Boat Electronics, Creek Trout, Bay Redfish, Offshore Grouper, and the Destin Boat Show

In this week's Northwest Florida Fishing Report, host Joe Baya covers a wide-ranging spring pattern with changing weather, flexible fishing options, and a look at how modern boat electronics can help anglers stay more efficient on the water. This episode features Capt. Justin Leake with Panama City Inshore, Capt. Harris Scruggs with Triple B Fishing Charters, Capt. Evan Wheeler with Tall Pines Tight Lines, and Jim Cox with the Destin Boat & Yacht Show. The big theme this week is that spring fishing across Northwest Florida is opening up in a lot of different ways, but success still comes down to adjusting to wind, conditions, and where the fish want to be. Joe starts with Capt. Justin Leake with Panama City Inshore, who breaks down how he approaches the three main types of spring days. On the roughest front days, Justin says he likes to tuck deep into creeks and bayous for trout, redfish, and even the occasional bass. On the in-between days, he focuses on bay fishing around jetties, bridges, and passes for Spanish mackerel, sheepshead, mangrove snapper, and redfish. When the Gulf finally lays down, he says the nearshore reefs are loaded with action, including red grouper, snapper, bonitas, and even a few early kings. Justin also shares a detailed look at how networked electronics, side imaging, drift mode, and better boat positioning can help anglers fish more efficiently and cover water more effectively. Next, Joe checks in with Capt. Harris Scruggs with Triple B Fishing Charters, who says the offshore bite out of Panama City has been strong on the calmer windows. Harris reports steady action on triggerfish, vermilion snapper, red grouper, scamp, Spanish mackerel, and bonita, with plenty of bait around and good opportunities both near the pass and on reefs in 60 to 100 feet of water. He also explains that anglers fishing natural bottom should not always expect fish to show clearly on the machine right away, and that some of the best areas still take confidence and repeated passes to figure out. Joe also talks with Jim Cox with the Destin Boat & Yacht Show, which is set for May 1 through 3 at Sunset Isle Yacht Club on Okaloosa Island. Jim says the show is designed to reflect the wide variety of boating in the Destin area, from offshore center consoles and bay boats to tritoons, cruisers, and luxury boats. He explains that the show will include boats in the water and on land, along with marine accessories, fishing seminars, food, drinks, and coastal lifestyle vendors. Finally, Joe checks in with Capt. Evan Wheeler with Tall Pines Tight Lines in Pensacola, who says the trout bite has been strong in salty, clear water despite heavy wind swings. Evan explains how he approaches protected backwaters on rough days and grass flats on calmer days, with a focus on matching bait presentation to current, water depth, and wind direction. He says big trout are eating both live bait and artificials right now, especially larger soft plastics and topwaters, and he shares several tips on presentation, positioning, and how to stay calm and land a trophy trout once it bites. Sponsors: Destin Boat & Yacht Show Dixie Supply and Baker Metal Admiral Shellfish Coastal Connection EXP Realty AFTCO SlipSki Solutions Black Buffalo Hilton's Realtime Navigator Deep South Cranes