The Pensacola fishery is in transition this week. The spring cobia run is in its final days, the red snapper opener (June 1 in federal Gulf waters) has the offshore fleet preparing for the biggest fishing day of the year, and inshore the trout and redfish bite has settled into the early-summer pattern. Light south winds dominated the week with one front mid-week.
Offshore — Cobia Tapering, Snapper Opening
The cobia run is winding down. A few fish are still being sight-cast on the buoys and the deeper artificial reefs, but the easy spring sight game is essentially over for the year. Boats putting in the time around the Russian Freighter and the Tex Edwards reef are still occasionally finding sunning fish. Bucktails with soft plastic trailers on heavy spinning gear remain the standard.
The red snapper season opens June 1 in federal Gulf waters (verify NOAA dates). The Pensacola offshore charter and recreational fleet has been preparing all month. The Edge, the Liberty Ships, and the natural bottom in 80-180 feet of water are the standard productive zones. Cut squid, sardine chunks, and live blue runners on heavy bottom rigs with 80-100 lb leader are the standard rigs. Limits (2 per angler currently, verify NOAA at trip time) will be reached early at most productive numbers.
Gag and red grouper season also opens June 1 in federal waters. Combination snapper/grouper trips will dominate the offshore fleet from next week through the summer.
Mahi continue to be caught on the Stream-edge water 30-50 miles offshore. Trolled ballyhoo over weed lines and rips is the standard.
Nearshore — Kingfish, Spanish Mackerel
The kingfish bite has been steady on the nearshore artificial reefs and around the navigation buoys 5-15 miles offshore. Slow-trolled live menhaden and blue runners on stingers are producing fish in the 20-40 lb class.
Spanish mackerel and bluefish are working the bait schools along the beaches and around the inlet mouth. Trolled Clarkspoons on planers and cast Got-Cha plugs are producing daily limits.
Inshore — Trout, Reds, Snook Building
The Pensacola Bay system is fishing well for the species mix. Seatrout have settled into the deeper grass flats in 4-6 feet of water. Live shrimp under a popping cork is producing limits when fish are found. The Big Lagoon and the Santa Rosa Sound grass beds are reliable.
Redfish continue on the marsh edges and oyster bars. Cut bait or live mullet on circle hooks is the standard. Sight casting to schools on the lower tides is the more visual option.
Snook numbers are building — the Pensacola fishery is on the northern edge of the snook range and the population is sensitive to cold winters. Live shrimp on light tackle around the bridge pilings and marsh structure has produced fish this week.
Surf — Pompano, Whiting
The pompano bite has tapered significantly from the spring peak but a few continue to be caught from Pensacola Beach through Navarre. Sand fleas and shrimp on standard surf rigs in the second gut. Whiting are reliable as a numbers fish.
What’s Ahead
Red snapper opens June 1 in federal Gulf waters. Expect the heaviest fishing pressure of the year. Water temperatures are climbing into the mid-80s. Afternoon thunderstorms beginning to build.
For this weekend: pre-snapper prep, inshore trout and reds at dawn, last-window cobia sight casts on the deeper reefs.
Tight lines.