Gag Grouper, Sailfish & the Real Cost of a Tow with Sea Tow

In this week's Northwest Florida Fishing Report, host Joe Baya covers a wide-open September offshore season around Panama City, with amberjack, triggerfish, red snapper, and gag grouper all available, while nearshore sailfish, mahi, blackfin tuna, and king mackerel begin following huge concentrations of bait toward the beach. This episode features Capt. Harris Scruggs with Triple B Fishing Charters and Brandon Barton with Emerald Waters Kayak Charters. Joe also joins Alabama Saltwater Fishing Report host Butch Thierry for a special conversation with Capt. John Ward of Sea Tow Destin about the true cost of getting towed, what towing memberships actually cover, the difference between towing and salvage, and simple steps boaters can take to avoid becoming stranded. Capt. Harris Scruggs reports excellent bait concentrations around Panama City, with herring, cigar minnows, and hardtails giving offshore anglers plenty of options while several popular bottom-fishing seasons overlap. Harris likes to target amberjack early on larger wrecks before transitioning into general bottom fishing for gag grouper, red snapper, triggerfish, vermilion snapper, and other reef species. For amberjack on pressured public wrecks, he recommends long leaders of roughly 15 to 20 feet with around 80-pound mono and a hook matched to the size of the bait. Gag grouper are being caught from shallower state-water structure out to roughly 120 to 300 feet, although the better catches have generally been coming from deeper water. Harris fishes a three-way setup with a bank sinker as well as knocker rigs, adjusting leader strength from roughly 40 to 100 pounds depending on bait size and the fish he expects to encounter. Triggerfish have been somewhat inconsistent, but around 150 feet has been a productive depth for larger fish. He also expects September's large bait concentrations to pull more sailfish, blackfin tuna, king mackerel, and other pelagics close to shore as water temperatures begin to fall. Joe and Butch talk with Capt. John Ward of Sea Tow Destin about what boaters should understand before they ever need assistance on the water. John explains that non-member towing costs are based on the total time required from when the towboat leaves until it returns, not simply the distance the disabled boat is actually towed. At Sea Tow Destin, he says daytime service for non-members is $400 per hour with a two-hour minimum, meaning even a relatively simple battery jump or short tow can become expensive. The conversation covers priority service for Sea Tow members, long-distance offshore towing, insurance towing limits, and the important distinction between a routine tow and a salvage situation involving a vessel in peril. John also shares some of the most common reasons boaters call for help, including running out of fuel, electronic steering failures, blown fuses, and simple launch-day mistakes. His preventative advice includes carrying spare fuses, making sure inspection plates are secured before leaving the dock, putting enough fuel in the boat rather than relying completely on the gauge, and checking basics such as the neutral position and kill switch before assuming there is a major mechanical problem. Brandon Barton says September is one of his favorite months for kayak fishing because enormous schools of bait can bring sailfish, mahi, blackfin tuna, and king mackerel within a mile of Northwest Florida's beaches. Brandon calls it "September sails" because of the consistent nearshore sailfish opportunity and says recent trips have been loaded with cigar minnows, sardines, and other bait. His approach is to catch live bait with a Sabiki rig and troll one live bait alongside an X-Rap or similar diving lure, using deeper-running plugs on bright, calm days and shallower presentations during low-light, overcast, or choppy conditions. Mahi have already been showing consistently, with blackfin tuna and sailfish also being hooked in the region. Around nearshore reefs, Brandon is finding red snapper, mangrove snapper, amberjack, and gag grouper, and recommends larger live baits dropped close to structure when specifically targeting gags. From a kayak, he generally starts around 50-pound tackle and prefers three- to four-foot leaders and shorter jigging-style rods that allow anglers to quickly pump powerful fish away from structure. Brandon closes with an important safety reminder: watch wind direction and changing conditions, continually check radar, wear a PFD, leave a float plan, carry a reliable means of communication, and do not push offshore when the forecast looks questionable. 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 KillerDock Hilton's Realtime Navigator