The water clarity has been a mixed bag ranging from very dirty to mostly clean during the last seven days. The water temperature was in the low to mid 70’s except for Tuesday and Wednesday mornings when it dropped to 69 for the mornings only. The species caught were Pompano, Spanish Mackerel, King Mackerel, Red Drum, Black Drum, Jack Crevalle, Cobia, Catfish and Sharks. The following bait fish were caught, Cigar Minnows, Speedos, Ballyhoo, Alewives, Pin Fish
The Cobia anglers have spent countless hours searching for that first Cobia. Their patience paid off Thursday, the 3rd, in the afternoon when Casey B. hooked and decked the first one this year. It was a keeper at 36.5 inches. Congrats Casey, you earned bragging rights. Monday the 07th., Mathew caught the second fish of the season but he had to return it after a quick picture. It measured 34 inches. On Wednesday the 9th, we had two fish that popped up at the end Tee. Several anglers dropped their jigs with no interest from the Cobia. Then Jacob J. dropped a live Pin fish that was his ticket to a bite. The fish fought hard but was netted and brought onto the pier. It measured 40 inches.
The ”Smoker” King Mackerel were still around this week. Allen S. was the King angler of the week, landing two fish over 30 pounds. He began last Thursday morning with a 34-pound fish. Then Saturday, he topped that with a 38-pound fish. That would be the only Kings decked until Wednesday when Jeffery decked a third king for the week. Then after sunset Wednesday, Julian R. caught his first King, and it was a nice one. It measured 50 inches. No one had a scale, but it was estimated to be between 25-30 pounds. Johnny L. hooked a big fish Friday at about 5:00pm and fought it for at least 20 minutes only to have the hook pull out. There were several other bites during the week but only those four hit the deck.
Several schools of hungry Jack Crevalle swam by the pier this week. Multiple fish were caught. Every combination from a single fish to 8 at once. Thursday, a large school came beside the pier and 7 fish were hooked simultaneously. Four were decked, two had the hook pull and one shot the pilings. Then Saturday, a huge school of approximately 500 fish came by. Eight fish were landed from that school. John, Tyler, Blaze, Blasito, Cindy, Casey, Hachid and several additional anglers decked the Jacks that were between 17 and 23 Pounds.
In other action, the Pompano and Spanish Mackerel bite has been on fire, Many, many limits of both species were caught this report period. Pompano were caught on both set rigs with fresh Sand Fleas and with jigs. Spanish were caught on most any lure and with live bait fish. In addition, a few Red Drum and a Black Drum were caught.
Daily activity:
Thursday: water temp 71.2 – 72.3 One King Mackerel in am (Allen S. 34#) Mid-afternoon Sam got skied on by a big King-no hook-up, About 3:45, seven Jack Crevalle 17-20 pounds were hooked simultaneously -two hook pulled-one shot the pilings and the other 4 decked, one King hooked during the Jack fight and was lost due to a cut leader (Casey B). Casey then caught the first Cobia of the year-36.5”. few Spanish Mackerel and Pompano, one Red Drum over-slot.
Friday: water temp 71.6 – 73.6 Several Spanish Mackerel and Pompano. Several King Mackerel bites. About 5:00pm Johnny L. hooked a big King and fought it for about 20 minutes only to have the hook pull at the pier. Two Jack Crevalle hooked, and one landed by Blaze M.
Saturday: water temp 72.3 – 74.8 Allen caught a 38# King Mackerel, a large school of Jack Crevalle came by with 8 caught. A couple of other Kings hooked and lost. Pompano and a few Spanish Mackerel.
Sunday: water temp 72.7 – 75.4 One King hooked in am. Pompano and a few Spanish Mackerel.
Monday: water temp 73.9 – 74.1 – 72.0 Pompano, a few Spanish Mackerel and a Cobia (Mathew M. 34”) that was returned.
Tuesday: water temp 69.8 – 72.3 The water was dirty. Pompano, Spanish Mackerel, a 29” Red Drum (Joe), Catfish and small Shark
Wednesday: water temp 69.4 – 71.8 The water was dirty out just past the sand bar. Pompano, Spanish Mackerel, one Cobia (Jacob J. 40”) two Kings hooked with one decked (Jeffrey T), Sharks, and lots of “Turbo” Cigar Minnows. There were a few Speedos and Alewives. Schools of Ballyhoo came through often.
Red Tide status: In Northwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was not observed in samples collected from or offshore of Escambia, Okaloosa, Bay, Gulf, Franklin, Wakulla, Levy, or Pasco counties.
Notice: There will be a memorial service and bench dedication for our friend Von Haynes on Saturday, May 17, 2025, on the M. B. Miller Pier. As more details are available, I will post them in the pier report.
Tides Link
https://tides4fishing.com/us/florida-west-coast/panama-cityngin g
Full Moon Saturday Apr. 12, 2025 - New Moon Sunday Apr. 27, 2025
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Tides for the upcoming week:
Sunrise: 6:20am Sunset: 7:07pm
Thursday 10th. 4:06am Low 0.4 10:25am High 0.7
4:28pm Low 0.4 11:08pm High 0.7
Friday 3:39am Low 0.5 10:20am High 0.9
5:39pm Low 0.2
Saturday 6:41pm Low 0.1 10:03am High 1.0
Sunday 7:41pm Low 0.0 9:58am High 1.2
Monday 8:42pm Low -0.1 10:21am High 1.3
Tuesday 9:47pm Low -0.1 10:56am High 1.4
Wednesday 16th. 10:53pm Low -0.2 11:38am High 1.5
Sunrise: 6:13am Sunset: 7:11pm CST
The Marine forecast for the next several days is:
THURSDAY NIGHT
West winds 5 to 10 knots, increasing to 10 to 15 knots after midnight. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters a moderate chop.
FRIDAY
Northwest winds 10 to 15 knots. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters a moderate chop.
FRIDAY NIGHT
Northwest winds 10 to 15 knots. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters a moderate chop.
SATURDAY
Northwest winds 10 to 15 knots. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters a moderate chop.
SATURDAY NIGHT
Northwest winds 10 to 15 knots, becoming north 5 to 10 knots after midnight. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters a moderate chop.
SUNDAY
North winds around 5 knots, becoming west in the afternoon. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters a light chop.
SUNDAY NIGHT
West winds 5 to 10 knots, diminishing to around 5 knots after midnight. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters a light chop.
MONDAY
Southwest winds around 5 knots, increasing to 5 to 10 knots in the afternoon. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters a light chop.
MONDAY NIGHT
Southwest winds 5 to 10 knots. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters a light chop.
(local forecast).
THURSDAY (75/63 rain 04% wind SW-11)
FRIDAY (77/55 rain 10% wind WNW-19)
SATURDAY (73/54 rain 04% wind NW-13)
SUNDAY (73/63 rain 02% wind W-11)
MONDAY (75/67 rain 04% wind SW-13)
TUESDAY (78/59 rain 06% wind W-14)
WEDNESDAY(76/56 rain 01% wind N-10)
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
Timothy Pentice- Bay Co. Asst. Div. Mgr. – tprentice@baycountyfl.gov – 448-217-4219
Tight lines and screaming drags,
Sam
SLP053@BELLSOUTH.NET
770-265-2879
