Gulf Breeze Guide Service local waters page

A view of the shoreline east of Pensacola Pass

Florida’s Emerald Coast west of Pensacola Beach includes twenty miles of pristine sugar-white beaches along Santa Rosa Island and Perdido Key. The Gulf of Mexico along this shoreline takes on an emerald green color that gives the area its name. From March through mid-January, gamefish migrate along this coast following schools of bait. Gamefish include pompano, cobia, Spanish mackerel, king mackerel, false albacore, bluefish, redfish, sheepshead, jack crevalle, tarpon, ladyfish, flounder, and sharks.

On the inland side of Santa Rosa Island and Perdido Key are the waters of Santa Rosa Sound, the Big Lagoon, and Pensacola Bay. Santa Rosa Sound and the Big Lagoon are included in the Intracoastal Waterway. Pensacola Bay covers approximately 100 square miles and is fed by four rivers. The waters of the bay and Intracoastal Waterway are rich in seagrasses. Baitfish, crabs and shrimp flourish in these waters and attract gamefish from the gulf. In addition to the migrating gamefish mentioned above, the bay maintains a resident population of speckled trout, tripletail, redfish and striped bass. A view of the Fort McRee lagoon

The waters around Pensacola Pass where Pensacola Bay, Santa Rosa Sound, and the Big Lagoon converge and flow into the Gulf of Mexico provide some of our most productive fishing. Most of the migrating gamefish venture through the pass in search of food, and many of them spend the summer in the inland waters. Red snapper and gag grouper move inside through the pass in the spring and take up residence around inshore structure. In the fall, night fishing for giant redfish around the pass provides some of the most explosive fishing action of the year.

Tides in our area are diurnal with one high and one low per day. Tidal range averages about two feet. the Gulf of Mexico shore

There are many times of the year when our local waters are as clear as the Bahamas, and sight fishing is spectacular. Unfortunately, there are also times when conditions deteriorate due to wind and rain. It’s a good idea to check with us a week or so before your arrival date to get the lowdown on conditions so we can plan your trip accordingly. The diversity of our area provides us fishing options in all but the most extreme conditions.

Captain Basil Yelverton
Gulf Breeze Guide Service
P.O. Box 251
Gulf Breeze, Florida 32562-0251 (USA)
Tel: 850.934.3292
Email: gbgsfishing@aol.com