Octagon at tip of Navarre Beach Fishing Pier overlooks deep, clear water where big fish like cobia, inset, often swim within casting range.
September 16, 2024
By Ed Mashburn
The fishing pier at Navarre Beach, just east of Pensacola and halfway to Destin, is 1,545 feet long, the longest fishing pier of the Gulf of Mexico.
Anglers can expect to meet with a wide range of fish on this pier, from diminutive but delicious whiting in the surf to jacks and mackerel at the color change halfway out the length of the pier. From the 3,800-square-foot octagon at the end of the pier, almost anything that swims these waters might show up. Big king mackerel, mega-jack crevalle, and in summer, a good run of tarpon are there.
All along the pier’s length, anglers can throw a simple 1-ounce jig and by working it in the water column at different depths, catch pompano, redfish, Spanish mackerel, blue runners and more.
Summer brings mackerel, both kings and Spanish. Redfish sweep through the pier area from the first bar out to the end of the pier—it’s hard to tell where the reds will be. Tarpon are often seen from the pier as they move from east to west, and sometimes live bait or a swim jig can tempt the big silver ones to bite. Fall sees the tarpon move back through on their annual round-trip, and most years schools of bonito with a few blackfin tuna mixed in will crash schools of bait around the pier.
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Winter anglers using live or frozen shrimp around the pier pilings can produce some great sheepshead and the same shrimp bait fished around the first bar will provide the makings of a great meal with whiting and the occasional pompano and flounder.
Spring brings a strong pompano run, and cobia, while nowhere near as abundant as they once were, are sometimes caught off the pier.
Perhaps the most impressive feature about the Navarre Beach Pier is the clarity of the water and 30-foot high sight lines. This means that anglers can see fish far out from the pier and by moving up and down the pier make a meeting with the fish when they arrive at casting distance. This can be a very impressive thing, this high-level sight fishing.
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One summer a strong king mackerel run was on, and I was on the pier rigged and ready for the afternoon blitz. Right on time, a big king blew up on a bait about a hundred yards from the pier. The bait school and the kings moved closer, and when they were within my casting range, I let fly with my frozen cigar minnow bait. I let the “cigcicle” sink, and then I started the usual “snobbling” retrieve in which the bait is jerked up and then allowed to sink as a wounded baitfish would. And there it was. I could see a really big king mackerel working on the line of my bait. The eager king was perfectly obvious in the clear water from my high perch, and I readied myself for the smashing strike and then the blistering run. Before I could react, a 4-foot blacktip shark rocketed up from below and snagged my bait just inches from the toothy jaws of the king.
The shark made a strong run, the mackerel disappeared, and then my line went slack. The shark had tailed whipped my line and then broke off on its run. Disappointed? Yes, I was, but, after all, I sure had a good view of what had happened.
In addition to the great high level sight fishing, the long Navarre Beach Pier offers potable water spigots along the run of the pier, and there is an excellent restaurant on the pier along with full facilities. The pier is handicapped accessible, and there are 16 lowered handicap-accessible rail sections.
If You Go Directions : From I-10 take Exit 31, Hwy 87 to Navarre and the Navarre Beach Causeway. From Pensacola, take Hwy 98 east to Navarre. From Hwy 98, take the right at the Navarre Beach exit light. There is no charge to reach the island. At the 4-way stop, go right for perhaps a quarter mile. The pier is on the left. There’s good signage and lots of free parking.Prices : $7 for daily fishing. Seniors and military, $6. Kids 15 and under, $4. Little anglers below 5, free. Walkers, $1. Weekly, annual passes available.Hours : Summer 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. After Oct. 15, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.What Else : Great views of the clear water and white sand. Sea turtles and dolphins are very common for viewing, and non-anglers can get some memorable sealife shots.This article was featured in the August-September 2024 issue of Florida Sportsman magazine. Click to subscribe .
