It was like fishing in bath water as our water temperature hit 91 on Friday. At least we had clean water until hurricane “Idalia” stirred things up Tuesday. There was only one King Mackerel hooked the entire 7 days. Red Drum were eating in the shallows. Ladyfish and a few Spanish Mackerel were scattered throughout the week. There were a few Bonita, a couple of legal Pompano and a few Bluefish caught as well. Four Tarpon were hooked Friday within an hour and a half. We had bait (Goggle Eyes, small Hardtails, Alewives and a few Cigar minnows) around until Tuesday evening. “Idalia” pushed in some waves and current and by Wednesday morning, bait was scarce. We ended the period with the water still over 88 degrees.
To my knowledge, Brad W. was the only angler to hook a King. It was probably close to twenty pounds, but “Flipper” had his eye on it, the second it bit. Brad immediately opened the bail trying to give his fish a chance to elude “Flipper”, but it was futile. “Flipper” chased it down in short order and only left the head.
The action was hot again in skinny water as Bull Reds were schooling near the pier. The best presentation was a small live bait fish, free lined near the school. Gary B., Chuck O., and Paul D., worked them over several days. All fish were returned as they were over-slot.
Tarpon made a return visit for about an hour and a half, Friday afternoon. Phillip, visiting from Alabama, got things started then Jose hooked one. Phillip’s fish made several jumps before the line broke. Jose fought his fish back to the pier only to have it shoot the pilings and cut his line. Then, I hooked one that lasted for three good jumps. Jose hooked a second fish that took him to the surf and back to the end Tee. He finally got it pier side and broke it off.
Daily activity:
Thursday: water temp 88.7 – 90.0 A few Ladyfish, Bluefish and Spanish, Red Drum in shallows, tiny Hardtails, Goggle Eyes.
Friday: water temp 88.3 – 91.0 A few Ladyfish and Bluefish, Phillip and Sam hooked a Tarpon, Jose hooked two, Red Drum in shallows, small Hardtails and Goggle Eyes.
Saturday: water temp 88.9 – 89.2
Sunday: water temp 88.7 – 90.1
Monday: water temp 89.1 – 90.3 Three Bonia hooked and lost in am, one King hooked by Brad W. in early afternoon eaten by Flipper, one Spanish, two legal Pompano, small Hardtails, Goggle Eyes and Alewives.
Tuesday: water temp 89.6 – 88.0 A few Bonita and Ladyfish, one Spanish Mackerel and a bluefish, Red Drum in the shallows, small Hardtails, a few Goggle Eyes and Cigar minnows.
Wednesday: water temp 86.9 – 88.3 One Bonita, a few Ladyfish, small Sharks and Catfish.
Red Tide status: In Northwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was observed at background concentrations in one sample collected offshore of Levy County.
Tides Link
https://tides4fishing.com/us/florida-west-coast/panama-cityngin g
New Moon Thursday Sept. 14, 2023 Full Moon Friday Sept. 29, 2023
Tides for the upcoming week:
Sunrise: 6:18am Sunset: 7:05pm
Thursday 31st. 8:57pm Low 0.6 11:40am High 1.8
Friday 3:55am Low 0:8 1:55am High 0.8
8:24pm Low 0.9 12:56pm High 1.6
Saturday 6:29am Low 0.8 1:27am High 1.0
7:00pm Low 1.1 2:18pm High 1.3
Sunday 8:36am Low 0.6 1:07pm High 1.3
Monday 10:44am Low 0.5 12:44am High 1.6
Tuesday 1:09pm Low 0.4 1:12am High 1.8
Wednesday 06th. 2:40pm Low 0.3 1:55am High 1.9
Sunrise: 6:22am Sunset: 6:59pm CDST
The Marine forecast for the next several days is:
THURSDAY
Southwest winds 5 to 10 knots, becoming south in the afternoon. Seas 2 to 4 feet with a dominant period of 7 seconds. Protected waters a light chop. A chance of showers and thunderstorms.
THURSDAY NIGHT
South winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet with a dominant period of 6 seconds. Protected waters a light chop. Showers and thunderstorms.
FRIDAY
Southeast winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas around 2 feet with a dominant period of 6 seconds. Protected waters a light chop. Showers and thunderstorms.
FRIDAY NIGHT
Southeast winds 5 to 10 knots, becoming east 10 to 15 knots after midnight. Seas around 2 feet with a dominant period of 6 seconds. Protected waters a moderate chop. Showers and thunderstorms.
SATURDAY
East winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet with a dominant period of 6 seconds. Protected waters a moderate chop. Showers and thunderstorms.
SATURDAY NIGHT
East winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas around 2 feet with a dominant period of 6 seconds. Protected waters a moderate chop. A chance of showers and thunderstorms.
SUNDAY
East winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas around 2 feet with a dominant period of 4 seconds. Protected waters a moderate chop. A chance of showers and thunderstorms.
SUNDAY NIGHT
East winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas around 2 feet with a dominant period of 4 seconds. Protected waters a moderate chop. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after midnight.
MONDAY
East winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas around 2 feet with a dominant period of 4 seconds. Protected waters a moderate chop. A chance of showers and thunderstorms.
MONDAY NIGHT
East winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas around 2 feet. Protected waters a moderate chop. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms.
(local forecast).
THURSDAY (90/78 rain 43% wind SE-07)
FRIDAY (85/75 rain 79% wind ESE-11)
SATURDAY (83/73 rain 74% wind E-12)
SUNDAY (88/73 rain 24% wind E-11)
MONDAY (90/74 rain 06% wind ESE-09)
TUESDAY (91/74 rain 09% wind E-08)
WEDNESDAY(92/76 rain 05% wind ESE-07)
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
