Dog Days Fishing: Finding Redfish, Trout and Spanish in the Heat

In this week's Northwest Florida Fishing Report, host Joe Baya covers beating the August heat, nighttime dock-light fishing around Pensacola, working through heavy floating grass, and finding productive water during the dog days around Panama City. This episode features Brandon Barton with Emerald Waters Kayak Charters and Capt. Justin Leake with Panama City Inshore. Brandon Barton explains how to stay comfortable and safe during extreme August heat by covering up with lightweight, breathable fishing clothing, staying hydrated, and avoiding the hottest parts of the day when possible. On the fishing side, nighttime dock lights are producing trout and redfish on small artificial shrimp, while floating grass has made daytime fishing more challenging. Brandon recommends replacing treble hooks with single hooks, using weedless presentations, and fishing the side of a flat where the wind has pushed less grass. Looking ahead, September cold fronts should bring improving king mackerel, mahi, and sailfish opportunities close to the beach. Capt. Justin Leake reports that extreme water temperatures have concentrated Panama City fish around areas with strong tidal movement. He is targeting redfish, mangrove snapper, and Spanish mackerel around points where incoming or outgoing water creates steady current. Justin explains how to set up up-current, use live pilchards or pogies to establish a chum line, and move quickly if a spot does not produce. For anglers fishing artificials, he recommends a small Z-Man Diesel Minnow on a half-ounce jig head to imitate the pilchards currently entering the bay. That influx of bait is also one of the first signs that Northwest Florida's fall fishing pattern is beginning to develop. 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