This week, host Joe Baya checks in with Blake Hunter of Reel 30A, Capt. Blake Nelson of Last Cast Charters, and Capt. Adam Peeples of One Shot Charters. Blake Hunter shares a detailed surf report from the beaches of 30A, where pompano and redfish are on the move. Capt. Blake Nelson reports solid Spanish mackerel and redfish action in Choctawhatchee Bay, while Capt. Adam Peeples checks in offshore, where nearshore pelagics, sailfish, and bottom species remain active in warm fall waters.
Conditions Recap
Mid-October has brought near-perfect fishing weather across Northwest Florida. Air temperatures are cooler, water clarity is excellent, and surface temps are holding in the mid to upper 70s—ideal for triggering fall migrations. In Choctawhatchee Bay, anglers are seeing roughly 76-degree water, while offshore temperatures remain around 79–80 degrees. Calm conditions and north winds have made for comfortable days on the water, though fishing patterns continue to change daily as bait schools shift and fronts approach.
Surf & Beach Report – Blake Hunter, Reel 30A
Capt. Blake Hunter reports that the fall pompano migration is underway along the beaches of 30A. Water temperatures have dropped to around 76°F, and shorter days are triggering consistent runs of pompano, along with whiting and scattered redfish. Hunter notes that fish are moving east along the beaches, with larger pompano—some up to four pounds—showing up in schools.
Conditions have been calm, requiring anglers to downsize to 15-pound fluorocarbon and fish light tackle. Successful baits include live sand fleas, Fishbites, and chunks of blue crab. Hunter emphasizes the importance of “tackling down” in clear water and using natural presentations. He recommends setting rods to cover multiple depths—from just over the sandbar to deeper troughs—and adjusting throughout the day as fish move.
June grass remains present in some stretches, particularly from Miramar to Destin, though north winds have helped push much of it into deeper gullies. A few cold fronts should help clear it further. Hunter also advises surf anglers to watch beach cams to find cleaner water and use nighttime sand flea gathering for fresher bait, as fleas are becoming less visible during daylight hours.
When targeting redfish and black drum, Hunter prefers chunks of blue crab, which he freezes whole in advance. Crabs are spawning heavily along the beaches right now, providing excellent natural forage for both reds and pompano. His go-to rig for larger surf species is a single-drop rig with a 1/0–2/0 hook and a four- to five-ounce sinker fished just behind the bar.
Inshore Report – Capt. Blake Nelson, Last Cast Charters
Capt. Blake Nelson says fall in Choctawhatchee Bay is all about variety—and right now, Spanish mackerel are stealing the show. Larger fish have moved into the bay, especially around bridges and drop-offs, and the bite has been consistent for several weeks. Nelson recommends trolling or fly-lining live greenies on 30–40 lb. fluorocarbon leaders with long-shank J hooks to minimize cutoffs. Light chumming helps fire up the bite, though often it’s unnecessary when schools are active.
Spanish are feeding throughout the day, with bird activity and surface explosions giving away their location. For anglers new to the bite, Nelson suggests trolling along the edges of flats or bridge drop-offs until fish are located, then stopping to cast jigs or drift live baits.
Redfish and speckled trout are also feeding well, with trout thick on the flats and reds holding near schools of bait and mullet. Nelson’s crews often start the day chasing Spanish before switching gears to target slot reds on knocker rigs.
As for the season ahead, he expects Spanish to remain in the bay until late November, sometimes even into winter. Cooler water will push them closer to the harbor, where they’ll mix with white trout and smaller pelagics through the holidays.
Offshore Report – Capt. Adam Peeples, One Shot Charters
Capt. Adam Peeples reports that the nearshore bite off Destin and Panama City remains excellent following the first true cold front of the season. Despite cooler air, water temps are still near 80°F offshore and 76°F near the beach—ideal for sailfish, blackfin tuna, king mackerel, and other fall pelagics. Peeples says this pattern should hold for several more weeks as long as temperatures stay above the low 70s.
He’s finding most activity around dense bait schools in 30–40 feet of water, with live sardines producing best. His preferred method is bump trolling or drifting two to three live baits on light wire “king rigs”—27-pound seven-strand wire with #2 trebles and a short 60-pound fluorocarbon leader—to tempt kings, sails, and blackfin without spooking them.
When fronts bring strong north winds, seas lay down nearshore but bites often slow. Peeples prefers light southerly or easterly winds that stir up bait and spark better feeding activity.
Bottom fishing remains steady, with solid catches of triggerfish, vermilion snapper, and red grouper. Triggers, he says, are “chewing like piranhas,” with best success coming on 2/0 circle hooks, 60-pound leader, and squid on a two-hook drop rig. Light rods with soft tips help detect subtle bites and improve hookups.
Looking ahead, Peeples is preparing for the peak of fall’s offshore season—overnight trips to the deepwater rigs for giant yellowfin tuna and blue marlin. “It’s my favorite time of year,” he says. “Cool weather, calm seas, and big fish—it doesn’t get any better than that.”
