Water temperatures climbed rapidly with the hot weather to almost 80 degrees early this week. Then a front moved through Tuesday to close March like a lion. Winds were gusting over 30 mph and steady at over 20 mph. As a result, this morning we brought in April with the water at 66.3 degrees, no “fooling”. The water was rough and no doubt, the clarity suffered. Kings had moved in and were biting well on natural bait. Spanish were thick and the Pompano bite had exploded. This drastic drop in temp may put the brakes on the bite…time will tell.
Last week brought our first Kings and the bite improved until yesterday. Thursday, two kings hit the deck with several others lost. Jose was using a small Spanish Mackerel for bait when he got hit hard. He made several trips back and forth across the Tee as he tried to tire his fish before bringing it to gaff. It hit the scale at 34 lb. 6 oz. and sets a high bar to beat. More Kings would be lost than decked the rest of the week but none came close to Jose’s. Ricky would deck a nice one and Nate managed the only caught fish as the weather turned rough yesterday. Nate’s fish was 15 lb. and caught on a Gotcha. Several anglers lost multiple fish as the bite was great during the storm. “Flipper”, the tax collector, made an early appearance and took one from Ned leaving him at 0 for 5 for the day.
The rail has been crowded and Pier staff have been busy maintaining the required 6 ft. rule due to the COVID-19 virus. However, that did not dampen the enthusiasm of the Cobia anglers. A few fish were spotted during the week but only one would make it onto the deck. There was every variety and color combination of Jigs expertly fashioned to entice a bite but the sole Cobia chose Tyler’s Spanish Mackerel bait. The objective was to get one of the Spring “Smoaker” Kings but who’s going to turn down a Cobia instead. Tyler’s first fish came over the rail and was 39 pounds.
Monday afternoon a small school of “Big Uglies” came across the outer bar. Jeff and Logan quickly placed their Cobia Jigs in the school and got hit. They went two for two and released both.
Skinny water was the place to be if you wanted Pompano action. The bite was on most of the week with many anglers catching their limit. Schools of Pomps were pouring through and willing to eat. Jigs were the hot bait. Rail space was a premium and anglers had to take turns in the limited space to make their casts.
Water temperature: 77.9-65.3
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 |
04 | 01 | 7:54 am | NW | 5.1 | 6.0 | - | - | - | - | 29.97 | - | 49.3 | 65.3 | - | - | - | - |
04 | 01 | 7:48 am | NW | 4.1 | 5.1 | - | - | - | - | 29.96 | - | 49.3 | 65.3 | - | - | - | - |
04 | 01 | 7:42 am | NNW | 4.1 | 6.0 | - | - | - | - | 29.96 | - | 49.6 | 65.3 | - | - | - | - |
04 | 01 | 7:36 am | NNW | 4.1 | 5.1 | - | - | - | - | 29.96 | - | 49.6 | 65.3 | - | - | - | - |
https://tides4fishing.com/us/florida-west-coast/panama-city
Tides for the week: Full Moon Tuesday Apr. 07, 2020 - New Moon Wednesday Apr. 22, 2020
Sunrise: 6:29am Sunset: 7:03pm
Thursday 02nd. 3:44am Low -0.3 4:52pm High 1.3
Friday 4:29am Low -0.3 6:33pm High 1.3
Saturday 5:07am Low -0.3 8:14pm High 1.2
Sunday 5:37am Low -0.1 9:44pm High 1.1
Monday 5:52am Low 0.2 11:57am High 0.5
3:15pm Low 0.4 11:15pm High 1.0
Tuesday 5:48am Low 0.4 11:37am High 0.6
5:52pm Low 0.3
Wednesday 08th. 5:16am Low 0.6 12:51am High 0.8
6:59pm Low 0.1 11:20am High 0.9
Sunrise:6:30am Sunset: 7:03pm
The Marine forecast for the next several days is:
THURSDAY
East winds 10 knots becoming north 5 to 10 knots
late in the afternoon. Seas 1 to 2 feet. Dominant period 4
seconds. Protected waters a light chop.
THURSDAY NIGHT
North winds 5 to 10 knots becoming northeast
10 knots after midnight. Seas 1 foot or less. Dominant period
3 seconds. Protected waters a light chop.
FRIDAY
Southeast winds 10 knots. Seas 1 to 2 feet.
Dominant period 3 seconds. Protected waters a light chop.
FRIDAY NIGHT
South winds 5 to 10 knots becoming east 5 to
10 knots after midnight. Seas 1 foot. Protected waters mostly
smooth.
SATURDAY
Southeast winds 10 knots. Seas 1 to 2 feet.
Protected waters a light chop.
SATURDAY NIGHT
Southeast winds 5 to 10 knots becoming east 10
knots in the late evening. Seas 1 to 2 feet.
Protected waters a light chop. Slight chance of rain.
SUNDAY
Southeast winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet.
Protected waters a light chop. Chance of showers and
thunderstorms.
(local forecast)
THURSDAY (74/59 rain 0% wind E-09)
FRIRDAY (76/61 rain 0% wind SE-08)
SATURDAY (78/64 rain 10% wind SE-09)
SUNDAY (77/68 rain 40% wind SE-11)
MONDAY (78/72 rain 40% wind SE-15)
TUESDAY (81/74 rain 30% wind SSW-12)
WEDNESDAY(82/74 rain 20% wind SW-13)
Tight lines and screaming drags,
Sam
