Pensacola Fishing Forum / Piers and Bridges / Piers and Bridges - General Q & A

Link for local tides

junkmansj — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 19:24:09 GMT

Is there a local tide link that most people use (online link)

archie glover park in milton

justinsync — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 20:09:02 GMT

anyone ever gone to this place to fish off the banks,i caught two white trout over there but that was it, any pointers???

T'Giving Trip

junkmansj — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 19:03:55 GMT

Will be in P,cola end of this month and was wondering if there will be any Reds around the area? And if so where would be a good spot to try? I plan to fish the pier a couple days (not the tee) but is there a section of the pier where we would stand a better chance?

Thanks in advance for any help I can get

Fishing Bridges question

Bamafisherbee — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 11:26:27 GMT

I use to go down to the old fishing bridge on the Pensacola side of the bay, the one where you paid to fish and didn't need a license. I know it was damaged during the storm and closed?. I read some where that they were going to build a new bridge going from P'cola to Gulf Breeze and turn the old one into a fishing bridge but can't seem to find anything on it right now. Is that still in the works? Also is there anywhere to bay fish for a fee that you do not have to purchase a licenses? Thanks.

Alabama gulf state pier??

Thunderstruck — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 12:28:52 GMT

Has anyone heard of the completion date or a date the pier is going to open?

Scenic/Cervantes?

angryaccntnt — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 15:45:40 GMT

What's the little bridge called that is in the area where scenic turns into cervantes? It's near jerry's drive in and a boat ramp... I see some people fishing from there sometimes. What can you catch there? Is there a good spot underneath the the bridges or near that boat ramp that is also good?

Bob sikes

roofordie — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 06:14:03 GMT

cut bait

olilly — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 05:03:50 GMT

what is a cut bait that can be considered the workhorse of cut bait in the gulf

kings off P'cola beach

tunapopper — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 16:18:47 GMT

I live over in Al and our king bite off the beach is pretty much dead w/ the exception of a few stragglers being caught here and there. Me and a buddy are thinking about coming over with the kayaks to try to a few more kings before winter and was just wondering if it was worth the drive. I know there are a ton of bobos which are still fun but am hoping for kings and sharks. Any info on whats running consistently will be appreciated.

fishing bridge

olilly — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 17:18:15 GMT

is there a site you can go to to see what the new bridge will look like when it is finished. thanks

Navarre Beach Pier Faces Environmental Delays

johnsonbeachbum — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 09:08:24 GMT

News: Navarre Beach Pier Faces Environmental Delays

by Duwayne Escobedo

June 5th, 2008

Santa Rosa County applied for environmental permits to rebuild the Navarre Beach pier in October 2007 and hoped to complete the project by the end of 2009.

However, it appears U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and National Marine Fisheries Service regulators plan to delay the project by requiring more unexpected environmental studies.The federal agencies are demanding a Formal Consultation and a Biological Assessment relating to the construction and operation of the Navarre Beach pier.

The current fishing pier was severely damaged by hurricanes in 2004 and 2005 and since that time Santa Rosa County has been working with FEMA to obtain about $8.4 million to remove the old pier and build a more disaster resistant structure.

Santa Rosa County Commissioner Gordon Goodin says the "dubious" request by the federal agencies will likely delay the pier from being rebuilt by six to 12 months.

"This delay was completely unexpected," he says in an e-mail. "This is a prime example of an arbitrary and capricious decision by a couple of federal agencies. It will increase costs, and since it is a project funded by FEMA, one federal agency (the Army Corps of Engineers in Jacksonville) is creating another unnecessary expense for another federal agency (FEMA) -- all funded through taxpayer dollars. Lost in all of this debate is the fact that the pier was in existence for 40 years prior to the hurricane that damaged it, something that can't find relevance with the bureaucrats."

Goodin and Santa Rosa County officials say they are working with Florida Congressmen in Washington, D.C., to try and resolve the permitting dispute with federal regulators. U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson's office says the delay will not take more than 135 days to be resolved and could be less, Goodin reports.

The new Navarre Beach pier will be about 20-feet wide and constructed using concrete piles, concrete pile caps, and concrete beams. Depending on how construction bids compare with the available funding, the pier will be 1,200 to 1,500 feet long.

Until the recent delays with obtaining the federal permit, Santa Rosa County had planned to advertise for bids in early June. Based on a 12-16 month construction schedule, this would allow for the pier to be completed by the end of 2009.

Santa Rosa County officials point out that the Navarre Beach fishing pier is very similar to two fishing piers currently being built in Panama City Beach and existing nearby fishing piers in Pensacola Beach and Okaloosa County. The proposed Panama City Beach piers and the other existing piers are also very similar in length, width, type of construction, and expected environmental impacts.

According to the county: The proposed Navarre Beach pier will be built adjacent to the remains of a current pier that was originally built in the 1960s. The project site is also the location of a large scale beach nourishment project that was completed in late 2005 using state and local funds. For this beach nourishment project, the beach width was increased by about 200 feet by pumping sand from an offshore site.

http://www.inweekly.net/article.asp?artID=7912

Navarre

roofordie — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 16:28:07 GMT

Is that wall by the Beach Bridge any good? Day or night?

bob sikes

MillerLicous — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 15:50:10 GMT

Any one been catching any kings off the sikes pier....I am thinking about goin but aint sure what poles to take to target what....Might just take them all...Thanks

Matt

Bait fish by bob sikes?

accordpower99 — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 14:01:38 GMT

I havent had a chance to go fishin in acouple months, are the bait fish still thick over by bob sikes?

wanting to catch some fish

divers doit deep — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 18:19:24 GMT

I want to go fishing Saturday night and I am looking for a good place to go. Anybody got some hot spots?

Gulf shores pier ???

philhensley — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 10:49:53 GMT

How are they doing on the Gulf Shores Pier?

When is the completion date?

Train Tressel Fishing

Death From Above — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 14:51:04 GMT

Anybody else fish off the 12th Ave train tressel? I heard the croakers were biting there right now. Only bad part is all the boats passing underneath cutting you off and having to hold your ears when the trains go by.

Advice for bob sykes

850lover — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 23:06:09 GMT

Im going in the morning. Any lure or bait advice would be appreciated

17th Avenue Bridge

850lover — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 15:40:20 GMT

Does anyone on here fish there?

Boaters

850lover — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 16:04:56 GMT

I know its fun to be able to move just about wherever u want to fish. But please be courteous. What im getting at is ive just about had it with you guys ignore the signs that say where u can pass under a bridge. Theres no way you can miss 2 6 foot signs that tell you where its ok to pass. why do SOME of you insist on not doing that. just about every time i fish off a bridge some nut drives their boat in the wrong place not caring about who they inconvenience and end up popping someone's line.

Garcon Bridge Report?

Chaser5 — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 21:33:16 GMT

Has anybody caught anything around garcon lately?

Where can I find a good pier gaff.

scubasteven — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 21:23:01 GMT

I'm looking forward to getting back into pier fishing, however I need some more gear. Where can I find a good gaff? Seems to me the best ones I have seen were made by individuals and not sold commercially.

Thanks,

Scuba

Drift Casting

booyahfishing — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 09:10:39 GMT

I purchased a book at B&N about fishing the local Gulf Coast. In it, it talks about the different types of fishing and stuff... I can bottom fish easily as that doesnt require any thought, as well as cast and retrieve. However, it talks about drift casting/fishing, where you send the bait out so it just sits in the water between 2-3 ft under the surface. Goes on to say that you can use balloons for this or just let it get to that point and try to keep it in that general depth.

On the balloon method, do you just literally put a balloon on the line just before the leader so the balloon would keep the bait a few feet deep? Book also states that this method is kind of frowned upon because the balloon usually pops and the trash gets in teh water. I have never seen anyoen really do this, is it frowned on or just a waste of time?

Also, instead of putting a balloon on there can you put some kind of bobber above the leader so the bait would be like 2-3 below the water or how can this possibly be done?

Thanks for any help on the subject. I really want to get out there and catch me some big fish.

Rays-are they edible?

roofordie — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 18:51:56 GMT

Hey there. I heard recently that a ray tastes like a scallop. Any truth to that? And how would I go about cleaniung one. Itching to try it, could use some help on prep tips. Thanks in advance for any advice

Bob Sikes qustion

Cornflake789 — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 20:38:17 GMT

This probably sounds pretty stupid but ive only fished a few piers around here and im wondering if the fishing is better at the pensacola fishing pier or at Bob Sikes bridge and also where is Bob sikes bridge?

Bridge Reel

stcold4506 — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 22:55:46 GMT

Friend gave me a Penn 209 today and said it was only good for trolling, anyone ever used one for pier/bridge fishing? Thanks!

were to take son fishing

Moemoney — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 19:06:24 GMT

My son is flying in from michagan sunday and i would love to take him peir fishing were can i go and rent poles and fish does enyone now thank you if you can help

dolly

coltsman — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 00:44:27 GMT

for those with car or suv's who dont have room for pier carts,I got a cool dolly from harbour freight it folds up and the handle slides down,very compact.only 29.99 well worth it if you dont have much room like me. it held my cooler ,tackle box,lantern and rods (with bungee cords of course) it worked great for me. i only had to tote my drop net.

Why all the rods

ironman172 — Sun, 11 May 2008 07:29:02 GMT

Everytime I'm at the pier, there are rods leaning along the rail....That really doesn't bother me till I decide to fish there, then someone(pier regular) comes and tells me thats there spot....of coarse that doesn't work (how can it be your spot when I'm standing there?)

What really pisses me off the most.....in the heat of battle with a nice fish(cobe,king)these rods don't move by there owners, sometimes the one in battle has to try and step over them when fighting the fish,or are moved by other good people,helping in the task of landing a fish.

I will lean my rod along the rail, but I will be standing by it, I have watched for a few minutes before I go and fish a spot with a rod leaning... just incase someone went to there cooler for something to drink or bait(what ever)

It seems the whole end is this way.I keep my rods in the holder of the pier cart when not in use....When a fish is seen those spots fill up quick and your rod doesn't save a thing!!!

Don't ask me to move!!! stay in your spot if you want it....or just move down alittle

if you would not like to deal with any of this fighting a fish, then don't do it yourself, and if rods along the rail save a spot..... I will bring all of mine and have to whole end to myself.....atleast the east side around the corner( I would look like the guy on the tv commercial fishing for everything)

I'm not trying to start a big thread here, or pissing match.....just have some common courtesy with your fellow angler(googan too!!!!ME) ...I will be the one with the zebco 33, or snoopy rod...:doh

what fish are biting in feb. and march?

mcbig1 — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 13:29:40 GMT

hey guys ,my brothers and our dad were down this past weekend and did pretty good.

what could we be fishing for in late winter in the pensacola beach area?

thanks,mike

highway 90 bridges help

justinsync — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 17:57:31 GMT

anyone got any advice or spots along the bridges going into pace im new here and im landlocked right now any advice will help.

okaloosa island peir

Matt09 — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 12:06:27 GMT

whats going on out there?

Bob Sikes this weekend?

JoshH — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 21:06:20 GMT

Will the storm surge or anything to do with the storm effect the fishing at sykes this weekend? Just want bluefish spanish and bonita. Are the schools of little glass minnows still going crazy right there?

p'cole pier and black snapper???

Clam — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 20:21:55 GMT

Has anyone had any luck at the pensacola beach pier catching black snapper lately? thinking about going out tomorrow and not sure if I should try the pier or bob sykes?

Need help with cobia rod blank

jr060887 — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 21:01:01 GMT

I need a good blank for a cobe stick preferably lamiglas or something similar.

Gulf Shores Pier is making progress BIG TIME.

Garbo — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 19:36:10 GMT

I walk on the beach in the morning quite frequently and I noticed the progress of the Gulf Shores Pier this morning. Dang. They are bringing it. I can't get over how fast they are adding length. Tomorrow I will count the sections (I should have this morning) but they are moving very quick.

Anyone else seen it?

any jetties

Blake Nall — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 18:00:32 GMT

jetties around the pensacola area ?

would like to fish it tomorrow

Anyone going to sikes tonight???

ShaneLane — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 11:11:24 GMT

I want to go fishing is anyone going to be out there this afternoon???

What a good shark pier?

cole tarnok — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 16:10:32 GMT

Hello to all,

I live in mississippi but my folks just moved to gulf breeze. Anyway my father and i both love to fish and are looking for some good shark spots that are accessable without a boat. Also what size/species sharks are caught off the piers and bridges around the area. Any help would be highly appreciated.

thanks,

cole

Using Pinfish off the Bob Sikes

johnnyaloha — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 03:07:57 GMT

I've been reading over this site for a while now, but I've never actually posted. There's tons of great info on here. I'm trying to get back into fishing, since I haven't really fished since I was a kid.

I was wondering if anyone uses live pinfish off the bob sikes bridge, and if so, what can I expect? Everytime I go to the bob sikes I always use live shrimp and I catch mostly smallish grunts, baby reds, and junk fish. I'm ready to hook up with something bigger. I ran into some pinfish off the bank right before you get on three mile bridge, and I filled up a bucket pretty quick. Now I just need to know what to do with this bait fish. I tried putting them on a hook and casting them back in with no luck. What am I doing wrong?