Pensacola fishing calendar
What’s biting each month, and the best months to book.
Plan your Pensacola fishing trip with our month-by-month calendar for redfish, spotted seatrout, flounder, sheepshead, Spanish mackerel and cobia. Peak means the best fishing of the year, Good means steady fishing and Fair means possible but slower.
When is the best time to fish in Pensacola?
The best fishing in Pensacola is Apr–Jun and Oct, when redfish, spotted seatrout, flounder, Spanish mackerel and cobia are at their peak. There is something to catch all year: winter is best for sheepshead; spring is best for spotted seatrout, sheepshead and Spanish mackerel; summer is best for redfish, red snapper and king mackerel; fall is best for redfish, spotted seatrout and flounder.
- Winter (Dec–Feb): best for sheepshead; also redfish, spotted seatrout and flounder.
- Spring (Mar–May): best for spotted seatrout, sheepshead, Spanish mackerel and cobia; also redfish, flounder and grouper.
- Summer (Jun–Aug): best for redfish, red snapper, king mackerel and mahi-mahi; also spotted seatrout, flounder and Spanish mackerel.
- Fall (Sep–Nov): best for redfish, spotted seatrout, flounder and grouper; also sheepshead, Spanish mackerel and amberjack.
Pensacola fishing calendar by month
How good the fishing is for each fish, month by month. Tap a fish for our full guide.
- Peak best fishing of the year
- Good steady fishing
- Fair possible, but slower
- – slow, out of season or closed
| Fish | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inshore | ||||||||||||
| Redfish | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good |
| Spotted seatrout | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Good |
| Flounder | Fair | Fair | Fair | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Good |
| Sheepshead | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Fair | Fair | Good | Peak | ||||
| Spanish mackerel | Fair | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Fair | |||
| Cobia | Good | Peak | Peak | Good | Fair | |||||||
| Offshore | ||||||||||||
| Red snapper | Fair | Peak | Peak | Fair | ||||||||
| Grouper | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good |
| Amberjack | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Fair | Fair | Fair | Good | Good | Good |
| King mackerel (kingfish) | Fair | Good | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Good | |||
| Mahi-mahi (dolphin) | Fair | Good | Peak | Peak | Good | Fair | ||||||
| Triggerfish | Fair | Fair | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Good | Fair | Fair |
| Mangrove snapper | Fair | Fair | Fair | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Fair | Fair |
Seasons, size limits and bag limits change every year: see FWC saltwater rules and FWC freshwater rules. Snook and some other fish are catch-and-release in closed months.
What’s biting each month in Pensacola
Swipe to see every month →
January
Peak Sheepshead
Good Redfish, Spotted seatrout, Grouper and Amberjack
February
Peak Sheepshead
Good Redfish, Spotted seatrout, Grouper and Amberjack
March
Peak Spotted seatrout, Sheepshead and Amberjack
Good Redfish, Cobia, Grouper and Triggerfish
April
Peak Spotted seatrout, Spanish mackerel, Cobia and Amberjack
Good Redfish, Flounder, Sheepshead, Grouper, King mackerel (kingfish), Triggerfish and Mangrove snapper
May
Peak Spotted seatrout, Spanish mackerel, Cobia, Amberjack, King mackerel (kingfish) and Triggerfish
Good Redfish, Flounder, Grouper, Mahi-mahi (dolphin) and Mangrove snapper
June
Peak Red snapper, King mackerel (kingfish), Mahi-mahi (dolphin), Triggerfish and Mangrove snapper
Good Redfish, Spotted seatrout, Flounder, Spanish mackerel, Cobia, Grouper and Amberjack
July
Peak Red snapper, Mahi-mahi (dolphin) and Mangrove snapper
Good Redfish, Spotted seatrout, Flounder, Spanish mackerel, Grouper, King mackerel (kingfish) and Triggerfish
August
Peak Redfish and Mangrove snapper
Good Spotted seatrout, Flounder, Spanish mackerel, Grouper, King mackerel (kingfish), Mahi-mahi (dolphin) and Triggerfish
September
Peak Redfish, Grouper and King mackerel (kingfish)
Good Spotted seatrout, Flounder, Spanish mackerel, Triggerfish and Mangrove snapper
October
Peak Redfish, Spotted seatrout, Flounder, Grouper and King mackerel (kingfish)
Good Spanish mackerel, Amberjack, Triggerfish and Mangrove snapper
November
Peak Redfish, Spotted seatrout, Flounder and Grouper
Good Sheepshead, Amberjack and King mackerel (kingfish)
December
Peak Sheepshead
Good Redfish, Spotted seatrout, Flounder, Grouper and Amberjack
Best months for each fish in Pensacola
- Redfish: best Aug–Nov; good all year.
- Spotted seatrout: best Mar–May and Oct–Nov; good all year.
- Flounder: best Oct–Nov; good Apr–Dec.
- Sheepshead: best Dec–Mar; good Nov–Apr.
- Spanish mackerel: best Apr–May; good Apr–Oct.
- Cobia: best Apr–May; good Mar–Jun.
- Red snapper: best Jun–Jul.
- Grouper: best Sep–Nov; good all year.
- Amberjack: best Mar–May; good Oct–Jun.
- King mackerel (kingfish): best May–Jun and Sep–Oct; good Apr–Nov.
- Mahi-mahi (dolphin): best Jun–Jul; good May–Aug.
- Triggerfish: best May–Jun; good Mar–Oct.
- Mangrove snapper: best Jun–Aug; good Apr–Oct.
Reviews from Pensacola trips
4.01 review
Yellow River Fishing
Good information, would like more info on lower end of river. Have not fished this river before, so anyone's help would be appreciated. A good detailed map of this area would be great?
Harold Coverdale · September 2015
Pensacola fishing calendar FAQ
When is the best time to fish in Pensacola?
The best fishing in Pensacola is Apr–Jun and Oct, when redfish, spotted seatrout, flounder, Spanish mackerel and cobia are at their peak. There is something to catch all year: winter is best for sheepshead; spring is best for spotted seatrout, sheepshead and Spanish mackerel; summer is best for redfish, red snapper and king mackerel; fall is best for redfish, spotted seatrout and flounder.
What fish are biting in Pensacola in winter?
From December to February, sheepshead is at its best, and redfish, spotted seatrout, flounder, grouper and amberjack are good. Pick calm days between cold fronts.
What fish are biting in Pensacola in summer?
From June to August, redfish, red snapper, king mackerel, mahi-mahi, triggerfish and mangrove snapper are at their best, and spotted seatrout, flounder, Spanish mackerel, cobia, grouper and amberjack are good. Book an early start to beat the heat and afternoon storms.
What is the best month for redfish in Pensacola?
Redfish fishing in Pensacola is best Aug–Nov, and good all year.
When is the best time for red snapper in Pensacola?
Red snapper fishing in Pensacola is best Jun–Jul.
Do fishing seasons and limits apply in Pensacola?
Yes. Some fish have closed seasons, size limits and bag limits that change from year to year. Months marked “–” on this calendar are slow, out of season or usually closed. Your captain follows the current rules; check the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) for this year’s dates.
How do I book a fishing trip in Pensacola?
Pick your trip and date on the Pensacola fishing charters page and book online with a local captain. Free cancellation up to 72 hours before your trip, and a full refund or free reschedule if the captain cancels for weather. Questions? Call or text (407) 392-4593.