Hopefully, we have turned the corner to better fishing. The water cleared early in the week and has improved more over time. The water temperature has hovered between 61 and 64.
Squid continues to be around with only a few larger ones in the mix. We had three good days for Pompano and Red Drum were biting most of the week. A couple of Black Drum hit the deck. A few Spanish Mackerel were caught on large Sabiki rigs. Sheepshead are slowly showing in numbers but so far, have had lock jaw. Yesterday, there was a reported sighting of the first Cobia for the Year. By afternoon the seasonal Cobia anglers were sharpening their favorite jigs and gathering on the rail searching the water. When and who will deck the first of the year?
Skinny water has been crowded this week as the Pompano bite has been good. Ghost Shrimp, Sand Fleas and fresh shrimp tipped with Sand Flea Fish Bites has been the best options for a hit. Most of the fish were keepers with a couple of large fish, The window for the bite has mostly been mid to late morning but a few afternoon fish were landed as well.
With the arrival of Squid, the Red and Black Drum bite has been much better. Monday was probably the best bite of the week. Mikel coaxed a nice Black to eat. Then several Reds hit the deck. As usual, the majority were over-slot. Paul, Bob and I lost more than we landed but we did win the fight on a few. Squid was the “go to” bait but there were a few bites on live Shrimp and cut bait. Paul had a frustrating week losing several fish to the piling gods but got his revenge Wednesday and invited a 26 ¼ inch fish for dinner.
Species caught: Red/Black Drum, Pompano, Squid and a few Spanish Mackerel. Bait: Bring your own.
Water temperature: 63
MM | DD | TIME
(EST) | 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 |
02 | 20 | 8:06 am | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 30.09 | - | 64.2 | 63.5 | - | - | - | - |
02 | 20 | 8:00 am | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 30.09 | -0.01 | 63.9 | 63.5 | - | - | - | - |
02 | 20 | 7:54 am | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 30.09 | - | 63.7 | 63.5 | - | - | - | - |
02 | 20 | 7:48 am | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 30.09 | - | 63.7 | 63.5 | - | - | - | - |
02 | 20 | 7:42 am | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 30.09 | - | 63.7 | 63.5 | - | - | - | - |
https://tides4fishing.com/us/florida-west-coast/panama-city
Tides for the week: New Moon Sunday Feb. 23, 2020 Full Moon Monday Mar. 09, 2020 – .
Sunrise: 6:24am Sunset: 5:30pm
Thursday 20th. 5:49am Low -0.6 7:55pm High 1.1
Friday 6:28am Low -0.6 8:44pm High 1.0
Saturday 7:00am Low -0.5 9:29pm High 1.0
Sunday 7:19am Low -0.3 10:12pm High 0.9
Monday 7:06am Low -0.2 10:54pm High 0.7
Tuesday 6:57am Low -0.1 1:25pm High 0.2
3:54pm Low 0.2 11:28pm High 0.6
Wednesday 26th. 6:51am Low 0.1 1:22pm High 0.3
5:36pm Low 0.2
Sunrise:6:11am Sunset: 5:39pm
The Marine forecast for the next several days is: ...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM THIS EVENING THROUGH
SATURDAY MORNING...
TODAY
Southeast winds 10 to 15 knots becoming west late. Seas
1 to 2 feet. Dominant period of 4 seconds. Protected waters a light
chop. Chance of rain in the afternoon.
TONIGHT
North winds 20 knots increasing to 25 to
30 knots after midnight. Seas 2 to 4 feet building to 5 to 7 feet
with occasional seas up to 9 feet. Dominant period 5 seconds
after midnight. Protected waters choppy. Slight chance of rain
showers in the evening.
FRIDAY
North winds 20 to 25 knots. Seas 5 to 7 feet with
occasional seas up to 9 feet. Dominant period of 5 seconds.
Protected waters choppy.
FRIDAY NIGHT
Northeast winds 20 to 25 knots. Seas 4 to 6 feet
with occasional seas up to 8 feet. Dominant period of 4 seconds.
Protected waters choppy.
SATURDAY
Northeast winds 15 knots. Seas 3 to 5 feet with
occasional seas up to 6 feet. Dominant period of 4 seconds.
Protected waters a moderate chop.
SATURDAY NIGHT
Northeast winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas 2 to
3 feet. Protected waters a light chop.
SUNDAY
East winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas 1 to 2 feet. Protected
waters a light chop.
SUNDAY NIGHT
Southeast winds 10 to 15 knots. Seas 2 to 3 feet.
Protected waters a light chop. Slight chance of showers
after midnight.
MONDAY
South winds 15 knots. Seas 2 to 4 feet. Protected
waters a moderate chop. Chance of showers.
(local forecast)
THURSDAY (68/43 rain 90% wind S-14)
FRIRDAY (55/36 rain 10% wind NNE-17)
SATURDAY (59/41 rain 0% wind NE-11)
SUNDAY (62/54 rain 0% wind ESE-06)
MONDAY (68/63 rain 80% wind SE-15)
TUESDAY (68/53 rain 40% wind WSW-09)
WEDNESDAY(64/42 rain 20% wind NW-12)
Tight lines and screaming drags,
Sam
