This week, host Joe Baya checks in with Brandon Barton of Emerald Waters Kayak Charters and Capt. Blake Nelson of Last Cast Charters for a breakdown of the hot late-fall action across the Emerald Coast. Brandon shares an incredible nearshore kayak tuna bite from Pensacola to Panama City, while Capt. Blake digs into the inshore scene—where bull reds, pogies, and speckled trout are taking center stage in the bays and bayous.
Conditions Recap
As we move into November, the Panhandle’s weather pattern has settled into a familiar rhythm—frontal systems pushing through about every seven days, bringing north winds, falling temperatures, and clean blue water pushing in close. These fronts are lining up with the weekends, which means anglers are working with narrow windows of good weather. Offshore waters between Navarre and Destin are looking particularly clean, thanks to favorable currents shown on Hilton’s Realtime Navigator, while inshore anglers are targeting calm conditions and shifting bait patterns in protected bayous and flats.
Off the Beach & Nearshore Report with Brandon Barton
Brandon Barton reports an exceptional tuna run along the beaches from Pensacola to Panama City—perhaps the best he’s ever seen. Both blackfin and even a few yellowfin tuna have been cruising within casting distance of kayaks and piers, drawn in by persistent blue-water currents and abundant bait. Drone footage and firsthand encounters confirm schools of 30-pound blackfin hammering menhaden, with some anglers even hooking 100-pound-class yellowfin nearshore.
Brandon credits this bite to a strong offshore current pushing clean water right to the beach, creating a “September-to-November to remember” fishery. He suggests targeting depths between 45 and 65 feet, trolling the cleaner stretches between Pensacola and Navarre, and watching for slicks, diving birds, and bait balls near the surface. “If you see a slick or smell bait, that’s your clue,” he says. “The tuna are usually right underneath.”
Anglers don’t need live bait to get in on the action. Barton recommends trolling Rapala X-Raps and Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnows in silver or white, plus smaller surface poppers for casting at busting fish. High-speed spinning reels like the Penn Slammer series paired with 30–50 lb braid and long 40–50 lb fluorocarbon leaders are ideal. “Keep reeling—these fish turn and run straight at you,” he warns. For kayak anglers, winds under 10 mph are key, with east winds creating the toughest chop. Low-light hours at sunrise and sunset produce the most consistent strikes.
For safety and comfort, Brandon emphasizes reading the weather and being ready for quick changes. With favorable currents and steady water temps, he expects this fishery to stay strong into late November. To book a trip, visit Emerald Waters Kayak Charters.
Inshore Report with Capt. Blake Nelson
Capt. Blake Nelson of Last Cast Charters reports a solid inshore bite despite shifting fronts and breezy days. The Spanish mackerel action has tapered off, but bull reds have taken over the bays, especially around big schools of pogies. “If you can find the pogies, you’ll find the reds,” says Blake. He’s been targeting them with soft plastics, topwaters, and greenies under popping corks. While big pogies are too large to fish live effectively, they make great cut bait when conditions allow.
When the wind kicks up over 10 mph, Blake relocates to protected waters, often on the north sides of the bays. “I’m more focused on finding comfortable, fishable water than the perfect spot,” he explains. For speckled trout, he’s keying in on deeper bayous and flats with thick grass and pronounced guts—those darker, deeper channels running alongside sandbars. Learning these contours, he says, is more important than owning a shallow-draft boat. “If you know where the guts are, you can fish anywhere,” Blake advises.
As cooler temperatures settle in, the inshore bite becomes more technical. Sight fishing on low tides and calm post-front days can be phenomenal. For artificial lures, Blake likes jigheads or Pure Flats Slick Lures over sandy bottoms and weedless jerkbaits in grassier zones. He’s also noticing that Ned rigs shine once winter sets in for trout and redfish alike.
Looking ahead, Blake favors post-front conditions—clear skies, light winds, and stable pressure—for the best bites and easiest fishing. “I’m a fair-weather fisherman,” he laughs. “After the front, when it’s slick calm and sunny, that’s when I want to be out there.” For guided inshore or flats trips, visit CaptainBlake.com or call 850-499-3811.
