Navarre, FL Fishing

Navarre Beach Fishing Pier 8579 Gulf Blvd, Navarre, (850) 710-3239

You would think that a fishing pier would be fished out right? That's what I thought until I visited the pier in early November. The anglers were catching one fish after another, and each had a cooler full of fish. I would assume that the size of this pier gets you in deep water, and the perfect location for catching many different species of fish. And even on an off day, the worst-case scenario you get to hang out with some interesting people and take in the fresh ocean air! Adults can enter and fish for just $7. Kids 6-15 can fish for $4. Active military and seniors can fish for $6 per day. Kids under 5 are free. That’s 19 hours they’re open during the summer. They offer a weekly pass you can buy at the bait shop. Adults $45 to fish. Seniors and active-duty military $40. Youths 6-15 is $25. Yearly passes are also available and can save you some money. Adults for $150. Seniors and active-duty military $100. Youth 5-15 $75. Family pass $300. Family pass means you, your spouse, and any kids you have. This does include your fishing pass, so you don’t need a Florida saltwater fishing license.

Fish Species Caught at Navarre Pier (Source found here)

  • whiting
  • blackfin tuna
  • redfish
  • pompano
  • jack
  • flounder
  • sheepshead
  • tarpon
  • grouper
  • snapper
  • shark
  • kingfish, Spanish mackerel
  • pinfish (for bait)
  • catfish

Saltwater and Freshwater Licenses

For the other fishing options below, the first thing that you will need to acquire is a fishing license (unless you are fishing the pier than it is included in the entry fee). For up-to-date information about license requirements, bag limits, and seasonal closures visit www.MFWC.com/marine. Licenses are available online at www.gooutdoorsflorida.com, in person at one of the following:

  1. Wal Mart #3439, 9360 Navarre Parkway, Navarre, FL 32566, (850) 939-3998
  2. Half Hitch Tackle 8711 Navarre Pkwy, Navarre, FL 32566, (850) 939-9885
  3. Santa Rosa County 6495 Caroline St. (Hwy. 90) Suite E, Milton, FL 32570, (850) 983-1800

Or by calling toll-free 888-FISH-FLORIDA (888-347-4356).

Beach Fishing

Many anglers choose to just simply fish from the beaches of Navarre or Opal Beach at Gulf Island National Seashore. The benefits of beach fishing are that it doesn't require a boat and you get to be in the sand, the con is that you are limited to what you can catch. 

Santa Rosa Sound and East Bay Fishing

If you have a boat, you can fish the Sound, East Bay, and even Pensacola Bay. The redfish fishing is probably best in East Bay near Redfish Cove or Redfish Point. Redfish can be caught year-round, but the best season is April through November. Note combustion engines are not allowed in Redfish Cove and in some of the other coves, you will need an electric trolling motor. For a full comprehensive map guide of the area view this Enhanced Map - Map Side (floridamarine.org).

Fresh Water Fishing

Yellow River
(Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton counties)
Features: Bass special opportunity, bream numbers, catfish size and numbers

A Monster trophy catfish fishery for Flathead Catfish (State Record location for Flathead Catfish) and high catch rates of panfish and multiple species. The Yellow River is home to monster Flathead Catfish and currently boasts the location of the new Florida State Record Flathead Catfish caught in August 2020. This behemoth weighed in at 69.9 pounds. The upper Yellow River provides anglers an assortment of largemouth bass, spotted bass, redear sunfish (shellcracker), bluegill, spotted sunfish, warmouth and shadow bass. Sixty-one miles of the Yellow River flows in a southwesterly direction into Blackwater Bay, an arm of Pensacola Bay, through Florida’s Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton counties. The Yellow River’s one major tributary, the Shoal River, joins the Yellow near Crestview, Florida.

Escambia River Marsh
(Santa Rosa and Escambia counties)
Features: Bass numbers, striped bass numbers

A Largemouth Bass fishery for harvest and high catch rates of smaller size Largemouth Bass and a variety of fish species. The marsh area of the Escambia River is a hot spot for Largemouth Bass fishing and promises to yield high catches of harvestable size Largemouth Bass, as well as, many other species including being a hot spot destination for Hybrid Striped bass. The Escambia River also supports one of the richest assemblages of native North American freshwater fish of any Florida river with 85 know native freshwater species. The lower river and delta marshes may be accessed easily from numerous points between Pensacola and Pace along Highway 90.

Offshore Fishing

There are several artificial reefs located offshore. To get to the ocean you will need to take the Pensacola Pass from the Pensacola Bay or Santa Rosa Sound. The reefs will be to the east from there. Or try your luck at deep sea fishing. Here is a list of some the fish you can try for offshore:

  • Amberjack**: Year-round
  • Blackfin tuna: late summer, early winter
  • Dolphinfish: Summer
  • Gray triggerfish**: Year-round
  • Groupers**: Fall, spring
  • Spanish/king mackerel: Late spring, early fall, peak May-Oct.
  • Marlin: Summer, fall
  • Porgy: Year-round
  • Red snapper**: Year-round
  • Sailfish: Summer, fall
  • Tuna: August-September
  • Vermilion snapper: Year-round
  • Wahoo: Summer, fall
    **Check regulations for open/closed season