Pensacola, Destin and Panama City Fishing Report for March 3 - March 9, 2025
Northwest Florida Fishing Report
Release Date: 03/07/2025
Spanish Mackerel Made Simple: Late Summer Bay & Surf Techniques
Northwest Florida Fishing Report
This week, we’re trading the dog days of summer for a late-season masterclass on the Gulf Coast! Join host Joe Baya as he taps into the minds of three of the region's top guides—Captain Justin Leak, surf fishing ace Blake Hunter, and Captain Evan Wheeler. Forget the slow summer bite; we’re learning the local secrets and high-tech tactics to make every trip a success. The guides break down why late-season fishing offers some of the year's best action if you know how to adapt. We explore how to make any outing family-friendly, turning tough days into unforgettable memories for anglers of...
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Hooked on the Road – Bowfishing the Heartland with The Obsession Outdoors
Northwest Florida Fishing Report
This week, we're trading the casting rod for a bow and the saltwater flats for the heartland's moonlit waters! Join us as we go on the road to Kentucky for a full-throttle bowfishing adventure with CT Meyer, the expert guide and founder of . Forget what you know about traditional angling—we’re chasing invasive carp under the stars, and the action is non-stop. CT breaks down why this electrifying sport is one of the most accessible and exciting adventures on the water, perfect for everyone from seasoned pros to complete beginners. We explore why bowfishing is an unbeatable experience...
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Tarpon on the Move, Greenies on the Flats & a Red-Hot Inshore Bite
Northwest Florida Fishing Report
This Week’s Northwest Florida Fishing Report is Live! We've got a special roundtable episode this week, bringing in local experts , Joseph Baya, and to break down all things inshore fishing. The big story right now is the massive amount of "greenies" (greenback baitfish) stacked up on the flats and in the passes, and the gamefish are in a feeding frenzy. The guys focus on the incredible tarpon bite, with migrating schools of silver kings showing up in big numbers to crash the bait pods along the beaches. They share key insights on tactics, tides, and the best areas to find them. Plus, they...
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Clear Beaches, Hot Bites & a Surprise Offshore Surge July 24-31
Northwest Florida Fishing Report
This Week’s Northwest Florida Fishing Report is Live! brings us the surf fishing report, where the hot bite has been whiting in the holes close to shore. The key to success? Finding beach stretches clear of June grass. While pompano have been hit-or-miss, there are still Spanish, ladyfish, and even a few blues around for those willing to scout. Offshore, Tyler Massey of brings us the latest offshore report—and it’s bucking the usual summer trend. The bite is better now than it was earlier in the season. Is it a post-spawn surge, bait scarcity, or just new fish moving in? Tune in to...
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Night Fishing, Tarpon, and Full Moon Strategy
Northwest Florida Fishing Report
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 from 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. Evan Wheeler, owner at , shares his...
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Dock Lights, Surf Bites, and Offshore Action from Destin to Panama City
Northwest Florida Fishing Report
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. 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. delivers the surf report, detailing how to work around June grass and target pompano, redfish, and whiting early and late in the day. He...
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Sea Tow: Building the Ultimate Boater’s Safety Kit
Northwest Florida Fishing Report
captain in Central New Jersey. Captain Bohn 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...
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Tarpon Tactics, Snapper Setups, and Marlin Encounters
Northwest Florida Fishing Report
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, Justin Leake joins the show to to talk all things tarpon. He shares his take on how late-summer heat, water clarity, and fishing pressure are affecting the bite. He offers tips on boat positioning, timing, and bait selection, emphasizing that success this time of year comes down to fishing smarter, not harder. shares what’s working inshore and nearshore around Pensacola. He breaks down early morning trout and...
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Hank Shaw: Borderlands
Northwest Florida Fishing Report
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 . 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...
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Tarpon on the Move, Offshore Swordfish, and Topwater Trout Tactics
Northwest Florida Fishing Report
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, breaks down the latest environmental data, from Loop Current shifts to salinity breaks, while shares reports on swordfish, tuna, and marlin action in clean...
info_outlineThe 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.
For the anglers looking for a Destin Fishing Report, Ft. Walton Beach fishing report, Choctawhatchee Bay Fishing Report, or Miramar Beach fishing report, look no further. Every week we bring you a report for those anglers interested in an Okaloosa Island fishing report and a Santa Rosa Beach fishing report and everywhere in between. For our guys looking for the Pensacola fishing report or the Navarre Fishing Report, we’ve got you covered.
This week, we check in with Captains Adam Peeples and Justin Leake for the latest fishing conditions along the Northwest Florida coast.
Captain Adam Peeples, fishing out of Destin, recently headed offshore to the FADs, where he found calm seas, 71-degree water, and plenty of baitfish. He made a few swordfish drops, releasing three small ones. While daytime swordfishing can be productive in winter, he notes that nighttime bites tend to pick up in the summer when water temps hit the mid-70s.
Over in Panama City and Panama City Beach, Captain Justin Leake reports a steady nearshore bite on reefs in 60-90 feet of water, despite some inconsistent weather. He expects more migratory baitfish, Spanish mackerel, and pompano as temperatures rise—Spanish mackerel are already showing up at the pier. Right now, pinfish are the main available bait, but the red grouper bite has been strong. For the best results, he recommends jigging with soft plastics to maximize catches and minimize bait loss.
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