The
Angler’s Guide
Fishing and Fun in the Florida Sun
by Roane Beard
Who hasn’t imagined themselves on the beach hauling in the monster catch, blue sky overhead and the surf before them, feeding their family for days on the fruits of the sea? Well, this summer that could be you. Whether you’re an experienced fisherman or a land-loving newcomer to the sport, the fish are out there. And with a little luck, the right equipment and a bit of advice you can reel them in like a pro.
“There are plenty of hot spots in the area, but what’s right for you depends on whether or not you have a boat, and what type of boat it is,” says Ed Fish, the co-host of Florida Sportsman Live Radio. “If you’ve got a shallow-draft boat, you can fish for speckled trout out on the grass flats around Deer Point, Villa Venice, the Santa Rosa Shore, or anywhere you’ve got those grass flats and shallow water.”
“If you’ve got a larger boat, one with a small tower, you can go after the cobia. The cobia is a migratory fish, and they’ll be migrating up the west coast from the east through the early summer. They’re big fish, and fun to fish for because it’s fight fishing. You have to hunt the cobia. The best way to do it is to start about mid-morning, and head east from the pass. The cobia will be swimming toward you, on the top of the water. You have to cast towards them. A lot of people use live squid on a jig, but the bait of choice is a live eel.”
You can listen to more of Ed’s advice on Florida Sportsman Live Radio with co-host Mike Flowers on WCOA 1370 AM radio. Part of the Florida Sportsman Live Radio Network, the show is one of six live Saturday morning radio broadcasts that cover the state of Florida. Ed and Mike air the northwest Florida call-in show live every Saturday morning from 8:00 to 9:00 am, giving fishing advice and broadcasting up-to-the-minute reports from fishermen around the area. You can also catch it anytime on Florida Sportsman’s website, www.floridasportsman.com. It’s an invaluable resource for anyone looking for tips on fishing locally.
One of the best places to get tips is also a great place to buy your gear. Local bait and tackle shop owners are a wealth of information on local fishing conditions. John Wright , part-owner of Gulf Breeze Bait and Tackle, talks to fishermen every day about local conditions, gear problems, boating, and fish tales.
“Fishing here is very dependent on the season, and can vary from day to day and hour to hour,” he says. “Because of that we prefer to advise fishermen on where the best fishing is at any particular time. But in general, The Pensacola Bay Bridge and the Bob Sikes bridge are both great places to fish without a boat, as are the Ft. Pickens Fishing Pier and the Navarre Pier. Pensacola Pier will be open in another month, and should be an excellent place to fish.”
“The type of equipment you’ll need will depend on the type of fishing you’re planning to do, but at the very least you should have an open-faced fishing reel holding about 200 yards of line,” John says. “Add a few leaders and some bait and you’re good to go. That’s an ideal set-up if you want to take the kids out fishing. We sell combos that will get you set up for less than $40.00.”
Of course, the easiest way for a fishing novice to get out and catch the big fish is to take a walk-on trip with a local charter boat. Captain Joe Madden, owner of the charter boat Sea Saw, has been running charter boat fishing trips for thirty years, and has shown fishermen from all over the world just how good the fishing on the Gulf Coast can be.
“We do any type of fishing,” he says. “Trolling, bill fishing, bottom fishing, you name it. We can do any type of fishing the customer desires.”
The most common way for a small group of people to take a fishing trip on a charter boat is to make a walk-on trip. For a flat, per-person fee you’ll be furnished with everything you need for the trip, except lunch. Most walk-on operations keep a set schedule; the Sea Saw usually leaves at 7:00 am and returns at 3:00 pm, and charges $60.00 per person.
Side Bar
If you’re looking to do some serious fishing, but don’t have a boat to do it in, take a look at one of Pensacola’s charter boats. Going fishing on a charter boat not only means that you can reach the deep waters you can only fish from a boat, it means you have the expertise of experienced local fishermen at your fingertips—so you can be sure of bringing home a catch.
There are two ways to charter a boat. The first, and most common, is the walk-on. Just make a reservation, pay the per-person fee, and before you know it you’ll be fishing. Usually, the boat supplies all the equipment and bait you’ll need for the day; all you have to bring are food and drinks.
If
you have a large group, chartering a boat privately may be the best option.
Each boat arranges charter fees privately. It’s best to call and speak to the
captain to work out the arrangement that’s right for you.
55 foot twin diesel fiberglass boat
Location:
The Beach Marina,
Pensacola Beach, FL
Information or reservations:
Capt. Ed Lively (850) 932-5071
Capt. Jim Lively (850) 932-3985
30 Ft Island Hopper
Location:
Pensacola Beach, FL
Information or reservations:
Reel Eazy Charters (850) 932-8824
65 foot custom-built fishing/diving vessel
Location:
Oyster Bar Marina
13700 River Road
Perdidio Key, FL
Information or reservations:
Capt. Joe Madden (850) 944-5269
51 foot Sports Fisherman
Harborwalk Marina
Destin, FL
Information or reservations:
(888) 789-5968
(850) 863-9430