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Port guide / Florida Panhandle / Florida
Perdido Key fishing guide
Perdido Key is the barrier island between Perdido Pass at the Alabama line and Pensacola Pass, with Gulf surf on the south side and Old River, Big Lagoon and the Intracoastal Waterway behind it. Pensacola fishes its big bay system, bayous and long Gulf piers, but Perdido Key is a wade-and-walk surf town, where locals work Johnson Beach and Perdido Key State Park for pompano, whiting and bull reds and kayak the Intracoastal inlets from Galvez Landing to Johnson Beach for reds, trout and flounder. There is no public fishing pier on the key, so the surf, the lagoon and the passes are the fishery.
10 ft, conditions now
Conditions now
Live from NOAA and the National Weather Service. Times show in your own time zone.
Today’s bite
A forecast built from live data and the calendar below. Not a catch report.
Working out today from the tides, water and calendar.
Tides
- Loading the next highs and lows from NOAA.
On the water now
- Water
- Checking
- Wind
- Checking
Marine forecast
Loading the National Weather Service forecast.
7 day forecast
National Weather Service, for Perdido Key. Updates through the day.
- Loading the 7 day forecast.
NOAA tides, Arnica Bay, Mill Point, AL (opens in a new tab) NOAA station Pensacola, FL (opens in a new tab) NWS 7 day forecast (opens in a new tab) NWS marine forecast, Coastal waters from Pensacola FL to Pascagoula MS out 20 NM (opens in a new tab)
12 ft, the chart
Chart and depths
The official NOAA chart, centered on Perdido Key. Depths, channels, reefs and markers, live from NOAA.
The NOAA chart loads when you scroll here.
15 ft, fishing reports
Fishing reports
What people are catching, on what, and where. Every report links to whoever wrote it. We do not write these ourselves.
Latest reports
From local captains, shops and outdoor writers. Newest first, last 14 days.
- Checking the latest reports.
Report sources: Great Days Outdoors Northwest Florida Fishing Report (opens in a new tab) Great Days Outdoors Alabama Saltwater Fishing Report (opens in a new tab)
Straight from the dock
Reports sent to us by shops and captains on this guide. We check each one before it posts.
Checking for reports.
20 ft, what is biting
What is biting, month by month
When each fish is at its best around Perdido Key. This month is marked.
| Species | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida pompano | Slow | Slow | Peak | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Peak | Peak | Slow | Slow |
| Redfish | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Good | Good |
| Speckled trout | Good | Slow | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Good | Good |
| Flounder | Slow | Slow | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Good | Slow | Slow |
| Whiting | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good |
| Spanish mackerel | Slow | Slow | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Slow |
| Bluefish | Slow | Slow | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Slow | Slow |
| Black drum | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Sheepshead | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Good | Peak | Good |
| Red snapper | Slow | Slow | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Slow | Slow |
Florida pompano
Peak: March, September, October
Work the darker pockets and troughs beside the sandbars at Johnson Beach with live sand fleas, dug from the wet sand or bought at the bait shop, or live shrimp.
Redfish
Peak: April, May, June, September, October
Kayak the Intracoastal inlets from Galvez Landing to Johnson Beach with live minnows, shrimp or lures, and in fall look for schools of bull reds busting bait along the beaches.
Speckled trout
Peak: April, May, June, September, October
Fish the same Intracoastal shoreline by day and the dock and pier lights at night, and remember Panhandle trout harvest is closed in February.
Flounder
Peak: May, June
Flounder show up in force inshore and along the Intracoastal inlets in fall, but Florida closes harvest Oct. 15 through Nov. 30.
Whiting
Peak: May, June, July, August, September
A surf staple on Fish Gum, dead shrimp or sand fleas.
Spanish mackerel
Peak: May, June, July, August
Beach anglers catch them in summer when warm water pushes the schools close to shore.
Bluefish
Peak: May, June, July
A summer surf fish along the key.
Black drum
Peak: April, May, June
Big black drum show up in the surf in winter.
Sheepshead
Peak: March, April, May, September, November
Winter brings sheepshead inshore, and live shrimp or fiddler crabs tight to pilings catch them.
Red snapper
Peak: May, June, July, August
Offshore charters out of Perdido Key drop baits for snapper on the reefs during the open season.
30 ft, seasons and rules
Seasons and rules
Open and close dates we could confirm from official sources, plus where to check limits before you keep a fish.
Red snapper, private recreational, Gulf state and federal waters
Open May 22 to July 31 daily; Sept. 1 to Oct. 4 daily; Oct. 9 to 22 daily; then Oct. 23 to 25, Oct. 30 to Nov. 1, Nov. 7 to 8, 14 to 15 and 21 to 22, Nov. 26 to 29 (Thanksgiving weekend), Dec. 5 to 6, 12 to 13 and 19 to 20, Dec. 25 to 27 (Christmas weekend), and Jan. 1 to 4, 2027. Also applies to charter boats without a federal permit fishing state waters.
FWC, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Red snapper, federal for-hire (charter boats with a federal reef fish permit)
Opened 12:01 a.m. June 1, 2026 and closed 12:01 a.m. Oct. 26, 2026.
NOAA Fisheries, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Gag grouper, Gulf state waters
Open Sept. 1 to 30, 2026; harvest closed Oct. 1 for the rest of the year.
FWC, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Gag grouper, federal waters
Open 12:01 a.m. Sept. 1, 2026; closed 12:01 a.m. Oct. 1, 2026.
NOAA Fisheries, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Red, black and scamp grouper, Gulf state waters
Open year-round in state waters.
FWC, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Greater amberjack, Gulf state waters
Open Sept. 1 through Oct. 13; closed at 12:01 a.m. Oct. 14.
FWC, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Greater amberjack, federal waters
Open Sept. 1, 2026 to 12:01 a.m. Oct. 14, 2026, then closed until the next season starts Sept. 1, 2027.
NOAA Fisheries, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Gray triggerfish, Gulf state and federal waters
Open March 1 to May 31 and Aug. 1 to Dec. 31.
FWC, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Flounder, state and federal waters off Florida
Closed every year Oct. 15 through Nov. 30.
FWC, annual, applies to 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Spotted seatrout, Panhandle Region
Closed in February; open March 1 through Jan. 31.
FWC, annual, applies to 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
40 ft, where to fish
Where to fish
- Beach
Johnson Beach, Gulf Islands National Seashore
A quiet surf beach on the east end of the key where locals fish the troughs for pompano, away from the guarded swim beach.
- Beach
Perdido Key State Park
Surf fishing is popular here, with boardwalks over the dunes, hours of 8 a.m. to sunset and a $3 honor box fee per vehicle.
- Channel
Intracoastal Waterway, Galvez Landing to Johnson Beach
A string of inlets along the back of the key that kayak anglers fish for reds, flounder and trout.
- Bay
Big Lagoon
Protected water behind the key, and crabbing in its shallows is a popular side trip.
- Pass
Perdido Pass and the beaches west toward Alabama
In October 2026 bait was loaded around Perdido Pass, and schools of jack crevalle and bull reds were busting it along the beaches.
- Reef
Escambia County artificial reefs
The county publishes its public reef coordinates as a spreadsheet, KMZ and GPX file, along with a notice about possible military practice munitions on the bottom in some local waters.
50 ft, launch and piers
Ramps and piers
Public launches and fishing piers. Fees and hours change, so check the link before you tow.
| Name | Type | Fee | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Big Lagoon State Park boat ramp (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Paid | 12301 Gulf Beach Highway, Pensacola, FL 32507 |
| Galvez Landing Boat Ramp (closed for repairs until further notice) (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Check |
60 ft, bait, tackle and charters
Bait, tackle and charters
Where to get live and fresh bait, tackle and a guide. We are not paid to list anyone here.
Bait and tackle (4)
Showing all 4 shops
- Bait and tackleLive bait
Entertainer Bait and Tackle
Bait: live bait, frozen bait
13506 Perdido Key Dr, Pensacola, FL 32507
Under the Theo Baars bridge, open 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. per the chamber listing, and the weigh-in site for the Perdido Key Fishing Rodeo.
- Bait and tackleLive bait
J&M Tackle
Call to ask what bait is in today.
On Canal Road in Orange Beach, west of the state line, and one of the largest tackle shops on the Alabama coast for inshore and offshore gear.
- Tackle shop
Panhandle Salt Beach Fishing
13595 Perdido Key Dr, Pensacola, FL 32507
Surf and kayak fishing guide with a Perdido Key store open 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 9:30 a.m. to noon Sunday.
- Marina
Southwind Marina and Tiki Bar
10121 Sinton Dr, Pensacola, FL 32507
On the Intracoastal Waterway about 1.5 miles west of Pensacola Pass, with a ship store, ice, non-ethanol gas and diesel, open daily 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Live bait comes and goes with the weather and the season. Call before you drive.
Charters and guides
| Charter | Fishing |
|---|---|
| Entertainer Fishing Charters (opens in a new tab) | Offshore |
| Tradition Fishing Charters (opens in a new tab) | Inshore and offshore |
| Panhandle Salt Beach Fishing (surf and kayak guide) (opens in a new tab) | Inshore |
70 ft, on the calendar
Tournaments and events
Annual events on this water. Dates move, so confirm with the organiser.
Perdido Key Fishing Rodeo (opens in a new tab)
usually late July
2026: July 24 to 26Flora-Bama Fishing Rodeo (opens in a new tab)
usually early June
2027: June 4 to 6Panhandle Salt charity tournaments (opens in a new tab)
one in spring and one in fall
80 ft, asked and answered
Fishing Perdido Key, asked and answered
Where can I surf fish on Perdido Key?
Johnson Beach in Gulf Islands National Seashore and Perdido Key State Park are both popular surf spots. Johnson Beach has an entrance fee and no fishing at the guarded swim beach while lifeguards are on duty, and the state park has a $3 honor box fee per vehicle.
When are pompano running on Perdido Key?
March is the prime spring surf season, and the first fall migration comes through in September and October. Fish the darker troughs beside the sandbars with live sand fleas or live shrimp.
Where can I buy live bait on Perdido Key?
Entertainer Bait and Tackle under the Theo Baars bridge sells live and frozen bait. J&M Tackle on Canal Road in Orange Beach also sells live bait.
Can I keep flounder this fall?
Not in Florida water from Oct. 15 through Nov. 30, when flounder harvest is closed. Perdido Pass and the water west of the state line are Alabama, with different rules, so check which state's water you are in.
Where can I launch a boat near Perdido Key?
Big Lagoon State Park has a paid ramp on Gulf Beach Highway. Escambia County lists the Galvez Landing ramp as closed for repairs until further notice.
90 ft, the kit
What we would take to Perdido Key
Sources for this guide (26), last checked 2026-10-27
- business.visitperdido.com/events/details/2026-perdido-key-fishing-rodeo-42191 (opens in a new tab)
- business.visitperdido.com/list/member/big-lagoon-state-park-1943 (opens in a new tab)
- business.visitperdido.com/list/member/entertainer-bait-and-tackle-3729 (opens in a new tab)
- business.visitperdido.com/list/member/entertainer-fishing-charters-llc-2056 (opens in a new tab)
- business.visitperdido.com/list/member/panhandle-salt-beach-fishing-3824 (opens in a new tab)
- business.visitperdido.com/list/member/tradition-fishing-charters-3867 (opens in a new tab)
- captainexperiences.com/locations/florida/pensacola/seasonality (opens in a new tab)
- greatdaysoutdoors.com/alabama-saltwater-fishing-report-for-october-16-22-2026/ (opens in a new tab)
- myescambia.com/our-services/natural-resources-management/marine-resources/artificial-reefs (opens in a new tab)
- myescambia.com/our-services/natural-resources-management/marine-resources/boating-informat (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/flounder/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/groupers/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/snappers/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/spotted-seatrout/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/news/all-news/gray-triggerfish-0226/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/news/all-news/greater-amberjack-0826/ (opens in a new tab)
- southwindmarina.com/ (opens in a new tab)
- fisheries.noaa.gov/bulletin/noaa-fisheries-announces-2026-gag-recreational-season-federal- (opens in a new tab)
- fisheries.noaa.gov/bulletin/noaa-fisheries-announces-2026-gulf-america-red-snapper-recreat (opens in a new tab)
- fisheries.noaa.gov/bulletin/recreational-fishing-season-length-announcement-greater-amberj (opens in a new tab)
- florabama.com/fishing-rodeo (opens in a new tab)
- floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/big-lagoon-state-park/hours-fees (opens in a new tab)
- floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/perdido-key-state-park (opens in a new tab)
- gulfshores.com/blog/things-to-do/fishing/live-bait/ (opens in a new tab)
- visitpensacola.com/blog/seasonal-fishing-guide-pensacola-beach-and-perdido-key/ (opens in a new tab)
- visitpensacola.com/blog/top-5-fishing-hotspots-in-pensacola/ (opens in a new tab)
100 ft, the seabed
Gear up for Perdido Key
UPF 50+ fishing shirts, hats and gloves for the Gulf Coast. Free shipping over $100. Ships from Texas, usually within 1 to 2 business days.