The water temperature ranged from 63.1 to 66 degrees and was clean. We had bait schools of Cigar minnows and Goggle Eyes every day. Obviously, we are in the winter pattern and the bite was reflective of the cooler water. The species caught was limited and the number of anglers was lower than normal. There were: One King Mackerel, Whiting, Flounder, Bonita, Red Drum, Squid (only a few), Cigar minnows and Goggle Eyes caught this report period.
The surprise for the week came on Sunday. The water was 65 degrees, and a lone King Mackerel came out of nowhere to hit a lure. Jose was casting his #12 X-Rap lure when the fish hammered it. He will probably be the lucky angler to catch the last fish of the year. To add to his bragging rights, the fish was a fat 26-pounder. Congrats Jose on a nice catch! Will this be the last one or will there be another surprise?
Flounder have been our main stay this period as numerous fish were caught daily. The numbers were good but the number of fish that met the 14-inch minimum were few. Small Cigar minnows, Goggle Eyes or Tiger minnows were the best baits fished on a Carolina Rig. I did not get any reports of anyone catching their keeper limit but as many as 10 fish per day by an angler happened. One angler caught seven with only one meeting the size requirement. Danny holds one of the better fish he caught on opening day:
Skinny water produced a few nice Whiting and one Red Drum. Early morning or after sunset was your best opportunity to get a few Whiting. Jimmy W. was trying for Flounder when this Red Drum ate his bait. That’s not a bad conciliation catch.
Daily activity:
Thursday: water temp 64.9 – 65.1 Whiting, Flounder, a Red Drum, a few small Goggle Eyes and Cigar minnows.
Friday: water temp 63.1 – 64.8 Flounder, a couple Bonita, Cigar minnows, small Goggle Eyes.
Saturday: water temp 65.1 – 65.3 Flounder.
Sunday: water temp 65.5 – 65.8 Flounder, one King (Jose 25#)
Monday: water temp 65.1 – 66.0 a few small Flounder, a few small Cigar minnows.
Tuesday: water temp 65.1 – 66.0 Whiting, Founder and Cigar minnows.
Wednesday: water temp 63.1 – 64.4 Two Bonita in am, Whiting, Flounder, Cigar minnows and Goggle Eyes.
Red Tide status: The red tide organism, Karenia brevis, was not observed in samples collected statewide over the past week.
Tides Link
https://tides4fishing.com/us/florida-west-coast/panama-cityngin g
New Moon Tuesday Dec. 12, 2023 Full Moon Tuesday Dec. 26, 2023
Tides for the upcoming week:
Sunrise: 6:25am Sunset: 4:42pm
Thursday 07th. 9:33am Low 0:3 6:40pm High 0.9
Friday 4:43am Low 0.1 6:30pm High 1.1
Saturday 4:54am Low -01. 6:34pm High 1.3
Sunday 5:27am Low -0.3 6:59pm High 1.4
Monday 6:13am Low -0.5 7:36pm High 1.5
Tuesday 7:05am Low -0.6 8:20pm High 1.6
Wednesday 13th. 7:58am Low -0.7 9:11pm High 1.7
Sunrise: 6:29am Sunset: 4:43pm CST
The Marine forecast for the next several days is:
THURSDAY
East winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet with a dominant period of 3 seconds. Protected waters a light chop.
THURSDAY NIGHT
East winds 5 to 10 knots. Waves 1 foot or less. Protected waters a light chop.
FRIDAY
East winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas around 2 feet with a dominant period of 3 seconds. Protected waters a moderate chop. A slight chance of showers.
FRIDAY NIGHT
Southeast winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas 2 to 4 feet with a dominant period of 5 seconds. Protected waters a moderate chop. A chance of showers with a slight chance of thunderstorms.
SATURDAY
Southeast winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas 2 to 4 feet with a dominant period of 6 seconds. Protected waters a moderate chop. A chance of showers with a slight chance of thunderstorms.
SATURDAY NIGHT
Southeast winds 15 to 20 knots. Gusts up to 30 knots after midnight. Seas 3 to 5 feet with a dominant period of 6 seconds. Protected waters choppy. A slight chance of thunderstorms. A chance of showers in the evening, then showers likely after midnight.
SUNDAY
Southwest winds 20 to 25 knots, becoming west in the afternoon. Seas 5 to 7 feet with a dominant period of 6 seconds. Protected waters rough. Showers likely with a slight chance of thunderstorms.
SUNDAY NIGHT
Northwest winds 15 to 20 knots. Seas 5 to 7 feet with a dominant period of 6 seconds. Protected waters choppy. A chance of showers with a slight chance of thunderstorms in the evening.
MONDAY
North winds 15 to 20 knots, diminishing to 10 to 15 knots in the afternoon. Seas 3 to 5 feet with a dominant period of 6 seconds. Protected waters choppy.
MONDAY NIGHT
Northeast winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet. Protected waters a moderate chop.
(local forecast).
THURSDAY (60/52 rain 04% wind SE-06)
FRIDAY (68/63 rain 24% wind ESE-11)
SATURDAY (71/64 rain 77% wind SSE-11)
SUNDAY (67/39 rain 97% wind WNW-18)
MONDAY (56/41 rain 02% wind NNE-13)
TUESDAY (60/46 rain 03% wind NE-11)
WEDNESDAY(63/48 rain 10% wind NE-12)
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
