Thread: Pensacola fishing

Check with Rick at "Buck & Bass" on Pine Forrest ...

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I grew up on Escambia River/upper Escambia Bay. I moved away about ten years ago, but for about thirty something years I was a regular. It is a difficult place to catch fish for the drive-by fisherman, but once you get to know it you can find some good fish. When you were headed to I-10, you passed one of my fav spots. Going south, just before you go out of the mouth of the river, there is a small island just west of the big island. The east side of the small island is fairly deep and I’ve caught a lot of 1-2 lb shellcrackers there. Also, you can have some fun with the bass on live shrimp fished about a foot under a cork (I used to catch a lot of live shrimp in my cast net near there). I’ve also caught flounder, red fish, and other salt water species there. It’s overall a very good spot. There is also a shallow cut to the left about ¼ mile before the mouth that is pretty productive if you can find some deeper water. To the north, just a stones throw north of the bridge on the left is a small grass bed. There is a drop just off the grass bed and I’ve caught a ton of fish just at the drop. Further north, up White River try Buzzard Lake. It’s a hit and miss place, but if you fish there on the hit you will find some big shellcracker, bluegill, and crappie. Just to the north of Buzzard is a small creek called McClenny. Good bluegill fishing there. For some good honest advice, put in about two miles east of Swamphouse on hwy 90 and ask the folks there for some tips. I can’t remember the name of the place, we always called it Miss Bessies, but she’s been dead for twenty years. The guy there really knows what he’s doing and will tell you what’s hot. If you’re shellcracker fishing, there is a guy in the bait shop on Guidy Lane that raises wigglers – fat and juicy. Also, in the summer time, watch for wasp nests in the overhanging trees. Escambia River has more that it’s share of wasp. Good luck!

"I can’t remember the name of the place, we always called it Miss Bessies"

Jim's Fish Camp, Hwy 90 East of Pcola on N Side of Hwy. Great People ... He will put you on them (good ol' tide water and you will run into most anything .....Freshwater & Saltwater)

JSC
Side Note:: You have some good fishing on Perdido (spelling) tough to learn from what I understand .. and further to the east is BlackWater and Yellow River ... Yellow River I fished some years ago and the lower end is my favorite .. The Black Water and Yellow both run into the bay below I 10 .

BlueGanoo -I think I know the spots on Escambia you are talking about and Jim's Fish Camp is a little farther down the road B4 you get to the east end of bridge. I remember seeing it. I will want to fish this area again next trip. Thanks!

How's fishing in the Escambia? We are probably headed for the kid's house in Pensacola some Mon/Tue this month. Would like to take my grandson fishing so I want to "stack the deck" in our favor.

I recently moved back down here. I fished off shore or land-based spots like the bridge you mentioned. If in a boat I like to go under I-10 and head up towards Jims fish Camp. There's some good fishing up there. Work the pilon on the I-10 bridge too.

Gator Bait, put in at Smith's or Swamphouse and go up river to Governor's Bayou. Thats the slew that is by the powerplant. As you enter the slew, you'll see the coal barges. Just past them is a great place to start fishing. The water's deep there and there are many old tree stumps in the channel. Good luck and watch out for the gators there.

Originally Posted by donut slayer

Gator Bait, put in at Smith's or Swamphouse and go up river to Governor's Bayou. Thats the slew that is by the powerplant. As you enter the slew, you'll see the coal barges. Just past them is a great place to start fishing. The water's deep there and there are many old tree stumps in the channel. Good luck and watch out for the gators there.

donut slayer - Thanks for the info. Looking at Goggle Earth there are two bayous, one you turn into power plant and go past it and the other goes off to the east on the other side of the river. I haven't been down either...yet.