Panama City Beach was probably the most crowded for the July 4th week that I have seen. Traffic and population on the pier was crazy. Add in the closure and partial closure of the piers for the fireworks and we experienced reduced fishability. In spite of this, anglers found their mark and managed to put Kings, Spanish, Bonita, Red Drum, Hardtails and Ladyfish on the deck. Tarpon were moving through and the Alewife “die-off” began. This generated quite a few bites both on lures and bait. We even had a Sailfish make an appearance one afternoon but slipped away without feeding.
Tarpon are the target quarry this month and they are now cooperating. The bite has been OK so far but it seems to have improved this week as the Alewife “die-off” has finally started. Up to now, the bite has been limited to big swimbaits but they are now hitting natural bait as well. Yesterday, I hooked three drifting live Alewives. Several other anglers hooked-up too but I witnessed only one that was brought pier side and considered a caught fish. Tommy hooked it on a deep runner swimbait and was able to get the fish laid-up on the west side of the tee before releasing it.
It has been a tough year so far for the King Mackerel fishermen. Bait was scarce early season but that has improved with the mass schools of Alewives under the pier. Cigar minnows have been here mostly in the early mornings. The bite has been sporadic at best but anglers that persisted were rewarded. Norito, Reid and Rowel got their Kings all on natural bait. Norito’s fish, as far as I know, was the biggest for the week. Most of the Kings were about the size Rowel holds. None of us could be prouder than Dan, Reids Dad, as he watched Reid land his first pier King.
Bonita were streaking by most of the week and quite a few were aggressively feeding. Many were chewing natural bait but lures worked well too. They averaged from 3 to 5 pounds.
Skinny water was rough most of the week and had become muddy by yesterday. In spite of this, a few fish were decked there. Gary was soaking a live Sand Flea when he hooked this 24 inch slot Red. Someone had a fine dinner.
Water temperature: 79-80
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 |
07 | 08 | 8:24 am | WNW | 9.9 | 13.0 | - | - | - | - | 30.01 | - | 77.9 | 79.2 | - | - | - | - |
07 | 08 | 8:18 am | WNW | 12.0 | 15.9 | - | - | - | - | 30.01 | - | 77.9 | 79.2 | - | - | - | - |
07 | 08 | 8:12 am | WNW | 13.0 | 15.0 | - | - | - | - | 30.01 | - | 78.1 | 79.3 | - | - | - | - |
07 | 08 | 8:06 am | WNW | 13.0 | 15.9 | - | - | - | - | 30.01 | - | 78.1 | 79.3 | - | - | - | - |
07 | 08 | 8:00 am | WNW | 13.0 | 15.0 | - | - | - | - | 30.01 | +0.03 | 77.9 | 79.3 | - | - | - | - |
https://tides4fishing.com/us/florida-west-coast/panama-city
Tides for the week: New Moon Monday July 20, 2020 Full Moon Monday Aug. 03, 2020
Sunrise: 5:49am Sunset: 7:47pm
Thursday 09th. 10:47pm Low 0.3 12:48pm High 1.5
Friday 10:41pm Low 0.4 1:10pm High 1.3
Saturday 10:25pm Low 0.5 1:29pm High 1.1
Sunday 9:08pm Low 0.6 6:13am High 0.9
Monday 5:35pm Low 0.6 6:09am High 1.1
Tuesday 5:28pm Low 0.4 6:12am High 1.2
Wednesday 15th. 5:47pm Low 0.2 6:22am High 1.4
Sunrise:5:52am Sunset: 7:45pm
The Marine forecast for the next several days is:
TODAY
West winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet. Dominant
period 5 seconds. Protected waters a light chop. Chance of
showers in the morning. Slight chance of thunderstorms through
the day.
TONIGHT
West winds 15 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet. Dominant
period 5 seconds. Protected waters a moderate chop. Slight chance
of showers in the evening. Slight chance of thunderstorms through
the night. Chance of showers after midnight.
FRIDAY THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT
West winds 15 knots. Seas 2 to 3
feet. Dominant period 5 seconds. Protected waters a moderate chop.
Chance of showers and thunderstorms.
SATURDAY THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT
West winds 10 to 15 knots.
Seas 2 to 3 feet. Dominant period 5 seconds. Protected waters a
light chop. Chance of showers and thunderstorms.
SUNDAY
West winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas 1 to 2 feet. Protected
waters a light chop. Chance of showers and thunderstorms.
SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY
West winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas 2
to 3 feet. Protected waters a moderate chop. Chance of showers and
thunderstorms.
(local forecast)
THURSDAY (86/79 rain 80% wind WNW-12)
FRIRDAY (89/80 rain 40% wind WNW-13)
SATURDAY (89/79 rain 50% wind WNW-12)
SUNDAY (89/79 rain 20% wind W-12)
MONDAY (88/78 rain 50% wind WSW-13)
TUESDAY (88/77 rain 20% wind W-09)
WEDNESDAY(88/76 rain 30% wind W-07)
Tight lines and screaming drags,
Sam
