Pensacola Fishing Report – Deep Sea / Offshore Fishing, Grouper, Snapper, Sharks & Cobia| Week Ending August 30, 2026
The final week of August gave us a little bit of everything: deep-water slow-pitch jigging, another offshore jigging trip with First Mate Tig, some inshore scouting with friends, and a family day exploring the Escambia River Delta.
After the weather problems we dealt with throughout August, we even managed to get one of those unusually good Gulf days when we could run fast both going out and coming home. Of course, Mother Nature reminded us on the very next trip that she is still in charge.
Deep Sea / Offshore / Slow Pitch Jigging Fishing Charters Pensacola
Captains Paul and Eric spent our first offshore day fishing deep water, working approximately 300 to 400 feet with slow-pitch jigs ranging from 150 to 300 grams. The deep water produced a nice variety of fish, including yellowedge grouper, scamp grouper, red grouper and cobia.
Conditions were about as good as we could ask for. We were able to make the offshore run at approximately 30 mph, fish comfortably throughout the day, and then run about 30 mph all the way back in. For August 2026, that kind of weather day has been unusually hard to come by.
The sharks, however, apparently didn’t get the memo that it was supposed to be a relaxing day.
They were vicious.
At one point, a roughly 10-foot tiger shark swam right up alongside the boat and seemed to give us a wink before continuing on its way. We also had one of those offshore experiences that you don’t forget. In the distance, we saw what initially looked like a large wave breaking toward us. As it got closer, we realized it was a huge pod of spotted dolphins – probably around 100 of them.
They moved past and around the boat but fortunately didn’t bother us or the fish we were working. Between the deep-water grouper, cobia, dolphins, tiger shark and exceptionally calm Gulf, it was one of those days that reminds us why we never get tired of running offshore.
Slow-Pitch Jigging With First Mate Tig
Our second offshore outing was Captains Paul and Eric with First Mate Tig, taking him on his second slow-pitch jigging trip. This time, instead of fishing 300 to 400 feet, we deliberately stayed shallower in approximately 85 to 115 feet of water.
There was a very important reason for that decision: Tig is eight, and eight-year-old arms only need so much vertical jigging.
We dropped 80- to 150-gram slow-pitch jigs and caught triggerfish, red grouper, red snapper and vermilion snapper. First Mate Tig caught his first red grouper, while Capt. Paul brought up a nice 26-inch red snapper.
Tig was also fishing his new Okuma Cedros slow-pitch setup for the first time, spooled with 20-pound braid and a 40-pound leader. He really liked the setup and had no trouble putting it to work.
Unlike our first offshore trip, there were no shark problems. The weather was the problem instead. It was choppy and raining for most of the day, and we spent a good portion of the trip maneuvering around storms. Eventually, the weather won and we called the trip early and made our run back toward Pensacola.
The current itself was fairly mild, so despite the rain we were still able to fish relatively light jigs. We broke out the Grundens rain gear and kept fishing until it was time to head home. Tig didn’t seem particularly bothered by any of it. When First Mate Tig has a jigging rod in his hands offshore, getting him to stop fishing is usually harder than getting him to start.
He also came away from the trip with some very definite ideas about jig colors. According to Tig, his buddy Milo only needs to know:
Green and gold.
The Gulf waters around Pensacola are typically green for much of the year – part of what gives this stretch of Northwest Florida its Emerald Coast name – and green-and-gold combinations tend to be dependable colors here. When the Gulf clears up during the winter, we’ll normally start working more blue-and-silver or purple-and-silver combinations as well.
Apparently First Mate Tig has already decided Milo needs to know what colors are working before their next trip.
Inshore Fishing Charters Pensacola
Capt. Eric and First Mate Tig also spent a day inshore with Capt. Jay and his first mate Milo. The inshore bite still hasn’t really turned on. The water simply hasn’t cooled enough yet, and we’re continuing to wait for the seasonal change that should improve the trout and redfish fishing.
We spent most of the day working the grass, reeds and points throughout the Escambia River Delta, fishing primarily in approximately one to three-and-a-half feet of water. The primary bait was a four- to five-inch chartreuse paddle tail. Capt. Jay mixed things up with MirrOlures, Zara Spooks and a gold spoon.
We managed two speckled trout and one redfish. One trout measured approximately 18 inches, and the redfish was about 17 inches. Not exactly a spectacular numbers day, but not every trip needs to be.
Tig and Milo spent plenty of time talking, hanging out together and relaxing on the front deck while the adults fished. First Mate Tig is a little different inshore than he is offshore. Put him offshore with a slow-pitch rod in his hands and you almost can’t get him to stop fishing. Put him in the marsh and suddenly snacks become a much more important part of the fishing program.
The winds stayed manageable, and all four of us were able to move comfortably around the delta in the small flats boat. It wasn’t a day defined by a full fish box. It was simply a good day getting out with friends, taking the boys fishing and enjoying being on the water.
Sometimes that’s enough.
Another Family Day In The Delta
Capt. Eric and First Mate Tig also took Mom out for another inshore trip in the Escambia Delta.
Conditions were calm, and once again we concentrated on grass flats, reed lines and the edges of the marsh. We primarily threw four- to five-inch chartreuse paddle tails along with shrimp-colored, natural-pattern soft plastics. First Mate Tig got to reel in a speckled trout and a ladyfish, and got a firsthand lesson in why ladyfish have earned the nickname “poor man’s tarpon.”
For Tig, though, the trip was about much more than catching fish. He was excited to show Mom some of the places where we fish, and he especially enjoys running through the bends and corners of the marsh.
It was another opportunity to put the family together on the water, let Tig explore another part of the river, and give Mom a chance to enjoy some time on the boat – and get a little sun in the process.
Looking Ahead
As we head into the first week of September, the offshore forecast finally gives us something we haven’t seen very often this summer: several potentially good Gulf days lined up together.
If the forecast holds, Tuesday through Friday currently look like the best offshore opportunities. Winds are generally forecast in the single digits through much of that period, with seas running around one foot or less for much of Tuesday through Friday. The wave period remains short at approximately four seconds, but with wave heights that low, conditions should still be considerably more comfortable than many of the weather windows August gave us.
Wednesday carries some rain chances, so we’ll still have to keep an eye on thunderstorms and make decisions based on what develops locally. That’s normal this time of year. The offshore forecast can tell us what the general Gulf should look like, but summer thunderstorms can change the picture very quickly.
Saturday looks like the beginning of a transition. Winds remain relatively manageable, but forecast seas gradually build from around one foot toward 1.5 to 1.6 feet later in the day. With only about a four-second period between waves, those conditions can feel considerably rougher than the wave height alone suggests.
By Sunday, we’re looking at seas approaching two feet at roughly four seconds, along with winds reaching around 10 to 12 mph during portions of the day. That begins moving away from the kind of conditions we prefer for longer offshore runs.
The forecast becomes considerably less attractive beginning Monday, when winds are expected to climb into the mid-to-upper teens and potentially higher. Tuesday also shows elevated winds during portions of the day.
So, from where the forecast sits right now, Tuesday through Friday appear to be the offshore window we’ll be watching most closely, with Saturday still a possibility depending on how the forecast develops.
Of course, August 2026 taught us not to celebrate a good offshore forecast too early. We’ll keep watching it.
The final week of August again showed exactly how varied fishing around Pensacola can be. One day we’re 300 to 400 feet deep, dropping slow-pitch jigs for yellowedge grouper while a 10-foot tiger shark swims alongside the boat. Another day we’re in 85 to 115 feet of water, watching an eight-year-old catch his first red grouper. Then we’re back in two feet of water in the Escambia Delta, throwing paddle tails at grass lines while two first mates worry almost as much about snacks and conversation as they do about fish.
The offshore fishing continues to produce when Mother Nature gives us a window to get there. Inshore, we’re still waiting for the seasonal change. There are some trout and redfish around, but the numbers aren’t where we’d like them to be before actively encouraging customers to book those trips.
As September progresses and we eventually begin seeing cooler nights and falling water temperatures, we expect those patterns to start changing. Until then, we’ll keep scouting, keep jigging and take advantage of every good weather window the Gulf gives us.
Captain Paul & Captain Eric
Double D Fishing Charters of NW Florida
Pensacola/Gulf Breeze/Navarre/Pensacola Beach/Milton/Pace
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