The best places to get bait in Pensacola are Gulf Breeze Bait and Tackle and Outcast Bait and Tackle. However, if you don’t necessarily need live bait, you can also purchase fresh bait options from local grocery stores and fish markets.
Joe Patti’s is a great option for fresh dead bait. There you can purchase fresh dead shrimp, blue crab, and mullet, among other options. Another good option is to purchase fresh shrimp from local grocery stores. If it’s fresh enough for you to eat, it also makes for great bait.
Another way to get some good bait is to simply catch it yourself. You can obtain your own for free by using a sandflea rake, a sabiki rig, or a cast net.
Gulf Breeze Bait And Tackle
If you’re fishing close to Pensacola Beach or Gulf Breeze, your best bet for natural bait is Gulf Breeze Bait and Tackle (GBBT), as there isn’t another true bait shop in that area.
GBBT is where I usually purchase bait when I’m fishing the beach area. This is much preferred over purchasing frozen bait or overpriced tackle from the tourist traps further South across the toll bridge.
While this place is small, they usually have everything you could possibly need. If live shrimp is available in the area, they will usually have some. Of course you can also get all manner of the other usual frozen natural baits here, such as squid and cigar minnows.
If you’ll be shark fishing, they’re usually well stocked with frozen Bonita, and if you need lures or fake bait, they have that too. They also stock both of the very popular fake baits, Fish Gum and Fish Bites.
Location
GBBT is located in Gulf Breeze, right beside the Waffle House, and a short distance before you cross over the Bob Sikes toll bridge into Pensacola Beach. It’s kind of hard to see from the road, as there are some trees blocking the view of the parking lot. You’ll need to be paying close attention so you don’t pass right by it. It is located at 825 Gulf Breeze Pkwy, Gulf Breeze, FL 32561.
Outcast Bait And Tackle
Outcast Bait and Tackle or “Outcast Tackle And Marina”, has an amazing selection of gear at reasonable prices, and the staff is very friendly and helpful. They have live shrimp and bull minnows, among other bait options. You can pick up your Fish Gum and Fish Bites here as well.
Outcast is probably the better bait shop over GBBT. So, if you think to stop here on your way to the beach, then do it. Otherwise, Gulf Breeze Bait and Tackle is just fine. If you’re staying at the beach it’s not worth the drive all the way back out to Outcast, IN MY OPINION. Just go to GBBT, as they are a quality bait shop as well.
Location
As you can see in the sign above, Outcast sits beside a Subway restaurant on Barrancas Avenue. It is located at 3520 Barrancas Avenue, Pensacola, FL 32507.
Joe Patti’s Seafood Market
Joe Patti’s is a well know seafood market in Pensacola. In fact, it is “THE” seafood market in the area, bordering on famous. It is definitely a worthwhile place to visit when in town. There you can buy fresh dead shrimp, blue crab, mullet, squid and such for use as bait. Try to avoid going during the busiest times, as it can get crowded.
Location
524 S B St, Pensacola, FL 32502
Fresh Dead Shrimp From A Grocery Store
Grocery stores in the area should have fresh shrimp that makes for good bait. What you can get here is certainly a step way above what you’ll find in the frozen bait section at convenience stores in the area.
Avoid Convenience Store Bait And Tackle!
Some of the convenience stores or gas stations in the area will have some sort of frozen bait option. This is generally not as high of quality as what you will find at the other locales previously mentioned. I only use this as an absolute last resort. The less fresh your bait is the more likely it will catch catfish and other undesirables, rather than your target species. Therefore, try to avoid purchasing bait in the Pensacola Beach tourist area.
The price of terminal tackle in the vacation area is also very high. The last time I was in Outcast, I picked up some pyramid sinkers for a small fraction of the cost that you’ll find them down on Pensacola Beach. Just plan ahead and don’t buy your gear at the last minute down the road from your condo. That’s a rookie mistake.
Sometimes You’ll Need To Catch Your Own
For many species, fresh dead bait will work, but live bait is usually preferred and far more effective. Problem is, sometimes you’ll roll up into these bait shops around Pensacola and they’ll say “Sorry, we don’t have ANY live bait.” You also might come through when the bait shop is closed.
When you can’t get live bait from a bait store, you’ll be better off if you have a castnet and know how to use it to gather your own. A sabiki rig can also work. Neither tactic is very difficult to use if you just put in a small amount of time learning how to use them properly.
Especially with a castnet, you can catch lots of great free bait such as LY’s, whitebait, and mullet.
Conclusion
In my opinion, there are not as many quality bait sources in the area as one might expect there to be in such a good fishing locale. Nevertheless, with the list above, you should be able to scrape together what you’re looking for.
Ideally you’ll plan far enough ahead to hit up Outcast Bait and Tackle on your way down. Between them and Gulf Breeze Bait and Tackle, you should be able to stock up on anything you need to be well armed for any species you decide to pursue.
Good luck on your next fishing trip!
Augustus Clay
