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Fishing The Pensacola Beach Gulf Pier

The Pensacola Beach Gulf Pier is 1471 feet long, 22 feet wide and rises 26 feet above the gulf’s waterline below. The very end of the pier features a 40 foot by 60 foot fishing platform. Water depths in the gulf at this point are approximately 20 to 25 feet deep. Water temperatures range from the mid-50’s at their coldest in January to the mid to upper 80’s at their warmest in August.

Seasonal Overview

Winter
Even during the cold of winter many species of fish can be found. They include Flounder, Redfish, Sheepshead, Spotted Seatrout and Stripers. Stipers can only be found in Pensacola Beach during winter.

Spring
Spring is a great time of year to enjoy a day of fishing. The weather is warmer and the fish are biting. Some fish to try and catch are Bluefish, Cobia, Pompano, Spanish Mackerel, Flounder, Redfish, Sheepshead, and Spotted Seatrout.

Summer
Summer is the most popular season for fishing due to the many varieties of fish available. Bluefish, Pompano, Redfish, Spanish Mackerel, and Spotted Seatrout are all abundant. Other species such as Flounder, Cobia, and Sheepshead are less abundant but can still be caught. Tarpon are abundant only in summer.

Fall
The fall is a great time for fishing due to the cooler air and water. Species such as Tarpon, Flounder, Redfish, Sheepshead, and Spotted Seatrout are biting. Stipers are beginning to appear.

Zones 1 - 3
• Redfish - Redfish are available and strike well all year ’round. Cut baits are the most popular and work best.
• Flounder - Flounder is available year ’round but strike best Fall through late Spring. They’re a little more difficult to hook in the summer.

Zones 1 - 2
• Cobia - Cobia is a very seasonal species and are only caught from March until May during their migration. Their migration direction is from east to west. Live bait fish and eels work best.
• Pompano - Pompano are available beginning in March and run through October. Live shrimp and sand fleas for bait.

Zones 2 - 3
• King Mackerel and Spanish Mackerel - Kings and Spanish Mackerel are lively catches with the best times being early morning and late evening. Use live minnows and bait fish.
• Tarpon - Tarpon, like Cobia, are a seasonal migrational species that start arriving in the area in late June and run through early October. Their migration direction is from east to west as well. Live baitfish work best. Tarpon are popular because of their fight, but are very boney and not considered edible.

Zone 3
Some rare, but exciting catches off the end of the pier include Mahi Mahi and Sailfish that are feeding on the same fish that folks are fishing for.

Other species of fish that are caught regularly off the pier include Bluefish, Seatrout, Sheepshead, Black Drum and Stripers.

Related Internal Links:
Link Pensacola Beach Gulf Pier History

Related External Links:
Link The Pensacola Beach Fishing Pier & Observation Post