Ft Walton Pier ?

**Mossy1** · 07-13-2006, 11:24 AM

Ft. Walton Pier
I have fished the FWB pier before but it has been over 10 years. Does anyone have any reports about the fishing there now? We will be arriving 7/15/06. Any recommendations on what to fish for and what type of bait or lures to use? I will be fishing with a 10 year old and an 8 year old. The last time I was there we used squid and caught a bunch of the saltwater catfish. Thanks for any help.

**Panhandler** · 07-14-2006, 01:16 AM

I fished there for the first time last weekend and caught catfish & pompano. I had two lines out in the middle of the pier - one with squid and another rigged with the "berkley gulp" - a multi-purpose saltwater shrimp lure that caught several nice pompano and one mahi.

Other people were catching mahi and redfish but I don't know what they were using. I'm a new resident - and new to fishing - but the guy at the pay station proved to be very helpful.

There is also a bait shop under the Ft. Walton side of the Brooks Bridge run by a little old lady that knows it all!

There is a Blue Angels airshow in nearby Pensacola on the 15th that I am looking forward to attend - and I would recommend that activity to you over the fishing for the day - but best of luck either way.

**Johnrudy** · 07-14-2006, 06:39 AM

Originally Posted by Panhandler

I fished there for the first time last weekend and caught catfish & pompano. I had two lines out in the middle of the pier - one with squid and another rigged with the "berkley gulp" - a multi-purpose saltwater shrimp lure that caught several nice pompano and one mahi.

Other people were catching mahi and redfish but I don't know what they were using. I'm a new resident - and new to fishing - but the guy at the pay station proved to be very helpful.

There is also a bait shop under the Ft. Walton side of the Brooks Bridge run by a little old lady that knows it all!

There is a Blue Angels airshow in nearby Pensacola on the 15th that I am looking forward to attend - and I would recommend that activity to you over the fishing for the day - but best of luck either way.

A Blue Angels airshow in Pensacola is a lifetime memory. It's really somthing to see and experience. Wish I was there.....

**TreeFrog** · 07-14-2006, 07:59 AM

Originally Posted by Panhandler

There is a Blue Angels airshow in nearby Pensacola on the 15th

Where is the best place to view?

I've looked at the Angels web site. It looks like the show starts at noon, so I'd expect they will perform mid-afternoon. How early should we get there?

JB · 07-14-2006, 09:08 AM

One piece of advice for the Blue Angels. They always do a practice show on Friday before their annual Saturday show at Pensacola Beach. It's the exact same show and is much easier to get on and off the island. Of course, if you have access to a boat, the absolute best way to watch is to anchor offshore and watch from the comfort of your craft.

Just food for thought.

**TreeFrog** · 07-14-2006, 10:20 AM

Originally Posted by JB

One piece of advice for the Blue Angels. They always do a practice show on Friday before their annual Saturday show at Pensacola Beach. It's the exact same show and is much easier to get on and off the island. Of course, if you have access to a boat, the absolute best way to watch is to anchor offshore and watch from the comfort of your craft.

Just food for thought.

I'd love to go today, but can't. And I don't have a boat. Oh well..

So I'm still looking for advice about the show tomorrow.

JB · 07-14-2006, 11:00 AM

Originally Posted by TreeFrog

I'd love to go today, but can't. And I don't have a boat. Oh well..

So I'm still looking for advice about the show tomorrow.

I have been to several of these shows. They rock. The best advice I can give is to get there as early as humanly possible. Park and enjoy the beach until the show starts. Then, try to get out of there a little before the show is over. If not, you will be stuck on Santa Rosa Island for hours.

If you are coming from FWB, take the Navarre toll bridge.

**TreeFrog** · 07-14-2006, 12:44 PM

The lady at the Pensacola Beach tourist bureau told me this morning that "the road to the Navarre bridge is not open". Is this unrepaired Dennis damage or ?

What's the story on the November Blue Angels show at the NAS? Sounds like it could be less crowded, not to mention cooler weather. I really want to see the show, but I'm less than enthusiastic about hanging out at the beach all day, only to fight the traffic afterward.

JB · 07-14-2006, 12:58 PM

Originally Posted by TreeFrog

The lady at the Pensacola Beach tourist bureau told me this morning that "the road to the Navarre bridge is not open". Is this unrepaired Dennis damage or ?

What's the story on the November Blue Angels show at the NAS? Sounds like it could be less crowded, not to mention cooler weather. I really want to see the show, but I'm less than enthusiastic about hanging out at the beach all day, only to fight the traffic afterward.

I wasn't aware of the road being closed. This means you would have to take 98 to Gulf Breeze, then double-back over the bridge into Pensacola Beach. It is a great show, no doubt. But the crowds for this thing every year are HUGE. I have no idea of the numbers, but 10-15,000 wouldn't surprise me. And all of them trying to get back across the bridge after the show (and most of them drunk).

If I were in your shoes, I might just pass on this one.