
Migrating Pompano, Trophy Trout, and Early Spanish Mackerel
From Northwest Florida Fishing Report by Joe Baya
April 9, 2026 · 45 min · Season 1 · Episode 320
About this episode
Joe Baya discusses the spring fishing transition in Northwest Florida, highlighting pompano, trophy trout, and Spanish mackerel.
In this week's Northwest Florida Fishing Report, host Joe Baya covers a productive spring transition despite rough offshore weather, with pompano showing up in the surf, big trout feeding in the bay, and Spanish mackerel providing a solid option closer to shore. This episode features Blake Hunter with Reel30A and Capt. Blake Nelson of Last Cast Charters . The big theme this week is that spring fishing is taking shape across Northwest Florida, but anglers still need to stay flexible and fish around changing conditions. Joe starts in the surf with Blake Hunter of Reel30A, who says the pompano migration is underway and the next few weeks should offer some of the best beach fishing of the season. He explains how fish are moving in waves along the beach, why live sand fleas are so important right now, and how staying mobile can help anglers find the best concentrations of fish. Next, Joe checks in with Capt. Blake Nelson of Last Cast Charters for an inshore report from the Choctawhatchee Bay area. Blake says the trout bite has been very good, with quality fish over 20 inches and some larger trout showing up. He also reports redfish action and the arrival of Spanish mackerel around…
People in this episode
Host: Joe Baya
Guests: Blake Hunter, Capt. Blake Nelson
Topics covered
- spring fishing
- pompano migration
- trophy trout
- Spanish mackerel
- fishing conditions
- inshore fishing
- surf fishing
Keywords
- pompano
- trophy trout
- Spanish mackerel
- fishing report
- Choctawhatchee Bay
- live bait
- artificials
- surf fishing
- spring transition
Sponsors
Dixie Supply, Baker Metal, Admiral Shellfish, Coastal Connection, EXP Realty, AFTCO, SlipSki Solutions, Black Buffa
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Reel30A, Last Cast Charters
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- Bigger Triggerfish, Early Pompano, and Spring Trout on the Emerald Coast · March 26, 2026 · 1h 3m
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