Pensacola, Florida Fishing Report

July 17

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If you’re headed to Pensacola this week, fishing opportunities are about as good as you’ll find all summer. Whether you’re fishing from the beach, the Pensacola Beach Gulf Pier, or heading offshore, there’s plenty of action. Water temperatures are in the mid-80s, so the key is getting an early start. The first few hours after sunrise and the last couple of hours before dark are producing the best fishing. 

 

Surf Fishing

The beach bite is all about fishing the deeper cuts, troughs, and sandbars. Don’t just cast as far as you can. Many fish cruise surprisingly close to shore, especially early in the morning.

What You Can Expect to Catch

• Whiting

• Pompano (a few are still around, but the spring run has slowed)

• Spanish mackerel

• Ladyfish

• Bluefish

• Black drum

• Redfish

• Jack crevalle

• Tarpon (occasionally cruising the beach)

• Sharks for anglers fishing larger baits after dark 

Artificial Lures

• Paddle tail swimbaits

• Jerkbaits

• Metal casting spoons

• Diamond jigs

• Bucktail jigs

• Topwater walking baits early and late in the day

Surf Fishing Tips

• Fish the first gut before casting to the second sandbar. Many fish feed much closer than people realize.

• Watch for birds diving, baitfish showering, or nervous water. That’s usually a sign predators are nearby.

• If Spanish mackerel are around, retrieve your lure fast. Speed usually gets more bites than a slow retrieve.

• Early morning and sunset consistently produce the best action during July.

• After a summer storm, don’t be afraid to fish stained water. Predators often move in to feed.

 

Pensacola Beach Gulf Pier

The pier continues to be one of the most consistent places to fish this time of year. Schools of baitfish are moving through daily, bringing in plenty of predators.

What You Can Expect to Catch

• Spanish mackerel

• King mackerel

• Bonito

• Bluefish

• Jack crevalle

• Ladyfish

• Redfish

• Tarpon

• Cobia (less common now but still possible)

• Sharks after dark 

Artificial Lures

• Silver spoons

• Diamond jigs

• Gotcha-style casting lures

• Paddle tail swimbaits

• Heavy casting jigs

• Topwater plugs during low-light conditions

Pier Fishing Tips

• Watch the water before making your first cast. If bait schools move through, predators usually aren’t far behind.

• Keep one rod ready with a fast-moving lure for Spanish and kings when schools suddenly show up.

• Cast beyond the bait school and retrieve through it instead of directly into it.

• Early morning is usually best before swimmers and boat traffic increase.

• If the water is clear, make longer casts to avoid spooking fish.

 

Offshore Fishing

Offshore fishing has been excellent, with a wide variety of species available depending on how far you’re willing to run. Artificial reefs, natural bottom, and offshore structure are all producing fish. Snapper season has kept boats busy, and the pelagic bite continues to improve as the water stays warm. 

What You Can Expect to Catch

• Red snapper

• Vermilion snapper

• Amberjack

• King mackerel

• Mahi-mahi

• Scamp grouper

• Red grouper

• Triggerfish (season dependent)

• Blackfin tuna (occasionally around offshore structure)

• Wahoo (farther offshore) 

Artificial Lures

• Vertical jigs

• Butterfly jigs

• Bucktail jigs

• Paddle tail swimbaits

• Deep-diving plugs

• Trolling plugs

• Skirted trolling lures

Offshore Fishing Tips

• Start by locating bait before dropping a line. If you find bait, you’ll usually find predators.

• Keep a vertical jig ready when fish show up on your electronics but won’t commit to live bait.

• Troll between bottom spots. King mackerel and mahi often show up while you’re moving.

• If you find floating debris or weed lines, make several passes. They often hold mahi, tripletail, and other pelagic species.

• Watch for birds working offshore. They can lead you straight to feeding fish.

 

Overall Outlook

Pensacola is offering something for just about every type of fisherman right now. The surf is producing Spanish mackerel, whiting, and the occasional redfish, while the pier has been seeing steady action from Spanish, kings, bonito, and jacks. Offshore remains the strongest bite, with snapper, amberjack, king mackerel, and mahi keeping boats busy.

The biggest key this time of year is simple. Beat the heat. Get on the water before sunrise, stay around bait, and keep moving until you find active fish. That’s the pattern that’s putting the most fish in the cooler this week.