Tarpon on the Move, Greenies on the Flats & a Red-Hot Inshore Bite
Northwest Florida Fishing Report
Release Date: 07/31/2025
Building the Fishery – Artificial Reefs with a Fisherman Who Dives Them
Northwest Florida Fishing Report
In this week’s Northwest Florida Fishing Report, host Joe Baya and co-host Butch Thierry sit down with of to talk artificial reefs, including how projects with can build private structure that improves the fishery and your bottom fishing long term. Kendall shares what he’s learned from both the wheelhouse and scuba diving his reefs, including what designs hold fish best, how fish often stage off the structure, and how long it takes a new reef to start producing. They also cover how to manage pressure so a hot spot stays hot, plus how to get started legally and how Reefmaker can...
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Winter Fishing Success: Black Drum, Pompano, Redfish, and Offshore Action in Northwest Florida
Northwest Florida Fishing Report
In this week’s Northwest Florida Fishing Report, we cover prime winter fishing on the Emerald Coast! Local expert Justin Reed with shares pro tips for surf fishing tactics targeting black drum and pompano near Pensacola. Capt. Blake Nelson of outlines tournament-winning redfish strategies in Choctawhatchee Bay. Offshore, Capt. Adam Peeples with details targeting red grouper, wahoo, dolphin, and blue marlin near Destin, with advice on live and dead bait, temperature breaks, and adapting to changing Gulf conditions. Whether you’re focused on beach, bay, or offshore action,...
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Inshore, Offshore & Surf Tactics for Pompano, Redfish, Sheepshead & Scamp Grouper
Northwest Florida Fishing Report
In this week’s episode of the Northwest Florida Fishing Report, host Joe Baya is joined by top local captains and guides: Captain Tyler Massey of , Captain Evan Wheeler of , and surf fishing expert Blake Hunter from . The crew breaks down the best winter fishing tactics for inshore, offshore, and beach anglers from Pensacola to Panama City. Learn where and how to catch high-demand species like pompano, redfish, black drum, sheepshead, speckled trout, and scamp grouper this season, plus get pro tips on the best rigs, baits (live and artificial), and interpreting tides and weather—essential...
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Winter Fishing Report 2026: Inshore & Offshore Tactics with Top Guides
Northwest Florida Fishing Report
Join host Joe Baya as he kicks off the first Northwest Florida Fishing Report of 2026, featuring expert insights from top guides (Pensacola) and (Panama City). This episode covers essential winter fishing tips for inshore and offshore anglers, from targeting bull redfish around bridges and flats, to safety considerations for kayak fishermen during colder months. Learn the most effective live and artificial bait strategies for snapper, grouper, flounder, and scamp, and discover how changing weather patterns, tides, and wind conditions influence local fishing success. The discussion also...
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Lessons From Those Who Save Lives: What Anglers Can Learn From Coast Guard Rescue Stories
Northwest Florida Fishing Report
In this powerful episode, we sit down with Martha LaGuardia-Kotite, retired U.S. Coast Guard Captain, Harvard-educated author, and one of the first women to serve aboard all-male Coast Guard cutters. With a distinguished 29-year career spanning disaster response, homeland security, post-9/11 operations, and global missions, Martha shares firsthand insights from a lifetime dedicated to saving lives at sea. Drawing from her acclaimed book So Others May Live, the definitive account of U.S. Coast Guard rescue swimmers, Martha reveals what really happens during high-risk maritime rescues and how...
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Christmas Special Top Fishing Gifts & Gear Guide 2025
Northwest Florida Fishing Report
Join hosts Joe Baya, Butch Theory, and Nick Williams for a special holiday episode of the Northwest Florida Fishing Report, presented by Great Days Outdoors Magazine. In this Christmas Special, the captains discuss the best fishing gift ideas and must-have angling gear for 2025, covering both freshwater and saltwater essentials. Listeners will discover expert recommendations on waders, filet knives, vacuum sealers, rain gear, polarized sunglasses, portable sonar, safety equipment, and more. The episode is packed with angler safety tips, reviews of top fishing products and brands like AFTCO and...
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Fishing the Front: How Winter Weather Shapes Inshore Bites
Northwest Florida Fishing Report
Join host Joe Baya for the latest Northwest Florida Fishing Report as he welcomes (Pensacola inshore expert) and Captain Adam Peoples (Destin offshore specialist). Discover top winter fishing tactics, including how to target redfish, speckled trout, and more during cold fronts in Pensacola Bay. Learn the best bait choices, water conditions, and timing for successful trips. breaks down offshore fishing for big tuna, swordfish, and marlin off Destin, with essential tips on planning overnight trips, gear, and safety. Stay ahead with expert advice for both inshore and offshore anglers in...
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Winter Redfish & Trout Tactics, Destin Inshore & Pensacola Offshore Insights
Northwest Florida Fishing Report
Join host Joe Baya on the Northwest Florida Fishing Report for an action-packed episode featuring Captain Blake Nelson of Last Cast Charters in Destin and Captain Tyler Massey of Hot Spots Charters in Pensacola. Get expert insights on winter fishing in the Emerald Coast, including how to target redfish and trout on the flats, tournament strategies, bait and lure selection, and adapting to cold, changing weather. Offshore, Captain Massey shares the latest on Wahoo, tuna, scamp, and snapper fishing, plus tactics for success around local wrecks and fads. Whether you're planning an inshore...
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Kayak & Inshore Tips for Redfish, Trout, Flounder & Tuna in Panama City & Pensacola
Northwest Florida Fishing Report
Tune into this winter’s Northwest Florida Fishing Report as host Joe Baya teams up with Capt. Justin Leake with and Brandon Barton with for a deep dive into the season’s best fishing opportunities. Discover expert techniques for targeting redfish, speckled trout, and flounder in the bays, as well as offshore strategies for blackfin and yellowfin tuna—all optimized for winter conditions and cold fronts. Learn how changing weather impacts Panama City fishing and Pensacola fishing, with practical kayak fishing safety tips, bait selection insights, and expert advice on finding the most...
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Thanksgiving Winter Fishing Guide: Pensacola & Mobile Bay Tips from Expert Captains
Northwest Florida Fishing Report
Join the Northwest Florida Fishing Report for a special Thanksgiving episode packed with winter fishing wisdom, conservation insights, and deep-dive discussions on what makes late-season angling across the Panhandle so unique. Host Joe Baya brings together Captain Evan Wheeler and Captain Patrick Garmason for an honest, expert-level breakdown of how to approach cold-water fishing in Pensacola, Mobile Bay, and the surrounding tributaries. This Thanksgiving special digs into the science and strategy behind winter fishing. Biologist and guide Evan Wheeler explains how dropping water temperatures...
info_outlineThis Week’s Northwest Florida Fishing Report is Live!
We've got a special roundtable episode this week, bringing in local experts Angelo De Paola, Joseph Baya, and Blake Nelson 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 cover the fantastic action for redfish and snook that are taking full advantage of the bait-rich environment.
Also, Captain Adam Peebles of One Shot Charters and Tom Hilton team up to break down how offshore anglers can use satellite data to improve their odds of success. They discuss the importance of analyzing altimetry, salinity, sea surface temperature, and chlorophyll to identify productive areas—especially when blue water isn’t in play. Tom explains how reverse engineering past catches can reveal patterns, while Adam shares real-world examples of how tools like Hilton’s Realtime Navigator and Sat2Nav help him stay dialed in, even during cloudy conditions or slow current scenarios.
Whether you're looking for one last shot at a tarpon or want to cash in on the best inshore bite of the summer, this episode has everything you need for a successful weekend on the water.
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