Wahoo, Mahi & Sailfish Push Close to Shore

In this week's Northwest Florida Fishing Report, host Joe Baya talks with Brandon Barton of Emerald Waters Kayak Charters, Capt. Harris Scruggs of Triple B Fishing Charters, and Capt. Justin Leake of Panama City Inshore about an outstanding early-fall push of blue water, bait, and pelagic fish from Pensacola to Panama City. Sailfish, mahi, blackfin tuna, king mackerel, and even wahoo are showing up close to shore, while red snapper, gag grouper, and triggerfish round out the bottom-fishing opportunities. Brandon breaks down the Pensacola kayak bite, where crystal-clear water and huge concentrations of bait are creating excellent opportunities for sailfish, mahi, kings, and blackfin tuna. He explains how he catches cigar minnows and other live bait on small fluorocarbon Sabiki rigs, why live bait gets the nod when sailfish are around, and the tradeoff between trolling fluorocarbon for better sailfish hookups and wire when kings, Spanish mackerel, and a possible wahoo are in the mix. He also discusses trolling one live bait alongside a deep-diving lure and why sometimes the best answer to triggerfish overwhelming a bottom spot is simply to move. Capt. Harris reports wahoo, blackfin tuna, and sailfish moving closer to Panama City, including wahoo caught in just 85 and 125 feet of water. He explains trolling around 80 to 120 feet over natural bottom and structure, using deep-diving plugs, skirted baits, and a combination of heavy mono and wire leaders. Harris also covers how to set a trolling spread based on speed, sea conditions, prop wash, and lure action, along with why anglers without satellite imagery can start by working around major public structures holding herring, hardtails, and cigar minnows. Capt. Justin explains why Panama City is already showing the signs of a strong October, with exceptional amounts of pilchards, pogies, pinfish, Spanish sardines, threadfin herring, and cigar minnows supporting redfish, trout, mangrove snapper, Spanish mackerel, jacks, mahi, and other pelagics. Mahi have been especially impressive in state waters, with fish holding around buoys and occasionally large floating debris. When fall northeast winds make running-and-gunning difficult, Justin switches to kite fishing, drifting live baits through productive water for sailfish, mahi, kings, and other pelagics. He breaks down drift speed, bait placement, kite spacing, trolling-motor control, and why getting the presentation right can turn a windy fall day into some of the most exciting fishing of the season. 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