This week on the Northwest Florida Fishing Report, host Joe Baya checks in with Captain Justin Leake of Panama City Inshore, surf fishing guide Blake Hunter of Real 30A, and Pensacola inshore specialist Captain Evan Wheeler of Tall Pines Tight Lines. They break down late-summer tactics for Spanish mackerel, pompano, redfish, and trout, plus how to adjust your day based on conditions, bait, and crew skill level.
Conditions Recap
Late summer is showing hints of fall across Northwest Florida. Breezy, cooler mornings have dropped water temps about two degrees in the past week, and bait is abundant both in the bays and along the beaches. Schools of pilchards, sardines, and thread herring are stacking up in key areas, drawing in big Spanish mackerel and other predators. Inshore water quality has remained surprisingly clean despite recent rains, and overcast days with pop-up showers have helped keep water temperatures lower, improving the bite. Afternoon winds and tide movement are playing a key role in where and when fish feed, and anglers are using wind direction to select productive shorelines while avoiding areas with heavy suspended grass.
Panama City Inshore Report – Capt. Justin Leake
Captain Justin Leake is finding strong action on big Spanish mackerel in St. Andrew Bay and just off the beaches. The key is locating pilchards, then chumming heavily to draw the fish in. Live pilchards are far more effective than dead bait, and anglers should look for diving pelicans to pinpoint bait schools. Focus on depth changes with current for consistent action.
For tackle, Justin recommends light spinning gear with 10–15 lb braid, four feet of 40 lb fluorocarbon, and a 1/0 long-shank hook to reduce cutoffs from the mackerel’s sharp teeth. Hook live baits differently based on current speed — in the armpit for slow current, through the nostrils when the current is strong. Be ready to move quickly if the fish aren’t showing after chumming.
Inshore, the bait influx is also benefiting reef fishing, with quick bites for mixed species — perfect for families or anglers seeking steady action. Redfish, jack crevalle, and occasional sailfish are also in the mix near bait concentrations outside the pass.
Gear Spotlight: Long-shank hooks, 40 lb fluorocarbon leader, live pilchards, cast net for bait.
Surf Fishing Report – Blake Hunter, Real 30A
June grass continues to dictate location choices, with cleaner water found from Panama City to Miramar and Destin. Late summer surf fishing offers a mix of species — pompano, redfish, Spanish mackerel, ladyfish, and bluefish. Spanish mackerel are especially thick, sometimes forcing anglers to adjust set rigs to avoid cutoffs by removing floats and flashy components. Naked rigs with sand fleas or Fishbites can reduce unwanted bites from mackerel when targeting pompano.
Redfish are being caught on small live whiting fished on single-drop rigs placed right on top of the bar. Cut ladyfish and larger whiting chunks are also effective for bull reds. Light surf conditions call for scaling down tackle to 15 lb fluorocarbon and minimal terminal gear to entice wary pompano.
Sand flea availability varies by location, with better numbers around Destin and fewer towards Panama City.
Gear Spotlight: Single-drop rigs with 3–4 oz bank sinkers, 15–30 lb fluorocarbon, Fishbites, sand fleas, spoons/gotcha plugs for mackerel.
Pensacola Inshore Report – Capt. Evan Wheeler
Captain Evan Wheeler is finding quality trout and redfish despite the summer heat by targeting clean water with moving current and minimal suspended grass. Overcast skies and cooler water temps have helped keep fish more active. Matching forage is key — scattered finger mullet schools are producing with both natural baits and artificials like the MirrOlure Catch Jr. in mullet patterns.
Wind direction plays a major role in selecting shorelines, both for water movement and for reducing fish spookiness in clear conditions. On neap tides, Evan looks for wind-driven current to create feeding opportunities. When suspended grass is heavy, weedless soft plastics like unweighted Slick Lures excel for fishing just above or through the grass.
For action between major bites, expect Spanish mackerel, bluefish, ladyfish, and even large jack crevalle patrolling the bay. Keep a rod rigged for opportunistic casts when surface activity erupts.
Gear Spotlight: MirrOlure Catch Jr. in natural mullet colors, unweighted Slick Lures for grass, light leader (20–30 lb fluorocarbon), finger mullet or live bait when available.
