What's Biting FLgulf coast · Pensacola to Apalachicola
Panhandle
Emerald Coast beaches, Pensacola Bay, Choctawhatchee Bay, St. Andrew Bay and Apalachicola Bay. Deep Gulf water is close to shore here, so offshore reef fish and pelagics are in play alongside inshore trout and redfish.
Today's report (2026-10-30)
The Panhandle is looking good for October 30th with a strong 2.4 foot tide swing. Redfish, spotted seatrout, and flounder are the top three species today. The moving water should push redfish and trout into the passes and bay mouths, while flounder will stage along the edges. King and Spanish mackerel are also scoring high if you want to head offshore.
The best solunar window is the major period from 2:31 PM to 4:31 PM, which lines up with the low tide at 12:10 PM. Keep in mind that flounder harvest is closed statewide, so any flounder you catch must be released. Watch out for the east wind blowing 10 to 15 mph during the day, which can make the open water a bit choppy.
Try a soft plastic shrimp under a popping cork for the trout and redfish around the passes.
Today's tide
Bite forecast
| Species | Fri, Oct 30 | Sat, Oct 31 | Sun, Nov 1 | Mon, Nov 2 | Tue, Nov 3 | Wed, Nov 4 | Thu, Nov 5 | Why |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Redfish (Red Drum) | 10 | 9 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | Strong tide swing 2.4 ft |
| Flounder harvest closed | 10 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | Strong tide swing 2.4 ft. Harvest closed in: Statewide (catch and release) |
| Spotted Seatrout | 9 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | Strong tide swing 2.4 ft |
| King Mackerel | 9 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 | Strong tide swing 2.4 ft |
| Spanish Mackerel | 9 | 8 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 6 | Strong tide swing 2.4 ft |
| Gag Grouper harvest closed | 9 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 | Strong tide swing 2.4 ft. Harvest closed in: Gulf Regulations (catch and release) |
| Mangrove (Gray) Snapper | 8 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 6 | Strong tide swing 2.4 ft |
| Red Grouper harvest closed | 8 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 6 | Strong tide swing 2.4 ft. Harvest closed in: Gulf Regulations (catch and release) |
| Tripletail | 8 | 7 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | Strong tide swing 2.4 ft |
| Pompano | 8 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | Strong tide swing 2.4 ft |
| Cobia | 7 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | Strong tide swing 2.4 ft |
| Greater Amberjack harvest closed | 7 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | Strong tide swing 2.4 ft. Harvest closed in: Gulf (catch and release) |
Score blends the seasonal pattern for each species with moon, tide swing, wind and weather. 10 is as good as it gets. Days 4 to 7 are an outlook: the moon and tides are certain, the weather is not.
Species in this region
10Redfish (Red Drum)Sciaenops ocellatus
9Spotted SeatroutCynoscion nebulosus
4TarponMegalops atlanticus
10FlounderParalichthys lethostigma
6SheepsheadArchosargus probatocephalus
7CobiaRachycentron canadum
9King MackerelScomberomorus cavalla
9Spanish MackerelScomberomorus maculatus
6Red SnapperLutjanus campechanus
8Mangrove (Gray) SnapperLutjanus griseus
9Gag GrouperMycteroperca microlepis
8Red GrouperEpinephelus morio
7Greater AmberjackSeriola dumerili
8TripletailLobotes surinamensis
6Black DrumPogonias cromis
4Mahi-Mahi (Dolphinfish)Coryphaena hippurus
7HogfishLachnolaimus maximus
7Gray TriggerfishBalistes capriscus
8PompanoTrachinotus carolinus
7BluefishPomatomus saltatrix