What a difference a day can make. We had great conditions the past seven days. The water was clean and bait schools returned Sunday. There were more Mahi caught during this period than I can remember in the past 10 years. A few Kings were running along with Spanish Mackerel. We also caught Hardtails, Ladyfish and Bonita. “Flipper” left us alone most of the week but there was a hungry Barracuda that cut several of our fish.
The Mahi bite was awesome. They were eating from early morning to late afternoon with groups of fish coming through sporadically. They were caught on live and dead Cigar minnows, Pompano jigs, Bubble and straw rigs, Gotchas and even a few on X-Raps. Most were barely chicken Dolphin but there was a fair number of good size fish. One large Bull Dolphin was spotted but not hooked. A breakdown of activity is in the daily activity. Here are few of the anglers that decked Mahi: Hachid, Tommy, Mario, Chris, Chandler, Heath, Ian and Sam.
The King Mackerel bite improved with several hitting the deck. Rowell Z. got it started on Monday with his 20.75-pound King. This was the first King caught in twelve days. Tuesday and today, there were several Kings decked and more lost. All of these fish were “schoolies” but some were up to 12 pounds. Today was a first catch for two of our young anglers- McRae and Hagen.
In other action, Hunter Z. got close and personal with a little Spinner Shark. Just a quick photo before releasing it.
Daily activity:
Thursday: water temp 80.2 - 82.2 Five Mahi in am, Hardtails, Ladyfish, Spanish Mackerel and a couple of Pompano
Friday: water temp 80.8 – 83.1 Six Mahi, lots of Hardtails and a few Ladyfish
Saturday: water temp 80.8 – 82.8 Mahi, Hardtails, few Spanish
Sunday: water temp 81.3 – 83.7 A couple of Mahi, Hardtails and a few Cigar minnows
Monday: water temp 82.8 – 83.1 One King Mackerel (20.75# first one caught in twelve days), 2 Mahi, a few Spanish Mackerel, lots of hardtails, some Cigar minnows and a few Alewives
Tuesday: water temp 81.9 – 83.1 A dozen Mahi, 4 Kings hooked-only two schoolies decked, Spanish Mackerel, lots of Hardtails, Cigar minnows
Wednesday: water temp 80.4 – 83.8 I lost count at 30 Mahi, Bonita at sunrise, Spanish Mackerel, Several small Kings decked and more lost, Hardtails, Cigar minnows
Red Tide status: In Northwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was observed at background concentrations in one sample from Bay County.
Tides Link
https://tides4fishing.com/us/florida-west-coast/panama-cityngin g
Full Moon Monday July 03, 2023 New Moon Monday July 17, 2023
Tides for the upcoming week:
Sunrise: 5:44am Sunset: 7:48pm
Friday 6:43pm Low -0:2 7:09am High 1.7
Saturday 7:33pm Low -0.4 7:57am High 1.9
Sunday 8:26pm Low -0.5 8:51am High 2.0
Monday 9:17pm Low -0.6 9:52am High 2.1 Full Moon
Tuesday 10:04pm Low -0.5 10:54am High 2.1
Wednesday 05th. 10:45pm Low -0.4 11:55am High 2.0
Sunrise: 5:46am Sunset: 7:47pm CDST
The Marine forecast for the next several days is:
FRIDAY
Southeast winds 5 to 10 knots. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters a light chop.
FRIDAY NIGHT
Southwest winds 5 to 10 knots, becoming northeast after midnight. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters a light chop.
SATURDAY
South winds 5 to 10 knots. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters a light chop.
SATURDAY NIGHT
Southwest winds 5 to 10 knots. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters a light chop.
SUNDAY
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 afternoon.
SUNDAY NIGHT
Southwest winds 5 to 10 knots. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters a light chop.
(local forecast).
THURSDAY (91/78 rain 05% wind S-08)
FRIDAY (91/79 rain 07% wind S-08)
SATURDAY (91/80 rain 15% wind WSW-09)
SUNDAY (89/80 rain 15% wind SW-10)
MONDAY (88/80 rain 16% wind SW-10)
TUESDAY (87/79 rain 43% wind SW-11)
WEDNESDAY(86/78 rain 58% wind WSW-10)
PIER MANAGEMENT CONTACT INFORMATION:
Bay County Parks and Recreation – 5304 Majetti Tower Road Panama City, FL 32404
850-248-8730
Vacant – Bay Co. Parks Division Manager –850-248-8730
Vince Martin – Bay Co. Asst. Parks Division Manager - vmartin@baycountyfl.gov - 850-896-6580
Tight lines and screaming drags,
Sam
