In this week's Northwest Florida Fishing Report, host Joe Baya covers a spring transition with updates from offshore, the surf, and Pensacola inshore waters. This episode features Capt. Harris Scruggs on Panama City triggerfish, grouper, vermilion snapper, and early Spanish mackerel, Blake Hunter on scattered pompano, bull reds, and black drum in the surf, and Brandon Barton on clear-water trout and redfish tactics. The big theme this week is that spring is close, but anglers still need to adjust to changing conditions.

Joe starts offshore with Capt. Harris Scruggs of Triple B Fishing Charters. Harris says short bottom trips are producing triggerfish, vermilion snapper, red grouper, and scamp, and he explains how fishing bigger baits off the bottom can help target larger triggerfish. He also shares a quick update on early Spanish mackerel showing closer to the beach.

Next, Joe checks in with Blake Hunter of Reel30A for the surf report. Blake says the main pompano run has not fully arrived, but there are enough fish around to keep anglers watching the full moon, beach structure, and water temperature. He also says bull reds and black drum are giving surf anglers another strong option right now.

To wrap, Joe heads to Pensacola with Brandon Barton of Emerald Waters Kayak Charters for an inshore report on trout and redfish. Brandon explains why stealth matters so much in the clear, shallow water and shares a few lure and presentation adjustments that can make a difference. Overall, the report shows Northwest Florida is right on the edge of a stronger spring bite.

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