In this week's Northwest Florida Fishing Report, host Joe Baya covers the beginning of the fall transition, big Spanish mackerel around Panama City and Choctawhatchee Bay, a strong surf redfish bite around Pensacola, and sight fishing redfish on the flats. This episode features Capt. Justin Leake with Panama City Inshore, Justin Reed with Justin Reed Fishing, and Capt. Blake Nelson with Last Cast Charters. Joe also joins Alabama Saltwater Fishing Report host Butch Thierry for a special conversation with Craig Underwood from HydroGlow about choosing the right dock light for different waterfront conditions.
Capt. Justin Leake says falling water temperatures and huge concentrations of bait are signaling the beginning of the fall fishing transition around Panama City. Big "ax handle" Spanish mackerel are holding around grass-flat edges and can be targeted with live chum, 40-pound fluorocarbon, and lively baitfish. Offshore, red snapper and amberjack are providing good opportunities in state waters, while sailfish, blackfin tuna, mahi, kings, and other pelagics are beginning to show close to the beach as bait concentrations increase.
Justin Reed reports an excellent redfish bite in the Pensacola surf, including an unusually high number of slot-sized fish. He recommends single-drop rigs with blue crab, sand fleas, or cut bait, while pompano continue to hold primarily beyond the sandbar. Justin also stresses the importance of scouting beaches during daylight, identifying deeper holes and darker water, and moving when an area is not producing rather than repeatedly fishing the same beach access.
Joe and Butch talk with Craig Underwood from HydroGlow about above-water versus underwater dock lights, light color, installation, maintenance, and electrical safety. Craig explains that floating docks are often well suited for above-water DockMaster lights, while fixed docks with sufficient depth may be better candidates for underwater Sea Floor lights. Green, blue, white, and amber lights each have different applications depending on water clarity, depth, and whether the goal is attracting fish from a distance or holding bait around the dock.
Capt. Blake Nelson wraps up with improving Spanish mackerel action around Choctawhatchee Bay as greenies move onto the flats and roll-downs. Live chumming and fly-lining greenies have been productive, while sight fishing redfish provides another strong option when conditions allow. Blake recommends slowing down around productive flats, giving spooked fish time to settle, and making precise casts to fish that are still actively feeding rather than chasing reds that have already taken off.
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