Water quality has been good the past seven days with the temperature mostly in the mid 80’s. The air temp has been warm, and the winds were appreciated. Fishing has been good with catches of Bonita, Spanish Mackerel, King Mackerel, Mahi, Tarpon, Red Drum, Hardtails, Ladyfish, Cigar Minnows, Goggle Eyes and Alewives. The pier population has been above average. With Father’s Day weekend approaching, expect both the pier and the parking lot to be crowded.
Bay County Outdoors and Rapala sponsored a tackle prize to the angler who caught the first King Mackerel, Tarpon and Cobia. The Cobia prize went unclaimed for over three months, so it was switched to the first Mahi caught after June 01, 2024. This report period, both the Mahi and Tarpon prizes were claimed. Thursday, the 6th, Jemel C. decked a Mahi early morning to claim that prize. Then, Saturday, the 8th, Casey B. brough the first Tarpon to the pier and beached it for the photo. The King prize was awarded back in April. Congratulations Jemel and Casey.
A few King Mackerel, Spanish and Bonita were caught throughout the week. All the Kings were under 10 pounds. The Bonita were small as well ranging up to about 3-pounds. Spanish were caught early mornings with a few scattered during the day.
Tarpon schools have been moving through in a regular basis. Many were outside of casting range, but good numbers have been close enough to cast a swim bait to. As many as nine in one day were hooked with up to five a day brought to the pier. Only a couple were hooked on natural bait. The remainder were on swim baits.
Jemel’s Mahi on the 6th. was only the beginning of a surprise to come on Monday. Early Monday morning the Mahi began to flood by the pier. By 8:30 am, there had been around 20 “chicken” Mahi landed. There was a short lull in the action, but the Mahi came in a few at the time most of the afternoon. By the end of the day, there had been at least 30 Mahi caught. They were caught on both lures and natural bait. Ironically, there have been none Tuesday or today.
Daily activity:
Thursday: water temp 84.4 – 84.9 A few Bonita and Spanish Mackerel, three Mahi, Hardtails, Cigar minnows were thick.
Friday: water temp 83.5 – 85.8 A few small King Mackerel, Spanish Mackerel, Bonita, Red Drum, Hardtails, Cigar Minnows, Alewives and Goggle Eyes.
Saturday: water temp 80.4 – 83.7 Casey B. got the first Tarpon of the year. Several other Tarpon were missed. A few King Mackerel bit but only one small one hit the deck. Hardtails, Cigar Minnows and Alewives.
Sunday: water temp 82.8 – 84.2 Tarpon, Bonita, Hardtails, Cigar Minnows and Alewives.
Monday: water temp 82.2 – 84.4 Small Bonita, a few Spanish Mackerel, two small King Mackerel and one taken by “Flipper”, decked, over 30 Chicken Mahi caught, nine Tarpon hooked with five brought to the pier, hardtails, Cigar Minnows and Alewives.
Tuesday: water temp. 79.5 – 83.1 a few Spanish Mackerel, Hardtails, Couple small Bonita, Several Tarpon hooked, Cigar Minnows.
Wednesday: water temp 79.9 – 84.0 One Bonita early, a few Spanish Mackerel, Hardtails, two dink King Mackerel in pm, couple of Tarpon hooked, Cigar Minnows.
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 Friday June 21, 2024 - New Moon Friday July 05, 2024
Tides for the upcoming week:
Sunrise: 5:40am Sunset: 7:45pm
Thursday 13th. 11:326pm Low 0.4 1:57pm High 1.1
Friday 10:42pm Low 0.5 8:08am High 0.9
Saturday 5:52pm Low 0.5 5:05am High 1.0
Sunday 5:44pm Low 0.3 6:55am High 1.2
Monday 6:03pm Low 0.1 6:50am High 1.4
Tuesday 6:35pm Low -0.1 7:08am High 1.5
Wednesday 19th. 7:16pm Low -0.2 7:43am High 1.7
Sunrise: 5:41am Sunset: 7:47pm CDST
The Marine forecast for the next several days is:
THURSDAY
Northeast winds 5 to 10 knots, becoming east in the afternoon. Seas around 2 feet. Wave Detail: South 2 feet at 7 seconds. Protected waters a light chop. A chance of showers with a slight chance of thunderstorms.
THURSDAY NIGHT
North winds around 5 knots. Seas around 2 feet. Wave Detail: South 2 feet at 7 seconds. Protected waters smooth. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms.
FRIDAY
Northeast winds 5 to 10 knots, becoming east in the afternoon. Seas 2 to 3 feet. Wave Detail: South 2 feet at 7 seconds and northeast 1 foot at 2 seconds. Protected waters a light chop. A chance of showers and thunderstorms.
FRIDAY NIGHT
Southeast winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet. Wave Detail: South 3 feet at 7 seconds and northeast 1 foot at 3 seconds. Protected waters a light chop. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after midnight.
SATURDAY
East winds 5 to 10 knots, becoming southeast in the afternoon. Seas 2 to 3 feet. Wave Detail: South 3 feet at 7 seconds. Protected waters a light chop. A chance of showers and thunderstorms.
SATURDAY NIGHT
South winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet. Protected waters a light chop. A chance of showers and thunderstorms.
SUNDAY
Southeast winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet. Protected waters a light chop. Showers and thunderstorms likely.
SUNDAY NIGHT
Southeast winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet. Protected waters a moderate chop. Showers and thunderstorms likely.
MONDAY
East winds 15 to 20 knots. Seas 3 to 5 feet, occasionally to 6 feet. Protected waters choppy. Showers and thunderstorms likely.
MONDAY NIGHT
Southeast winds 15 to 20 knots. Seas 4 to 6 feet, occasionally to 8 feet. Protected waters choppy. A chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening, then showers and thunderstorms likely after midnight.
(local forecast).
THURSDAY (88/76 rain 48% wind SSE-07)
FRIDAY (90/77 rain 08% wind SE-09)
SATURDAY (91/80 rain 08% wind SSE-11)
SUNDAY (88/79 rain 24% wind SSE-11)
MONDAY (89/76 rain 47% wind SE-13)
TUESDAY (90/77 rain 24% wind ESE-13)
WEDNESDAY(89/76 rain 24% wind ESE-14)
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
