In response to the COVID-19, Sand Jam 2020 has been cancelled along with Thunder Beach and other events. I am sure we can expect more guidelines and closures in the upcoming days but at this point, I have not heard any plans to close the piers. Of course, depending on the spread and effects realized over the next few weeks, we could see this change.
Our water is dark green Bay water. The temp has risen quickly and is above 70 degrees. Schools of Ballyhoo are streaming through but as of yet, there are no Cigar minnows or other bait schools hanging around the pier. Spanish Mackerel are here in huge numbers and anyone wanting a limit of them can accomplish that in just a few minutes. Sabiki rigs, Gotchas, Spoons and Mackerel rigs are all producing a bite.
Sheepshead have been here in numbers but for the most part, have been unwilling to bite. They are obviously in spawning mode. Sheepshead are fractional spawners so they only lay a portion of their eggs at a time. This is typically during March and April. Another obstacle are the hords of Pin fish pecking our baits off before the Sheepshead have a chance to eat. However, we have occasionally coaxed a bite and a limited few have been decked. Brad got his first ever sheepshead and followed that with another the next day. Mikel and I also got one in the net.
A few Red Drum were caught over the week both off the outer sand bar and in skinny water. Sight fishing was the best mode using fresh Sand Fleas. Just as with the Sheepshead, Pin fish were stealing bait almost as fast as it hit the water. Ghost Shrimp were a waist of time as the Pins had it picked clean before it could sink to the bottom. I managed four one afternoon with two over slot, one under slot and the fourth a 22” keeper. Paul invited it for dinner.
The Pompano bite is not on yet but a few fish are being seen. Casey chased them for hours and did get a reward for his efforts. A few others were caught but no big numbers yet.
Species caught: Red Drum, Pompano, Sheepshead, Squid, Spanish Mackerel and Blues. Bait: Ballyhoo schools flooding through.
Water temperature: 70-73
MM | DD | TIME
(EDT) | WDIR | WSPD
kts | GST
kts | WVHT
ft | DPD
sec |
| APD
sec | MWD | PRES
in | PTDY
in | ATMP
°F | WTMP
°F | DEWP
°F | SAL
psu | VIS
nmi | TIDE
ft |
03 | 18 | 9:24 pm | SE | 8.9 | 8.9 | - | - |
| - | - | 30.25 | - | 72.5 | 72.7 | - | - | - | - |
03 | 18 | 9:18 pm | SE | 8.0 | 9.9 | - | - |
| - | - | 30.25 | - | 72.5 | 72.7 | - | - | - | - |
03 | 18 | 9:12 pm | SE | 8.9 | 9.9 | - | - |
| - | - | 30.24 | - | 72.5 | 72.5 | - | - | - | - |
03 | 18 | 9:06 pm | SE | 8.9 | 9.9 | - | - |
| - | - | 30.24 | - | 72.5 | 72.5 | - | - | - | - |
https://tides4fishing.com/us/florida-west-coast/panama-city
Tides for the week: New Moon Tuesday Mar. 24, 2020 - Full Moon Tuesday Apr. 07, 2020
Sunrise: 6:46am Sunset: 6:54pm
Friday 6:06am Low -0.2 8:48pm High 1.0
Saturday 6:31am Low -0.1 9:42pm High 1.0
Sunday 6:26am Low 0.1 10:37pm High 0.9
Monday 6:05am Low 0.2 12:21pm High 0.5
4:26pm Low 0.4 11:36pm High 0.7
Tuesday 6:01am Low 0.3 12:22pm High 0.6
5:42pm Low 0.3
Wednesday 25th. 5:44am Low 0.4 12:40am High 0.6
6:51pm Low 0.2 12:20pm High 0.7
Sunrise:6:39am Sunset: 6:58pm
The Marine forecast for the next several days is:
FRIDAY NIGHT
South winds 5 to 10 knots in the evening becoming
light and variable winds. Seas 2 to 3 feet. Dominant period
5 seconds. Protected waters smooth.
SATURDAY
Light and variable winds becoming southwest 5 to
10 knots in the late morning and afternoon. Seas 2 to 3 feet.
Protected waters smooth. Slight chance of showers and
thunderstorms.
SATURDAY NIGHT
West winds 5 to 10 knots becoming northeast
after midnight. Seas 1 to 2 feet. Protected waters smooth.
SUNDAY
East winds 5 to 10 knots becoming south in the
afternoon. Seas 1 to 2 feet. Protected waters mostly smooth.
Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon.
SUNDAY NIGHT
South winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas 1 to 2 feet.
Protected waters smooth. Slight chance of showers and
thunderstorms.
MONDAY
Southwest winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas 1 to 2 feet.
Protected waters a light chop. Chance of showers and
thunderstorms.
(local forecast)
FRIRDAY (77/67 rain 20% wind SSE-12)
SATURDAY (77/64 rain 40% wind SW-09)
SUNDAY (76/66 rain 20% wind ESE-08)
MONDAY (76/65 rain 30% wind SSW-10)
TUESDAY (76/68 rain 30% wind SW-09)
WEDNESDAY(78/66 rain 20% wind SW-14)
Tight lines and screaming drags,
Sam
