With miles of pristine white beaches and plenty of historic allure, the “City of Five Flags” is rightfully one of Florida’s most popular travel destinations. But there’s another reason many vacationers choose to visit this part of the Gulf Coast – its fantastic offshore angling. As the city is located just an hour west of Destin, deep sea fishing in Pensacola can rival even that of the “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village.”
Much like the rest of the Panhandle, Pensacola offers easy access to the Gulf of Mexico. Its waters provide a home to both some of the most sought-after food fish and all kinds of pelagics, eagerly waiting for you to fight them. So as long as you’re willing to make the journey offshore, you’re sure to enjoy some world-class angling.
If you’d like to know more about the kind of deep sea fish you’ll find in Pensacola, read on. We’ll cover both the species and a couple of basic techniques you may use to entice the bite. Later in the article, we’ll also provide some information on how the fishing changes over the course of the season, and list some spots you should visit. Let’s dive in!
Top Deep Sea Fishing Targets in Pensacola
The wonderful thing about deep sea fishing in Pensacola is that it never really stops. As long as the weather is favorable, you can head out and there’ll be something to catch. You’ll have the opportunity to reel in a whole range of species, but here are some of our favorites…
Red Snapper
As far as fish go, Red Snapper are fairly easy to catch. They’re eager biters, so all you need to do is search for underwater reefs or wrecks, and drop your bait. Also, while Red Snapper will put up a decent scrap, even beginners will be able to reel them in without too much trouble. But what really makes these fish such a valued target is their mouthwatering taste and the relatively short window when you can target them.
Before Alabama and its many reefs won the title, it was Pensacola that was known as the “Red Snapper Capital of the World.” Many would argue that it’s still a rightful contender today, as the Snapper fishing it offers is simply outstanding. Believe it or not, you can find Red Snapper even in Pensacola Bay, within sight of the coast. However, the further you go, the more likely you are to hook into keepers.
Mahi Mahi
Mahi Mahi are another species that are both thoroughly delicious and relatively simple to reel in. If you’re new to deep sea fishing, they’re a fantastic fish to practice your skills on. Mahi Mahi are not picky as far as bait goes and they’ll put up an exciting but moderate battle. Also, thanks to their vibrant colors, they’re the ideal fish to take photos with and subtly brag to your buddies.
While they’re known to come closer to shore, you’ll have the most luck targeting Mahi Mahi in the 20–30 mile range out of Pensacola. Scan the waters for floating debris or weed lines as you make your way offshore. These attract bait fish that Mahi like to feast on. Start trolling once you’ve found a good area and you’ll soon have some delicious fish tucked away in your cooler.
Wahoo
Now if you’re looking to switch gears and get into a scuffle with some of the more ferocious pelagics out there, you’ll love Wahoo. They’re among the fastest fish in the sea, capable of making powerful, line-tearing runs. Wahoo will make your drag scream with tension, your group scream with excitement, and get your adrenaline pumping all within seconds of hooking them.
To get to where Wahoo may be lurking, you’ll probably have to ride out at least 30 miles offshore. There, the waters will be deep enough for the big fish to start showing up. If you get lucky enough to catch a Wahoo, you should know that they’re also a fantastic eating fish. So aside from the awesome battle you’ll experience, you’ll also have a great reason to fire up the grill.
Billfish
Sailfish, and White and Blue Marlin are also among the many fish you’ll have the chance to catch while deep sea fishing in Pensacola. Between the three, Sailfish are the most abundant and probably the easiest to catch, as they’re lighter than Marlin. However, each of these fish are incredible fighters. Blitzing runs and acrobatic leaps are almost a regular part of a Billfish battle. This makes them some of the fiercest contenders you can come across in the ocean.
Much like with Wahoo, you’ll need to ride out to the edge of the continental shelf or further if you want to seek out Billfish. They’re elusive fish, so you’ll want as much time as possible to get a good shot at finding them. However, once you finally encounter one, you’ll be in for the kind of adventure Hemingway would write stories about.
And More!
So far, we’ve introduced a few species you’ll come face-to-gills with on your offshore exploits. Of course, there are numerous other fish that’ll end up going for your bait. Yellowfin and Blackfin Tuna, as well as Bonito and Kingfish, are among the pelagics you’ll get to target. Besides these, there’s always a chance you’ll attract different species of Sharks, which always make for fearsome opponents.
If you decide to go bottom fishing, you’ll find more than just Red Snapper biting. Black Red, Snowy, and Warsaw Grouper, as well as Lane Vermillion, and White Snapper are all frequent residents of Florida’s offshore reefs and wrecks. And so are delicious Triggerfish, Tilefish, and Amberjack. Honestly, you just need to figure out what you want to chase after the most.
How to Go Deep Sea Fishing in Pensacola
Before you’re ready for an offshore trip, you’ll need a proper, steadfast boat. You’ll also need sturdy fishing gear that can match up to the big game species you’ll be hunting. If you jump on one of the deep sea fishing charters in Pensacola, you’ll get all of that and more.
Aside from the boat and the tackle they’ll provide you with, deep sea charter captains also hold the necessary permits so you can fish beyond the state limit. In addition to this, you’ll get to make use of your captain’s vast experience, and have them teach you how to battle the offshore predators. If you’re already thinking about going for a trip, take a look at some of the techniques you may use…
Bottom Fishing
One of the most effective ways to find fish is to search for underwater structure where they like to lurk. This includes various wrecks, reefs, and drop-offs. Once you find a spot, drop your bait to the ocean floor, and the action will begin. Bottom fishing is both a great way to entice the bite and fairly straightforward as far as techniques go. Since you don’t really need to cast, even beginners can do it.
With bottom fishing, you’ll get the chance to reel in a whole host of species that hide in the depths. These include the famed Red Snapper, huge Grouper, Amberjack, and more. However, while bottom fishing is simple, you should remember that you may end up wrestling some very large fish. Because of this, it’s good to have some prior experience before you embark on an offshore bottom fishing journey.
Trolling
Another deep sea fishing technique that’s both popular and efficient in these waters is trolling. The essence of it is simple – you set up a spread consisting of several trolling rods, bait the hooks, and start moving the boat to make your bait mimic moving fish. Similar to bottom fishing, trolling doesn’t require you to know how to cast. Instead, you’ll benefit greatly from knowing how to fight the fish that end up eating your bait.
After all, trolling is the method that’ll net you all kinds of pelagics. These can range from Mahi Mahi, which are relatively easy to handle, to the likes of Tuna and Billfish, which put even the most seasoned of anglers through the wringer. Besides these, you may also get a bite from species such as Sailfish and Wahoo. With such a lineup, you can see why trolling is such a popular technique.
Deep Sea Fishing Seasons in Pensacola
We’ve touched upon it earlier in the article, but there’s really no closed season in Pensacola. The weather may get in the way at times, especially during August and September, but other than that, there’ll always be fish to catch.
The action typically starts heating up in May, with the summer being the best time to go deep sea fishing in Pensacola. Not only will the pelagics such as Billfish, Tuna, and Mahi Mahi be in the area, it’s also when the Red Snapper season opens up. You’ll just have to make the difficult choice between going for some of the best-eating fish or some of the most prized sport fish. Tough, right?
But the fishing is good even if you visit at other times of the year. There’s bottom fish lurking along the offshore structure year-round. Sometimes, even the Red Snapper season opens up for a second time during fall. Winter fishing features milder temperatures, which is great if you’re not the biggest fan of the Floridian heat.
Where to Go Deep Sea Fishing in Pensacola
If you’re fishing aboard a charter, you usually won’t have to worry about which exact spot you’ll go to. The local captains stay in touch with the way the fish move and usually know where to take you. This being said, let’s go over a few offshore areas you may explore while deep sea fishing in Pensacola…
- Oriskany Reef: Just a little over 20 miles offshore, you’ll find the world’s largest artificial reef, the sunken U.S.S. Oriskany. It’s 900-feet long and it provides a home for an incredible variety of fish. Besides being the go-to spot for Red Snapper during summer, you’ll also have a shot at Goliath Grouper, Amberjack, and Barracuda, to name a few.
- The Nipple: Located around 30 miles offshore from Pensacola is an underwater mound, aptly named “The Nipple.” It attracts plenty of baitfish and, in turn, the hungry pelagics. Here, you’ll have a chance to reel in the likes of Tuna, Wahoo, Mahi Mahi, and more.
- The Elbow: A bit further offshore, about 40 miles from Pensacola Pass, “The Elbow” is another area that’s known to attract game fish. In addition to the species we mentioned in the previous entry, you’ll also see Marlin and Sailfish around these parts. So if you’re looking to get into a scrap with Billfish, this is where your wish may come true.
- The Spur: Besides knowing where to go, you’ll also need to pay attention to the water conditions once you reach one of the offshore spots. If the waters are murky around any of the places we already mentioned, you probably won’t have much success trolling. In those cases, visit “The Spur,” located roughly 50 miles offshore from Pensacola, and try your luck there.
Anything else?
In Florida, you don’t have to purchase a fishing license if you’re heading out aboard a charter. Just make sure to book with a federally licensed captain, so you can fish beyond the 9-mile limit. Your captain will also know which fish you can keep, and which ones have to be thrown back. However, you can also check the regulations yourself by visiting the FWC website.
Also, if you don’t feel quite ready to head on a long deep sea fishing trip, there’s plenty of fishing to be done even closer to shore. Practice your skills on the likes of King Mackerel, Cobia, or Sharks, and you’ll feel ready to tackle bigger challenges in no time.
Pensacola: A Premier Deep Sea Fishing Destination
With the kind of species you’ll find in its waters, it’s easy to see why this part of the Gulf Coast is so renowned for its fishing. Pensacola can match up to all your deep sea expectations, whether you’re trying to fill the cooler with as many delicious reef fish as possible, or are itching to hunt for your next trophy. Whatever you decide, you’re in for a world-class fishing experience.
Have you ever been deep sea fishing in Pensacola? Which offshore species do you enjoy fishing for the most? Hit the comment button and let us know!
