It has been a tough week on the pier with the heat and the constant presence of Flipper. The water temperature rose to 90.0 at one point and the lowest temp for the past seven days was 86.2. At least the water was clean, and we had wind to help us tolerate the heat. Only a few Spanish Mackerel, King Mackerel, and Bonita were active. The shallows were on fire with Bull Reds, and we had Goggle Eyes, small Hardtails, and a few Alewives around for bait.
King Mackerel were apparently avoiding the pier with Flipper prowling the area all week. There were two hooked Thursday, a few Friday, several small ones Sunday and one late Monday. Jose and Brad managed to get their Kings past the tax man Friday, but Flipper ate mine just before the gaff went down on Monday. Here is all that was left from an 18-pound fish:
Friday was our best day for Spanish. There were a few small ones, early morning. Mid-afternoon, I managed to deck two, one about three pounds and a second one that weighed 4.6 pounds.
Reds were on fire in the shallows. Schools of Reds gathered to feast on the small Alewives. Free lining a small live bait was the ticket for a ride with the Bulls. Mark F., Chuck O., and Paul D. had a blast hooking numerous big Reds. Each angler had their share of disappointment losing fish to the pilings or broken lines, but they decked several too. Check these bruisers that Chuck and Mark landed:
Daily activity:
Thursday: water temp 86.2 – 88.2 A couple of Spanish Mackerel, two Kings- one decked and Flipper ate the other, Red Drum in the shallows, Alewives, small hardtails, and Cigar minnows.
Friday: water temp 86.4 – 87.8 Red Drum in the shallows, A few Spanish Mackerel (Sam got two axe handles- one was 4.6 lb.), King Mackerel (Brad and Jose) and 3 Bonita hooked early afternoon, one decked, one shot the piling and the one John hooked eaten by Flipper then everything shut down.
Saturday: water temp 86.9 – 88.3 Reds in shallows.
Sunday: water temp 87.4 – 88.9 Few small Kings and a few Spanish, Reds in the shallows.
Monday: water temp 87.8 – 89.1 David B. got a Tarpon, Few Spanish, one nice King late afternoon- eaten by Flipper pier side, Goggle Eyes and small Hardtails.
Tuesday: water temp 87.8 – 90.0 Ladyfish-about half hooked were eaten by Flipper, Goggle Eyes, small Hardtails, and a few Alewives.
Wednesday: water temp 88.3 – 89.8 Ladyfish, Goggle Eyes, small Hardtails, and a few Alewives.
Red Tide status: The red tide organism, Karenia brevis, was not observed in samples collected from or offshore of Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Bay, Gulf, Franklin, Wakulla, Dixie, Citrus, Hernando, or Pasco counties.
Tides Link
https://tides4fishing.com/us/florida-west-coast/panama-cityngin g
Full Moon Wednesday Aug. 30, 2023 New Moon Thursday Sept. 14, 2023
Tides for the upcoming week:
Sunrise: 6:15am Sunset: 7:13pm
Thursday 24th. 3:34pm Low 0.3 2:55am High 1.7
Friday 4:26pm Low 0:1 3:52am High 1.9
Saturday 5:16pm Low 0.0 5:08am High 2.0
Sunday 6:05pm Low -0.1 6:38am High 2.1
Monday 6:53pm Low -0.1 8:01am High 2.1
Tuesday 7:40pm Low 0.0 9:15am High 2.1
Wednesday 30th. 8:24pm Low 0.3 10:27am High 2.0
Sunrise: 6:18am Sunset: 7:06pm CDST
The Marine forecast for the next several days is:
THURSDAY
East winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet with a dominant period of 4 seconds. Protected waters a moderate chop. A chance of showers and thunderstorms in the morning.
THURSDAY NIGHT
East winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet with a dominant period of 5 seconds. Protected waters a moderate chop. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms.
FRIDAY
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.
FRIDAY NIGHT
Southeast winds 5 to 10 knots, becoming northwest after midnight. Seas around 2 feet with a dominant period of 5 seconds. Protected waters a light chop.
SATURDAY
Northwest winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas around 2 feet with a dominant period of 5 seconds. Protected waters a light chop. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms.
SATURDAY NIGHT
West winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas around 2 feet with a dominant period of 3 seconds in the evening, then 1 foot or less. Protected waters a light chop. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms.
SUNDAY
Northwest winds 5 to 10 knots. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters a light chop. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms.
SUNDAY NIGHT
Southwest winds 5 to 10 knots. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters a light chop. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after midnight.
MONDAY
West winds 5 to 10 knots, becoming south in the afternoon. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters a light chop. A chance of showers and thunderstorms.
MONDAY NIGHT
South winds around 10 knots. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters a light chop. A chance of showers and thunderstorms.
(local forecast).
THURSDAY (76/70 rain 35% wind S-14)
FRIDAY (77/59 rain 57% wind SSW-23)
SATURDAY (75/56 rain 08% wind NW-08)
SUNDAY (77/61 rain 10% wind E-10)
MONDAY (77/64 rain 21% wind SE-10)
TUESDAY (77/68 rain 24% wind SW-10)
WEDNESDAY(77/67 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
Vince Martin – Bay Co. Parks Division Manager - vmartin@baycountyfl.gov - 850-896-6580
Tight lines and screaming drags,
Sam
