In this week's Northwest Florida Fishing Report, host Joe Baya covers a wide-open September offshore season around Panama City, with amberjack, triggerfish, red snapper, and gag grouper all available, while nearshore sailfish, mahi, blackfin tuna, and king mackerel begin following huge concentrations of bait toward the beach. This episode features Capt. Harris Scruggs with Triple B Fishing Charters and Brandon Barton with Emerald Waters Kayak Charters. Joe also joins Alabama Saltwater Fishing Report host Butch Thierry for a special conversation with Capt. John Ward of Sea Tow Destin about the true cost of getting towed, what towing memberships actually cover, the difference between towing and salvage, and simple steps boaters can take to avoid becoming stranded.

Capt. Harris Scruggs reports excellent bait concentrations around Panama City, with herring, cigar minnows, and hardtails giving offshore anglers plenty of options while several popular bottom-fishing seasons overlap. Harris likes to target amberjack early on larger wrecks before transitioning into general bottom fishing for gag grouper, red snapper, triggerfish, vermilion snapper, and other reef species. For amberjack on pressured public wrecks, he recommends long leaders of roughly 15 to 20 feet with around 80-pound mono and a hook matched to the size of the bait. Gag grouper are being caught from shallower state-water structure out to roughly 120 to 300 feet, although the better catches have generally been coming from deeper water. Harris fishes a three-way setup with a bank sinker as well as knocker rigs, adjusting leader strength from roughly 40 to 100 pounds depending on bait size and the fish he expects to encounter. Triggerfish have been somewhat inconsistent, but around 150 feet has been a productive depth for larger fish. He also expects September's large bait concentrations to pull more sailfish, blackfin tuna, king mackerel, and other pelagics close to shore as water temperatures begin to fall.

Joe and Butch talk with Capt. John Ward of Sea Tow Destin about what boaters should understand before they ever need assistance on the water. John explains that non-member towing costs are based on the total time required from when the towboat leaves until it returns, not simply the distance the disabled boat is actually towed. At Sea Tow Destin, he says daytime service for non-members is $400 per hour with a two-hour minimum, meaning even a relatively simple battery jump or short tow can become expensive. The conversation covers priority service for Sea Tow members, long-distance offshore towing, insurance towing limits, and the important distinction between a routine tow and a salvage situation involving a vessel in peril. John also shares some of the most common reasons boaters call for help, including running out of fuel, electronic steering failures, blown fuses, and simple launch-day mistakes. His preventative advice includes carrying spare fuses, making sure inspection plates are secured before leaving the dock, putting enough fuel in the boat rather than relying completely on the gauge, and checking basics such as the neutral position and kill switch before assuming there is a major mechanical problem.

Brandon Barton says September is one of his favorite months for kayak fishing because enormous schools of bait can bring sailfish, mahi, blackfin tuna, and king mackerel within a mile of Northwest Florida's beaches. Brandon calls it "September sails" because of the consistent nearshore sailfish opportunity and says recent trips have been loaded with cigar minnows, sardines, and other bait. His approach is to catch live bait with a Sabiki rig and troll one live bait alongside an X-Rap or similar diving lure, using deeper-running plugs on bright, calm days and shallower presentations during low-light, overcast, or choppy conditions. Mahi have already been showing consistently, with blackfin tuna and sailfish also being hooked in the region. Around nearshore reefs, Brandon is finding red snapper, mangrove snapper, amberjack, and gag grouper, and recommends larger live baits dropped close to structure when specifically targeting gags. From a kayak, he generally starts around 50-pound tackle and prefers three- to four-foot leaders and shorter jigging-style rods that allow anglers to quickly pump powerful fish away from structure. Brandon closes with an important safety reminder: watch wind direction and changing conditions, continually check radar, wear a PFD, leave a float plan, carry a reliable means of communication, and do not push offshore when the forecast looks questionable.

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In this week's Northwest Florida Fishing Report, host Joe Baya covers the beginning of the fall transition, big Spanish mackerel around Panama City and Choctawhatchee Bay, a strong surf redfish bite around Pensacola, and sight fishing redfish on the flats. This episode features Capt. Justin Leake with Panama City Inshore, Justin Reed with Justin Reed Fishing, and Capt. Blake Nelson with Last Cast Charters. Joe also joins Alabama Saltwater Fishing Report host Butch Thierry for a special conversation with Craig Underwood from HydroGlow about choosing the right dock light for different waterfront conditions.

Capt. Justin Leake says falling water temperatures and huge concentrations of bait are signaling the beginning of the fall fishing transition around Panama City. Big "ax handle" Spanish mackerel are holding around grass-flat edges and can be targeted with live chum, 40-pound fluorocarbon, and lively baitfish. Offshore, red snapper and amberjack are providing good opportunities in state waters, while sailfish, blackfin tuna, mahi, kings, and other pelagics are beginning to show close to the beach as bait concentrations increase.

Justin Reed reports an excellent redfish bite in the Pensacola surf, including an unusually high number of slot-sized fish. He recommends single-drop rigs with blue crab, sand fleas, or cut bait, while pompano continue to hold primarily beyond the sandbar. Justin also stresses the importance of scouting beaches during daylight, identifying deeper holes and darker water, and moving when an area is not producing rather than repeatedly fishing the same beach access.

Joe and Butch talk with Craig Underwood from HydroGlow about above-water versus underwater dock lights, light color, installation, maintenance, and electrical safety. Craig explains that floating docks are often well suited for above-water DockMaster lights, while fixed docks with sufficient depth may be better candidates for underwater Sea Floor lights. Green, blue, white, and amber lights each have different applications depending on water clarity, depth, and whether the goal is attracting fish from a distance or holding bait around the dock.

Capt. Blake Nelson wraps up with improving Spanish mackerel action around Choctawhatchee Bay as greenies move onto the flats and roll-downs. Live chumming and fly-lining greenies have been productive, while sight fishing redfish provides another strong option when conditions allow. Blake recommends slowing down around productive flats, giving spooked fish time to settle, and making precise casts to fish that are still actively feeding rather than chasing reds that have already taken off.

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In this week's Northwest Florida Fishing Report, host Joe Baya covers a remarkably consistent late-summer pompano bite along the beaches, outstanding billfish action offshore, and an inshore mangrove snapper bite that can keep rods bent through the August heat. This episode features Blake Hunter with Reel30A, Capt. Adam Peeples with One Shot Charters, and Evan Wheeler with Tall Pines Tight Lines. Joe also joins Alabama Saltwater Fishing Report host Butch Thierry for a special conversation with the father-and-son team behind SlipSki about boat and dock covers built for waterfront conditions.

Blake Hunter starts with the surf report, where pompano continue to hold along Walton, Okaloosa, and western Bay County beaches well beyond the traditional spring season. Some of the biggest fish of the summer are now being caught, including pompano pushing well beyond the four-pound mark. Blake believes consistently high salinity may be helping keep the fish on the beach and recommends keeping the presentation simple with a two-drop pompano rig, shrimp, and Fishbites. Pink, orange, chartreuse, and white have been productive colors, with Fishbites clam-scented baits matching the coquina clams showing up in the stomachs of these fish. He also looks ahead to the fall transition, when the first cold fronts and mullet movement could bring slot redfish back into the surf.

Joe and Butch then talk with Daniel and Ed Bejrowski from SlipSki about the development of the company's aluminum boat and dock cover systems. They explain how SlipSki grew out of their experience installing a traditional canopy that they believed could be made stronger, more durable, and better suited for marine environments. The conversation covers marine-grade aluminum construction, removable canopy material for named storms, customization for existing docks, hurricane preparation, and the Dorado Oasis, which extends shade beyond the boat slip to cover much of the dock. They also discuss adapting SlipSki systems to different piling configurations, including composite EcoPile installations.

Capt. Adam Peeples reports excellent bluewater action 40 to 60 miles offshore, with sailfish, white marlin, and blue marlin concentrated around clean water, favorable current, and huge amounts of bait. Adam recently put together two billfish slams during a three-day trip and explains how he fishes dredges, teasers, and swimming ballyhoo while staying relatively light on tackle. His current setup includes Shimano Talica BFC reels, 30-pound main line, 60-pound fluorocarbon leaders, small circle hooks, and medium Baitmasters ballyhoo. The swordfish bite has also improved, with multiple recent fish over 200 pounds, while Adam expects cooling water later this fall to improve wahoo and other pelagic opportunities around the nearshore FADs.

Evan Wheeler wraps up with an inshore option for anglers looking for consistent action during the hottest part of the year. Mangrove snapper are showing up around deeper docks, bridge pilings, jetties, and other structure, giving anglers an opportunity to catch quality fish even when trout and redfish are less cooperative. Evan explains how current, depth, bait, shade, and structure determine where the fish position, and he recommends starting around 15-pound fluorocarbon over 20-pound braid before downsizing if the fish become leader-shy. Live menhaden are an excellent choice, but artificials can be equally productive. Evan has been catching mangroves on MirrOlures and durable Z-Man soft plastics paired with Pro-Cure and Eye Strike jig heads, allowing anglers to cover water and target better fish without spending the morning catching live bait.

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In this week's Northwest Florida Fishing Report, host Joe Baya takes a deeper look at the growing snook population along the northern Gulf Coast with Zoey Hendrickson, a PhD student with the University of South Alabama's Estuarine Ecology Lab. The conversation covers why snook are appearing more frequently in Alabama and Northwest Florida, how they are surviving winter cold snaps, and what their continued range expansion could mean for local anglers.

Zoey explains that warming winters, fewer prolonged cold periods, and the ability of snook to find thermal refuge in deeper rivers and other temperature-stable areas are helping the species establish farther north. Researchers are now seeing snook throughout the year, including juveniles that appear to be surviving multiple winters and gradually growing into larger fish. Similar patterns occurred around Cedar Key before that area developed into an established snook fishery.

The discussion also covers how adult snook move between rivers, jetties, grass flats, oyster reefs, and other estuarine habitat as water temperatures change. Zoey explains that snook are adaptable predators capable of tolerating everything from freshwater to full saltwater, giving them an advantage as they expand into new habitat. She also discusses research into tagging, habitat use, genetics, and whether these "novel native" fish could eventually compete with established species such as speckled trout.

Joe and Zoey wrap up with conservation considerations for this developing fishery. Larger snook play an important role in reproduction, and with the northern Gulf population still relatively small, releasing fish can help give the population an opportunity to become established. Anglers who catch snook are encouraged to handle them carefully, report sightings to the Estuarine Ecology Lab, and report any tagged fish so researchers can continue tracking their growth and movements.

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In this week's Northwest Florida Fishing Report, host Joe Baya covers beating the August heat, nighttime dock-light fishing around Pensacola, working through heavy floating grass, and finding productive water during the dog days around Panama City. This episode features Brandon Barton with Emerald Waters Kayak Charters and Capt. Justin Leake with Panama City Inshore.

Brandon Barton explains how to stay comfortable and safe during extreme August heat by covering up with lightweight, breathable fishing clothing, staying hydrated, and avoiding the hottest parts of the day when possible. On the fishing side, nighttime dock lights are producing trout and redfish on small artificial shrimp, while floating grass has made daytime fishing more challenging. Brandon recommends replacing treble hooks with single hooks, using weedless presentations, and fishing the side of a flat where the wind has pushed less grass. Looking ahead, September cold fronts should bring improving king mackerel, mahi, and sailfish opportunities close to the beach.

Capt. Justin Leake reports that extreme water temperatures have concentrated Panama City fish around areas with strong tidal movement. He is targeting redfish, mangrove snapper, and Spanish mackerel around points where incoming or outgoing water creates steady current. Justin explains how to set up up-current, use live pilchards or pogies to establish a chum line, and move quickly if a spot does not produce. For anglers fishing artificials, he recommends a small Z-Man Diesel Minnow on a half-ounce jig head to imitate the pilchards currently entering the bay. That influx of bait is also one of the first signs that Northwest Florida's fall fishing pattern is beginning to develop.

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In this week's Northwest Florida Fishing Report, host Joe Baya covers triggerfish and natural-bottom fishing out of Destin, a strong August pompano bite along 30A, and deep-water tactics for large speckled trout around Pensacola. This episode features Capt. Adam Schroeder with Ignite the Bite Charters, Blake Hunter with Reel30A, and Capt. Evan Wheeler with Tall Pines Tight Lines and Nervous Bait Company.

Capt. Adam Schroeder explains how to target triggerfish around natural bottom and artificial pyramids with small light-wire hooks, two-hook rigs, squid, and sensitive rods. He also covers vermilion snapper, red grouper, mangrove snapper, king mackerel, bait selection, and when to leave an unproductive area for a larger move. Inshore, mangrove snapper, redfish, black drum, Spanish mackerel, ladyfish, and bluefish are available around bridges, jetties, and deeper docks.

Blake Hunter reports one of the best summer pompano bites Walton County has seen in several years. He recommends scouting beach accesses, checking water clarity, and looking for sharp drop-offs, cuts, troughs, and places where green water quickly turns dark blue. Afternoon fishing has been strongest, while ladyfish, bluefish, hardtails, and occasional redfish are also being caught.

Capt. Evan Wheeler wraps up with the Pensacola inshore report, where large trout are holding deeper during the summer heat. He explains how to locate clean water, bait, birds, and current seams, then fish the entire water column. Larger trout have been responding to quarter- and three-eighth-ounce jig heads paired with six-inch soft plastics, while smaller trout, Spanish mackerel, ladyfish, and bluefish are feeding higher in the water column.

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In this week's Northwest Florida Fishing Report, host Joe Baya covers improving offshore water after a tropical system, post-storm bottom fishing around Panama City, late-summer inshore action in Choctawhatchee Bay, and dirty surf conditions from Pensacola to Navarre. This episode features Tom Hilton of Hilton's Realtime Navigator, Capt. Myles Colley aboard It Just Takes Time, Capt. Harris Scruggs with Triple B Fishing Charters, Capt. Blake Nelson with Reel30A, and Justin Reed Fishing.

Tom Hilton starts with the offshore conditions report, where the tropical system helped break up the freshwater and dirty river water that had spread across much of the northern Gulf. He explains how to combine chlorophyll imagery, sea-surface temperatures, altimetry, current, structure, and bait to locate productive water. Tom also covers how to use one-day, three-day, and seven-day satellite images, why organized color changes can hold bait and predators, and how offshore structures can continue producing even when they sit inside less-favorable altimetry.

Capt. Myles Colley breaks down the current offshore billfish pattern after a tournament performance that included five blue marlin, six sailfish, and a white marlin. He explains why current speed and direction are his most important offshore factors, why he prefers counterclockwise or incoming current, and when he will leave an unproductive area for a completely different body of water. Miles also discusses trolling teasers, pitching ballyhoo and larger natural baits, using live bait and sonar for blue marlin, and applying enough drag to keep big fish from settling into a long fight. He closes with the story of an estimated grander blue marlin hooked near the Nipple and Elbow that measured approximately 154 inches and was released after an eight-hour fight.

Capt. Harris Scruggs covers the Panama City offshore report, where the storm created dirty, silty water and a major increase in sail cats and hardhead catfish. Red grouper remain available on deeper natural bottom, while triggerfish numbers have been inconsistent ahead of the season reopening. Harris explains why he deploys a flat line and knocker rig at every stop, how casting a one- to three-ounce knocker rig up-current allows it to cover the water column, and why dead bait has recently outperformed live bait for snapper and grouper. He also discusses scaling down to 30- or 40-pound fluorocarbon on pressured fish and using multi-hook rigs to fire up natural bottom before sending down larger baits.

Capt. Blake Nelson reports that Choctawhatchee Bay fishing has remained productive, but rapidly developing thunderstorms have made weather awareness the biggest concern. Large schools of jack crevalle and bull redfish are feeding on pogies and greenies around Rocky Bayou, Boggy Bayou, Joe's Bayou, Marler Bayou, and the East Pass. Blake explains how to target them with 20- to 30-pound braid, heavier leaders, topwater plugs, and large swimbaits. Trout, slot redfish, and mangrove snapper are holding around grass, sandy pockets, docks, and deeper cuts, while summer dock-light fishing has been especially productive with live bait and quarter-ounce glow DOA shrimp.

Justin Reed wraps up with the surf report, where anglers must locate cleaner water to escape heavy catfish activity and find pompano, ladyfish, whiting, and other desirable species. He recommends scouting multiple beach accesses, walking shallow points when necessary, and casting beyond the dirty water. Cut ladyfish on a fish-finder rig has been producing redfish and bluefish close to the beach, while pompano have been keyed in on sand fleas and orange floats, beads, hooks, or Fishbites. Justin also explains why pyramid sinkers hold better than egg sinkers in strong west-wind current and why frequent bait checks remain important during the summer.

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In this week's Northwest Florida Fishing Report, host Joe Baya covers a difficult midsummer pattern around Pensacola, where heavy rain, dirty water, lower salinity, extreme heat, and inconsistent bait have affected both inshore and offshore fishing. This episode features Brandon Barton with Emerald Waters Kayak Charters and Capt. Tyler Massey with Hot Spots Charters.

Brandon Barton starts with the kayak report, where dirty beach water has made Pensacola tarpon difficult to locate and target. He explains how the bite may shift toward nighttime bridge fishing, trolling live menhaden along light lines, and using heavier leaders in stained water. Brandon also shares dock-light tactics for trout and redfish, including downsizing artificial shrimp, casting past the light, working shadow lines first, and fishing above-water lights.

Capt. Tyler Massey wraps up with the inshore and offshore report, where freshwater runoff temporarily pushed out bait, king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, and other surface fish. He explains why deeper natural bottom has been more productive than wrecks for red snapper, vermilion snapper, scamp, and grouper, and how cut bait and two-hook rigs can create a feeding frenzy. Tyler also covers early trout, dock redfish, mangrove snapper, and a steady flounder bite around passes and deeper structure.

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In this week's Northwest Florida Fishing Report, host Joe Baya covers mid-summer fishing from Destin to Panama City, where clean beach water, strong pompano action, long offshore runs, and an outstanding swordfish bite are defining the season. This episode features Blake Hunter with Reel30A and Capt. Adam Peeples with One Shot Charters.

Blake Hunter starts with the surf report, where summertime pompano continue to exceed expectations along the 30A corridor. He explains how higher salinity water, afternoon sea breezes, and sargassum along the troughs are concentrating fish, while also sharing tips for finding sand fleas, fishing wobble jigs, and targeting pompano from the beach with both live bait and artificials.

Capt. Adam Peeples wraps up with an offshore report from Destin, where blue water has pushed more than 100 miles offshore, forcing long runs to find sailfish, blackfin tuna, and blue marlin. Despite the distance, the swordfish bite has been exceptional, with multiple double-digit bite days. Adam also discusses locating productive temperature breaks, choosing fresh bonita for bait, and adapting to constantly changing offshore conditions.

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In this week's Northwest Florida Fishing Report, host Joe Baya covers a rainy summer pattern from Pensacola to Destin, with dirty water, tarpon, sargassum, offshore kayak action, pressured snapper, sharks, and night fishing all affecting the bite. This episode features Brandon Barton with Emerald Waters Kayak Charters, Tom Hilton with Hilton's Realtime Navigator, and Captain Adam Schroeder with Ignite The Bite Charters.

Brandon Barton starts in Pensacola, where tarpon are showing up along the beach as they migrate west. He breaks down how he targets them from the kayak by slow trolling live bait, watching for rolling fish, staying around the second sandbar and color-change zone, and keeping a second live bait ready to pitch. Brandon also covers the kayak bite for kings, snapper, bonito, Spanish mackerel, mahi, and amberjack, plus strong inshore and night fishing for trout, redfish, and bull reds around dock lights, bridges, and bait schools.

Tom Hilton joins the show to explain how heavy sargassum is shaping offshore fishing across the Gulf. He talks through how Hilton's Real Time Navigator helps anglers find grass lines, fishable water, current edges, sea temperature breaks, bait, and structure. Tom also explains why sargassum can be both a problem and an opportunity, creating nursery habitat and feeding zones while making trolling difficult when it gets too thick.

Captain Adam Schroeder closes with a Destin nearshore report for Ignite The Bite Charters. Adam has been finding a better bite east of Destin on natural bottom, with red snapper, red grouper, mangrove snapper, lane snapper, scamp, and triggerfish in the mix. He explains how dead bait, squid, live threadfins, pinfish, chum, light fluorocarbon, clean knots, and spot-lock trolling motors can help fire up pressured fish. Adam also notes that sharks and dolphins have made some public reef areas tougher, making natural bottom a better option when conditions allow.

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Pure Flats - Slick Lures