July 31, 2019 — It’s been routine for fishermen setting sail on the Gulf of Mexico over the past 15 years to stop beside the unmistakable blue boat — always parked in the same spot about a mile east of Pensacola Pass — for a live bait transaction.
Until his last day on earth, you could buzz Tony Barfield on VHF radio channel 11 or pull right up to the beloved bait salesman’s trademark spot on the pass to pick up your cigar minnows or threadfins for the day.
Barfield died July 19 of natural causes at the age of 61. His sister, Becky Stewart, confirmed his passing and said her brother was plagued by heart issues and diabetes in the later part of his life.
None of that diminished Barfield’s work ethic. His service aboard that blue boat was considered invaluable by many in the Pensacola fishing community.