Old Bob Sikes Bridge, Gulf Breeze Fishing

Old Bob Sikes Bridge, Gulf Breeze is the Gulf Breeze end of the original bridge to Pensacola Beach, kept as a place to stand over deep, moving water. It is a no-frills spot, best for anglers who like fishing around structure.

• Old bridge pilings and an adjoining seawall on Santa Rosa Sound
• Sheepshead on the pilings, Spanish mackerel in the warm months
• Close to the Pensacola Beach end of the old bridge, a short drive away
• Plain and exposed, with little shade

The spot sits at the north end of Pensacola Beach Boulevard in Gulf Breeze, beside the newer Bob Sikes Bridge. The site is the north end of the old bridge, with a pier and seawall on the west side of the road, and access is open around the clock, but check the posted signs.

• Parking: a parking lot is mapped a short walk away; check signs for any limits
• The walk from the lot to the pier is short but not right at the rail
• Surface: old bridge deck, so expect uneven and worn spots
• Who manages this end is not published that we could find, so follow posted signs

Santa Rosa Sound is a brackish, grassy inshore water, and the old bridge pilings hold bait and crustaceans.

• Spring (Mar-May): sheepshead on the pilings, speckled trout and Spanish mackerel as the water warms
• Summer (Jun-Aug): Spanish mackerel and ladyfish at dawn, pinfish and catfish all day
• Fall (Sep-Nov): redfish and flounder along the edges, mackerel into October
• Winter (Dec-Feb): sheepshead are the main target, with trout on mild days

Light to medium spinning tackle handles almost everything here.

• Sheepshead: fiddler crab or small pieces of shrimp on a short leader, dropped against the pilings
• Spanish mackerel: small silver spoons, or live minnows fished near the surface
• Speckled trout: live shrimp under a popping cork, or a soft plastic on a jig head
• Redfish and flounder: cut bait or a live finger mullet on the bottom near the edges
• A 15 to 20 lb leader helps around the barnacle-covered pilings

On this stretch of the coast there is generally one small high and one small low most days, so the current through the bridge is gentle but can pick up with wind.

• Fish the moving tide, a couple of hours either side of the change
• Spanish mackerel favor clear water and early light
• A strong north wind pushes water out and can cloud the sound
• Heavy rain brings runoff and slows the bite for a day or two

The pier shares its corner with a busy road and boat channel.

• Watch traffic when walking from the lot, and keep gear clear of the road
• Boat wakes can rock lines and tangle tackle
• The deck is old and may be rough underfoot; wear closed shoes
• Summer heat and afternoon lightning are real; leave at the first thunder
• The longer Pensacola Beach pier is slated for rehabilitation work, so check its status; this end is a separate stub

Facilities are limited and not confirmed.

• A parking lot is mapped a short walk from the pier
• No restroom, bait shop or lighting was confirmed here
• Bring water, sunscreen and your own bait; supplies are available in town in Gulf Breeze and on Pensacola Beach

• Check the posted signs for any rules or closures before you set up
• Arrive at first light for mackerel and trout, when boat traffic is lightest
• Bring a bucket and a cast net to catch small baitfish on the spot
• Bring a long-handled net or a drop net to land larger fish from the deck
• Keep an eye on the lines during boat passes, or reel in
• Try the Pensacola Beach end of the old bridge if the wind is wrong and it is open

The managing body for this end is not named on any page we found, and no source lists fishing here, so read the posted signs and follow them.

• Hours were reported as open around the clock, but check for signs
• A Florida saltwater fishing license is required unless you are exempt
• Shore-based shark fishing needs a free FWC permit
• Check current FWC rules for size, bag and season limits before keeping anything