Pensacola Fishing Calendar

What's open, what's closed, and when each fish is at its best in our waters, month by month.

Season dates checked Sep 28, 2026

In season now

OpenRed snapper*through Oct 25 · closes Oct 26

Last weeksGreater amberjackthrough Oct 13

Last weeksSouthern floundercloses Oct 15 · back Dec 1

OpenGray triggerfishthrough Dec 31

Open all yearCobia · RedfishVermilion snapper · Sheepshead

Catch & releaseTarponall year

The year at a glance

Pensacola fishing seasons by month, 2026: open, closed, catch and release, and best months for each species
	J	F	M	A	M	J	J	A	S	O	N	D
Red snapper*	Closed	Closed	Closed	Closed	Closed	Open from Jun 1	Open	Open	Open	Open to Oct 25	Closed	Closed
Greater amberjack	Not verified	Not verified	Not verified	Not verified	Not verified	Not verified	Not verified	Closed	Open from Sep 1	Open to Oct 13	Closed	Closed
Gray triggerfish	Closed	Closed	Open	Open	Open	Closed	Closed	Open	Open	Open	Open	Open
Southern flounder	Open	Open	Open	Open	Open	Open	Open	Best	Best	Best to Oct 14, then closed	Closed	Open from Dec 1
Cobia	Open	Open	Best	Best	Open	Open	Open	Open	Open	Open	Open	Open
Redfish	Open	Open	Open	Open	Open	Open	Open	Open	Best	Best	Open	Open
Vermilion snapper	Open	Open	Open	Open	Open	Open	Open	Open	Open	Open	Open	Open
Sheepshead	Open	Best	Best	Best	Open	Open	Open	Open	Open	Open	Open	Open
Tarpon	Catch and release	Catch and release	Catch and release	Catch and release	Best, catch and release	Best, catch and release	Best, catch and release	Catch and release	Catch and release	Catch and release	Catch and release	Catch and release

OpenBest time in our watersClosedCatch & releaseBest time, catch & releaseNot verified yet

* Red snapper dates are the federal season for charter boats with a federal permit, like ours; private anglers' state season is different. Season dates checked Sep 28, 2026 against FWC recreational regulations and NOAA Fisheries bulletins. Seasons change; we update this page when they do.

Best times in our waters

Sheepshead · Feb–Apr

They move nearshore in late winter to spawn around jetties, bridges and reefs, peaking March–April.

Source: FWC species profile

Cobia run · Mar–Apr

The spring migration runs along our beaches as the water warms; April is usually the peak.

Sources: FWC · local guides

Tarpon · May–Jul

The summer run reaches the Panhandle beaches later than south Florida, from May. Catch-and-release only.

Sources: Salt Water Sportsman · local guides

Flounder · Aug–mid-Oct

The fall run toward the Gulf starts in August; Florida closes flounder Oct 15–Nov 30 to protect the spawn.

Sources: FWC · local guides

Bull redfish · Sep–Oct

Big reds school at the passes and beaches for the fall spawn, peaking September–October.

Source: Alabama Cooperative Extension

Snapper · amberjack · triggerfish

For these three the season is the window: red snapper Jun 1–Oct 25 on charter boats, amberjack Sep 1–Oct 13, triggerfish Mar–May and Aug–Dec. Book early.

Sources: NOAA · FWC

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