Apalachicola, St. George Island & Port St Joe: Summer Fishing Forecast
Hey everyone! As summer rolls in and school’s out, it’s the perfect time to dive into the beautiful waters of St. George Island, Apalachicola, and Port St. Joe. With the sun shining and the waves calling, it’s ideal for families to unplug from screens and head out for some exciting charter fishing. While a day out on the water is exhilarating, the moments you share while fishing make those memories shine!
With the heat of summer settling in, you’ll notice fish start to behave a little differently. My top friendly advice for this season? Try casting your lines during low tide or when it’s cooler, like early mornings or late evenings. Fish often take it easy in the heat, so they’re more likely to feed actively during these extraordinary times.
Bay Fishing Near Apalachicola
The waters around Apalachicola Bay are simply bursting with life! There’s plenty to catch, from trout and redfish to sheepshead, drum, whiting, pompano, mackerel, and tripletail all summer.
You’ll have a blast targeting trout and redfish right from the flats or bridges—wade fishing can be so much fun, too! For the best results, try using spoons or lures like Mirr-O-Lure, and don’t forget the shrimp under a popping cork! Hidden in the deeper waters, you’ll find whiting, pompano, and mackerel hanging tight.
Hang out by the bridge pilings if you’re after sheepshead and drum. Fiddler crabs make fantastic bait; scraping off the barnacles can draw some fish in. And for anyone looking for a tripletail, keep your eyes peeled for floating structures near St. George Island or Port St. Joe—drift by slowly and give them a try with small J-style hooks and fresh bait.
Surf Fishing on St. George Island
Surf fishing on St. George Island is such an incredible experience! You’ve got to catch pompano, mackerel, whiting, redfish, trout, and bluefish. Pompano loves sand fleas, while mackerel can’t resist silver spoons. And when it comes to whiting, all kinds of bait work wonders.
If you’re hoping to reel in some larger fish like redfish, trout, and blues right from the shore, check out the troughs between the sandbars—these sweet spots pop up every 200 to 300 feet along the beach and are like a buffet for the bigger fish. Don’t miss the cuts at the east and west ends (like Bob Sykes Cut), where you’ll likely find some hefty reds.
Offshore Fishing Fun
Get ready because June and July bring the excitement of red snapper season! Head offshore around St. George Island and Port St. Joe, and you’ll find yourself fishing in depths of 80 to 100 feet for red snapper and grouper. Squid, cigar minnows, or Spanish sardines work great for bottom fishing. If you want to hook some vermillion snapper and kingfish, try chumming the water and using a 2/0 circle hook with a cigar minnow, letting it swim freely behind the boat. Trolling for kings and grouper with a Stretch 30 line or Magnum Rapala is also a fantastic way to reel in a big catch!
River Fishing Near Apalachicola
Even when the water gets rough, don’t let that stop you! Fishing upriver is a solid option. Crickets or worms can be super effective for catching brim and shell crackers, especially around stump holes and downed trees.Are you thinking about a fishing trip to the Forgotten Coast? Now’s the perfect time to make it happen! The summer season offers many chances for fantastic fishing, and charter services are available to help you make the most of your adventure. Give a shout-out to a local guide who knows all the best spots for snapper and grouper.
