was about the average size for the week:
Bonita were off the chain Monday through today. The only way to describe it was a frenzy. The bite was the hottest from early morning until about lunch. However, the bite continued all afternoon. Piles of Bonita were on the deck Monday and Tuesday. Today, there were probably 200 decked. All but one was from 1.5 to 4.5 pounds. I was lucky and caught the only Summer Bonito that weighed 10.15 pounds.
Daily activity:
Thursday: water temp 82.8 – 84.2 Water still dirty. Hardtails and Ladyfish. Red Drum in the shallows.
Friday: water temp 82.9 – 85.3 Hardtails and Ladyfish. Red Drum in the shallows.
Water has cleared a lot since yesterday but is still a little silty.
Saturday: water temp 84.4 – 86.7 Hardtails and Ladyfish
Sunday: water temp 84.9 – 86.7 Hardtails and Ladyfish
Monday: water temp 84.7 – 86.2 Two “schoolie” King Mackerel in the am (Billy and Son), Bonito all day, hardtails, ladyfish, a few Cigar minnows, Threadfin Herring in the afternoon.
Tuesday: water temp. 83.8 – 86.4 Lots of Bonita, a few Spanish Mackerel, Hardtails, a few Lookdowns, and a few Threadfin Herring late afternoon. One very small King Mackerel hooked but lost at the gaff. 84.6 - 85.5 Bonito frenzy, over 150 decked from 1.5 to 3.5 pounds. Sam got a big one that weighed 10,15lb. Two small Mahi, a few Spanish Mackerel, Hardtails, Ladyfish, three Kings- Sam got two tiny ones and Dat got a decent one but only decked the body. “Flipper” ate the head and tail. Cigar minnows, Alewives and Threadfin Herring
Wednesday: water temp
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
Full Moon Friday June 21, 2024 - New Moon Friday July 04, 2024
Tides for the upcoming week:
Sunrise: 5:43am Sunset: 7:48pm
Thursday 27th. 11:17pm Low 0.4 1:53pm High 1.3
Friday 10:18pm Low 0.6 2:06pm High 0.9
Saturday 4:48pm Low 0.5 6:22am High 1.0
Sunday 5:07pm Low 0.2 6:21am High 1.3
Monday 5:47pm Low -0.1 6:33am High 1.5
Tuesday 6:34pm Low -0.3 7:05am High 1.7
Wednesday 04th. 7:24pm Low -0.4 8:44am High 1.9
Sunrise: 5:45am Sunset: 7:48pm CDST
The Marine forecast for the next several days is:
THURSDAY
West winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet. Wave Detail: West 2 feet at 4 seconds. Protected waters a moderate chop. Showers and thunderstorms likely.
THURSDAY NIGHT
Southwest winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas around 2 feet. Wave Detail: Southwest 2 feet at 5 seconds. Protected waters a moderate chop. A chance of showers and thunderstorms.
FRIDAY
Southwest winds around 10 knots. Seas around 2 feet. Wave Detail: Southwest 2 feet at 5 seconds. Protected waters a light chop. A chance of showers and thunderstorms.
FRIDAY NIGHT
Southwest winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas around 2 feet. Wave Detail: Southwest 2 feet at 4 seconds. Protected waters a light chop. A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly in the evening
SATURDAY
Southwest winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas around 2 feet in the morning, then 1 foot or less. Wave Detail: Southwest 1 foot at 5 seconds. Protected waters a light chop. A chance of showers and thunderstorms.
SATURDAY NIGHT
Southwest winds 5 to 10 knots. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters a light chop. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms.
SUNDAY
West winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas around 2 feet. Protected waters a light chop. A chance of showers and thunderstorms.
SUNDAY NIGHT
West winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas around 2 feet. Protected waters a light chop. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after midnight.
MONDAY
West winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas around 2 feet. Protected waters a light chop. A chance of showers and thunderstorms.
MONDAY NIGHT
Southwest winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas around 2 feet. Protected waters a light chop. A chance of showers and thunderstorms.
(local forecast).
THURSDAY (84/80 rain 71% wind WSW-14)
FRIDAY (85/81 rain 53% wind SW-13)
SATURDAY (86/80 rain 37% wind SW-11)
SUNDAY (87/80 rain 58% wind W-10)
MONDAY (88/80 rain 58% wind WSE-09)
TUESDAY (88/80 rain 43% wind W-10)
WEDNESDAY(89/80 rain 40% wind S-09)
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
