Post-Hurricane Fishing: Dirty Water, Blue Water, and Big Opportunities

In this week's Northwest Florida Fishing Report, host Joe Baya covers fishing conditions across the Emerald Coast following Hurricane Isaias, including dirty offshore water, improving surf fishing, and blue water pushing closer to shore with promising opportunities for fall wahoo. This episode features Capt. Harris Scruggs of Triple B Fishing Charters, Justin Reed of Justin Reed Surf Fishing Charters, Angelo DePaola of The Coastal Connection, and Tom Hilton of Hilton's Realtime Navigator. Alabama Saltwater Fishing Report host Butch Thierry also joins Joe and Tom for a detailed look at finding wahoo using satellite imagery. Capt. Harris explains how the hurricane affected offshore fishing around Panama City, with dirty water extending nearly 20 miles offshore and fish becoming harder to locate on the bottom machine. Despite the conditions, red snapper, triggerfish, and vermilion snapper are still biting. Harris shares why patience, precise boat positioning, and keeping multiple baits in the water with chicken rigs can make the difference when fishing in poor visibility. He also discusses navigating storm debris and finding productive bottom when fish aren't showing up on the electronics. Justin reports surprisingly clean surf conditions around Pensacola and Navarre, with pompano already being caught following the storm. He explains why the second half of October should bring improving pompano, redfish, black drum, and whiting fishing as water temperatures drop. Justin also breaks down how to target black drum in the first trough using fresh shrimp and blue crab, including how to prepare crab baits, choose the right hooks, and keep bait stealers from ruining your presentation. Angelo discusses how the hurricane has affected Gulf Coast waterfront properties and why demand for deepwater access and luxury boating communities remains strong despite higher interest rates and storm concerns. He also shares updates on Abaco Orange Beach and explains what buyers should consider when evaluating waterfront properties. To close the episode, Tom Hilton joins Joe and Butch to explain why offshore conditions may actually be improving after the hurricane, with blue water moving closer to the coast and creating promising opportunities for fall wahoo. Using Hilton's Realtime Navigator, Tom demonstrates how to combine chlorophyll imagery, temperature breaks, currents, bottom contours, and nearshore FADs to identify productive trolling areas. The group also walks through building an efficient offshore trip using Hilton's Trip Planner, targeting wahoo, sailfish, blackfin tuna, and mahi while emphasizing the importance of sharing a float plan before heading offshore. Sponsors: Pike Consulting EMS Endeck PVC Decking Dixie Supply and Baker Metal Admiral Shellfish Coastal Connection EXP Realty - Abaco Orange Beach SlipSki Solutions Deep South Cranes KillerDock Hilton's Realtime Navigator