We started the period with dirty water. Our water temperatures varied from 66.6 to 69.4. Monday morning saw the first King Mackerel of the year hit the deck. The Pompano bite was good. Spanish Mackerel were here but not as many as last week. However, there were a few “Axe Handles” caught. A few Atlantic Kingfish (Whiting) were caught along with 2 Red Drum. One Sheepshead came over the rail. Threadfin Herring were thick, Cigar Minnows were common, and a few Alewives were caught. No Cobia hooked yet. Several schools of Tarpon were spotted migrating west.
Finally, the first King Mackerel was caught. It has been many years since we were this late catching the first King. Dean L. was the lucky angler. He was drifting a fresh Cigar Minnow when the King hit. It made four attempts before getting the bait and the hook. Congratulations Dean on claiming the prize package from Bay County Outdoors and Rapala. There have been no other Kings hooked the remainder of the week.
The Pompano have been hot again this week. Most were caught in the skinny water, but a few were on the outer sand bar. Fresh and blanched Sand Fleas worked best but good numbers were caught on jigs too.
Spanish Mackerel were hit or miss but good numbers still came over the rail. There were several “Axe Handles” caught like the one Jeffery got Monday afternoon.
Rapala and Bay County Outdoors will be giving gear to the first angler to deck a legal King Mackerel (claimed 04-08024 by Dean L.) and a legal Cobia - Also, the first Tarpon brought to the pier and quickly released. The tackle will consist of a 1200-yard spool of Suffix 832 braid 50#, a $136.00 value along with a few other items. To claim the gear, you will need to provide your name and a contact number, a picture, the date and time caught plus a witness name with a contact number. We do not want to risk killing the Tarpon so a picture with the fish within 25 feet of the pier side will be accepted. This only applies to fish caught from M. B. Miller (County) Pier. This info must be provided to me via TEXT, Email or messenger at 770-265-2879 or SLP053@BELLSOUTH.NET Sam Patrick
No pre-registration is required, and all anglers are eligible.
Daily activity:
Thursday: water temp 67.3 – 68.7 A couple of Pompano, a whiting, one Sheepshead, Alewives. Water nasty.
Friday: water temp 66.6 – 68.9 A few each: Spanish Mackerel, Pompano, Whiting, and Cigar Minnows. Catfish.
Saturday: water temp 65.8 – 68.0
Sunday: water temp 66.6 – 69.1 Spanish Mackerel and a couple of Pompano early.
Monday: water temp 67.6 – 69.4 First King Mackerel for the year, Spanish Mackerel, Pompano, a few Atlantic Kingfish (Whiting) Cigar Minnows and Threadfin Herring.
Tuesday: water temp.67.6 – 69.8 Spanish Mackerel, Pompano, a few Cigar Minnows and tons of Threadfin Herring.
Wednesday: water temp 68.4
Saw the first King Mackerel of the year 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 Apr. 08, 2024 Full Moon Tuesday Apr. 23, 2024
Tides for the upcoming week:
Sunrise: 6:19am Sunset: 7:08pm
Thursday 11th. 11:01pm Low -0.4 11:22am High 1.6
Friday 12:12pm High 1.6
Saturday 12:19am Low -0.4 1:06pm High 1.6
Sunday 1:32am Low -0.3 2:00pm High 1.5
Monday 2:36am Low -0.3 2:57pm High 1.4
Tuesday 3:28am Low -0.2 4:04pm High 1.3
Wednesday 17th 4:05am Low 0.0 6:00pm High 1.1
Sunrise: 6:12am Sunset: 7:12pm CDST
The Marine forecast for the next several days is:
THURSDAY
Southwest winds 25 to 35 knots with gusts up to 40 knots, becoming west 20 to 25 knots with gusts up to 30 knots in the afternoon. Seas 8 to 11 feet with a dominant period of 8 seconds. Protected waters very rough. Thunderstorms with a chance of showers in the morning, then a slight chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon.
THURSDAY NIGHT
Northwest winds 20 to 25 knots with gusts up to 30 knots, diminishing to 10 to 15 knots after midnight. Seas 7 to 10 feet with a dominant period of 8 seconds, subsiding to 6 to 8 feet with a dominant period of 8 seconds after midnight. Protected waters rough.
FRIDAY
Northwest winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas 5 to 7 feet with a dominant period of 8 seconds, subsiding to 4 to 5 feet with a dominant period of 8 seconds in the afternoon. Protected waters a moderate chop.
FRIDAY NIGHT
Northwest winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas 3 to 5 feet with a dominant period of 7 seconds. Protected waters a moderate chop.
SATURDAY
Northeast winds 10 to 15 knots, becoming east in the afternoon. Seas 2 to 3 feet with a dominant period of 7 seconds. Protected waters a moderate chop.
SATURDAY NIGHT
South winds 5 to 10 knots, becoming northeast after midnight. Seas around 2 feet with a dominant period of 8 seconds. Protected waters a light chop.
SUNDAY
East winds 5 to 10 knots, becoming southeast in the afternoon. Seas around 2 feet with a dominant period of 3 seconds. Protected waters a light chop.
SUNDAY NIGHT
Southeast winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas around 2 feet with a dominant period of 3 seconds. Protected waters a light chop.
MONDAY
Southeast winds around 10 knots. Seas around 2 feet with a dominant period of 5 seconds. Protected waters a light chop.
MONDAY NIGHT
Southeast winds around 10 knots. Seas around 2 feet. Protected waters a light chop.
(local forecast).
THURSDAY (71/50 rain 12% wind WSW-25)
FRIDAY (74/54 rain 02% wind WNW-15)
SATURDAY (76/58 rain 02% wind NNE-08)
SUNDAY (75/61 rain 05% wind SSE-11)
MONDAY (76/62 rain 06% wind SSE-12)
TUESDAY (78/65 rain 06% wind SSE-15)
WEDNESDAY(78/64 rain 07% wind SSE-14)
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
