The past seven days have tested our stamina with hot and humid conditions. The water clarity has been good, but the water temperature has been as high as 88 degrees in the afternoons. At least we had some wind in the afternoons to keep it tolerable. School has started in some areas and the angler density on the pier is reduced. Traffic traveling to and from the pier was less congested. The fish activity took a hit this period over last with only a few Kings being caught. Spanish activity has been limited to daybreak most mornings. Mahi made several appearances as did Red Drum. Huge schools of Spade fish have been around with lots of the small ones being caught. The Hardtail bite has slowed but the Pin fish are still thick. Tarpon have dwindled to a few per day with very few willing to eat. Alewives have been here all week with a few Threadfin Herring schools passing and a few Cigar minnows in the shallows.
King Mackerel activity has been slow. The most active time has been between 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Both lures and natural bait have produced fish. Chewy decked fish both Monday and Tuesday. Brad got two undersize Kings Tuesday and John decked one today.
The surprise was Mahi making an appearance Tuesday and Wednesday. Monday afternoon, a small school of about 8 Mahi came in from the west. Brian hooked and decked the only fish from that school. Then today, we had several small groups pop-up. John and I both decked a fish. Charlie hooked a nice one only to loose it to the pilings before the gaffer could hit the fish. I hooked a second fish that was at lease 8 pounds and would have been my personal best from the pier…except, I lost it while trying to gaff it.
Daily activity:
Thursday: water temp 79.7 – 84.6 A couple of small King Mackerel, a few Spanish Mackerel, couple of Tarpon Hooked, Hardtails, Alewives
Friday: water temp 83.7 – 86.7 A few Spanish Mackerel, Hardtails, Spade fish, Threadfin Herring and Alewives
Saturday: water temp 84.7 – 87.8
Sunday: water temp 87.4 – 88.2 Tarpon hooked early by Paul D but broke off after about 10 minutes, two others hooked in late afternoon, flipper was here all day.
Monday: water temp 83.5 – 87.3 One King decked by Chewy then Flipper arrived, A few Spanish Mackerel early a.m., Spadefish, Red Drum in shallows.
Tuesday: water temp (Full Moon) 84.9 – 87.6 Few Spanish Mackerel early morning, three King Mackerel- one by Chewy, two undersize ones by Brad, One Mahi by Brian, Spade fish, Red Drum in Shallows.
Wednesday: water temp 79.9 – 86.0 A few Spanish Mackerel early a.m., One King Mackerel in afternoon by John, a couple others hooked but lost, Four Mahi-mahi hooked, Sam and John decked one each, Charlies cut off in the pilings and Sam lost his 2nd and personal best at the gaff, Spade fish, Alewives, Threadfin Herring
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
Full Moon Tuesday Aug. 01, 2023 New Moon Wednesday Aug. 16, 2023
Tides for the upcoming week:
Sunrise: 6:02am Sunset: 7:34pm
Friday 10:11pm Low 0:5 1:21pm High 1.6
Saturday 9:22pm Low 0.8 2:28pm High 1.3
Sunday 9:29am Low 0.7 3:28am High 1.0
7:05pm Low 0.9 4:02pm High 0.9
Monday 2:02pm Low 0.6 3:19am High 1.3
Tuesday 3:29pm Low 0.3 3:20am High 1.5
Wednesday 09th. 4:25pm Low 0.2 3:56am High 1.7
Sunrise: 6:06am Sunset: 7:29pm CDST
The Marine forecast for the next several days is:
FRIDAY
South winds 5 to 10 knots. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters a light chop. A chance of showers and thunderstorms.
FRIDAY NIGHT
Southwest winds 5 to 10 knots. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters a light chop. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms.
SATURDAY
West winds 5 to 10 knots. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters a light chop. A chance of showers and thunderstorms.
SATURDAY 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.
SUNDAY
Southwest winds 5 to 10 knots. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters a light chop. A chance of showers and thunderstorms.
SUNDAY NIGHT
Southwest winds 5 to 10 knots. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters a light chop. A chance of showers and thunderstorms.
(local forecast).
FRIDAY (90/79 rain 24% wind WSW-10)
SATURDAY (91/79 rain 24% wind W-09)
SUNDAY (90/81 rain 56% wind WSW-10)
MONDAY (90/82 rain 43% wind WSW-12)
TUESDAY (89/79 rain 58% wind WSW-11)
WEDNESDAY(89/79 rain 43% wind W-09)
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
