Enjoy the Best of Pensacola Fishing

Scroll to bottom for Gulf Oil Spill Fishing Restrictions and how it affects your Pensacola fishing trip. For more info: MyFwc.

Let me say that fishing is great fun and diverse. I can take you through the two major fishing categories here and help you to find your way around. I'll start first with freshwater fishing side of this coin and flip over to the saltwater side. For some freshwater Pensacola Fishing start here. Escambia River is the largest freshwater body here. It comes down from up in Alabama and dumps into the bay a mile or so down stream from The Swamphouse Marina. If you put in at the swamphouse head into the river and go left or north. Run up about a mile or so you'll be at the power plant. Go left into the channel, this is White Creek. Get past the barges to begin fishing. I try to stay on the outside of the bends where the current is stronger. For bass I start with a 1/8th oz. chartreuse or chartreuse and blue spinner bait. If the bite isn't good on this I go to a dark colored plastic worm.

For bream fishing here I love using a beetlespin with a small yellow rubber tail. Drop it close to bushes or stumps at the bank. It is best to cast upstream so the bait follows back with the current. Take these two techniques on up the river into the various creeks you see that empty into the main river. By the way, if you follow White Creek along it will run back into the river.Now let's go a little farther upstream for some more Pensacola fishing sites.

Go east on Hwy. 90 to Pace and turn left at the first light, at McDonalds. This is Woodbine Rd., follow it to the next light and turn left onto Quintet Road. Go about 5 or 6 miles until you see a bridge coming up. Just before you reach the guardrail, turn left onto a dirt road and follow on to the boat ramp. Put in and go away from the bridge, downstream. Go 1/2 mile or so to the first big bend,then take the creek to your right. This is Quintet Lake. It is good for bass and bream. Use the tactics mentioned above and fish close to the bank. While out this way, you will also be in the area of Beck's Fish Camp, so stop and give them a holler.

At the swamphouse, go to the river and go right toward the bay. This fishing is best when the weather srarts to cool. Around the mouth you can catch white and speckled trout closer to the bay. Get some Mann's stingray grubs, white and red, fish them on the bottom all aroung the area. If no luck, head into the bay toward the bridges, you can see them. Fish around the pilings. There is also some good trout fishing at Jim's fish camp. It's on the left going toward Pace from the swamphouse. There is launch fee at both these ramps. Read on for more Pensacola fishing.

Blackwater River is next up. Take I 10 east to exit 26, go left towards Milton to the stop sign in Bagdad. Left there to Ella Drive and turn right. Follow down to the boat ramp. That is called the Shell Pile. It's a nice ramp with a dock. Put in and head right to the river and fish along the banks for bass, bream, black crappie, and maybe a redfish. Use the same spinnerbaits all around the grass. You can go upstream if you like and try it there. If you go about 3 miles you'll come to the boardwalk in Milton. Head out to the bay in the colder weather for some trout.

Saltwater Fishing starts here. I went out for about twenty years with a commercial snapper boat out of Pensacola. A good ramp to use is the Navy Point ramp. Click this link for directions to Pensacola Bay from there. One thing I would do was to tie on a cigar minnow or finger mullet when we were going through the Pensacola Pass. I would try to troll up a Bonita to use for bait. Follow the buoy line for about a mile and you will see the Massachusettes to the west. Anchor and drift fish your bait for some Bonita.

Follow the buoy line to the last buoy, the sea buoy. Turn your compass heading to 168 and run for about 26 miles to arrive at the western edge of DeSoto Canyon. This canyon is the reason why deep sea fishing out of Destin is so good. Your depth finder will show some ridges and drops. This is the reefs on the canyon edge. If you keep going the canyon edge will fall off to some 6,000 feet. Stay shallow and bottom fish with some squid or spanish mackeral. Read on for more of Pensacola Fishing.

Once out of the pass, you can troll with plugs or ballyhoo for some King Mackeral or maybe a Wahoo or two. When using plugs, I always had good luck pulling the bait in the prop wash. I prefer ballyhoo a little farther back. Remember there are also Barracuda that will sometimes hit your bait. Don't put your hand around their mouth. If you catch a shark, don't panic, just don't pull it in the boat with you. Pensacola fishing, I love it!

I forgot to mention, at the shell pile if you put in near dark for some night fishing, go to the right and head toward the I 10 bridge. Look left for the dock lights and head toward the yellow light. It is about 15' deep there. Throw your top water plugs at the breaking fish. They chase the bugs and such around that light. Fish with live shrimp. Incoming tide is best.

If your plans include a trip to Miami, Florida then you need to view this site to help you plan you trip. Don't forget to plan a trip to the beach to swim, hang out, or maybe fish. Your Guide to Miami Florida

Now I'll add some humorous Pensacola Fishing tales that I have personally seen. Back in 1987, I had put my boat, I had a center console then, in at the Navy Point boat ramp. It was close to dark so I planned to do some night fishing. I ran the boat back around the point to the east of the ramp, followed the point on around but not going under the bridge. There are two power poles in the water just down a bit. These poles back then had lights on them which attracted bait fish so the bigger fish followed. I was fishing there when I noticed a car on the bank drive up and stop. It was about 2am when I saw a fire pretty close to the car. After a bit the fire got bigger and the horn began to blow. Then the tires popped and the fire was going really good. All this was some 200 yards from me. I cranked up and left because if the cops came, they would see me there and need a witness. Not me.

Many years ago I had a center console, about 20 feet, and I had went out into Blackwater Bay for some trout fishing, September I think. After about an hour of no fish, I decided to pull the anchor and move on. When the anchor came up, I noticed a large clump of oysters on it. So I did what any average fisherman would do, I ate 'em then moved on for some more fishing.

Another Pensacola fishing funny story. I was once out snapper fishing on the Miss Aimee. We had the captain's neighbor with us who was green at that type of fishing. He had a big grouper on and got his right foot stuck in the deck bucket while winding up that fish. He would wind a couple turns, stop and kick. He kept this up for a minute or so when I asked if he needed help. He replied,"No, I got it, no problem." I said, OK, bring it up." He did but it took about five minutes to get his foot out of that bucket. I kept my bucket on the fish box. Email me with your funny Pensacola fishing stories. hullware@aol.com

After I had been fishing on the Aimee for a few years the captain, Kenny, and me were out in the gulf once having breakfast before getting started. We were eating a sandwich while heading for a spot. I was sitting at the table when I noticed one of the captains teeth fell out. He reached down and picked it up and said "That *&#@ tooth". He picked it up and put it on the console and kept eating. I thought that was kinda strange but kept my mouth shut and finished my breakfast. After he had finished his, he picked up that tooth and cleaned it off then got out a tube of super glue. I thought "He ain't gonna glue that tooth back in his head", but guess what, back in it went. I didn't know he had false teeth and I was thinking that this is the toughest man I've ever seen. Ain't no way I'm ever gonna cross him. It was several years later that I happened to see him cleaning his teeth and I thought well you ol' so and so.

If you decide to venture out in the Gulf of Mexico, let me suggest a couple of things that I think are great to have along. The first is a mirror, if you break down and need to signal someone it is invaluable. The second is a good pair of binoculars. The site listed here might help you with that on your next Pensacola fishing trip. Buyers Guide to Binoculars

In mid September, 2009 and in the last seven days we have gotten 9.1 inches of rain. I have been fishing lately but it's been poor due to all the water. The rivers are putting a lot of fresh water in the bays which is affecting the salt levels. I have been catching some redfish with beetle spins in the eel grass next to the reeds. More Pensacola fishing news later.

Late October '09 and the rains have stopped. We have just gotten our first notable cold snap of the fall. The water temp has dropped from the previous 83 degrees 45 days ago to 62 degrees now. The freshwater fishing has slowed and the bays are still mostly fresh. I look for the saltwater fishing in the bays to pick up very soon. Use red and white stingray grubs, small gold spoons, and Little George on the bottom.

How about some surf fishing? We are a site dedicated to surf fishing from the beginner's perspective through the seasoned angler. We want to discuss ways to improve your fishing and help land more fish while on the water.

Get the latest here: Pensacola Fishing Report

The mid-west is a land with great fishing opportunities. In the summer months you can fish one of the thousands of lakes either by boat or from the shore. The smaller, more remote waters will usually produce fine catches. Don’t forget the ice fishing in the winter.Midwest Vacation Ideas can offer many suggestions. Good luck

Fishing is a very pleasant activity that millions enjoy each day. It's a great way to stay in touch with nature, spend time outdoors, and have great times with your relatives and friends. If you are new to fishing or just need to gear up, no need for it to be an expensive ordeal. At Fisherman's Supplies you can find all the gear you need and some free advice on how and where to use it. You can find supplies here to help make your Pensacola fishing trip more enjoyable for all.

Another interesting thing about fish is that you can raise them at home and enjoy their relaxing actvities. I know of a website that can help you if you need fish growing tips or supplies. Koi-Pond-Guide is that site.

Navy Point, from Sunset Ave. to Cousineau Rd., on Bayou Grande, Pensacola. See picture at right.

Bayou Texar has a boat public ramp on East Cervantese Street. After launch, go under bridge to reach Pensacola Bay at the three mile Bridge. Bayou Texar has great Pensacola Fishing.

Seaside 76, on Little Sabine Bay, Gulf Breeze.

Baird Fish Camp, 4080 Indigo Dr., Pensacola. Bayou Texar Boat Ramp, Stanley & Cervantes Sts., Pensacola

Bayview Park, 20th Ave. & Mallory St. on Pensacola Bay, Pensacola.

Big Lagoon State Recreational Area, 12301 Gulf Beach Hwy. SR293 on Big Lagoon and the Intracoastal Waterway, Pensacola.

Blue Angel Navy Recreational Park, 2100 Bronson Field Rd., Pensacola.

Grand Lagoon Yacht Club, 10653 Gulf Beach Hwy., on Big Lagoon, Pensacola.

Pensacola Naval Air Station, on Pensacola Bay at Sherman Cove & Sherman Pond, Pensacola.

Pensacola Yacht Club, 1897 W. Cypress St., Pensacola.

Rod & Reel Marina, 10045 Sinton Dr. on Big Lagoon, Pensacola.

Sanders Beach Center, Sonia & I Sts. on Pensacola Bay, Pensacola.

Seafarer Dock, 16401 Perdido Key Dr. on the Gulf of Mexico, Pensacola.

Weller Ave. Boat Ramp, Weller Ave at Bayou Grande, Pensacola.

Windward Dock, 16777 Perdido Key on Old River, Pensacola.

Quietwater Beach Recreational Area, SR 399 & Pensacola Beach Blvd., Pensacola Beach.

Sabine Yacht & Racquet Club, 300 Ft. Pickens Rd., Gulf of Mexico, Pensacola Beach.

Boat ramp listings are compiled from different sources, including: Inshore.com, the Florida DEP, and the Florida Cruising Directory 2001-2002

I hope your Pensacola fishing trip is all your wish for.

Check below for tide info to help with your fishing.

Wednesday, June 30, 2010 - Captains Meeting @ Sanders Beach-Corinne Jones Community Center

Thursday, July 1, 2010 - Boats may leave @ 5 PM from the following passes only: Mobile, Orange Beach, Pensacola, or Destin - fishing begins

Friday, July 2, 2010 - Fishing! Scales open @ 5 PM & close @ 9 PM, weigh-in @ Deluna Park @ Palafox Pier

Saturday, July 3, 2010 - Fishing! Scales open @ 4 PM & close @ 9 PM.

Phone: 850.453.4638

Happy Pensacola Fishing.
Other tournaments that might interest you are;

• Pompano Tournament: Now through May 31. $10 to enter, prizes to top 10 anglers. Top prize, $1,000. Gulf Breeze Bait & Tackle, (850) 932-6789.

•Pier Cobia Tournament: Begins when first registered angler catches a cobia off of the Pensacola Beach Gulf Pier. Sign up now at Gulf Breeze Bait & Tackle, (850) 932-6789.

• Outcast Cobia Classic: March 18-April 30, (850) 457-1450,

• Outcast Cobia Invitational: April 14-18, (850) 457-1450,

• Hook, Line, & Sinker Seminar Series: Topic Pompano, April 26, 6:30 p.m. at Flounder’s Chowder House. Free food, seminar and door prizes, (850) 916-7176

• Slots & Spots Redfish Tournament: May 1, Hot Spots Bait & Tackle, (850) 255-7288

• Hook, Line, & Sinker Seminar Series: Topic Redfish, May 10, 6:30 p.m. at Flounder’s Chowder House. Free food, seminar and door prizes, (850) 916-7176

• Outcast Inshore Slam: May 14-16, (850) 457-1450,

Check out this site for more info: Outdoor Fishing and Hunting

I know you'll love Pensacola fishing.

Before you arrive here for your Pensacola fishing trip, stop by Hilton Head Island for some truly great fishing.

As far as the Pensacola fishing in freshwater goes, we have been getting our share of afternoon thunderstorms and rain. This will muddy the rivers somewhat but shouldn't affect the fishing much. If you are after some bass, use spinner baits and you should do good.

Hey, if you're in the New England area and some off shore fishing is in your plans, take a look at this. Not only does Rhode Island have some great fishing, but also boasts nice beaches and some great attractions.

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