Perdido Key Beach Access 2 Fishing

Perdido Key Beach Access 2 is a half-acre public access on the key's Gulf side, set between private beachfront properties, that puts anglers on the same white-sand surf as the neighboring state park and National Seashore without an entrance station.

• Surf fishing for pompano, Gulf whiting and redfish, plus mackerel and bluefish in season
• A gravel lot, restrooms and a sand walkover over the dunes
• Lifeguards on duty through the summer, so choose a spot well away from swimmers
• Dunes that are protected habitat for the endangered Perdido Key beach mouse

The access is on the Gulf side of Perdido Key Drive (State Road 292), between Perdido Key State Park to the west and the National Seashore's Johnson Beach to the east.

• Getting there: cross onto Perdido Key and follow Perdido Key Drive west from the bridge
• Parking: a small gravel lot at the access, so arrive early on busy days
• Access: a sand walkover crosses the dunes to the beach; use it rather than cutting through
• The county's listing posts no hours; follow any signs at the site

Expect the standard northern Gulf surf lineup, arriving and leaving with the seasons.

• Spring (Mar-May): pompano and Gulf whiting move along the troughs as the water warms, with bluefish and early Spanish mackerel
• Summer (Jun-Aug): mackerel and ladyfish chase bait schools, jacks roam, and blacktip sharks feed late in the day
• Fall (Sep-Nov): the redfish run, a fall push of pompano and schools of bluefish
• Winter (Dec-Feb): whiting and the occasional black drum when the surf lies down

Keep the kit light enough to carry over the walkover in one trip.

• A 10-12 foot rod with a two-hook pompano rig, size 1-2 hooks and shrimp or sand fleas
• A 1/4 oz jig with a small teaser for pompano when the water is clear
• For reds, a sliding-sinker rig with a circle hook and a piece of mullet
• A spoon on a lighter rod for mackerel and bluefish
• Rake fresh sand fleas in the swash zone for bait
• A cart with balloon tires makes the soft sand easier

The tide on this part of the Gulf is modest, with one high and one low on most days, so choose your day by the surf rather than the tide chart.

• Light surf and clear water favor pompano and whiting
• The first trough near shore holds most of the fish; find it at low tide
• Fish the moving water around the tide change
• South winds churn the surf and muddy it; wait for it to clear
• Early and late in the day are quieter and cooler in summer

This is a small access with no shelter on the sand, and help is limited outside the summer season.

• Pensacola Beach Lifeguards cover this access in summer (in 2026, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily from May 23 to Aug. 11); at other times there is no lifeguard
• Rip currents are common along Perdido Key; heed the flags and never wade out to cast
• Leave the beach when thunder starts
• Shuffle your feet to avoid stingrays
• The route to the water is a walkover and soft sand
• Bring shade and plenty of water

Only the basics are provided at this small county site, so come prepared to look after yourself for the whole session.

• A small gravel parking lot
• Restrooms at the access (a tourism listing describes a portable unit)
• A walkover across the protected dunes to the Gulf beach
• No food, drinking water or bait on site; bring ice for anything you keep

• In lifeguard season, walk well down the beach from the guarded area before you cast
• Stay on the walkover: the dunes are protected habitat for the endangered Perdido Key beach mouse
• Private condominiums and a private beach club adjoin the access, so respect posted property signs
• If the lot is full, the county has other public accesses along Perdido Key Drive, including Access 3 near River Road
• Sea turtles nest on Perdido Key from May: keep lights low after dark and fill in any holes you dig

Access 2 is an Escambia County beach access, and county park and beach rules apply.

• County code keeps parks with water access open for fishing at night, while other uses close from an hour after sunset to an hour before sunrise
• Lifeguards may order anglers to stop fishing too close to swimmers
• No dogs, no glass, and no fires except where the county provides for them
• A Florida saltwater fishing license is required unless you are exempt
• Shore-based shark fishing requires the free FWC shore-based shark fishing permit
• Check current FWC rules for size, bag and season limits before keeping anything