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Fish On! How to Hook and Cook Your Catch in Pensacola’s Great Restaurants

You know that the fish you ordered is fresh from the boat when you hauled it from the shimmering deep Gulf yourself. This is the literal definition of Gulf-to-Table dining.

Snapper, grouper, flounder — oh my! You’ve done all the hard work. So why not double-down and have a local chef prepare it too?

Yes, from Pensacola Beach to Perdido Key, you can hook your catch and have the pros cook it to perfection. No scaling, no cleaning, no mess — unless you’re not careful and the rich remoulade sauce drips from your freshly baked grouper dribbles all over your ridiculously vented Huk shirt.

So, let’s go fishin’ and take a gander at some of the cool charter crews and tasty joints that will let you BYO fish!

Hot Spots Fishing Charters

Hot Spots Charters offers inshore and offshore fishing charters trips from Pensacola Beach Marina, year-round. Hot Spots can clean and prepare your fish where all you have to do is take it to one of our local restaurants and they will cook it for you. A lot of their customers go straight from the boat to the restaurant with their fish for an awesome lunch. Serving at Shaggy’s Bar & Grill, Flounder’s Chowder House, Crabs on the Beach, Frisky Dolphin, and Paradise Bar & Grill.

The Entertainer

Since 1988, Entertainer Fishing Charters has been providing visitors to Pensacola with access to the best fishing charters in the region. The Entertainer crews offer walk-ons and private fishing charters year-round. Reservations are required in advance for both trips offered.

Shaggy's Pensacola Beach

Located at the Pensacola Beach Marina, this waterfront bar and grill with a laid-back vibe offers a seafood-centric menu and frozen daiquiris. Shaggy’s offers UCatch. Bring in your filleted fish and their chef will serve it up grilled blackened or fried. From snapper and sheepshead to flounder, they can tailor the best way to prepare it. Special sauces include remoulade, ranch, cocktail, Asian zing, ranch and honey mustard. Served with hushpuppies and fries.

Flounder's Chowder House

Raft ashore to the expansive sandy beach at Flounders on your board or boat — or do it the boring way and walk up. Beach volleyball courts, live music and plenty of family fun. Flounder’s promises you a uniquely interesting and warm atmosphere dining and Diesel Fueling (careful, it’s potent!) outside or dine in the comfy AC in church pews! Excellent food and drinks — and of course, your Hook & Cook catch prepared and served by the pros.

Crabs

Directly located on the Gulfside beach, Crabs on the Beach invites you to enjoy inside dining with breathtaking views or sit outside on our open-air Gulf side deck, complete with fresh salt air breezes. Great variety of seafood — blue crabs — and even sushi. And of course, bring in your Hook & Cook! Fun fact: check out the hermit crab races for your little ones!

Paradise Bar & Grill

The award-winning, open-air bar and grill located behind Paradise Inn on the Santa Rosa Sound. You can paddle or cruise up to the Soundside docks to this casual little beach shack restaurant. Best bushwacker on the island, casual chow and live music steps away from the sand and surf. Try some of the best food on the island at our waterfront beach while enjoying live entertainment by some of the most talented bands playing on the Gulf Coast.

Casino Beach Bar & Grille

Steps from the Pensacola Beach Gulf Pier, Casino Beach Bar & Grille features Caribbean-style dining, live entertainment, and spectacular views of the Gulf. Laid-back spot alongside a beach & pier with beach recliners, sandwiches, drinks & live bands. Service options: Outdoor beachfront seating or casual bar-side. Serves great cocktails and plenty of live music.

Flora-Bama Ole River Grill

Located directly across the street from the Flora-Bama, Ole River Grill is a great place before or after your visit to the Bama. Waterfront dining, featuring fresh Gulf seafood and raw and baked oysters. Ask about the Hook & Cook specials! Fried, grilled or blackened and served with slaw, fries and hush puppies!

Flora-Bama

The world-famous honky-tonk features a lot more than flying mullet, cold beer and awesome oysters. With the Hook & Cook specials, customers can bring in their fresh catch of the day and have the Flora-Bama prepare it for them. This service is a popular option for visitors who want to enjoy the local seafood they caught themselves. The grill offers a variety of preparation options, including grilling, frying, or baking.

Salty Pearl Raw Bar

$15 Hook and Cook. You bring it to the Salty Pearl Raw Bar, they work their magic. Fried, grilled, or blackened. Served with all the fixings, this unique offering is perfect for those who want to savor their own Gulf catch, transformed by talented chefs into a delicious, restaurant-quality meal. Oysters are a must-try, served either raw on the half shell or chargrilled to perfection with bold flavors. These fresh, Gulf-sourced oysters are offered at market price—yet still more affordable than you will see anywhere else, so you can enjoy a premium experience without the premium cost!

Sean Smith

Author

Sean Smith

Sean Smith is a native of Liverpool, England, but has been Gulf Coastified since he moved to Pensacola in 1992 after serving as a weather specialist in the Air Force. A journalist and writer for more than 20 years, he loves to share his affection for the natural beauty of Pensacola and the Northwest Florida Gulf Coast.

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