Emerald water, great weather and warm temperatures described the past 7 days. Our water temperature has warmed from 76.8 to 82 degrees during the week. Cigar minnows have been plentiful with a few Spanish Sardine and Speedos in the mix. We caught King Mackerel, Spanish Mackerel, Bonita, Bluefish, Ladyfish, Hard tails and our first Tarpon of the year. The Cobia Tournament ended on Saturday and the first Tarpon was caught today.
The 2023 BCO Cobia Tournament came to close Saturday the 13th at 6:00pm. It was a disappointing six weeks as only one legal Cobia was Decked. Dean L., from Wendell, N.C. decked the winning fish Saturday morning the 6th of May. It was 37.5 inches and 20.76 pounds. Congratulations Dean! We extend a big THANKS to our sponsors: Rapala, D.O.A. and Howell Tackle.
Check out Rapala's Summer Sweepstakes. Rapala is a proud sponsor of our Pier tournaments!!!
https://www.rapalasweepstakes.com/rapala-vmc-summer...
Bonita made an appearance several mornings starting at daylight and lasting for a couple of hours. One morning several coolers were filled with all the fish caught. Anglers described the bite as a hook-up every cast. As the week progressed, the number of Bonita caught dwindled to only two this morning.
Lots of small King Mackerel were caught from 10-pounds down to barely legal. George M. got the only bigger fish that weighed 17.15 Pounds. Fresh bait produced the most bites, but lures caught a share as well. Check the daily activity for the day-to-day numbers. Check the three amigos (Sam-George-Mikel) with the triple catch.
Spanish Mackerel were hungry most of the week and not only the small ones. The bigger fish were partial to live Cigar minnows fished on a Fluro leader. Many of the ones decked were approaching 4-pounds. You could easily get a limit if you tried. Steve L. and George M. did well.
We have been seeing big schools of Tarpon passing for weeks with no bites. That changed this afternoon when a small school passed headed east. Tommy got a swim bait just in front of the group and got an immediate hit. After a long fight, Tommy managed to get the big silver king to the pier for a quick picture and release.
Daily activity:
Thursday: water temp 76.8 – 79.2 Ten Kings- one about 15#, the rest were from barely legal to about 10#, Spanish Mackerel, Hardtails, Cigar minnows
Friday: water temp 78.1 – 78.3 Four King Mackerel (3 small, George 17#), lots of Bonita, Spanish Mackerel, Bluefish, Ladyfish, Hardtails, Cigar minnows, a few Spanish Sardine and Speedos
Saturday: water temp 77.4 – 79.3 Bonita, Spanish Mackerel, Bluefish, Ladyfish, Hardtails, Cigar minnows
Sunday: water temp 79.0 – 81.0 Four Kings (3 small & one 10#) Bonita early am, big Spanish Mackerel, Cigar minnows
Monday: water temp 77.4 – 80.4 about a dozen small Kings after 3:30, big Spanish Mackerel, Bluefish, Cigar minnows
Tuesday: water temp 79.7 – 81.7 a few small Kings, Spanish Mackerel, Ladyfish and Cigar minnows
Wednesday: water temp 79.9 – 82.0 Two small Kings, a few Spanish Mackerel, 2 Bonita, Cigar minnows
- Red Tide status: In Northwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was observed at background concentrations in one sample each from Walton County, offshore of Hernando County, and from Pasco County.
Tides Link
https://tides4fishing.com/us/florida-west-coast/panama-cityngin g
New Moon Friday Apr. 19, 2023 Full Moon Saturday June 03, 2023
Tides for the upcoming week:
Sunrise: 5:47am Sunset: 7:31pm
Thursday 18th. 7:47pm Low -0.1 8:56am High 1.5
Friday 8:41pm Low -0:2 9:15am High 1.7
Saturday 9:30pm Low -0.3 9:49am High 1.7
Sunday 10:17pm Low -0.3 10:31am High 1.7
Monday 11:01pm Low -0.2 11:18am High 1.7
Tuesday 11:41pm Low -0.2 12:05pm High 1.7
Wednesday 24th. 12:49pm High 1.6
Sunrise: 5:44am Sunset: 7:35pm CDST
The Marine forecast for the next several days is:
THURSDAY
Southwest winds 5 to 10 knots. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters a light chop. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms.
THURSDAY NIGHT
Southwest winds around 5 knots, becoming southeast around 5 knots after midnight. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters smooth. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening.
FRIDAY
East winds around 5 knots. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters smooth.
FRIDAY NIGHT
Northwest winds around 5 knots. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters smooth.
SATURDAY
North winds around 5 knots, becoming west in the afternoon. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters a light chop.
SATURDAY NIGHT
West winds 5 to 10 knots. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters a light chop.
SUNDAY
Northwest winds 5 to 10 knots, becoming west in the afternoon. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters a light chop. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon.
SUNDAY NIGHT
West winds 5 to 10 knots, becoming north after midnight. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters a light chop. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms.
(local forecast).
THURSDAY (76/70 rain 35% wind S-14)
FRIDAY (77/59 rain 57% wind SSW-23)
SATURDAY (75/56 rain 08% wind NW-08)
SUNDAY (77/61 rain 10% wind E-10)
MONDAY (77/64 rain 21% wind SE-10)
TUESDAY (77/68 rain 24% wind SW-10)
WEDNESDAY(77/67 rain 24% wind WSW-11)
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
