UTERWhiting fishing in The Florida Panhandle
In The Florida Panhandle, whiting peak November–May and are around year-round, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. February: The surf fish that saves the day when the pompano aren't there.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Whiting in The Florida Panhandle, month by month
- JanuaryPeak
- FebruaryPeakThe surf fish that saves the day when the pompano aren't there.
- MarchPeak
- AprilPeak
- MayPeak
- JuneAround
- JulyAround
- AugustAround
- SeptemberAround
- OctoberArriving
- NovemberPeak
- DecemberPeak
Where to fish whiting near Pensacola, Destin, Panama City
Deep bays behind long barrier islands — Pensacola, Choctawhatchee, St. Andrew, St. Joseph, Apalachicola — with grass flats on the bay side, bayous and creek mouths, and the passes cut through to the Gulf. Emerald water on the beach side; the surf is a real fishery here.
Fish Scouter charts 79 beach / surf, 12 pass / inlet spots in the The Panhandle map area — the kinds whiting hold on.
What to use for whiting
- Sand fleas (mole crabs)On a small circle hook or a pompano rig, digger-end first — the pompano and whiting bait.
- Live shrimpUnder a popping cork or free-lined, hooked under the horn on a #1 to 2/0 circle hook; on a jig head for the bottom. The universal inshore bait.
- Leader10–20 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook#4–#1
- Braid10–15 lb
Feeds in 56–82°F water, best at 62–76°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch whiting in The Florida Panhandle?
Peak season is November–May. Whiting are here year-round. February: The surf fish that saves the day when the pompano aren't there.
Where do whiting hold in The Florida Panhandle?
Look on beach / surf, pass / inlet — around Pensacola, Destin, Panama City, Apalachicola.
What is the best bait for whiting in The Florida Panhandle?
Live bait: sand fleas (mole crabs), live shrimp. Sand fleas (mole crabs): On a small circle hook or a pompano rig, digger-end first — the pompano and whiting bait. Tackle: leader 10–20 lb fluorocarbon, hook #4–#1, braid 10–15 lb.
What are the rules for whiting in The Florida Panhandle?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and change — read the current rule at https://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/ before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://myfwc.com/license/recreational/.
Fish it with the tide in your pocket
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All about whiting · The Panhandle, the whole year