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Fishing in Pensacola, Florida
Located in the Panhandle of the sunshine state, Pensacola offers some of the best family fishing in Florida that range from inshore bays to offshore reefs, and from marshlands to flowing rivers.
Saltwater Fishing in Pensacola
Pensacola Bay and the Gulf of Mexico provide opportunities for families to plan both inshore and offshore saltwater fishing trips. Whether you want to try fishing for the very first time or have years of experience, you can find plenty of saltwater places to fish in Pensacola, FL that are ideal for you and your family.
When planning your trip, buy your Florida fishing license online before you go and check the saltwater regulations for the Northwest Region, which includes Pensacola.
Fishing Piers in Pensacola, Florida
When it comes to Northwest Florida saltwater fishing pier fishing spots, Pensacola has three piers that are located in and around Pensacola Beach. Pier fishing is popular on the Gulf Coast, particularly during the spring when species such as pompano, whiting, Spanish mackerel, red drum, black drum, bluefish, jack crevelle, and king mackerel head back into the northern Gulf after the winter months.
Some piers, such as the Pensacola Beach Gulf Pier, have on-site bait and tackle shops where you can rent gear if you don't have your own. Always inquire about any associated pier fishing fees that may be required beyond your fishing license purchase.
If you are looking for a few Pensacola-area fishing piers, here are a few of the top spots:
- Pensacola Beach Gulf Pier
- Navarre Beach Fishing Pier
- Fort Pickens Fishing Pier
- Pensacola's Catwalk
In addition to pier fishing, you might want to find a spot on the white sand beaches of the Panhandle and try surf fishing in Pensacola, Florida.
Pensacola Surf Fishing Spots
If you are wondering where to go surf fishing and which fish to catch in Pensacola, you have a number of options. Species like pompano, flounder, bluefish, Spanish mackerel, spotted seatrout, and red drum are often caught while fishing from the beach.
Surf fishing generally requires long rods that are different from those you would use when fishing from a pier or boat, so you be sure to learn about surf fishing gear before heading to one of these local beaches:
- Johnson Beach
- Perdido Key State Recreation Area
- Big Lagoon State Park
- Pensacola Beach
If you prefer a boat ride to fishing in Florida from the beach, not to worry -- there are plenty of options when it comes to inshore and offshore fishing on the sparkling waters of the Gulf.
Inshore Bay Fishing in Pensacola, Florida
From spotted seatrout to cobia, the Pensacola Bay estuary system provides the perfect habitat for a number of Florida inshore fish species. Rent a bay boat, trailer your own, or hire a charter guide to give you an introduction to the waters of Pensacola Bay, East Bay, or Escambia Bay.
Pensacola Offshore Fishing
Whether your goal is to reel in an airborne sailfish or reel up a red snapper from a wreck, offshore fishing out of Pensacola can mean trolling, bottom fishing, or drifting to find the best spots. One of the primary advantages of deep sea fishing in this area is that state waters are within just 9 miles from shore. In other words you won't have to go far to find a productive reef or ledge.