The 2025 BCO King Mackerel Tournament (09-28 to 11-09, 2025) began Sunday morning at 06:00. We are 11 days into the event and only three fish have been submitted. The current leaders are 1st place: Jim S. 16.01# 10-04-25 06:20 am; 2nd Dom C. 8.82# 10-05-25 2:10pm. We have 132 registered participants as of today, 10-08-25
You can still register (free) by text, messenger or email to Sam at SLP053@BELLSOUTH.NET or 770-265-2879 You can see the full announcement with all the information including the current leader standings and the latest participation list at:
www.facebook.com/sam.patrick.315
Daily activity:
Thursday 02nd.: water temp 82.8 ENE 8-13mph in the a.m. / 82.2 ENE 7-15mph in the p.m. The water was clean. There were 5 “snake” King Mackerel and a few Spanish Mackerel in the morning with the largest at 6-pounds. Several Spanish Mackerel, Ladyfish and Bluefish were caught in the afternoon. A couple of small Sailfish were spotted. The Remoras were relentless. The shallow water produced two Pompano with a third large one lost to a pulled hook. There were Alewives, a few Spanish Sardine and Cigar Minnows available for live bait.
Friday: water temp 79.9 ENE 9-15mph in the a.m. / 81.1 NE 6-15mph in the p.m. A few “snake” King Mackerel in the morning with a couple of bigger one’s skying on bait but, nothing over 8-9-pounds decked. Throughout the day there were a few Spanish Mackerel and Ladyfish caught. Bait was there but not thick. Cigar Minnows and Alewives were available for live bait. There was one “Bull” Red Drum caught in the skinny water this morning and a couple of Pompano.
Saturday: water temp 78.6 ENE 8-18mph in the a.m. / 80.4 ENE 8-15mph in the p.m. The water was clean. The first fish were entered into the BCO King Mackerel Tournament this morning. Jim S. put two fish on the deck and qualified for the first and second place spots on the leader board. Jim’s fish came in at 16.01-pounds and 5.60-pounds. Danny N. hooked and quickly released a small Sailfish. Several Spanish Mackerel came over the rail.
Sunday: water temp 79.2 ENE 8-15mph in the a.m. / 80.1 SE 15-18mph in the p.m. The water was clean There were a few King Mackerel hooked with at least one decked. Dominic C. decked an 8.82-pound King in the afternoon and stepped into the second-place spot in the tournament. There was one big King lost in the pilings after “Flipper” tried to get it. A Sailfish was hooked on a bubble rig but was lost due to a broken line. A few Spanish Mackerel were caught like this one Steve is holding.
Monday: water temp 80.2 E 5-10mph in the a.m. / 81.3 S 5-10mph in the p.m. The water was clean. Three King Mackerel were hooked, and two “snakes” were decked. Tiny Spanish Mackerel were thick most of the day. There were a few bigger ones caught in the afternoon. Bluefish and keeper Spanish were caught between the first tee and the outer sand bar in the late afternoon. George holds one of the bigger ones. One Sailfish was hooked and lost. Live bait was very scarce.
Tuesday: water temp 81.0 ENE 4-8mph in the a.m. / 82.0 WSW 4-5mph in the p.m. The water was clean. One undersize King Mackerel was caught early in the morning. Tiny to average sizes Spanish Mackerel were thick most of the day. They were hitting almost any small lure or bait to include strip bait. There were a few Bluefish and Hardtails caught. Alewives were available for live bait.
Wednesday: water temp 81.9 NE 5-9mph in the a.m. / 82.8 1-6mph in the p.m. The water was clean. There were small Spanish Mackerel from 14 inches down biting almost anything presented. Two larger Spanish, 2-3-pounds came over the rail in the afternoon. There was only one King Mackerel bite and Dom got it on a jerk bait. The fish was small and the hooks pulled as he tried to flip it over the rail. There were Alewives available for live bait.
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 Monday Oct. 06, 2025 - New Moon Tuesday Oct. 21, 2025
Tides for the upcoming week:
Sunrise: 6:41am Sunset: 6:18pm
Thursday 09th. 9:10am Low 0.2 11:09pm High 2.1
Friday 10:44am Low 0.0
Saturday 12:09pm Low 0.0 12:04am High 2.2
Sunday 1:27pm Low 0.0 1:04am High 2.2
Monday 2:35pm Low 0.0 2:07am High 2.1
Tuesday 3:30pm Low 0.2 3:19am High 1.9
Wednesday 15th. 4:11pm Low 0.3 5:13am High 1.7
Sunrise: 6:44am Sunset: 6:11pm CST
The Marine forecast for the next several days is:
THURSDAY NIGHT
Northeast winds 15 to 20 knots. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters choppy. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening.
FRIDAY
Northeast winds 15 to 20 knots. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters choppy.
FRIDAY NIGHT
Northeast winds 15 to 20 knots, diminishing to 10 to 15 knots after midnight. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters choppy.
SATURDAY
Northeast winds 10 to 15 knots. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters a moderate chop.
SATURDAY NIGHT
North winds 10 to 15 knots, becoming northeast 5 to 10 knots after midnight. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters a moderate chop.
SUNDAY
Northeast winds 5 to 10 knots. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters a light chop.
SUNDAY NIGHT
North winds 5 to 10 knots, becoming northeast after midnight. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters a light chop.
MONDAY
Northeast winds 5 to 10 knots, becoming northwest in the afternoon. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters a light chop.
MONDAY NIGHT
North winds 5 to 10 knots. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters a light chop.
Winds and waves higher in and near thunderstorms.
(local forecast).
THURSDAY (84/64 rain 24% wind NE-12)
FRIDAY (81/63 rain 02% wind NE-15)
SATURDAY (83/62 rain 04% wind NNE-14)
SUNDAY (82/64 rain 04% wind NNW-07)
MONDAY (84/65 rain 04% wind NW-08)
TUESDAY (88/67 rain 04% wind NNW-07)
WEDNESDAY(87/68 rain 03% wind N-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
Timothy Pentice- Bay Co. Asst. Div. Mgr. – tprentice@baycountyfl.gov – 448-217-4219
Tight lines and screaming drags,
Sam
SLP053@BELLSOUTH.NET
770-265-2879
