We enjoyed a beautiful week with great weather, clean water and even a few fish. Water temperatures have ranged from 72.3 to 77.9 degrees and bait has been around all week. The Cobia Tournament ends Saturday at 6:00pm and we finally have a fish on the leader board. The Pompano bite slowed to a trickle, but the King bite improved. Good catches of Spanish Mackerel and Hardtails were common. Hachid got a Red Drum and Mikel decked the only Sheepshead.
The daily activity gives you a breakdown of our catches, but it doesn’t tell the whole story. King Mackerel made more of an appearance this week with more fish hitting the deck this week, two of which were 25-pounds or better. Most of the ones caught were “schoolies” but Tuesday I got a 25-pound King and Wednesday (today) Nory got a 25.6-pound King. Dean came in today with a solid 17.5pound fish. So, hopefully this is a good omen as we move deeper into May. All three of the bigger fish were on Cigar minnows.
We had a good week for Spanish Mackerel. The bite was best early mornings and late afternoon with the late bite the best. The bigger fish preferred live Cigar minnows but artificial bait got it’s share of bites. I got a nice fish Friday that was 3.4-pounds. Then Phillip and George had a great Saturday afternoon with a good mess. Then Dean put a few in his cooler on Monday.
Pompano were thick for the past few weeks but have now slowed to a trickle. George managed to get in on the end of the run Thursday.
Tuesday afternoon a large school of Jack Crevalle came in on the west side of the Tee. Lures were flying with several fish hooked. The end result was two Jacks came over the rail. Hachid and Jemel managed to stay free of the tangled to deck their fish.
We were beginning to believe no Cobia would be caught and entered in the 2023 BCO Tournament. However, Dean L, from Wendell, N.C. (near Raleigh) changed that Saturday morning. He was fishing for King Mackerel, drifting a Cigar minnow when the Cobia came for his bait. The fish ate, spit and ate again before Dean got the hook set. The fish measured 37.5-inches and weighed 20.76-pounds. Dean currently holds both 1st. and 2nd. Place on the leader board and is holding his breath until Saturday at 6:00pm. On a side note, this will be a birthday week to remember as today (Wednesday 10th) is Dean’s Birthday. I would say he has had a great time.
Daily activity:
Thursday: water temp 72.3 – 73.0 Four small King Mackerel (Hachid, Jose and Jacob J), a few Spanish Mackerel, Pompano, lots of Hardtails and Ladyfish, one Black Drum and a few Cigar minnows
Friday: water temp 72.9 – 73.6 Two small King Mackerel, several big Spanish Mackerel, a few Pompano, two slightly over-slot Red Drum, Lots of Hardtails, Cigar minnows and Spanish Sardine
Saturday: water temp 72.9 – 74.7 One Cobia (37.5”), one King (Jose) Spanish Mackerel, Hardtails
Sunday: water temp 73.6 – 76.3 A few Pompano, Spanish Mackerel, Hardtails, a Bull Red Drum (Hachid)
Monday: water temp 75.0 – 76.1 Three King Mackerel after 5:00pm, Spanish Mackerel, couple of Pompano and lots of Hardtails, small Cigar minnows
Tuesday: water temp 75.9 – 77.5 One King Mackerel (Sam 25#), Spanish Mackerel, Hardtails, 2 Jack Crevalle (Hachid & Jemel, a Sheepshead (Mikel) Cigar minnows
Wednesday: water temp 75.0 – 77.9 Three King Mackerel (Nori 2, Dean) a few Spanish Mackerel, Bluefish, Hardtails, Cigar minnows and Spanish Sardine
Red Tide status: In Northwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was observed at background concentrations in two samples from Bay County.
Tides Link
https://tides4fishing.com/us/florida-west-coast/panama-cityngin g
Full Moon Friday May 05, 2023 New Moon Friday Apr. 19, 2023
Tides for the upcoming week:
Sunrise: 5:51am Sunset: 7:27pm
Thursday 11th. 1:11am Low -0.4 2:17pm High 1.7
Friday 2:02am Low -0:3 3:12pm High 1.5
Saturday 2:41am Low -0.1 4:13pm High 1.2
Sunday 2:51am Low 0.2 7:13pm High 0.9
Monday 2:26am Low 0.5 9:11am High 0.9
3:45pm Low 0.6 9:30pm High 0.7
Tuesday 12:50am Low 0.7 9:01am High 1.1
5:48pm Low 0.3
Wednesday 17th. 6:51pm Low 0.0 8:48am High 1.3
Sunrise: 5:47am Sunset: 7:31pm CDST
The Marine forecast for the next several days is:
THURSDAY
Southeast winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas around 2 feet with a dominant period of 3 seconds. Protected waters a light chop. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon.
THURSDAY NIGHT
Southeast winds 5 to 10 knots, becoming east 10 to 15 knots after midnight. Seas around 2 feet with a dominant period of 3 seconds. Protected waters a moderate chop. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening.
FRIDAY
Southeast winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet with a dominant period of 3 seconds. Protected waters a moderate chop. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon.
FRIDAY NIGHT
East winds 5 to 10 knots, increasing to 10 to 15 knots after midnight. Seas 2 to 3 feet with a dominant period of 5 seconds. Protected waters a moderate chop. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening.
SATURDAY
Southeast winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet with a dominant period of 6 seconds. Protected waters a moderate chop.
SATURDAY NIGHT
East winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet with a dominant period of 6 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 6 seconds. Protected waters a light chop.
SUNDAY NIGHT
West winds 5 to 10 knots, becoming north after midnight. Seas around 2 feet with a dominant period of 6 seconds. Protected waters a light chop.
MONDAY
North winds 5 to 10 knots, becoming west in the afternoon. Seas around 2 feet with a dominant period of 6 seconds. Protected waters a light chop. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon.
MONDAY NIGHT
West winds around 10 knots. Seas around 2 feet. Protected waters a light chop. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening.
(local forecast).
THURSDAY (82/71 rain 15% wind SSE-11)
FRIDAY (83/70 rain 24% wind SSE-10)
SATURDAY (84/70 rain 24% wind SSE-09)
SUNDAY (84/71 rain 20% wind WSW-09)
MONDAY (86/72 rain 34% wind W-09)
TUESDAY (83/71 rain 24% wind SW-11)
WEDNESDAY(84/70 rain 24% wind WSW-11)
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 –850-248-8730
Vince Martin – Bay Co. Asst. Parks Division Manager - vmartin@baycountyfl.gov - 850-896-6580
Tight lines and screaming drags,
Sam
