In this week's Northwest Florida Fishing Report, host Joe Baya covers a remarkably consistent late-summer pompano bite along the beaches, outstanding billfish action offshore, and an inshore mangrove snapper bite that can keep rods bent through the August heat. This episode features Blake Hunter with Reel30A, Capt. Adam Peeples with One Shot Charters, and Evan Wheeler with Tall Pines Tight Lines. Joe also joins Alabama Saltwater Fishing Report host Butch Thierry for a special conversation with the father-and-son team behind SlipSki about boat and dock covers built for waterfront conditions.
Blake Hunter starts with the surf report, where pompano continue to hold along Walton, Okaloosa, and western Bay County beaches well beyond the traditional spring season. Some of the biggest fish of the summer are now being caught, including pompano pushing well beyond the four-pound mark. Blake believes consistently high salinity may be helping keep the fish on the beach and recommends keeping the presentation simple with a two-drop pompano rig, shrimp, and Fishbites. Pink, orange, chartreuse, and white have been productive colors, with Fishbites clam-scented baits matching the coquina clams showing up in the stomachs of these fish. He also looks ahead to the fall transition, when the first cold fronts and mullet movement could bring slot redfish back into the surf.
Joe and Butch then talk with Daniel and Ed Bejrowski from SlipSki about the development of the company's aluminum boat and dock cover systems. They explain how SlipSki grew out of their experience installing a traditional canopy that they believed could be made stronger, more durable, and better suited for marine environments. The conversation covers marine-grade aluminum construction, removable canopy material for named storms, customization for existing docks, hurricane preparation, and the Dorado Oasis, which extends shade beyond the boat slip to cover much of the dock. They also discuss adapting SlipSki systems to different piling configurations, including composite EcoPile installations.
Capt. Adam Peeples reports excellent bluewater action 40 to 60 miles offshore, with sailfish, white marlin, and blue marlin concentrated around clean water, favorable current, and huge amounts of bait. Adam recently put together two billfish slams during a three-day trip and explains how he fishes dredges, teasers, and swimming ballyhoo while staying relatively light on tackle. His current setup includes Shimano Talica BFC reels, 30-pound main line, 60-pound fluorocarbon leaders, small circle hooks, and medium Baitmasters ballyhoo. The swordfish bite has also improved, with multiple recent fish over 200 pounds, while Adam expects cooling water later this fall to improve wahoo and other pelagic opportunities around the nearshore FADs.
Evan Wheeler wraps up with an inshore option for anglers looking for consistent action during the hottest part of the year. Mangrove snapper are showing up around deeper docks, bridge pilings, jetties, and other structure, giving anglers an opportunity to catch quality fish even when trout and redfish are less cooperative. Evan explains how current, depth, bait, shade, and structure determine where the fish position, and he recommends starting around 15-pound fluorocarbon over 20-pound braid before downsizing if the fish become leader-shy. Live menhaden are an excellent choice, but artificials can be equally productive. Evan has been catching mangroves on MirrOlures and durable Z-Man soft plastics paired with Pro-Cure and Eye Strike jig heads, allowing anglers to cover water and target better fish without spending the morning catching live bait.
Sponsors:
Pike Consulting
EMS Endeck PVC Decking
Dixie Supply and Baker Metal
Admiral Shellfish
Sea Tow
Coastal Connection EXP Realty - Abaco Orange Beach
SlipSki Solutions
Deep South Cranes
