Fishing Report

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# Gulf Coast Fishing Report

**Region:** Pensacola ➤ Destin ➤ Panama City

**Dates:** Mid‑August 2025 (current conditions)

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## Inshore / Bay Report

### **Pensacola Bay**

**Target Species:** Redfish, Speckled Trout

Redfish remain active near docks and deeper cover. Speckled trout continue to bite early over grass flats—best during rising tides at first light.

**Hotspots:** Big Lagoon, ICW around the Navy Base, Fort Pickens flats

**Top Baits:** Live shrimp, soft plastics (e.g. paddle tails), topwater plugs at dawn

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### **Destin / Choctawhatchee Bay**

**Target Species:** Redfish, Speckled Trout, Spanish Mackerel

Redfish are cruising grassy flats and bridge pilings. Speckled trout bite across bay flats. Spanish mackerel and small jacks are beginning to target bait schools near Destin Pass.

**Hotspots:** South side of Mid‑Bay Bridge, Hogtown Bayou

**Top Baits:** Early topwater plugs; switch to live shrimp or croakers as the sun warms; flashy spoons for surface action

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### **Panama City Bay**

**Target Species:** Redfish, Speckled Trout

Redfish are schooling the shallow early hours. Trout are staging around deeper potholes and under dock lights.

**Hotspots:** East side flats near Tyndall, north shoreline grass edges

**Top Baits:** Paddle tails on light jigheads, free‑lined shrimp, small twitch baits

**Regional Update:** As reported on July 8, 2025, trout and redfish were abundant inshore during cool low-light periods—indicating steady action underway now ([Visit Panama City Beach][1]).

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## Offshore Report

### **Pensacola → Destin**

**Bottom Bite:** Vermilion snapper remain responsive, though red snapper season has closed. Expect scattered scamp grouper, amberjack (catch-and-release), and pelagic visitors near structure.

**Trolling Bite:** King mackerel and mahi-mahi are showing up 10–25 miles offshore around weedlines and bait balls.

**Hot Zones:** Reefs like Oriskany and Southwest Ledge, and ledges beyond 100 ft

**Baits:** Live baits (minnows, squid), jigging spoons, trolling spoons & dusters

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### **Destin → Panama City**

**Bottom Bite:** Vermilion snapper and red grouper continue to produce in 100–200 ft—triggerfish are present, but release-only.

**Trolling Bite:** Early king mackerel run is underway; blackfin tuna may show near deeper drop-offs.

**Hot Zones:** Chicken Bone Reef, Nipple, and edge reefs

**Baits:** Squid on chicken rigs, spoons for jigging, frozen minnows for crowding fish

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## Tide Snapshot – Destin (East Pass)

Here are a couple of **recent tide times** to anchor the report in actual mid-August conditions:

* **August 18, 2025 (today):**

High tide \~7:54 AM, low tide \~6:29 PM ([US Harbors][2]).

* **August 19, 2025 (tomorrow):**

High tide \~7:51 AM (0.92 ft), low tide \~7:32 PM (\~0 ft) ([Tide Forecast][3]).

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## Quick Tips

* **Focus your timing** on early morning and rising tides for inshore action.

* **Snapper season is closed**—aim offshore for vermilions and pelagics.

* **Live bait** plus topwater gear = early success in bays.

* Stay hydrated and shaded—August heat is intense, and afternoon storms are common