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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In this week's Northwest Florida Fishing Report, host Joe Baya covers an early dog-days summer pattern from Pensacola to Panama City, with heat, humidity, sargassum, dirty surf, and pressured offshore fish shaping the bite. This episode features Capt. Blake Nelson with Last Cast Charters, Capt. Harris Scruggs with Triple B Fishing, and Justin Reed with Justin Reed Fishing.

Capt. Blake Nelson breaks down the Choctawhatchee Bay inshore report, where hot weather has pushed redfish, black drum, mangrove snapper, trout, and Spanish mackerel into slightly deeper water. He explains why covering ground is more important than waiting on a perfect feeding window, how deeper docks and bridge areas are holding fish, and why a 3-inch Gulp Shrimp on a quarter-ounce jig head is a strong search bait around docks. Blake also talks through the greenie and pogie bait situation, fly-lining live bait over grass flats, and why wind can matter more than solunar tables in Choctawhatchee Bay.

Capt. Harris Scruggs gives the Panama City offshore report, where bait has been easy to find but bottom fishing has been a grind because of rough weather, dolphin pressure, sharks, and fish moving around. He discusses red snapper, red grouper, scamp, mangrove snapper, king mackerel, and how anglers can improve their odds by carrying good live bait, scaling down tackle, using longer leaders when possible, and fishing less-pressured spots. Harris also covers the heavy sargassum offshore and explains how crews are still picking up wahoo by running smaller-profile jet heads and keeping trolling gear as clean as possible.

Justin Reed closes with the Pensacola surf report, where rough weather and dirty water have changed the beach game. He explains how anglers can still find pompano, whiting, redfish, bluefish, ladyfish, and other surf species by using brighter colors, more scent, synthetic baits, sand fleas, and larger cut baits when catfish become a problem. Justin also breaks down how to scout after storms, what surf "structure" really means, why sandbars, troughs, holes, and rip currents matter, and why early mornings or night fishing can be the best way to beat the summer heat.

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In this week's Northwest Florida Fishing Report, host Joe Baya takes a different approach with a compilation-style episode built from recent reports across the Emerald Coast. With weather making fresh reports tougher to gather, Joe revisits timely conversations covering the onshore, inshore, and offshore bite from Pensacola to Panama City. The episode covers summer pompano, bull reds in the surf, June grass, sargassum, stained bay water, trout and redfish tactics, topwater and wake bait fishing, early red snapper season strategy, snapper pressure concerns, scamp and mangrove snapper options, a 790-pound bluefin tuna, mahi around grass, swordfish action, and offshore grass problems. This episode features Justin Reed with Justin Reed Fishing, Blake Hunter with Reel 30A, Capt. Evan Wheeler with Pensacola Fishing Charters, Brandon Barton with Emerald Waters Kayak Charters, Capt. Harris Scruggs with Triple B Charters, Capt. Adam Peeples with One Shot Charters, and Capt. Tyler Massey with Hot Spots Charters.

Justin Reed and Blake Hunter break down the Northwest Florida surf report, where pompano are still being caught even as June grass, sargassum, rain, and shifting winds make beach fishing more challenging. Justin explains why anglers need to stay mobile, how north winds can help push grass off the beach, and why clean-water pockets may be the difference between catching fish and fighting grass all day. Blake adds a 30A perspective, explaining how dune lake outflows, stained water, sargassum, and an unusual early-summer pattern have affected the pompano bite. He also discusses why summertime pompano often feed better leading up to the full moon, why sand fleas remain important, and how Fishbites can still produce when anglers find clean, fishable water.

Capt. Evan Wheeler and Brandon Barton cover the inshore bite, where heavy rain and dirty "root beer" water have made trout and redfish fishing more condition-dependent. Evan explains how rough, stained water and a lack of obvious signs of life force anglers to go back to the basics, including reading birds, bait, wading birds, pelicans, terns, and current lines. He breaks down how different bird behavior can point to pogies, glass minnows, smaller fry, or redfish feeding opportunities, and why lure size and presentation should change based on the bait being targeted. Evan also talks about prospecting with baits like a MirrOlure 17MR and Slick Junior when the visual cues are missing. Brandon Barton adds a kayak fishing perspective from the Pensacola area, where open grass flats, potholes, points, and structure are producing trout and redfish, with topwaters and wake baits both playing a role depending on wind, cloud cover, fish activity, and how committed the strikes are.

Capt. Harris Scruggs gives the offshore bottom fishing report, with red snapper season shaping much of the conversation. Harris explains how he approaches the early part of snapper season by fishing known public wrecks before pressure builds, using more traditional tackle early and scaling down later as the fish become more pressured. He also gives a blunt assessment of the long red snapper season, explaining why he believes the amount of pressure could be hard on the fishery. Harris encourages anglers to think beyond simply catching a limit of red snapper, and Joe ties that into a broader discussion about targeting other species such as scamp, red grouper, and mangrove snapper while still expecting to encounter red snapper along the way.

Capt. Adam Peeples and Tyler Massey close out the offshore and bluewater side of the report. Adam shares the story of a 113-inch, 790-pound bluefin tuna caught while live-baiting with a blackfin tuna, including the heavy tackle setup, the long fight, the fish dying in 2,200 feet of water, and the hard work required to retrieve it from the bottom. He also explains why crews need to be prepared with block and tackle, a real fish bag or blanket, and plenty of ice if they may encounter a fish of that size. Adam also reports good swordfish action, quality dolphin, blue water, current, and bait, while warning that scattered offshore grass has made trolling difficult. Tyler Massey adds practical mahi advice for fishing larger grass patches, explaining how to pitch baits around the edges, keep multiple rods going, and hold fish around the boat with enough bait in the water.

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In this week's Northwest Florida Fishing Report, host Joe Baya covers a mixed early-summer pattern from Pensacola to Panama City, with heavy rain, stained bay water, sargassum, June grass, strong surf shark action, a rare nighttime tarpon catch, steady summer pompano, stained-water trout tactics, offshore mahi around grass, swordfish timing, and boat-running issues caused by floating grass. This episode features Blake Hunter with Reel 30A, Brandon Barton with Emerald Waters Kayak Charters, and Capt. Adam Peeples with One Shot Charters.

Blake Hunter breaks down the 30A surf report, where nighttime fishing has produced strong shark action and a standout tarpon catch from the beach after dark. He explains how blacktips, sandbar sharks, bull sharks, and bigger fish are feeding around the evening-to-night transition, why stingray has been a top shark bait, and how heavier tackle, shock leaders, and second-sandbar setups come into play. Blake also covers the current surf conditions, including dune lake outflows, sargassum, June grass, and a surprisingly good summer pompano bite, with sand fleas and Fishbites both producing fish when anglers can find clean, fishable water.

Brandon Barton gives the Pensacola inshore kayak report, where heavy rain has left the bays dirty and stained, making trout and redfish fishing more condition-dependent. He explains why anglers should switch from natural presentations to louder, higher-contrast lures in stained water, including topwaters, wake baits, brighter soft plastics, and possibly popping corks. Brandon also talks about finding trout around mullet schools near docks, why a white bone Southern Salt Apex topwater matched the bait well, and how he rigs for long casts with 20-pound braid, 20-pound fluorocarbon leader, and longer leaders tied with an FG knot.

Capt. Adam Peeples gives the Destin offshore report, where fishing has been productive when boats can work around rough weather and heavy sargassum. He explains how scattered grass has made trolling difficult, but mahi can still be caught by finding larger patches, birds, or floating structure and using cut bait, squid, Ballyhoo, live bait, or even small jigs to draw fish to the boat. Adam also covers the current swordfish pattern, with fish keying heavily on major feeding periods, especially around the full and new moon, and warns boaters to watch for grass clogging motors, raw-water intakes, strainers, and debris hidden inside the floating sargassum.

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In this week's Northwest Florida Fishing Report, host Joe Baya covers a challenging early-summer pattern shaped by heavy rain, dirty "root beer" water, wind, changing bait behavior, inshore trout and redfish tactics, red snapper season, offshore dolphin and shark pressure, mahi around scattered grass, and wahoo opportunities. This episode features Capt. Evan Wheeler with Tall Pines Tight Lines in the Pensacola area and Capt. Tyler Massey with Hot Spots Charters.

Capt. Evan Wheeler breaks down the Pensacola inshore report, where recent rain, dirty water, wind, and a lack of visual life have made trout and redfish fishing highly variable. He explains how he reads birds, bait, tides, solunar periods, current, water clarity, boat traffic, and "trout sky" conditions when obvious signs are missing. Evan also talks about prospecting with lures like the MirrOlure 17MR and Slick Junior, adjusting depth as water temperatures climb, and why he prefers releasing speckled trout over 20 inches to protect breeder fish.

Capt. Tyler Massey gives the Pensacola offshore report, where red snapper season is off to a solid start when weather allows boats to get out. He explains how sharks and dolphins are affecting state-water and federal-water snapper spots, why anglers may need to make longer moves between areas, and how live bait like cigar minnows and LYs can help produce steady keeper fish. Tyler also discusses targeting larger snapper with big dead baits like Boston mackerel and butterflied white snapper, plus mahi fishing around larger grass patches, scattered grass challenges, and recent wahoo bites around the offshore FADs.

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In this week's Northwest Florida Fishing Report, host Joe Baya is joined by Butch Thierry for a wide-ranging Gulf Coast report covering surf fishing from Pensacola to Navarre, late-spring pompano and bull redfish, June grass problems along the beach, sand flea scouting, an epic swordfish trip out of Dauphin Island, slow tuna conditions, strong scamp grouper action, snapper season opportunities, and how Panama City anglers can adjust around changing wind and weather. This episode features Justion Reed with Justin Reed Fishing, Capt. King Marchand with Captain Mike's Deep Sea Fishing, and Capt. Justin Leake with Panama City Inshore.

Justin Reed gives the surf fishing report from the Pensacola and Navarre area, where pompano are still being caught on most trips and bull redfish have been consistent off the beach. He explains how June grass and sargassum are forcing anglers to stay mobile, why north winds can help clean up the surf, and how to follow pockets of clean water when grass is moving down the beach. Justin also breaks down beach gear, sand spikes, fishing carts, walking the beach with artificials, targeting Spanish mackerel and bluefish with heavy spoons, and finding sand fleas for pompano bait.

Capt. King Marchand gives the offshore report after a standout swordfish trip aboard the Lady Ann, where his crew killed three swordfish, released three more, and added an escolar during a fast-paced bite. King explains why he believes the swordfish bite shifts from west to east as the season progresses, how he uses historical data, ledges, bait marks, electronics, and boat positioning to stay on the fish, and why holding over the right piece of bottom can outperform a blind drift. He also talks about slow yellowfin tuna fishing, the importance of fishing while already hooked up, strong scamp grouper action, and how sharks are starting to affect the bite.

Capt. Justin Leake gives the Panama City and Panama City Beach report, where changing weather has anglers bouncing between offshore, nearshore, and inshore options. He explains how he reads hourly forecasts and wind direction, especially when deciding whether to run offshore for snapper or stay inside for trout, redfish, tarpon, or trolling opportunities. Justin also talks about using a versatile boat setup, adjusting routes around southeast winds, fishing live bait with heavier fluorocarbon when Spanish mackerel and bluefish are mixed in, and staying flexible enough to fish everything from a few inches of water to a couple hundred feet depending on conditions.

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In this week's Northwest Florida Fishing Report, host Joe Baya is joined by Butch Thierry and Angelo DePaola for a wide-ranging Gulf Coast report covering a massive 790-pound bluefin tuna, improving swordfish and dolphin action offshore, heavy sargassum in the blue water, kayak-accessible inshore trout and redfish patterns, nearshore reef opportunities, and the kickoff of Gulf billfish tournament season. This episode features Capt. Adam Peeples with One Shot Charters, Brandon Barton with Emerald Waters Kayak Charters, and Jim Cox with the Orange Beach Billfish Classic.

Capt. Adam Peeples gives the offshore report after landing a 113-inch, 790-pound bluefin tuna while live baiting with blackfin tuna on Penn 70s, 150-pound hollow core braid, 130-pound mono, 200-pound fluorocarbon leader, and a 12/0 Mustad Perfect Circle hook. He also reports strong dolphin action, an improving swordfish bite, 78-degree blue water, and scattered sargassum that is making trolling difficult. Adam explains how anglers can adjust by avoiding grass-catching plugs and divers, using single-hook rigs, fishing live baits differently, and staying disciplined about keeping lines clean.

Brandon Barton gives the kayak fishing report from the Pensacola area, where trout and redfish are active on open grass flats, sand potholes, and shallow-to-mid-depth areas in the sound. He breaks down topwater, wake bait, jerk bait, weedless shrimp, and paddle tail tactics for trout and redfish, along with how he uses kayak mobility and electric propulsion to reach less-pressured water. Brandon also talks nearshore reefs, where amberjack, snapper, grouper, king mackerel, and even mahi are becoming realistic kayak targets as summer patterns build.

Jim Cox recaps the Orange Beach Billfish Classic, the first leg of the Gulf Coast Triple Crown, with a record 62 boats and a $1.6 million tournament purse. He covers the long runs teams made in search of current, the strong blue marlin catch-and-release results, giant tuna weighed during the event, and how Gulf Coast tournament fishing continues to become more technical with sonar fishing, live baiting, fuel range, and advanced boat technology shaping the modern game.

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In this week's Northwest Florida Fishing Report, host Joe Baya covers the start of a long red snapper season, strong vermilion snapper fishing, inshore redfish and trout patterns, and Spanish mackerel action around Destin and Choctawhatchee Bay. This episode features Capt. Harris Scruggs with Triple B Fishing Charters and Capt. Blake Nelson of Last Cast Charters.

Capt. Harris Scruggs gives the offshore report from Panama City, where vermilion snapper fishing has been excellent and red snapper season is about to bring heavy pressure to public wrecks and reefs. He breaks down bait, tackle, wreck positioning, waypoint strategy, and why anglers should also consider scamp, mangrove snapper, triggerfish, and other bottom fish.

Capt. Blake Nelson gives the inshore report from the Destin area, with redfish and trout on the flats, pogies becoming the easier live bait option, and Spanish mackerel still available by trolling roll-downs, bridges, and bay structure. He also shares tips on fishing unfamiliar water safely and matching lures to grass, mud, depth, and water clarity.

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In this week's Northwest Florida Fishing Report, host Joe Baya is joined by co-host Angelo DePaola for a wide-open May fishing report that covers surf fishing, offshore tuna and bottom fishing, Gulf Coast real estate for anglers, and inshore big trout tactics. This episode features Justin Reed with Justin Reed Fishing, Capt. Tyler Massey with Hot Spots Charters, Angelo DePaola with Coastal Connection EXP Realty, and Capt. Evan Wheeler with Tall Pines Tight Lines. The big theme this week is that Northwest Florida anglers have a lot of good options right now, from pompano in the surf to giant bluefin tuna offshore and trophy trout inshore, but success depends on reading conditions, finding clean water, and matching the right tactics to the moment.

Justin Reed breaks down the Pensacola surf fishing report, where pompano are still biting well despite June grass becoming a major factor. He explains that the recent north wind helped push the grass offshore, but returning south winds could bring it right back to the beach. Justin says the key is not necessarily finding the perfect pompano structure right now, but finding clean, fishable water. He also covers how often to check baits when grass is present, why pompano should remain available through May, how to deal with ladyfish and blue runners, and why olive-sized sand fleas are ideal when pompano are running on the smaller side. He also talks through his surf rig setup, including 20-pound mono pompano rigs, 20-pound braid main line, a 20- to 30-pound mono top shot, pyramid weights inside the bar, and why a clean braid-to-mono connection matters for repeated long casts.

Capt. Tyler Massey with Hot Spots Charters gives the offshore report from Pensacola, led by the story of a 777-pound bluefin tuna caught near the FADs. Tyler explains how the crew was intentionally watching for bluefin, how they caught the fish on a live blackfin tuna, and why targeting fish that size requires serious tackle, heavy drag, strong rod holders, backing plates, and a plan for getting the fish into the boat. He also talks about seeing another bluefin during the fight, the importance of live bait around the FADs, and why these fish have become a realistic but still rare Gulf opportunity. Beyond the bluefin story, Tyler reports excellent vermilion snapper fishing, strong mangrove snapper action, and good opportunities for scamp and red grouper depending on depth, bottom type, and presentation.

Angelo DePaola with Coastal Connection EXP Realty gives a Gulf Coast real estate update focused on how uncertainty, interest rates, inventory, and buyer confidence are shaping the market. He explains that the market is moving in pulses, with slower stretches followed by bursts of activity when buyers feel more comfortable. Angelo also talks about why sellers are often holding firm when properties are priced correctly, how current conditions feel more like a normal market than the unusually fast pace of recent years, and why waterfront and boating-focused properties along the Gulf Coast continue to hold long-term value. He also highlights Abaco in Orange Beach as a unique option for anglers and boaters who want a new waterfront development with boat slips, resort-style amenities, marina access, and a strong location near both inshore and offshore fishing.

Capt. Evan Wheeler gives the inshore report from the Pensacola area, where the expected full moon big trout bite did not play out exactly as anticipated due to odd spring timing, a late cold front, and shifting conditions. Evan explains that big trout and redfish are still being caught, but the bite has been more about specific locations, historical knowledge, bait presentation, and precision than obvious surface activity. He breaks down how to target larger trout on purpose, including how to choose soft plastics, slick-style baits, jerk shads, topwaters, and suspending twitch baits based on depth, grass, current, water clarity, and fish behavior. Evan also gives Angelo a Chandeleur Islands tackle breakdown, recommending topwaters, mirror lures, slick-style plastics, weedless presentations, natural colors in clear water, darker or more opaque colors in dirty water, and a simple approach to covering the top, middle, and lower parts of the water column.

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In this week's Northwest Florida Fishing Report, host Joe Baya covers a spring fishing pattern shaped by cold fronts, full moon timing, surf grass, inshore trout and redfish activity, and offshore weather windows. This episode features Blake Hunter with Reel30A, Brandon Barton with Emerald Waters Kayak Charters, and Capt. Adam Peeples with One Shot Charters. The big theme this week is that May could offer strong fishing across Northwest Florida, but anglers need to adjust to changing wind, water clarity, bait availability, and sea conditions.

Blake Hunter of Reel30A breaks down the surf bite, where pompano are still moving through and May is shaping up to be better than expected. He explains that live sand fleas remain the top bait when anglers can find them, but Fishbites, fresh dead shrimp, dead sand fleas, ghost shrimp, and blue crab knuckles can all play a role. Blake also covers how to deal with June grass, rough surf, heavier sinkers, color changes, and why anglers should run a variety of float colors and bait setups until the pompano show a clear preference.

Brandon Barton with Emerald Waters Kayak Charters reports strong inshore action around the sound, grass flats, docks, potholes, and drop-offs. He says trout and redfish are feeding well on topwaters, wake baits, twitch baits, jerk baits, and smaller artificial shrimp when conditions get clear and fish become spooky. Brandon also explains how to fish flats from a kayak, when to downsize leader, why wake baits are so effective for covering water, and how the full moon and incoming cold front could create a good window for big speckled trout.

Capt. Adam Peeples with One Shot Charters gives the offshore report from Destin, where rough spring weather continues to limit opportunities, but the fishing is close to breaking open. He talks through how to decide whether to run offshore based on the boat, crew, sea direction, forecast, and safety. Adam says the swordfish bite was slower than expected despite good water, while bottom fishing produced strong results, including big mangrove snapper and good tilefish action. He also notes that bait has been excellent around East Pass, Spanish mackerel fishing is strong, and king mackerel should continue improving as May progresses.

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