| The Florida Panhandle offers some of the best fishing | | | | But you don't need a boat; pier fishing from Cobia |
| opportunities on the Gulf Coast. Species range from | | | | often yields results. Pier anglers will stand by the pier |
| small sea trout to huge Blue Marlin well over a | | | | rails with rod in hand waiting for a Cobia to swim by |
| thousand pounds. | | | | then cast to the Cobia with a squid-tipped jig. |
| One of the contributing factors for the great fishing is | | | | Pier fishing is very popular in the Florida Panhandle. The |
| the lack of development in the Panhandle. Clean water | | | | Pier at Pensacola Beach is a favorite, with plenty of |
| and a lack of polluted run off from a small population | | | | parking and a place to eat. Fort Walton Beach Pier is |
| keeps estuaries and back water suitable for fish | | | | not only great for fishing, but is next door to great food |
| spawning and bait fish reproduction. | | | | and entertainment. As the sun goes down, there are |
| Another factor is the relatively close access to deep | | | | many places to experience the Panhandle nightlife also. |
| water compared to other areas on the Gulf Coast. | | | | Pier fishermen usually target Pompano, Spanish |
| The De Soto Canyon is a sharp drop into deep water | | | | Mackerel, Bluefish, Flounder, Sheep head, Black Drum, |
| that's famous for nearly world record Blue Marlin. The | | | | and Croakers. Most of the Panhandle beach piers |
| De Soto Canyon is only 95 miles from Destin Pass, 85 | | | | have bait shops, complete with rods and reels for |
| miles from Fort Walton Beach and 80 miles from | | | | purchase or rent. Many also are willing to give their |
| Pensacola. | | | | expert advice on which rigs to use and what bait has |
| Other popular offshore species include Dolphin, also call | | | | been working the best recently. |
| Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, Sailfish, and Red Snapper. Most of | | | | Fishing inside the bays and sounds on the Panhandle |
| those can be caught within 30 miles of shore, | | | | are also very productive. The usual catch includes Sea |
| especially in the warm summer months. | | | | Trout, Redfish, Black Drum, and Founder. The |
| Closer to shore, anglers will find Kingfish, Cobia, grouper | | | | Choctawhatchee Bay sound near Destin is a favorite |
| and the occasional Tarpon. Spring fishing for Cobia, | | | | spot as is St. Andrews Bay near Panama City Beach. |
| sometimes called ling by the locals, is some of the best | | | | Small flats boats are popular for those areas. |
| in the country. Anglers fish close to shore, usually | | | | Fishermen use both artificial and natural bait. |
| following bait pods of pilchards and threadfin herring. | | | | Charter boats for inshore, offshore and bay fishing are |
| Boats have towers, used to spot the Cobia and rays | | | | available throughout the Florida's Panhandle and your |
| that sometimes have Cobia following as the rays kick | | | | won't need a license. Florida residents don't need a |
| up crabs and other tasty morsels the Cobia feed on. | | | | fishing license if they are fishing from land or a fixed |
| When a ray is spotted the fishermen will sight-cast to | | | | structure such as a bridge or pier. Non-residents need |
| the fish often with a live pilchard or a squid-tipped jig | | | | a fishing license to fish anywhere except from a |
| on their line. | | | | licensed charter boat with a vessel license. |