Thread: Pensacola Pier

We plan on heading over to Pensacola for a day to check out the Naval Museum. What's the Pensacola Pier like compared to Gulf Shores? Any different fish species? Rules? Friendly environment?

Small. Not a lot of room on the end, and square, not octagon. No bathrooms. Shallower, clearer water. Same fish as far as I know. Smaller space makes for a little more territorial local folks, but not unfriendly as a whole. Except during ling season. I've caught some kings and spanish there, but between navarre, pcola, and gulf shores -- pcola is my last choice. FWIW.

same here..... last choice or no choice, I can handle most anyone but that pier was sometimes over the top for me....but as Rich said territorial during the spring ling season,(the only times I have been there) don't care for all the rods on the rail saving spots and no one cares to move them when you have a fish on trying to step over them....and heaven forbid you knock one over....and not just one here and one there they are almost stationed as if people were standing beside them shoulder to shoulder ..... but aren't.....and don't try and fish were there is a rod ...the owner will show up and give you that look if he does say something like that is his spot....not worth it to me

Looking at maps, other than doing a lot of extra driving, you have to take a ferry to Navarre. Is it worth it?

Not sure what map your looking at, but no ferry to go to Navarre ....that might be DI pier...straight down 98 and across the bridge , I think the gulf road is open still, but I didn't go that way, more scenic of a drive but didn't want to pay the toll and go by Pensacola pier and the traffic

Went to Navarre Few years ago to sell Tomatoes well I didn't sell I stayed back at the hotel and caught some Flounder and mullet

Roughly speaking, from Pensacola Pier it is 1/2 hour (regular traffic) to Navarre Pier, and another half hour (regular traffic) to Okaloosa Pier (which is well-hidden behind a restaurant in a big "strip mall" area). Scout out all 3 in one afternoon for just a couple of dollars to walk out. They are all very different, and because the biggest and newest pier (Navarre) is in the smallest town, I find it least crowded and most appealing. However, you can see why people are perfectly happy to fish the closest one to where they live.

Don't forget there is also the bridge pier coming out from Pensacola to Pensacola beach, which might warm up for fishing a bit earler than the open water areas.

Originally Posted by midwestexile

Don't forget there is also the bridge pier coming out from Pensacola to Pensacola beach, which might warm up for fishing a bit earler than the open water areas.

Its called Bob Sykes. Pretty much fishing Pensacola Bay. Navarre is ALWAYS worth the drive! Quickest way from Gulf Shores is actually hit I-10 to Hwy 87 south to Navarre then left on 98, 1/3 mile then right out to beach.

This is my professional tourists googan's opinion........Navarre and Gulf shores are both very nice piers in my opinion but fish can be quite different. I have caught a blue million flounder at GS and have never caught one at Navarre. Very rare to see a speck at Navarre. i have seen pelagics lots of times at Navarre. i have seen one sail and one mahi at GS.

I have never had a problem with people at either pier. in fact have made a lot of friends at both. but if you are fishing near me, i dont give you much choice we are going to talk or you are going to move to another rail!

I've fished Pensacola one time, needless to say I haven't been back. The water is too shallow there.