In this week's Northwest Florida Fishing Report, we cover prime winter fishing on the Emerald Coast! Local expert Justin Reed with Justin Reed Fishing shares pro tips for surf fishing tactics targeting black drum and pompano near Pensacola. Capt. Blake Nelson of Last Cast Charters outlines tournament-winning redfish strategies in Choctawhatchee Bay. Offshore, Capt. Adam Peeples with One Shot Charters details targeting red grouper, wahoo, dolphin, and blue marlin near Destin, with advice on live and dead bait, temperature breaks, and adapting to changing Gulf conditions. Whether you're focused on beach, bay, or offshore action, get the latest winter fishing hotspots, gear recommendations, and seasonal techniques from top Northwest Florida captains.

Sponsors:

Dixie Supply and Baker Metal

Killerdock

Coastal Connection EXP Realty

AFTCO

SlipSki Solutions

Black Buffalo

Saltwater Marketing

Stayput Anchor

Hilton's Realtime Navigator

In this week's episode of the Northwest Florida Fishing Report, host Joe Baya is joined by top local captains and guides: Captain Tyler Massey of Hot Spots Charters, Captain Evan Wheeler of Tall Pines Tight Lines, and surf fishing expert Blake Hunter from Reel 30A.

The crew breaks down the best winter fishing tactics for inshore, offshore, and beach anglers from Pensacola to Panama City. Learn where and how to catch high-demand species like pompano, redfish, black drum, sheepshead, speckled trout, and scamp grouper this season, plus get pro tips on the best rigs, baits (live and artificial), and interpreting tides and weather—essential insights for targeting big winter fish.

The show also discusses latest fishery updates, conservation-minded practices, and captain-recommended gear. Whether you're planning a fishing trip or want to stay up to date on the Northwest Florida Gulf Coast scene, this episode offers actionable advice for success.

Sponsors:

Dixie Supply and Baker Metal

Killerdock

Coastal Connection EXP Realty

AFTCO

SlipSki Solutions

Black Buffalo

Saltwater Marketing

Stayput Anchor

Hilton's Realtime Navigator

Join host Joe Baya as he kicks off the first Northwest Florida Fishing Report of 2026, featuring expert insights from top guides Brandon Barton (Pensacola) and Captain Justin Leake (Panama City).

This episode covers essential winter fishing tips for inshore and offshore anglers, from targeting bull redfish around bridges and flats, to safety considerations for kayak fishermen during colder months.

Learn the most effective live and artificial bait strategies for snapper, grouper, flounder, and scamp, and discover how changing weather patterns, tides, and wind conditions influence local fishing success. The discussion also spotlights the region's growing artificial reef and FAD projects, fishery management best practices, and the ongoing transition towards sustainable fishing in Northwest Florida.

Whether you fish Pensacola, Panama City, or anywhere along the Emerald Coast, this report offers actionable advice and high-impact techniques to help you make the most of winter fishing in Florida's top angling destinations.

Sponsors:

Dixie Supply and Baker Metal

Killerdock

Coastal Connection EXP Realty

AFTCO

Sea Tow

SlipSki Solutions

Black Buffalo

Saltwater Marketing

Stayput Anchor

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Martha LaGuardia-Kotite, retired U.S. Coast Guard Captain, Harvard-educated author, and one of the first women to serve aboard all-male Coast Guard cutters. With a distinguished 29-year career spanning disaster response, homeland security, post-9/11 operations, and global missions, Martha shares firsthand insights from a lifetime dedicated to saving lives at sea.

Drawing from her acclaimed book So Others May Live, the definitive account of U.S. Coast Guard rescue swimmers, Martha reveals what really happens during high-risk maritime rescues and how quickly routine days on the water can turn dangerous. She discusses the mindset, preparation, and split-second decision-making that rescue swimmers rely on—and how anglers and recreational boaters can apply those same principles to improve boating safety, situational awareness, and survival on the water.

This episode explores essential boating safety lessons for anglers, including recognizing red flags before conditions deteriorate, avoiding common preventable mistakes, improving communication and leadership on fishing crews, and developing mental readiness whether fishing offshore, inshore, or solo. Beyond boating, Martha shares broader life lessons on courage, leadership, resilience, and preparedness—encouraging listeners to "Be Bold, Be First, Be You."

Sponsors:

Fishbites

Dixie Supply and Baker Metal

Killerdock

Test Calibration

Coastal Connection EXP Realty

AFTCO

Sea Tow

SlipSki Solutions

Black Buffalo

Pure Flats

Saltwater Marketing

Stayput Anchor

Join hosts Joe Baya, Butch Theory, and Nick Williams for a special holiday episode of the Northwest Florida Fishing Report, presented by Great Days Outdoors Magazine.

In this Christmas Special, the captains discuss the best fishing gift ideas and must-have angling gear for 2025, covering both freshwater and saltwater essentials. Listeners will discover expert recommendations on waders, filet knives, vacuum sealers, rain gear, polarized sunglasses, portable sonar, safety equipment, and more.

The episode is packed with angler safety tips, reviews of top fishing products and brands like AFTCO and Stayput Anchor, with practical advice for both beginner and veteran anglers. Whether you're looking for last-minute Christmas gifts for fishermen or want to upgrade your outdoor equipment, this fishing podcast has everything you need for a successful year on Alabama's lakes and rivers.

Sponsors:

Fishbites

Dixie Supply and Baker Metal

Killerdock

Test Calibration

Coastal Connection EXP Realty

AFTCO

Sea Tow

SlipSki Solutions

Black Buffalo

Pure Flats

Saltwater Marketing

Stayput Anchor

Join host Joe Baya for the latest Northwest Florida Fishing Report as he welcomes Captain Evan Wheeler (Pensacola inshore expert) and Captain Adam Peoples (Destin offshore specialist). Discover top winter fishing tactics, including how to target redfish, speckled trout, and more during cold fronts in Pensacola Bay. Learn the best bait choices, water conditions, and timing for successful trips. Captain Adam Peeples breaks down offshore fishing for big tuna, swordfish, and marlin off Destin, with essential tips on planning overnight trips, gear, and safety. Stay ahead with expert advice for both inshore and offshore anglers in Florida's Gulf Coast. Subscribe for weekly fishing strategies, reports, and pro tips!

The Northwest Florida Fishing Report is brought to you by Great Days Outdoors. Please subscribe, rate, and review wherever you listen to podcasts, and don't forget to text NWFFR to (779) 345-2918 to join our email list and receive a promo code for an AFTCO camo sunglass cleaning cloth with any purchase.

Sponsors:

Fishbites

Dixie Supply and Baker Metal

Killerdock

Test Calibration

Coastal Connection EXP Realty

AFTCO

Sea Tow

SlipSki Solutions

Black Buffalo

Pure Flats

Saltwater Marketing

Stayput Anchor

Join host Joe Baya on the Northwest Florida Fishing Report for an action-packed episode featuring Captain Blake Nelson of Last Cast Charters in Destin and Captain Tyler Massey of Hot Spots Charters in Pensacola.

Get expert insights on winter fishing in the Emerald Coast, including how to target redfish and trout on the flats, tournament strategies, bait and lure selection, and adapting to cold, changing weather. Offshore, Captain Massey shares the latest on Wahoo, tuna, scamp, and snapper fishing, plus tactics for success around local wrecks and fads.

Whether you're planning an inshore charter in Destin, searching for Pensacola offshore fishing tips, or want to optimize your winter Gulf Coast fishing trips, this podcast covers it all. Perfect for anglers, charter fishing fans, and anyone seeking the best Florida fishing podcast.

Sponsors:

Fishbites

Dixie Supply and Baker Metal

Killerdock

Test Calibration

Coastal Connection EXP Realty

AFTCO

Sea Tow

SlipSki Solutions

Black Buffalo

Pure Flats

Saltwater Marketing

Stayput Anchor

Tune into this winter's Northwest Florida Fishing Report as host Joe Baya teams up with Capt. Justin Leake with Panama City Inshore and Brandon Barton with Emerald Waters Kayak Charters for a deep dive into the season's best fishing opportunities.

Discover expert techniques for targeting redfish, speckled trout, and flounder in the bays, as well as offshore strategies for blackfin and yellowfin tuna—all optimized for winter conditions and cold fronts.

Learn how changing weather impacts Panama City fishing and Pensacola fishing, with practical kayak fishing safety tips, bait selection insights, and expert advice on finding the most productive inshore and offshore spots.

With tips on winter fishing tactics, artificial and live bait rigs, flounder regulations, and the advantages of kayak fishing, this episode is packed with actionable strategies for anglers throughout Northwest Florida and the Gulf Coast.

Sponsors:

Fishbites

Dixie Supply and Baker Metal

Killerdock

Test Calibration

Coastal Connection EXP Realty

AFTCO

Sea Tow

SlipSki Solutions

Black Buffalo

Pure Flats

Saltwater Marketing

Stayput Anchor

Join the Northwest Florida Fishing Report for a special Thanksgiving episode packed with winter fishing wisdom, conservation insights, and deep-dive discussions on what makes late-season angling across the Panhandle so unique. Host Joe Baya brings together Captain Evan Wheeler and Captain Patrick Garmason for an honest, expert-level breakdown of how to approach cold-water fishing in Pensacola, Mobile Bay, and the surrounding tributaries.

This Thanksgiving special digs into the science and strategy behind winter fishing. Biologist and guide Evan Wheeler explains how dropping water temperatures affect fish metabolism, feeding behavior, and movement patterns — and how anglers can use that knowledge to stay one step ahead. Captain Patrick Garmason breaks down the nuances of fishing rivers, creeks, and deep water around Mobile Bay, offering practical tips on reading conditions, choosing the right tackle, and adjusting presentations as fish slow down.

The discussion gets even deeper with a powerful segment on Release Over 20, where the captains discuss the biological importance of protecting larger trout, redfish, flounder, and even sheepshead. They walk listeners through proper handling, when to cut the line, when a fish can survive a deep hook, and the ethical mindset behind selective harvest — all backed by real science and decades of on-the-water experience.

You'll also hear detailed talk about rod and reel setups for deep winter structure, why mono sometimes beats braid, how to approach pressured winter fisheries, and the confidence baits both captains rely on when the bite gets tough. From slick lures and loop knots to feeding windows, solunar patterns, and the subtle differences between Florida and Alabama winter fisheries, this episode is loaded with insight.

Whether you're gearing up for a cold-weather trout mission, trying to better understand winter fish behavior, or simply enjoying the holiday week with family, this Thanksgiving episode brings expert perspective, conservation values, and classic NWFFR storytelling all in one place.

Fishbites

Dixie Supply and Baker Metal

Killerdock

Test Calibration

Coastal Connection EXP Realty

AFTCO

Sea Tow

SlipSki Solutions

Black Buffalo

Pure Flats

Saltwater Marketing

Stayput Anchor

Join host Joe Baya and a team of expert captains, including Angelo DePaola, Butch Thierry, Tom Hilton, Blake Hunter, and Captain Evan Wheeler, for the latest Northwest Florida Fishing Report. This episode covers inshore, offshore, and surf fishing conditions from Pensacola to Destin and Panama City, featuring hot bite updates for pompano, redfish, yellowfin tuna, and whiting. Learn expert techniques for targeting Gulf Coast fish using satellite data for altimetry, salinity, and sea temperatures. The captains discuss surf fishing strategy, winter trout and redfish tactics, and keys for finding trophy catches. Plus, get insider real estate tips for anglers seeking waterfront homes and boat-friendly properties along the Emerald Coast. If you're looking for the most up-to-date Gulf Coast fishing forecast and expert advice, this episode delivers all the high-impact fishing trends, tips, and market insights you need.

Sponsors

Fishbites

Dixie Supply and Baker Metal

Killerdock

Test Calibration

Coastal Connection EXP Realty

Great Days Outdoors

AFTCO

Sea Tow

SlipSki Solutions

Black Buffalo

Pure Flats

Saltwater Marketing

Stayput Anchor