Red snapper season opens June 1 — that’s the news everyone in Pensacola is fishing around right now. In the meantime, the inshore fishery is at its spring peak and the surf is still producing pompano.
Red Snapper — Pre-Season
Two weeks until the June 1 opener. This is the time to scout — find your numbers, mark your spots, check your gear. The fish are stacked on the inshore reefs and wrecks in 80–120 feet and the bite when the season opens will be electric. Boats are running short scouting trips to confirm bottom and bait. Don’t burn your fish — drop a single bait, mark the school, and move on.
Inshore — Spring Peak
Speckled trout are at their spring peak on the grass flats inside Pensacola Bay and Big Lagoon. Topwater plugs the first hour of light, then soft plastics on a jighead as the sun gets up. Live shrimp under a popping cork is foolproof for slot fish. Redfish are spreading across the shallow flats — Innerarity Point and the Big Lagoon flats are holding fish daily.
Sheepshead and Cobia
Sheepshead are still active on the Pensacola Pier and around the bridges, though they’re starting to transition. Fiddler crabs or live shrimp on a small jig is the standard. Cobia are winding down — most of the migration has moved through but a few late stragglers are still showing along the beaches and at the sea buoys.
Pompano in the Surf
Pompano are still being caught in good numbers in the surf from Pensacola Beach east to Navarre. Sand fleas and FishBites on a pompano rig — drop one bait close, one bait long. Best window is the last hour of incoming tide.
Specific Spots This Week
For pre-snapper scouting, work the inshore reefs and wrecks in 80–110 feet off Pensacola Pass — the public numbers like Tex Edwards Reef and the Liberty Ship are stacked and will produce hard on opening day. For inshore trout, the grass flats off Garcon Point and the Trout River area inside Pensacola Bay have been the most reliable — work the edges at first light. Redfish are pushing onto the shallow flats at Innerarity Point and around the Big Lagoon spoil islands at high tide. Sheepshead are still on the Pensacola Pier and the Three Mile Bridge pilings on fiddler crabs. Pompano in the surf are best from Pensacola Beach east through Navarre — fish two rods, one in the first trough, one in the second.
Conditions and Outlook
Water temp 75–77°F. New moon Saturday — soft tides but a strong dawn window. Light south winds Wednesday and Thursday. Get your snapper numbers locked in this weekend.
Local Intel This Week
The Pensacola Beach Pier is producing pompano and the first kings of the year on slow-trolled live menhaden. Inside, Big Lagoon flats off Innerarity Point hold limits of trout at first light. Bob Sikes Bridge fenders are good for sheepshead on the late tides. Get your snapper numbers locked before June 1 — many of the inshore reefs in 80-120 feet hold stacks of legal fish. Florida saltwater license required, separate red snapper endorsement needed (free). Tight lines.