Another week with the shallows dirty and the end of the pier mostly clean. The water temperature fluctuated from the upper 60’s to low 70’s and then fell this morning to 66.4. Bait has been around the past seven days consisting of Speedos, Cigar minnows, Threadfin Herring, a few Spanish Sardines and Alewives. The species were caught were as follows – Pompano, Spanish Mackerel, Red Drum, Black Drum, Bonita, King Mackerel, Sheepshead, and Mahi-Mahi. Squid have been thick.
Yesterday, Tuesday, the first Mahi of the year were spotted. Several fish came in early morning and several were hooked. These were slightly bigger than the normal “Chicken” Dolphin we usually get. Only two of the fish were decked before “Flipper” spoiled the fun. CZ is holding the fish he caught.
One King Mackerel was caught Thursday, one Friday, two Sunday, one Monday and two Tuesday. All were “Schoolies” except one. Hachid, Jose, Chewy and Sam were some of the lucky anglers to get Kings. Most fish were caught with bait. Sam’s fish took a screaming run taking most of the line off the reel. The fight went down the east side of the pier all the way to the outer sandbar. After tumbling and a fall over a toddler and an ugly tangle with a pompano rig, Casey made a perfect gaff. The fish tipped the scale at 26.4 pounds. There were several other fish hooked and others missed as well.
Spanish Mackerel were on fire several days. Natural bait and almost any of the usual lures got their attention. There were fish from barely legal length up to four pounds. Nory caught one of the biggest ones decked during the week
Pompano have been insane almost every day. Some days, over 200 were put in coolers ranging to over three pounds. Both jigs and set rigs were productive. Too many anglers to mention caught their limits on several days. Here’s just a couple of shots with Chuck and Rod showing Pompano they caught one of the days.
Bonita showed up a couple of mornings. Most of the fish were between 2-3 pounds and the bite only lasted a few minutes.
In other action, Red Drum and Sheepshead were eating. Rod put several Reds and Sheepshead on the deck and Dillon got in on the action with the Sheepshead.
Notice: There will be a memorial service and bench dedication for our friend Von Haynes on Saturday, May 17, 2025, on the M. B. Miller Pier. As more details are available, I will post them in the pier report.
Daily activity:
Thursday: water temp 69.6 – 72.1 Lots of Pompano and Spanish Mackerel. Two big Cobia spotted, one hooked by Will but the jig pulled. The other one would not eat. One nice King Mackerel caught after 5:00pm (Alberto C), Squid, Cigar Minnows, Speedos and a few Alewives.
Friday: water temp 69.6 – 72.3 Lots of Pompano on the outer sand bar, Spanish Mackerel, one King Mackerel (Sam 26.4#), Lots of Squid, Cigar Minnows, Speedos and a few Threadfin Herring and Alewives.
Saturday: water temp 68.0 – 70.0 FULL MOON Lots of Pompano, a few Spanish Mackerel, a couple of Bonita, Squid, Cigar Minnows and Speedos.
Sunday: water temp 67.6 – 70.3 Pompano, a few Sheepshead, a couple slot Red Drum, a Black Drum and a few Spanish Mackerel. Two “Scoolie” Kings late afternoon – several others missed. Lots of Squid, a few Speedos and Cigar Minnows.
Monday: water temp 68.4 – 71.1 Pompano, a Bull Red Drum, a few Spanish Mackerel and a “Scoolie King (Chewy 11# 11 oz.) – a couple more missed.
Tuesday: water temp 69.8 – 71.6 Pompano, a Bull Red Drum, a Sheepshead, 2 Mahi-Mahi, several Bonita (2-3#), a few Spanish Mackerel, 3 Kings hooked, 1 lost in pilings and 2 “Schoolies” decked (Sam and Jose), buckets full of Squid all day, lots of Speedos, some Cigar Minnows, Spanish Sardine and a few Alewives.
Wednesday: water temp 66.4 – 68.9 Several small Bonita early am. Pompano, a few Spanish Mackerel, a slot Red Drum, Speedos and a few Cigar Minnows. Squid.
Red Tide status: In Northwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was not observed in samples collected statewide over the past week.
Tides Link
https://tides4fishing.com/us/florida-west-coast/panama-cityngin g
Full Moon Saturday Apr. 12, 2025 - New Moon Sunday Apr. 27, 2025
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Tides for the upcoming week:
Sunrise: 6:12am Sunset: 7:12pm
Thursday 17th. 12:54pm High 1.5
Friday 12:02am Low -0.2 1:14pm High 1.5
Saturday 1:07am Low -0.2 2:05pm High 1.5
Sunday 2:04am Low -0.3 2:59pm High 1.5
Monday 2:49am Low -0.2 4:01pm High 1.4
Tuesday 3:23am Low -0.1 5:22pm High 1.2
Wednesday 23rd. 3:44am Low 0.1 7:37pm High 1.0
Sunrise: 6:06am Sunset: 7:15pm CST
The Marine forecast for the next several days is:
THURSDAY NIGHT
South winds 5 to 10 knots, becoming southeast after midnight. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters a light chop.
FRIDAY
Southeast winds 5 to 10 knots, becoming south 10 to 15 knots in the afternoon. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters a moderate chop.
FRIDAY NIGHT
South winds 5 to 10 knots, becoming southeast after midnight. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters a light chop. Patchy fog after midnight.
SATURDAY
Southeast winds 5 to 10 knots, becoming south 10 to 15 knots in the afternoon. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters a moderate chop.
SATURDAY NIGHT
South winds 5 to 10 knots, becoming southeast after midnight. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters a light chop.
SUNDAY
Southeast winds 5 to 10 knots. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters a light chop.
SUNDAY NIGHT
South winds 5 to 10 knots, diminishing to around 5 knots after midnight. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters a light chop.
(local forecast).
THURSDAY (77/63 rain 02% wind SE-12)
FRIDAY (78/65 rain 05% wind SE-16)
SATURDAY (78/67 rain 06% wind SSE-16)
SUNDAY (78/68 rain 06% wind SE-14)
MONDAY (79/69 rain 24% wind SSE-14)
TUESDAY (78/68 rain 35% wind S-11)
WEDNESDAY(79/68 rain 34% wind SSE-11)
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
