In this week’s Northwest Florida Fishing Report, we cover a range of strategies and conditions from Pensacola to Panama City with updates from seasoned anglers across the region.

Brandon Barton opens the show with tactics for targeting speckled trout and redfish during the summer heat—specifically by fishing after dark with artificials around lighted structures. He also breaks down the current challenges of chasing tarpon from a kayak, especially in crowded areas where pressure and full moon conditions have made the bite less consistent.

Next, Evan Wheeler shares his process for finding productive inshore fishing spots, emphasizing the importance of slowing down and thoroughly working the water column once you're in the right area. He offers great tips for reading structure, recognizing bait patterns, and making every cast count when fish are holding tight.

Harris Scruggs closes things out with an offshore perspective, explaining how increased fishing pressure and the full moon have slowed things down, and why heading farther out or staying out longer can pay off. He also shares actionable tips for locating and targeting Spanish and king mackerel, including how to use the tides to your advantage and make bait adjustments when conditions shift.

It’s all brought to you whether it’s good, bad, or ugly. Be sure to subscribe, rate, and review, and text “NWFFR” to 779-345-2918 for your free AFTCO camo lens cleaner and to join our weekly email list.

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Salts Gone

Dog Days Tactics, Dock Light Tricks, and Tuna on the Move

In this week’s Northwest Florida Fishing Report, we cover how anglers are adapting to the summer heat from Pensacola to Panama City. Blake Nelson reports from the Destin area with inshore strategies to beat the heat, from dock light trout and redfish after dark to shaded bridge fishing for snapper and Spanish mackerel. He also shares bait tips and fly-lining techniques for catching more fish in the bay.

Blake Hunter delivers the surf report, detailing how to work around June grass and target pompano, redfish, and whiting early and late in the day. He explains what to throw for Spanish mackerel in the surf and offers advice on finding clean water, adjusting to changing winds, and making the most of your surf setup during summer crowds.

Offshore, Captain Adam Peoples breaks down a “Swiss Army knife” approach to summer fishing, with reports on yellowfin and schoolie tuna, dolphin, wahoo, and swordfish. He shares advice on trolling speeds, bait presentation, and how to locate fish near floating debris or bottom structure. Plus, tips on reading electronics, avoiding shark cut-offs, and how to prepare for changing conditions on the water.

It’s all brought to you whether it’s good, bad, or ugly. Be sure to subscribe, rate, and review, and text “NWFFR” to 779-345-2918 for your free AFTCO camo lens cleaner and to join our weekly email list.

Important Links:

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Dixie Supply and Baker Metal

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Great Days Outdoors

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Bucks Island Marine

Salts Gone

Boat Safety Essentials, Sea Tow Stories, and Real-Life Rescue Lessons

This week on the Northwest Florida Fishing Report, we’re shifting gears from rods and reels to one of the most important topics on the water—boating safety. Captain Walt Bond joins the show to share critical insights from his decades of experience as a firefighter, dive team member, port safety manager, and now Sea Tow captain in Central New Jersey.

Captain Bond walks us through what it really means to be prepared before leaving the dock—whether you’re trailering a skiff or running offshore in a center console. From essential gear like radios and life jackets to dewatering tools and float plans, this episode dives into the must-haves and the mindset that can save lives. Packed with real-world stories, sharp advice, and a heavy dose of humility, it’s a must-listen for every Gulf Coast boater.

It’s all brought to you whether it’s good, bad, or ugly. Subscribe, rate, and review the show wherever you listen to podcasts, and don’t forget to text “NWFFR” to 779-345-2918 to join the email list and score a free AFTCO camo lens cleaner cloth!

It’s all brought to you whether it’s good, bad, or ugly. Please subscribe, rate, and review wherever you listen to podcasts, and don’t forget to text “NWFFR” to 779-345-2918 to get a free AFTCO camo lens cleaner cloth and join our weekly email list!

Important Links:

Sponsors

Fishbites

Dixie Supply and Baker Metal

Killerdock

Test Calibration

Coastal Connection EXP Realty

Great Days Outdoors

Hilton’s Realtime Navigator

Bucks Island Marine

Salts Gone

Snapper drop-offs, tarpon teasers, and kayak red grouper—seasonal strategy from Pensacola to Panama City.

In this week’s episode of the Northwest Florida Fishing Report, Brandon Barton shares what’s working inshore and nearshore around Pensacola. He breaks down early morning trout and redfish tactics on the grass flats, how moon phases and bait presence are shaping the bite, and why topwaters are key this time of year. Brandon also offers a deep dive into tarpon fishing from the kayak, covering everything from bait selection and livewell setup to ideal leader strength, drag pressure, and how to handle a bite when it finally happens.

Captain Adam Peeples of One Shot Charters delivers the offshore report, detailing how the thermocline and clean green water are influencing pelagic movement. He highlights the continued success of the swordfish bite, with several fish over 150 pounds, and shares a wild encounter with the biggest blue marlin he’s ever seen. Adam also gives tips on tuna tactics, bait choices, and using Hilton’s data to find the right temperature breaks and current lines offshore.

Harris Scruggs of Team Aquatic Charters checks in from the Panama City area with a report from both nearshore and offshore waters. He shares where he’s finding red snapper, what bait setups are proving most effective, and how conditions have changed over the past few weeks. Harris also discusses trolling strategies for king mackerel, the role of water clarity, and how to make the most of a short window when the bite turns on.

Whether you’re working the flats at dawn or chasing big game offshore, this episode brings the timely insight and local expertise you need to stay dialed in.

It’s all brought to you whether it’s good, bad, or ugly. Please subscribe, rate, and review wherever you listen to podcasts, and don’t forget to text “NWFFR” to 779-345-2918 to get a free AFTCO camo lens cleaner cloth and join our weekly email list!

Important Links:

Sponsors

Fishbites

Dixie Supply and Baker Metal

Killerdock

Test Calibration

Coastal Connection EXP Realty

Great Days Outdoors

Hilton’s Realtime Navigator

Bucks Island Marine

Salts Gone

Borderland Bites, Gulf Fish Care, and Cooking Tips from Hank Shaw

This week’s episode of the Northwest Florida Fishing Report features a deep dive into culinary and conservation perspectives with award-winning author and outdoorsman Hank Shaw. Fresh off a fishing trip to Santa Rosa Beach, Hank joins the show to talk about his new book Borderlands—a culinary journey through the US-Mexico borderlands packed with wild game and seafood recipes. He also shares expert advice on fish care techniques like bleeding, ikejime, and proper freezing methods to improve flavor and texture, especially for Gulf species like king mackerel, amberjack, and snapper. For anglers who love to cook their catch, this episode is a must-listen.

The Northwest Florida Fishing Report is your best resource for the Destin Fishing Report, Panama City Fishing Report, Pensacola Fishing Report, Navarre Fishing Report, and everywhere in between.

It's all brought to you whether it's good, bad, or ugly. Please Subscribe, Rate, and Review wherever you listen to podcasts. Don’t forget to text the word “NWFFR” to 779-345-2918 to get that AFTCO camo lens cleaner cloth and to join our email list for weekly updates!

Important Links:

Sponsors

Fishbites

Dixie Supply and Baker Metal

Killerdock

Test Calibration

Coastal Connection EXP Realty

Great Days Outdoors

Hilton’s Realtime Navigator

Bucks Island Marine

Salts Gone

Tarpon Tactics, Tuna Trends, and Gulf Coast Real Estate

This week on the Northwest Florida Fishing Report Brandon Barton covers the inshore and nearshore scene from Pensacola to Panama City, where trout and redfish are hitting topwaters on grass flats and tarpon are beginning to show. He shares his go-to setups, bait strategies, and why dirty water can actually work in your favor when chasing silver kings from a kayak.

Offshore, Tom Hilton breaks down the latest environmental data, from Loop Current shifts to salinity breaks, while Captain Adam Peeples shares reports on swordfish, tuna, and marlin action in clean green water. He talks popper tactics, bait availability, and what’s driving the pelagic bite offshore.

Plus, we preview the Mobile Big Game Fishing Club Junior Anglers Tournament and get a real estate market update from Angelo DePaola, who explains why sellers need to move fast—and why buyers have more leverage than they think.

The Northwest Florida Fishing Report is your best resource for the Destin Fishing Report, Panama City Fishing Report, Pensacola Fishing Report, Navarre Fishing Report, and everywhere in between.

It's all brought to you whether it's good, bad, or ugly. Please Subscribe, Rate, and Review wherever you listen to podcasts. Don’t forget to text the word “NWFFR” to 779-345-2918 to get that AFTCO camo lens cleaner cloth and to join our email list for weekly updates!

Important Links:

Sponsors

Fishbites

Dixie Supply and Baker Metal

Killerdock

Test Calibration

Coastal Connection EXP Realty

Great Days Outdoors

Hilton’s Realtime Navigator

Bucks Island Marine

Salts Gone

Kayak snapper, topwater trout, and panhandle pelagics—insider tips from the region’s sharpest anglers.

This week we’re talking to:

Blake Nelson of Last Cast Charters, who’s been chasing trout and redfish across East Bay and Santa Rosa Sound. He shares where he’s finding cleaner water, why topwaters have been so effective lately, and what makes this year’s trout bite stand out. He also discusses patterns around pinfish and how moon phases are impacting the inshore bite.

Captain Adam Peeples of One Shot Charters gives a high-level offshore report, including what to expect with red snapper season open. He discusses current trends with bait movement, thermocline effects, and why anglers need to be willing to move around. Adam also highlights the changing pelagic scene—blackfin tuna, mahi, and even some blue marlin—and what gear he uses to chase big fish deep.

Captain Blake Hunter of Hang Em High Sportfishing offers a surfside and nearshore perspective out of Panama City. He shares his take on early morning pompano opportunities, Spanish mackerel movement, and what he’s seeing with tarpon activity starting to kick up. He also talks king mackerel setups and what tourists should keep in mind when heading to the sand.

Tune in for timely reports and expert tips from anglers who fish the Gulf day in and day out.

The Northwest Florida Fishing Report is your best resource for the Destin Fishing Report, Panama City Fishing Report, Pensacola Fishing Report, Navarre Fishing Report, and everywhere in between.

It's all brought to you whether it's good, bad, or ugly. Please Subscribe, Rate, and Review wherever you listen to podcasts. Don’t forget to text the word “NWFFR” to 779-345-2918 to get that AFTCO camo lens cleaner cloth and to join our email list for weekly updates!

Important Links:

Sponsors

Fishbites

Dixie Supply and Baker Metal

Killerdock

Test Calibration

Coastal Connection EXP Realty

Great Days Outdoors

Hilton’s Realtime Navigator

Bucks Island Marine

Salts Gone

Kayak snapper, topwater trout, and panhandle pelagics—insider tips from the region’s sharpest anglers.

This week we’re talking to:

Blake Nelson of Last Cast Charters, who’s been chasing trout and redfish across East Bay and Santa Rosa Sound. He shares where he’s finding cleaner water, why topwaters have been so effective lately, and what makes this year’s trout bite stand out. He also discusses patterns around pinfish and how moon phases are impacting the inshore bite.

Captain Adam Peeples of One Shot Charters gives a high-level offshore report, including what to expect with red snapper season open. He discusses current trends with bait movement, thermocline effects, and why anglers need to be willing to move around. Adam also highlights the changing pelagic scene—blackfin tuna, mahi, and even some blue marlin—and what gear he uses to chase big fish deep.

Captain Blake Hunter of Hang Em High Sportfishing offers a surfside and nearshore perspective out of Panama City. He shares his take on early morning pompano opportunities, Spanish mackerel movement, and what he’s seeing with tarpon activity starting to kick up. He also talks king mackerel setups and what tourists should keep in mind when heading to the sand.

Tune in for timely reports and expert tips from anglers who fish the Gulf day in and day out.

The Northwest Florida Fishing Report is your best resource for the Destin Fishing Report, Panama City Fishing Report, Pensacola Fishing Report, Navarre Fishing Report, and everywhere in between.

It's all brought to you whether it's good, bad, or ugly. Please Subscribe, Rate, and Review wherever you listen to podcasts. Don’t forget to text the word “NWFFR” to 779-345-2918 to get that AFTCO camo lens cleaner cloth and to join our email list for weekly updates!

Important Links:

Sponsors

Fishbites

Dixie Supply and Baker Metal

Killerdock

Test Calibration

Coastal Connection EXP Realty

Great Days Outdoors

Hilton’s Realtime Navigator

Bucks Island Marine

Salts Gone