We have had clean water all week with the water temperature staying in the high 70’s most of the time. Friday through Monday we enjoyed a great King Mackerel bite. There were Spanish Mackerel, Bonita, lots of Hardtails and even a Mahi caught during the period. The tax man, “Flipper”, made himself a constant pest and took his share of fish. We finally got schools of Alewives Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon the Threadfin Herring began to flood through.
The King bite kicked off Friday with lots of hits. At least a dozen fish were decked. Carlos had over 15 hits and decked three. Tommy and I got our fish to the gaff. Saturday was great as well except that “Flipper” took four and the pilings took six of the Kings. Sunday would see a dozen hit the deck and Monday another five. Colton had a good weekend. Cole and I landed fish Monday. The bite slowed Tuesday, mainly due to “Flipper”. Tuesday’s bite started about 2:00 with Jose hooking and landing the first King. Then he hooked a small fish that was immediately taken by “Flipper”. That killed the bite, and no other fish were seen the remainder of the day. Today, “Flipper was here at daylight and never left. We didn’t even see a King. The largest fish of the period was just shy of 17-pounds.
A few Spanish Mackerel have been decked early mornings. Most fish were average size with a couple of nice ones in the mix.
We had a great Mahi run a couple of weeks ago, but they were missing until Hai caught one Tuesday. There were three spotted this morning but would only follow your bait and turn away.
Daily activity:
Thursday: water temp 76.8 – 79.2 Hardtails
Friday: water temp 78.8 – 79.3 At least 12 King Mackerel decked and many more missed – “Flipper” ate one that was on a lure, a few Spanish Mackerel, lots of Hardtails
Saturday: water temp 78.4 – 80.4 About a dozen Kings hooked- 4 lost to “Flipper and 6 lost to the pilings – “schoolies”
Sunday: water temp 77.7 – 82.9 Twelve King Mackerel decked
Monday: water temp 76.3 – 79.9 Five King Mackerel – 2 undersize and biggest 14#, a few Spanish Mackerel, Hardtails
Tuesday: water temp 76.3 – 82.2 Two Kings hooked, one decked, Flipper got the second one and remained at the pier the remainder of the day. Several more Kings looked at bait but didn’t eat, Spanish Mackerel in the morning, Hai caught a Mahi, lots of hardtails and alewives.
Wednesday: water temp 77.4 Three Mahi spotted but would not eat. Lots of Hardtails, Alewives and Threadfin Herring began flooding through mid afternoon
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 July 17, 2023 Full Moon Tuesday Aug. 01, 2023
Tides for the upcoming week:
Sunrise: 5:54am Sunset: 7:43pm
Thursday 20th. 9:46pm Low 0.2 11:56am High 1.6
Friday 9:46pm Low 0:3 12:26pm High 1.5
Saturday 9:43pm Low 0.5 12:54pm High 1.3
Sunday 9:11pm Low 0.6 1:19pm High 1.1
Monday 10:53am Low 0.8 4:27am High 1.0
8:12pm Low 0.7 1:34pm High 0.9
Tuesday 4:28pm Low 0.6 3:53am High 1.2
Wednesday 26th. 4:32pm Low 0.4 4:05am High 1.4
Sunrise: 5:573am Sunset: 7:39pm CDST
The Marine forecast for the next several days is:
THURSDAY
West winds 5 to 10 knots. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters a light chop. Hazy in the morning. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon.
THURSDAY NIGHT
Southwest winds 5 to 10 knots. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters a light chop.
FRIDAY
West winds 5 to 10 knots. Waves 1 foot or less, then around 2 feet with a dominant period of 5 seconds in the afternoon. Protected waters a light chop. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms.
FRIDAY NIGHT
Southwest winds 5 to 10 knots, increasing to 10 to 15 knots after midnight. Seas around 2 feet with a dominant period of 3 seconds. Protected waters a moderate chop.
SATURDAY
West winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas around 2 feet with a dominant period of 3 seconds. Protected waters a moderate chop. Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly in the morning.
SATURDAY NIGHT
Southwest winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas around 2 feet with a dominant period of 4 seconds. Protected waters a moderate chop. A chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening, then showers and thunderstorms likely after midnight.
SUNDAY
West winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas around 2 feet with a dominant period of 4 seconds. Protected waters a moderate chop. Showers and thunderstorms.
SUNDAY NIGHT
Southwest winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas around 2 feet with a dominant period of 5 seconds. Protected waters a moderate chop. Showers and thunderstorms likely.
(local forecast).
THURSDAY (89/80 rain 07% wind WSW-09)
FRIDAY (92/81 rain 08% wind WSW-11)
SATURDAY (90/77 rain 34% wind WSW-13)
SUNDAY (84/75 rain 68% wind W-09)
MONDAY (86/76 rain 35% wind W-09)
TUESDAY (88/76 rain 24% wind W-09)
WEDNESDAY(88/76 rain 23% wind SW-08)
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
