The Florida Panhandle offers some of the best fishing opportunities on the Gulf Coast. Species range from small sea trout to huge Blue Marlin well over a thousand pounds.

One of the contributing factors for the great fishing is the lack of development in the Panhandle. Clean water and a lack of polluted run off from a small population keeps estuaries and back water suitable for fish spawning and bait fish reproduction.

Another factor is the relatively close access to deep water compared to other areas on the Gulf Coast. The De Soto Canyon is a sharp drop into deep water that?s famous for nearly world record Blue Marlin. The De Soto Canyon is only 95 miles from Destin Pass Nick Vigil Jersey , 85 miles from Fort Walton Beach and 80 miles from Pensacola.

Other popular offshore species include Dolphin, also call Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, Sailfish Tyler Boyd Jersey , and Red Snapper. Most of those can be caught within 30 miles of shore, especially in the warm summer months.

Closer to shore, anglers will find Kingfish, Cobia William Jackson Jersey , grouper and the occasional Tarpon. Spring fishing for Cobia, sometimes called ling by the locals, is some of the best in the country. Anglers fish close to shore, usually following bait pods of pilchards and threadfin herring. Boats have towers Jake Elliott Womens Jersey , used to spot the Cobia and rays that sometimes have Cobia following as the rays kick up crabs and other tasty morsels the Cobia feed on. When a ray is spotted the fishermen will sight cast to the fish often with a live pilchard or a squid tipped jig on their line.

But you don?t need a boat; pier fishing from Cobia often yields results. Pier anglers will stand by the pier rails with rod in hand waiting for a Cobia to swim by then cast to the Cobia with a squid tipped jig.

Pier fishing is very popular in the Florida Panhandle. The Pier at Pensacola Beach is a favorite, with plenty of parking and a place to eat. Fort Walton Beach Pier is not only great for fishing, but is next door to great food and entertainment. As the sun goes down, there are many places to experience the Panhandle nightlife also