The beautiful water continued this report period. Our water temperature ranged from 62.1 to 65.3 during the past 7 days. Bait fish were missing until Tuesday when a few Cigar minnows were around in the morning. Species caught included: Red Drum, Black Drum, Sheepshead, Bluefish, Spanish Mackerel, Squid and Cigar minnows. Our best “catching” days were Monday and Tuesday. Squid fishing was good after dark.
Bob R. and Scotty decked the only two Sheepshead caught. Bob’s 22 inch fish was decked early Thursday morning. He caught it on a fresh Ghost Shrimp. Scotty landed his first and personal best Sheepy mid-day Tuesday using live Shrimp for bait. There were lots of Sheepshead around but coaxing one to eat was quite a challenge.
Monday, things were mostly dead until we saw a large dark ball moving from west to east approaching the pier. Several anglers readied their gear and positioned on the rail. As the school of fish got close enough to identify, the fun began. A large number of hungry, huge “Big Ugly’s”, Black Drum arrived. Several fish were decked with Iquang landing the largest one at 41 pounds. Robert B. put a 20-22 pound fish on the deck and I managed two fish. My larger fish was 30 pounds. Several fish escaped and the school soon moved out of casting range. They were eating almost anything we offered.
Tuesday afternoon, the Red Drum rolled into the skinny water. Over a period of 60-90 minutes, several fish were decked with Casey getting both the most and the only slot fish. I didn’t get pictures of all anglers and their fish but here are the three Casey got and one that Mikel decked. Fresh Squid was the top bait.
Daily activity:
Thursday: water temp 62.1 – 62.8 One Sheepshead
Friday: water temp – 62.8 – 63.5 Strong N & NNE winds with rain and cold front -wind chill 45 @ 09:00 no one on the pier – sunny but cool afternoon – one Red Drum
Saturday: water temp 62.8 – 61.0 – 63.1 Air temp 39 in am. 2 Red Drum – Lots of Squid
Sunday: water temp 62.8 – 62.4 Squid, one small Flounder
Monday: water temp 62.1 – 63.1 Black Drum& Bluefish caught, Spanish and Sheepshead thick but would not eat, Cigar Minnows, Squid
Tuesday: water temp 63.0 – 63.9 Red Drum, couple of small Spanish Mackerel, Bluefish, one Sheepshead, Squid
Wednesday: water temp 63.7 – 65.3 Bluefish, couple of small Spanish Mackerel
Tides Link
https://tides4fishing.com/us/florida-west-coast/panama-cityngin g
Full Moon Saturday Feb. 05, 2023 New Moon Monday Feb. 20, 2023
Tides for the upcoming week:
Sunrise: 6:27am Sunset: 5:26pm
Friday 6:46am Low 0:0 1:53pm High 0.4
8:59pm Low 0.1
Saturday 6:00am Low 0.1 12:27am High 0.2
1:33pm High 0.6
Sunday 1:52am Low -0.1 1:52pm High 0.8
Monday 2:23am Low -0.3 2:34pm High 1.0
Tuesday 3:06am Low -0.6 3:33pm High 1.1
Wednesday 15th. 3:53am Low -0.8 4:48pm High 1.3
Sunrise: 6:22am Sunset: 5:31pm CST
The Marine forecast for the next several days is:
FRIDAY
South winds 10 to 15 knots, becoming west in the
afternoon. Seas around 3 feet with a dominant period of
6 seconds. Protected waters a moderate chop. Showers with a
slight chance of thunderstorms.
FRIDAY NIGHT
Northwest winds 15 to 20 knots. Seas 3 to 4 feet
with a dominant period of 5 seconds. Protected waters choppy. A
slight chance of thunderstorms. Showers.
SATURDAY
Northwest winds 15 to 20 knots. Seas 3 to 4 feet with
a dominant period of 6 seconds, building to 4 to 6 feet with a
dominant period of 6 seconds in the afternoon. Protected waters
choppy. A slight chance of thunderstorms. Showers likely, mainly
in the morning.
SATURDAY NIGHT
Northwest winds 20 to 25 knots, diminishing to
15 to 20 knots after midnight. Seas 5 to 7 feet with a dominant
period of 8 seconds. Protected waters rough. A slight chance of
thunderstorms. A chance of showers, mainly in the evening.
SUNDAY
Northwest winds 15 to 20 knots, diminishing to 10 to
15 knots in the afternoon. Seas 5 to 7 feet with a dominant
period of 8 seconds. Protected waters choppy.
SUNDAY NIGHT
North winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas 3 to 5 feet with
a dominant period of 7 seconds, subsiding to 2 to 3 feet with a
dominant period of 7 seconds after midnight. Protected waters a
moderate chop.
(local forecast).
FRIDAY (65/52 rain 88% wind N-11)
SATURDAY (58/45 rain 90% wind NNW-12)
SUNDAY (61/43 rain 05% wind WNW-16)
MONDAY (64/50 rain 02% wind WNW-08)
TUESDAY (70/62 rain 34% wind SE-14)
WEDNESDAY(74/63 rain 58% wind SSW-10)
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-
Vince Martin – Bay Co. Beach Operations Manager - vmartin@baycountyfl.gov - 850-896-6580
Tight lines and screaming drags,
Sam
