The Lively One II is a long running Pensacola Beach party boat, a 55 foot deep sea boat that has fished the local reefs for 38 years under Captain Eddie Lively, a Pensacola native. It runs walk on trips that sell seats by the person and private charters for groups, and the boat itself is a comfortable one, with an air conditioned cabin and two restrooms for the long days. For an affordable seat with a captain who knows the area reefs, it earns a place in the field.
The verdict and where it ranks
At 7.5 the Lively One II is a strong choice and the third of the Pensacola walk on boats, behind the Entertainer and the Chulamar. The captain and the comfortable boat are real strengths. Two things hold it lower: it does not post its rates, quoting them by phone instead, and its independent review record is thin, so there is little third party sentiment to confirm recent consistency. For posted prices and a deeper track record, the private Reel Eazy and Total Package and the six pack Bout Time Charters score higher. See the full Pensacola ranking.
The boat
The Lively One II is a 55 foot head boat that holds up to 25 fishing passengers, which makes for a less packed rail than the bigger 65 foot boats when it sells out. The air conditioned cabin and two restrooms are a genuine comfort on a 6 or 8 hour day, and the boat is set up for the area reef fishing it does. As with any walk on boat, a full trip means sharing the rail and fishing on the boat’s schedule, the trade you make for a per person fare.
The fishing and what you target
Captain Eddie Lively fishes the nearshore artificial reefs and the natural bottom offshore for red snapper, vermilion (mingo) snapper, triggerfish, amberjack, red grouper, and scamp, working close in or running deeper depending on the season and what is open. Red snapper is the summer headliner, open June 1 to October 26, 2026 in federal waters. With amberjack closed until September and triggerfish through July, an early summer trip leans on red snapper and the year round mingo.
Trips and prices
This is where the Lively One II loses ground: it does not post a fixed price. Walk on trips of 6 and 8 hours and private charters are offered, but the rates are quoted by phone and move with fuel, so you cannot compare them online the way you can with the boats that post a card. Call the Pensacola Beach charter office for the current fare. Our cost guide gives the typical range, and the walk on versus private guide covers the choice between a seat and a whole boat.
The crew
Captain Eddie Lively is a Pensacola native who has fished these waters for more than 35 years, and the local knowledge is the boat’s strongest card. The honest limit is the evidence: the independent review record is thin compared with the busier booking platform boats, so while the long history points to a steady operation, there is less recent third party sentiment to confirm it trip to trip. That keeps the track record score modest rather than low.
Booking and what to know
Book by phone through the Pensacola Beach charter office, and ask for the current walk on fare and schedule, since neither is posted online. Arrive early for a walk on to get a spot at the rail. Bring food, drink, sunscreen, and a cooler; no license is needed aboard, and the crew helps with the catch.
How we scored it
The Lively One II scores 7.5 on a comfortable boat and a veteran local captain, held down by rates that are not posted and a thin independent review record rather than by the fishing. Captain and crew is its strongest factor. See how we scored this boat and the Pensacola ranking for where it lands.