Captain Chris Phillips
Inshore –
Sheepshead fishing in Pensacola Bay continues to be pretty challenging for most people. Anglers are finding a decent amount of small ones around Pensacola Pass, but the majority of them aren’t even big enough to keep.
Speckled trout reports have varied from one person to another, but overall January and February definitely weren’t as good this year as the last couple of years. With the dropping temps coming next week it might be worth trying.
Offshore –
The tuna reports have been great over the last couple days. Quite a few boats from Pensacola have made the hundred-mile trek to waters off Mississippi and Louisiana and have come home with some nice fish.
According to a few reports it looks like the vermillion snapper fishing was a bit better this week than it was last week. As usual, just look for them on big wrecks and natural bottom. Most people use squid when fishing for them, but be sure to have some northern mackerel to try as well.
Piers & Beaches –
Cold weather is on the way, but hopefully that doesn’t prolong the pompano showing up in the surf off the local beaches. A few are being caught, but it’s hit or miss. If you want to give it a shot just get some sand fleas or fresh shrimp and look for a good hole or washout off the beach.
Pensacola Bay Fishing Bridge is probably the best spot for landlocked anglers right now. White trout and redfish have been the primary catches and they can be caught both night and day.