Most of the week the water clarity was good. Monday evening the wind started howling. By Tuesday morning and today the water was trashed. Bait had been thick but left when the dirty water came in. Water temperature hovered in the mid-80’s. We caught the following species: King Mackerel, Spanish Mackerel, Tarpon, Bluefish, Ladyfish, Hardtails, Bonita, Mahi, Cigar Minnows, Threadfin Herring and Alewives.
Tarpon schools continue to move through, and some are feeding. Stump hooked one Thursday and had a good fight. Kim was working a Gotcha Tuesday afternoon when she got hit by a Tarpon. It was a short fight with only one jump. The fish then quickly spooled her and broke off. Several others were hooked during the week. Most fish hit swim baits. Here’s Stump all bowed-up:
Spanish Mackerel were caught until the water got dirty. However, King Mackerel were missing except for Monday. There were 5 bites with 3 small fish (6 to 8 pounds) decked. One was lost to “Flipper” and one to a pulled hook.
Saturday afternoon brought a few small Mahi.
Tuesday and today were full of Ladyfish and Hardtails. Quang got the only other fish caught. He was working his Sabiki for Hardtails and got a legal Pompano.
Daily activity:
Thursday: water temp 81.1 – 84.4 Tarpon hooked and a couple brought to the pier. A few Spanish Mackerel, Bonita, Hardtails, Cigar Minnows and Threadfin Herring.
Friday: water temp 84.0 – 84.9 A couple of Tarpon hooked, a couple of Bonita, several Spanish Mackerel, Hardtails, Cigar Minnows.
Saturday: water temp 83.8 – 86.5 Couple of Bonita, Spanish Mackerel, Hardtails, Mahi and Cigar Minnows. A few Tarpon hooked.
Sunday: water temp 85.5 – 86.4 A Bonita, Spanish Mackerel, Hardtails, Cigar Minnows.
Monday: water temp 84.9 – 86.4 Five King Mackerel bites- one hook pulled, “Flipper” got one and three dinks decked, Spanish Mackerel, Hardtails and Cigar Minnows. Tarpon coming through- one hooked for a couple of jumps.
Tuesday: water temp 84.7 – 85.3 Water very dirty with wind. No bait except a very few Alewives. Ladyfish and Hardtails. One Pompano on a Sabiki. Kim hooked a Tarpon working a Gotcha and quickly got spooled on her small reel.
Wednesday: water temp 83.7 – 84.7 Water still dirty with E-SE wind. Hardtails and Ladyfish. A couple of Red Drum were hooked in the skinny water. No bait.
Red Tide status: The red tide organism, Karenia brevis, was not observed in samples collected from or offshore of Escambia, Santa Rosa, Bay, Gulf, Franklin, Dixie, Levy, Citrus, or Hernando counties.
Tides Link
https://tides4fishing.com/us/florida-west-coast/panama-cityngin g
Full Moon Friday June 20, 2024 - New Moon Friday July 05, 2024
Tides for the upcoming week:
Sunrise: 5:41am Sunset: 7:47pm
Thursday 20th. 8:03pm Low -0.3 8:26am High 1.8
Friday 8:49pm Low -0.4 9:15am High 1.9
Saturday 9:33pm Low -0.5 10:08am High 1.9
Sunday 10:13pm Low -0.4 11:02am High 2.0
Monday 10:47pm Low -0.4 11:52am High 1.9
Tuesday 11:13pm Low -0.2 12:39pm High 1.8
Wednesday 26th. 11:25pm Low -0.2 1:20pm High 1.6
Sunrise: 5:43am Sunset: 7:48pm CDST
The Marine forecast for the next several days is:
THURSDAY
East winds 20 to 25 knots, diminishing to 15 to 20 knots in the afternoon. Seas 5 to 8 feet. Wave Detail: East 7 feet at 7 seconds and south 2 feet at 8 seconds. Protected waters rough. A chance of showers and thunderstorms.
THURSDAY NIGHT
East winds around 20 knots. Seas 4 to 6 feet, occasionally to 8 feet. Wave Detail: East 5 feet at 7 seconds and south 2 feet at 8 seconds. Protected waters choppy. A chance of showers and thunderstorms.
FRIDAY
East winds 15 to 20 knots. Seas 4 to 6 feet. Wave Detail: Southeast 5 feet at 7 seconds. Protected waters choppy. Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly in the morning.
FRIDAY NIGHT
East winds around 10 knots. Seas 2 to 4 feet. Wave Detail: East 3 feet at 5 seconds and south 2 feet at 8 seconds. Protected waters a light chop. A chance of showers and thunderstorms.
SATURDAY
Southeast winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet. Wave Detail: South 2 feet at 7 seconds and east 1 foot at 3 seconds. Protected waters a light chop. A chance of showers and thunderstorms.
SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT
South to Southwest winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet. Protected waters a light chop. A chance of showers and thunderstorms.
(local forecast).
THURSDAY (88/74 rain 40% wind E-14)
FRIDAY (91/77 rain 16% wind ENE-10)
SATURDAY (88/79 rain 18% wind SSE-11)
SUNDAY (88/80 rain 15% wind SW-12)
MONDAY (89/80 rain 24% wind WSW-12)
TUESDAY (89/80 rain 37% wind WSW-11)
WEDNESDAY(88/78 rain 58% 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
