Fishing in Pass-A-Grille, Florida
Originally founded as a fishing village hundreds of years ago, Pass-A-Grille boasts a rich history of fishing heritage. Fishing opportunities abound, for both inshore and offshore fisherman. The diversity of species found in Pass-A-Grille waters is astounding!
For offshore fisherman, the “Pass” in Pass-A-Grille means that the Gulf of Mexico is immediately accessible. There is a ‘tri-pod’ a couple miles offshore which holds bait most of the year. From there, simply head west. You’ll find plenty of live bottom areas near the shoreline that hold Key West grunts and small grouper (and occasionally large ones). Keep going, and you’ll find ledges and rockpiles in 60 to 120 feet that are home to big mangrove and American red snapper, as well as red, gag and scamp grouper. And don’t forget to drop a flatline behind the boat – catches of kingfish, sharks, Mahi and tuna are common.
No boat? No problem! The Merry Pier features both charter and headboats with highly experienced local Captains.
If you prefer to fish the shoreline, there are big snook prowling the surf, as well as occasional schools of pompano and redfish. Flounder are common in Fall and Spring. The Jetty, located at the southwest tip of Pass-A-Grille, usually holds snook, sheepshead, snapper, Spanish mackerel and other predators. The Jetty is often crowded on weekends, so be courteous to your fellow anglers.
On the East side of Pass-A-Grille, a seawall runs from the Southern tip up to about 18th Avenue. Expect lots of trout, macks and sheepshead. There are three pubic piers on the east side, the largest of which is Merry Pier. There is a tackle store there, with plenty of bait and cold beverages. Keeper grouper and big snook haunt the pilings, so bring stout tackle.