We kicked-off the 2023 BCO King Mackerel Tournament Sunday morning at 05:00. As of now, we have 65 anglers registered for the event. We will have open registration throughout the tournament, so it is not too late to register. Simply send me your name, contact email and phone number by email or text (slp053@bellsouth.net or 770-265-2879) and I will get you on the list.
There has only been one King Mackerel entered in the tournament so far. John P. took the leader spot Sunday afternoon at 3:30pm with a 16.63-pound fish. There have been several other Kings decked but all were well under 10-pounds. Either the angler was not registered or chose not to enter their fish. David S. decked a nice King Saturday but a little early for the tournament. Here is a shot of John with his first place fish and a shot of the scale - also David’s fish.
Bonita has been the hot topic the past seven days. Each morning, until today, there have been at least 30 Bonita hit the deck before 09:00 am. Bubble rigs with a fly, straw, spoon or small jerk bait was almost certain to get hit. Some anglers caught a dozen alone. Here are a couple of shots of some of the action:
Mark F. has been working the shallows trying to deck his first Red Drum this trip. Monday evening, at dark, he was able to deck this 32 inch Bull and quickly release it after a photo.
Sailfish have been spotted several times over the past couple of weeks but none were caught until Tuesday. Hachid came out after work and was drifting a live Hardtail a long way out from the pier when he got hit. After an exciting fight, Hachid got a quick photo and released this beautiful Sail to fight again.
Daily activity:
Thursday: water temp 80.8 – 81.9 A couple of tiny Kings, a few Spanish and Ladyfish, Cigar minnows, Alewives and Hardtails.
Friday: water temp 81.1 – 82.2 Lots of Bonita and a few Spanish early am. One tiny King (24 ¼”) , few Pompano and one 18” Flounder by Paul D., Cigar minnows, Yellowtail Jack and Hardtails.
Saturday: water temp 81.5 – 82.2 David got a King, a few Bonita.
Sunday: water temp 80.1 – 81.9 Bonita, a few Spanish early, John P. got first King of tournament – 16.63#.
Monday: water temp 80.1 - 81.3 Bonita early am, a few Spanish and 4 tiny -barely legal Kings in pm, small Hardtails, Cigar minnows, Yellowtail Jacks.
Tuesday: water temp 79.7 - 81.3 Bonita, a few Spanish and a couple of tiny Kings in the early am, a couple of Spanish in pm, Hachid caught and released a Sailfish about 5:30pm, a few Cigar minnows and Hardtails.
Wednesday: water temp 79.7 – 81.5 A few Spanish, 3 tiny Kings, Cigar minnows, Yellowtail Jacke, Hardtails.
Tournament Information – rules – registration info:
2023 Bay County Outdoors King Mackerel Tournament
BAY COUNTY OUTDOORS (BCO) in cooperation with Bay County Recreation is promoting a King Mackerel Pier Tournament on the M. B. Miller Pier. Registration is FREE! It is simple to register and only requires your Name, contact Phone Number and Email. The Tournament will begin at 05:00 a.m. Sunday, October 01, 2023, and end Sunday, November 12th. at 6:00 p.m.
Registration is FREE. You can enter by sending your Name, contact E-mail and your Phone Number to Sam by Texting or E-mail here: Text-770-265-2879 or E-mail- SLP053@BELLSOUTH.net
Tournament prizes will be fishing tackle, provided by the following sponsors: Rapala, D.O.A. and Howell Tackle. NO CASH. There will be two places:
1st: $500.00 equivalent of tackle
2nd: $350.00 equivalent of tackle
Sam Patrick will be the Tournament Official to weigh and record all entries. He will weigh fish Sundays through Fridays between 10:00 am and 6:00 pm and on Saturdays between 1:00pm and 6:00pm. If he is not on the pier, you can call him at: 770-265-2879 during the listed weigh-in hours. If you weigh-in the top two fish by weight, you can win both places. In case of a tie, the first fish weighed will take the lead in that category. The fish must be caught from the M.B. Miller Pier. The fish must be hooked and caught by a single angler using a lure or natural bait. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) laws and regulations, all Bay County Pier regulations, and Tournament Rules must be followed, or the angler will be disqualified.
Tournament Rules
1: Tournament begins 05:00 a.m. October 01 and ends November 12, 6:00 p.m. and will award a 1st and 2nd place winner.
2: Fish must be caught from the M. B. Miller (County) Pier.
3: Fish must be hooked and caught by a single angler using a lure or natural bait. No assistance landing the fish other than by a net or gaff.
4: Anglers must be registered on the Bay County Outdoors King Mackerel Tournament web site prior to entering a catch. Registration is free and only requires your name, email, and a contact phone number.
5: Sam Patrick is the designated Tournament Official and will register and certify all entries.
6: Rapala, D.O.A. and Howell Tackle are the prize sponsors.
7: Official weigh-in will be between 10:00am and 6:00pm Sundays through Fridays and between 1:00pm and 6:00pm on Saturdays. Sam can be contacted at 770-265-2879 during the official weigh-in times to enter a catch.
8: In the event of a tying weight fish, the first caught will take priority. A single angler may win both 1st and 2nd place with two qualifying fish.
9: All Tournament rules, FWC laws, Bay County Recreation and Pier rules must be followed, or the angler will be disqualified.
Red Tide status: The red tide organism, Karenia brevis, was not observed in samples collected from or offshore of Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Bay, Franklin, Hernando, or Pasco counties.
Tides Link
https://tides4fishing.com/us/florida-west-coast/panama-cityngin g
New Moon Saturday Oct. 14, 2023 Full Moon Saturday Oct. 28, 2023
Tides for the upcoming week:
Sunrise: 6:38am Sunset: 6:23pm
Thursday 05th. 1:52pm Low 0.2 1:11am High 2.0
Friday 2:56pm Low 0:3 2:04am High 1.9
Saturday 3:46am Low 0.3 3:04am High 1.8
Sunday 4:23pm Low 0.4 4:25am High 1.7
Monday 4:44pm Low 0.4 6:38am High 1.6
Tuesday 4:36pm Low 0.7 7:57am High 1.5
Wednesday 11th. 4:22pm Low 0.8 9:04am High 1.4
10:36pm High 1.10
Sunrise: 6:42am Sunset: 6:16pm CDST
The Marine forecast for the next several days is:
THURSDAY
East winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas 2 to 4 feet with a dominant period of 5 seconds. Protected waters a moderate chop.
THURSDAY NIGHT
Northeast winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet with a dominant period of 5 seconds. Protected waters a light chop.
FRIDAY
Northeast winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas around 2 feet with a dominant period of 5 seconds in the morning, then 1 foot or less. Protected waters a light chop.
FRIDAY NIGHT
Northwest winds 5 to 10 knots. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters a light chop.
SATURDAY
North winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet with a dominant period of 3 seconds. Protected waters a moderate chop.
SATURDAY NIGHT
North winds 15 to 20 knots. Seas 3 to 5 feet with a dominant period of 5 seconds. Protected waters choppy.
SUNDAY
North winds 15 to 20 knots, diminishing to 10 to 15 knots in the afternoon. Seas 3 to 5 feet with a dominant period of 5 seconds. Protected waters choppy.
SUNDAY NIGHT
North winds around 10 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet with a dominant period of 3 seconds. Protected waters a light chop.
(local forecast).
THURSDAY (85/71 rain 06% wind SE-08)
FRIDAY (84/67 rain 08% wind WNW-07)
SATURDAY (81/57 rain 03% wind N-14)
SUNDAY (75/58 rain 00% wind N-10)
MONDAY (76/63 rain 01% wind SSW-60)
TUESDAY (81/66 rain 02% wind SW-07)
WEDNESDAY(82/68 rain 15% wind E-10)
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
