I spoke with Pensacola Beach Gulf Pier near Pensacola this morning. They were telling me that the water is dirty today, making fishing slow, but this last weekend it was clear and fishing was phenomenal. When the water clears. in about two days, pier anglers can expect to catch lots of spanish mackerel, king mackerel, tarpon, sharks, and hard tails. Fishing for spanish and king mackerel is best early morning or late afternoon. Spanish mackerel like small silver spoons and Got-Cha Plugs, king mackerel will eat cigar minnows or other bait fish caught from around the pier. A sturdy fishing rig, 20lb class min., and wire leader are needed to land kingfish. Cast to the fish as they swim by or use a float to keep your bait where you want it. Tarpon also require heavy fishing tackle and at least 80lb mono or fluorocarbon leader. Crabs, cigar minnows, and baitfish from around the pier are the best baits. Use a float or cast well in front of rolling schools of tarpon and let the fish come to your bait. For more information contact;
Pensacola Beach Gulf Pier
850-934-7200
41 Fort Pickens Rd
Gulf Breeze, FL 32561
www.fishpensacolabeachpier.com/
I also spoke with Okaloosa Island Pier near Fort Walton this morning. Dirty water is making fishing for everything, except tarpon, a little slow today. Pier fishing for tarpon requires heavy tackle and heavy leaders. Crabs, cigar minnows and baitfish caught around the pier are the best baits. When the water clears, look for blue fish, spanish mackerel, and king mackerel from the end of the pier in the early morning and late afternoon. Clark Spoons and Got-Cha plugs will catch the blues and spanish mackerel, cigar minnows and baitfish caught from around the pier will catch the kings. A few redfish are also being caught. Greenbacks or cut mullet fished on the bottom will catch the reds. For more information contact;
Okaloosa Island Pier
850-244-1023
1030 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548
www.okaloosaislandpier.com
