We finally hit 65 degrees during this 7-day report period. Thursday, we began at 62.1 and by Sunday, midday, we had gotten to 65 degrees. We held above 65 through today. The water was clean. Thursday afternoon, we saw the first bait schools in the shallows and Monday morning the first Cigar minnows were caught for this year. We are slowly seeing more species caught. This period the following were caught: Red Drum, Black Drum, Spanish Mackerel, Whiting, Bluefish, Sharks, Sting Rays, Cigar minnows, Pin fish, and big Squid.
The large Squid have finally arrived. They were caught in big numbers this week. Anglers were leaving the pier with a gallon or more for one day’s catch. The best catches were at night, but good catches happened during the cloudy days too. There were some caught over 13 inches long.
Red Drum, Sting Rays, and small Sharks (Atlantic Sharp-nose, Bonnethead) were prowling the shallows. Fresh Squid was their favorite bait. There were several Reds decked and even a slot fish.
A few Spanish Mackerel were caught this period but were small. They were in the 10–14-inch range. Gotcha’s were the most productive lure.
Daily activity:
Thursday: water temp 62.1 – 62.6 A Red Drum, 3 small Spanish Mackerel, one Whiting and first bait school in shallows.
Friday: water temp 61.7 – 62.4 Lots of Squid, 2 Atlantic Sharp-nose and one Bonnethead Sharks, one Bluefish and a Whiting.
Saturday: water temp 62.6 – 64.0 Two Red Drum, one big Black Drum, a couple of Bluefish and a Spanish Mackerel. Squid before daylight.
Sunday: water temp 62.4 – 66.0 Squid early.
Monday: water temp 65.5 – 66.7 Two Spanish Mackerel, 1 Red Drum hooked but lost, one slot decked, small Sharks, Sting Rays, 1st time a few Cigar Minnows and big Squid.
Tuesday: water temp 66.2 – 66.0 Gale warning, SE wind gusts over 40mph, strong currents, rough water and rain. Squid.
Wednesday: water temp 65.1 – 66.9 A few Spanish Mackerel, Squid and Sting Rays.
Red Tide status: In Northwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was not observed.
Tides Link
https://tides4fishing.com/us/florida-west-coast/panama-cityngin g
New Moon Sunday Mar. 10, 2024 Full Moon Monday Mar. 25, 2024
Tides for the upcoming week:
Sunrise: 6:00am Sunset: 5:46pm CST
Thursday 07th. 5:20am Low -0.7 7:41pm High 1.4
Friday 6:01am Low -0.6 8:55pm High 1.3
Saturday 6:36am Low -0.4 11:14pm High 1.1
Sunday 7:48am Low 0.0 1:07pm High 0.2 Daylight Savings Time Begins
4:18pm Low 0.1
Monday 7:12am Low 0.3 12.38am High 0.8
6:34pm Low 0.0 12:45pm High 0.5
Tuesday 5:36am Low 0.5 2:11am High 0.6
8:33pm Low -0.1 12:21pm High 0.7
Wednesday 13th. 10:39pm Low -0.3 12:15am High 1.0
Sunrise: 6:53am Sunset: 6:50pm CDST
The Marine forecast for the next several days is:
THURSDAY
Northeast winds 5 to 10 knots, becoming east in the afternoon. Seas around 2 feet with a dominant period of 5 seconds. Protected waters a light chop.
THURSDAY NIGHT
South winds around 5 knots, becoming east after midnight. Waves 1 foot or less, then around 2 feet with a dominant period of 5 seconds after midnight. Protected waters a light chop.
FRIDAY
Southeast winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet with a dominant period of 4 seconds. Protected waters a moderate chop.
FRIDAY NIGHT
Southeast winds 15 to 20 knots, diminishing to 10 to 15 knots after midnight. Seas 2 to 4 feet with a dominant period of 4 seconds. Protected waters choppy. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after midnight.
SATURDAY
South winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas 3 to 5 feet with a dominant period of 6 seconds. Protected waters a moderate chop. A chance of thunderstorms. A chance of showers in the morning, then showers likely in the afternoon.
SATURDAY NIGHT
West winds 10 to 15 knots, becoming northwest 15 to 20 knots after midnight. Seas 3 to 5 feet with a dominant period of 7 seconds. Protected waters choppy. A chance of thunderstorms. Showers likely, mainly in the evening.
SUNDAY
North winds 15 to 20 knots, becoming northwest 10 to 15 knots in the afternoon. Seas 3 to 5 feet with a dominant period of 7 seconds. Protected waters choppy.
SUNDAY NIGHT
North winds 15 to 20 knots. Seas 2 to 4 feet with a dominant period of 7 seconds. Protected waters choppy.
MONDAY
Northeast winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas 2 to 4 feet with a dominant period of 5 seconds. Protected waters a moderate chop.
MONDAY NIGHT
North winds 5 to 10 knots. Seas around 2 feet. Protected waters a light chop.
(local forecast).
THURSDAY (74/60 rain 06% wind SSE-08)
FRIDAY (74/67 rain 24% wind SE-16)
SATURDAY (72/56 rain 94% wind SW-16)
SUNDAY (67/48 rain 05% wind NNW-13)
MONDAY (68/49 rain 02% wind N-09)
TUESDAY (71/55 rain 04% wind ESE-08)
WEDNESDAY(71/58 rain 43% wind SE-09)
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
