NW FLORIDA'S EMERALD COAST

The Florida Panhandle includes twenty-five miles of pristine sugar-white sandy 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. Twenty miles of this stretch are part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore and will never be developed. These are some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, and that's where Pensacola, Pensacola Beach, and Gulf Breeze are located.
From March through November, gamefish migrate along this coast following schools of bait. Gamefish include pompano, cobia, Spanish mackerel, king mackerel, false albacore, bluefish, tripletail, jack crevalle, ladyfish, and tarpon.
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 and shallow sandy flats. Baitfish, crabs, and shrimp flourish in these waters and provide nourishment for our resident populations of redfish, black drum, speckled trout, and flounder.
Pensacola Bay, Santa Rosa Sound, and the Big Lagoon join the Gulf at Pensacola Pass which is the deepest natural channel (~70') anywhere in the Gulf of Mexico. Westward-migrating gamefish venture through "the Pass" into the inland waters in search of food, and many of them spend the summer there. There are times during the year when schools of baitfish "ball up" in the fast currents of the Pass, attract predators (redfish, false albacore, Spanish mackerel, ladyfish), and turn the area into much loved "feeding frenzies". You just have to experience it to believe it... Tides in our area are diurnal with one high and one low per day. Tidal range averages about two feet. 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 me 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 fishing options in all but the most extreme conditions.