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. Sponsors: Pike Consulting EMS Endeck PVC Decking Dixie Supply and Baker Metal Admiral Shellfish Sea Tow Coastal Connection EXP Realty - Abaco Orange Beach SlipSki Solutions Deep South Cranes

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. Sponsors: Pike Consulting EMS Endeck PVC Decking Dixie Supply and Baker Metal Admiral Shellfish Sea Tow Coastal Connection EXP Realty - Abaco Orange Beach SlipSki Solutions Deep South Cranes

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. Sponsors: Pike Consulting EMS Endeck PVC Decking Dixie Supply and Baker Metal Admiral Shellfish Sea Tow Coastal Connection EXP Realty - Abaco Orange Beach SlipSki Solutions Deep South Cranes

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. Sponsors: Pike Consulting EMS Endeck PVC Decking Dixie Supply and Baker Metal Admiral Shellfish Sea Tow Coastal Connection EXP Realty - Abaco Orange Beach SlipSki Solutions Deep South Cranes

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. Sponsors: Pike Consulting EMS Endeck PVC Decking Dixie Supply and Baker Metal Admiral Shellfish Sea Tow Coastal Connection EXP Realty - Abaco Orange Beach SlipSki Solutions Black Buffalo Hilton's Realtime Navigator Deep South Cranes Pure Flats - Slick Lures

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. Sponsors: Pike Consulting EMS Endeck PVC Decking Dixie Supply and Baker Metal Admiral Shellfish Sea Tow Coastal Connection EXP Realty - Abaco Orange Beach SlipSki Solutions Black Buffalo Hilton's Realtime Navigator Deep South Cranes Pure Flats - Slick Lures

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. Sponsors: Pike Consulting EMS Endeck PVC Decking Dixie Supply and Baker Metal Admiral Shellfish Sea Tow Coastal Connection EXP Realty - Abaco Orange Beach SlipSki Solutions Black Buffalo Hilton's Realtime Navigator Deep South Cranes Pure Flats - Slick Lures

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. Sponsors: Pike Consulting EMS Endeck PVC Decking Dixie Supply and Baker Metal Admiral Shellfish Sea Tow Coastal Connection EXP Realty - Abaco Orange Beach SlipSki Solutions Black Buffalo Hilton's Realtime Navigator Deep South Cranes Pure Flats - Slick Lures

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. Sponsors: Pike Consulting EMS Endeck PVC Decking Dixie Supply and Baker Metal Admiral Shellfish Sea Tow Coastal Connection EXP Realty - Abaco Orange Beach AFTCO SlipSki Solutions Black Buffalo Hilton's Realtime Navigator Deep South Cranes Pure Flats - Slick Lures

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. Sponsors: Pike Consulting EMS Endeck PVC Decking Dixie Supply and Baker Metal Admiral Shellfish Sea Tow Coastal Connection EXP Realty - Abaco Orange Beach AFTCO SlipSki Solutions Black Buffalo Hilton's Realtime Navigator Deep South Cranes Pure Flats - Slick Lures