Port St Joe Fishing Charters & Guides

Port St. Joe Fishing Charters

We’re going to let you in on a little secret called Port St. Joe. This quaint town in Florida’s Panhandle is one of the best places to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Located on the Gulf Coast at the crossroads of State Road 71 and Highway 98, Port St. Joe is part of the Forgotten Coast. This section of the panhandle is, for the most part, untouched by civilization; there are local shops and mom-and-pop restaurants, but not much else. Port St. Joe in particular is known for its friendly residents and claims the title “small town with a big heart.” Want to know what Old Florida was like? Visit Port St. Joe and take a step back in time. Anglers who visit Port St. Joe are drawn to the fantastic fishing in the area. St. Joseph Bay is at the doorstep of Port St. Joe. And St. Vincent Island, Apalachicola Bay, and the Gulf of Mexico are all within a boat drive away. There’s tons of fishing to be done, whether you’re surf fishing, kayak fishing, or fishing from a vessel. Some even drop the rod and pick up a net, opting for scalloping in the late summer. It’s a fisherman’s haven when you can spend days on the water and never have the same experience twice. That’s very common when fishing Port St. Joe.

Port St. Joe Inshore Fishing

Anglers in Port St. Joe fish St. Joseph Bay for inshore species. You can simply wade into the bay with your tackle, or use a kayak. Kayak fishing St. Joseph Bay is very popular; all you need are good balance and minimal equipment. Whether you are wade fishing or kayak fishing, wear a good pair of water shoes. This helps to protect your feet from bottom dwellers and unfamiliar terrain. Surf fishermen and women will use pompano rigs, a multi-hook rig that allows for multiple chances. Kayak fishing and surf fishing St. Joseph Bay will get you pompano, whiting, redfish, mackerel, and shark. It may not seem likely, but it’s true. Shark fishing in Port St. Joe is very popular. There are a few “honey holes” in the area, one being Indian Pass, located just around the bend from Port St. Joe. Indian Pass is right next to St. Vincent Island, and for some reason sharks love this area. It probably has something to do with the unique topography: deep holes that offer a buffet of food. Fish with medium to heavy tackle and use big cut bait to catch blacktip shark. Families visiting Port St. Joe in late summer or early fall months also enjoy scalloping. This unique adventure is much like a treasure hunt, searching the grassy areas for the mussels. If you can, use a boat to get to the water that is 4-8 feet deep. Make sure you have a mask, snorkel, fins, mesh net, and bucket to keep the scallops. This activity is great for kids.

Port St. Joe Offshore Fishing

In the summer, Port St. Joe captains run offshore trips that can last six, eight, or ten hours long. The longer the trip, the more options you have for filling the boat. It’s open season for red snapper in the summer, and many anglers take advantage of this opportunity. Red snapper are bottom dwellers, found typically near structures such as reefs or wrecks. The good news is that there are fantastic artificial reefs just five miles from the coast. You’re certain to hook on a snapper or grouper in no time at all. They are known to strike aggressively and break a line or two. It’s better to use fluorocarbon leader and live bait. Hardtail, cigar minnow, herring and threadfin herring are all excellent bait choices. Current regulations have anglers keeping two snapper per person during open season. If you happen to get one on the line out of season, take a quick picture then carefully release it for another day’s fight. If you’re wanting to do some trolling in the Gulf of Mexico, your Port St. Joe captain can get you hooked on mahi mahi, tuna, or marlin. Mahi Mahi, also known as dolphin and dorado, are surface dwelling fish typically found near floating grass beds that hold tons of nutrients. They are known as schooling fish, so once an angler has one on the hook, it is typically best to keep it in the water to keep the school around. This gives other anglers on the boat a chance at a catch. In no time at all you’ll have a boat full of mahi and dinner plans.

Book A Port St. Joe Fishing Charter

Port St. Joe truly is a fun place to visit for families and fishing buddies. The local guides are geared up and ready to host a successful day of fishing. Find a Port St. Joe charter today and get the adventure started!