Our pristine water came to an end as Bay water took over after the storm. It is now dark with a greenish tint. We started this period with our water over 88 degrees and have finally begun to drop some. The afternoons are still very warm, but the morning water temp has been down some. It was a tough week for anglers as the bite was slow. “Flipper” was a constant companion and took more than his share of bait and fish. There were only three Kings hooked and one decked. Small Spanish Mackerel were around several days and the Ladyfish were coming through in schools. Red Drum are still prowling the shallows and a few Mangrove Snapper are hanging near the pilings off the end Tee. We had bait schools most days with small Hardtails, Cigar minnows, Spanish Sardine and a few Alewives in the mix.
King Mackerel fishing has been a challenge. We only had one hooked on Sunday. It was lost due to a broken line. Monday, Aldin, from Atlanta, hooked a nice King on his lure. He decked the only King for the period that weighed 18.35 pounds. Less than an hour later, another King was hooked on a lure but was lost to “Flipper”. We had no more bites through Wednesday afternoon.
A few Spanish Mackerel have been around, but the cast/catch ratio has been high. A few were caught most days, but they were on the small side. Today was probably the best bite of the week as one angler caught about a dozen small fish. He was using a spoon running it deep. Jesus’ fish that he caught Thursday was about as big as any this period.
Chuck O. was still working the Red Drum in the shallows. He caught several fish this week, but all were over-slot and had to be returned. Here are a couple he returned to fight another day:
Daily activity:
Thursday: water temp 86.9 – 88.9 A few Ladyfish, Catfish, Red Drum in shallows, one Spanish Mackerel, a few small Hardtails.
Friday: water temp 87.4 – 88.2 Red Drum in shallows, a few Ladyfish.
Saturday: water temp 86.5 – 87.3 A few Ladyfish.
Sunday: water temp 86.4 – 86.5 A few Spanish and Ladyfish. One King hooked but lost.
Monday: water temp 84.9 – 87.1 Two Kings hooked and one decked- Aldin from Atlanta, GA 18.35 pounds, a few Ladyfish, a couple of Spanish, small Hardtails, Spanish Sardines and Cigar Minnows.
Tuesday: water temp 84.6 – 87.6 A few small Bonita, Ladyfish, few Spanish early, under-size Mangrove Snapper, small Hardtails, Spanish Sardine and Cigar minnows.
Wednesday: water temp 86.4 – 87.3 Small Spanish on deep running spoons, a few Ladyfish, small Hardtails.
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
New Moon Thursday Sept. 14, 2023 Full Moon Friday Sept. 29, 2023
Tides for the upcoming week:
Sunrise: 6:22am Sunset: 6:58pm
Thursday 07th. 3:46pm Low 0.3 2:47am High 1.9
Friday 4:38pm Low 0:2 3:54am High 1.9
Saturday 5:23pm Low 0.3 5:47am High 1.8
Sunday 6:01pm Low 0.3 7:23am High 1.8
Monday 6:31pm Low 0.4 8:26am High 1.8
Tuesday 6:46pm Low 0.6 9:18am High 1.7
Wednesday 13th. 6:31pm Low 0.75 10:08am High 1.6
Sunrise: 6:26am Sunset: 6:51pm CDST
The Marine forecast for the next several days is:
TONIGHT
South winds 5 to 10 knots, becoming west after midnight. Seas around 2 feet with a dominant period of 4 seconds. Protected waters a light chop. A chance of showers and thunderstorms early this evening.
THURSDAY
West winds 5 to 10 knots. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters a light chop.
THURSDAY NIGHT
West 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.
FRIDAY
West 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 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 chance of showers and thunderstorms.
SUNDAY
Southwest winds 5 to 10 knots. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters a light chop. A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly in the morning.
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.
MONDAY
South winds around 5 knots. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters smooth. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms.
MONDAY NIGHT
Southwest winds 5 to 10 knots. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters a light chop. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms.
(local forecast).
THURSDAY (89/77 rain 24% wind W-11)
FRIDAY (88/73 rain 37% wind W-10)
SATURDAY (88/75 rain 19% wind WSW-08)
SUNDAY (88/76 rain 19% wind SSW-09)
MONDAY (90/76 rain 15% wind SSE-08)
TUESDAY (88/75 rain 22% wind SSW-08)
WEDNESDAY(91/74 rain 09% wind WNW-08)
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
