Best Times & Seasons to Fish in Port St. Joe (A Full Guide)
Port St. Joe is one of the most overlooked destinations in Florida but it is home to some of the best fishing on the Florida gulf coast. Knowing the best times to fish in this area can make a huge difference in your success.
The best time to fish in Port St. Joe is from March through September for a variety of species those great fishing can be found year-round. Winter is typically the slowest fishing season here.
Located just under 40 miles southeast of Panama City, Port St. Joe is a quiet coastal town in Florida. Cape San Blas, a barrier peninsula located on St. Joseph Bay, provides protection from the wind for Port St. Joe. Consequently, the waters of St. Joseph Bay are calm, shallow flats that serve as a great habitat for a large variety of fish.
Best Time to Fish Port St. Joe
| Season | Fishing is Best For (Species List) |
| Spring | Amberjack, Black Drum, Bonito, Cobia, Flounder, Red Grouper, Scamp Grouper, King Mackerel, Pompano, Redfish, Mako, Sheepshead, Vermillion Snapper, Spanish Mackerel, Speckled Trout, Gray Triggerfish, Wahoo |
| Summer | Great Barracuda, Black Drum, Bonito, Cobia, Dolphin (Mahi Mahi), Gag Grouper, Red Grouper, Scamp Grouper, King Mackerel, Blue Marlin, Redfish, Mako, Red Snapper, Vermillion Snapper, Spanish Mackerel, Speckled Trout, Tarpon, Tripletail, Blackfin Tuna, Yellowfin Tuna, Wahoo |
| Fall | Amberjack, Great Barracuda, Black Drum, Bonito, Cobia, Dolphin (Mahi Mahi), Flounder, Gag Grouper, Red Grouper, Scamp Grouper, Jack Crevalle, King Mackerel, Blue Marlin, Redfish, Sailfish, Mako, Sheepshead, Red Snapper, Vermillion Snapper, Spanish Mackerel, Spotted Speckled Trout, Tarpon, Tripletail, Blackfin Tuna, Yellowfin Tuna, Wahoo |
| Winter | Amberjack, Black Drum, Flounder, Gag Grouper, Red Grouper, Scamp Grouper, Pompano, Redfish, Sheepshead, Vermillion Snapper, Speckled Trout |
Usually, spring and fall are the best times to catch a wide variety of fish. In Port St. Joe, however, the summer is the go-to season.
During the summer months, there’s hardly a species you cannot catch. Popular catches include redfish, speckled trout, tarpon, as well as amberjack, and marlin.
With that said, if you know what fish to target, you can find luck throughout the entire year. Redfish and speckled trout tend to travel inshore during the winter months, providing fishing opportunities year-round.
Recommended Fishing Charters in Port St. Joe
These Port St. Joe-based charters have earned great reviews from anglers and will offer you a tremendous service. The captains are knowledgeable, friendly, and are sure to put you on fish. By clicking the links below, you will be taken to the charter’s respective profile on Fishing Booker where you can read reviews, learn more about the charter, view photos, and book online at the best rate.
| Recommended Fishing Charters | Location |
| Port St.Joe Charters | Port St. Joe, FL |
| Liquid Addiction Charters | Port St. Joe, FL |
| Keenefish Charters | Port St. Joe, FL |
| Buoy Time Charters | Port St. Joe, FL |
| Shallow Seas Charters | Port St. Joe, FL |
| Reef Donkey Charters | Port St. Joe, FL |
| Phil’s Charter Service | Port St. Joe, FL |
| Chum Em Up Charters | Port St. Joe, FL |
| Bar Hop’n Charters | Port St. Joe, FL |
| Man’s Fat Boy Charters | Port St. Joe, FL |
| Scout About Charters | Port St. Joe, FL |
| Off The Hook Charters | Port St. Joe, FL |
I recommend this Penn Pursuit Spinning Rod & Reel combo (available on Amazon) for inshore and nearshore fishing. It can handle everything from redfish to snapper and king mackerel. The Penn Battalion Series Spinning Rod and the Penn Battle Spinning Reel are fantastic if you want to create your combo.
Port St. Joe Species Breakdown: Best Time
| Species | Best Season | Time of Day | Location |
| Amberjack | May-July | Dawn to dusk | Inshore, offshore, structure, 60-240 feet |
| Barracuda | June-September | Rising and Falling Tides | Structure, in channels, flats |
| Black Drum | April-September | Most of the day, early afternoon, and through the night | Current & structure such as bridges, jetties, or grass flats |
| Black Snapper | Year-Round, June & July | Early morning, late afternoon | Piers, inlets, structure |
| Blackfin Tuna | June-September | Early morning, late afternoon | Offshore |
| Bluefish | May-October | Dawn or dusk | Inshore, offshore, river mouths |
| Bonito | March-November | Bright days, after dawn to noon | Inshore, offshore |
| Cobia | April-June, September & October | During the day, to provide best visibility to sightfish | Inshore, offshore, near structure, bridges, jetties, and mangroves |
| Crevalle Jack | May-September | Dawn to dusk | Inshore, offshore, structure, 60-240 feet |
| Flounder | October-December | September 1 through September 14 | Inshore near structure, bridges, jetties |
| Grouper | November-April | Early morning, late afternoon | Inshore, near structure |
| King Mackerel | May-October | Dusk or dawn; High tide | Inshore/offshore, following bait |
| Mahi Mahi | June-September | Dawn to dusk | Offshore |
| Marlin | July-September | Dawn or dusk | Offshore |
| Pompano | March-September | Early morning, late afternoon | Piers, inlets, structure |
| Red Drum | April-November | Rising and falling tides | Inshore near structure such as bridges, jetties, or grass flats |
| Red Snapper | Year-Round, June & July | Early morning, late afternoon | Piers, inlets, structure, depths of 30-60 feet |
| Sailfish | June-September | Dawn or dusk | Offshore |
| Sheepshead | April-November | Rising and falling tides | Piers, inlets, structure |
| Spanish Mackerel | March-October | Sunrise, sunset, occasionally throughout the day in schools | Offshore, up and down the east coast, following bait |
| Speckled Trout | Year-Round | Rising and falling tides | Inshore near structure such as bridges, jetties, or grass flats |
| Striped Bass | November-January | Afternoon, when the day is hottest | Inshore, rivers |
| Tarpon | July-September | Mornings | Inshore, reefs, rivers |
| Triggerfish | March-May | Dawn to dusk | Coral reefs, ledges, hard bottom |
| Wahoo | May-September | Outgoing tide | Inshore, offshore reefs, drop offs |
| White Snapper | Year-Round, June & July | Early morning, late afternoon | Piers, inlets, structure |
| Yellowfin Tuna | July-September | Dusk and dawn, early morning, late afternoon | Offshore |
Best Time of Day to Fish Port St. Joe
The best time of day to fish the waters of Port St. Joe is dependent on the tides. The incoming tide is the best time to find fish in the shallows of St. Joseph Bay.
The rising water brings baitfish as well as oxygen-rich water to the shallows, offering an optimal environment for larger fish to hunt.
Outgoing tides can also pull fish from the rivers and out toward the bay/open ocean, increasing your chances of hooking into a big one. Simply put, larger fish will always follow where the bait is.
Regardless of tides, early morning and late afternoon are always preferred times to fish, as the bite tends to slow down in the middle of the day.
Nighttime is also a good time to fish, as fish find shelter in the grassy waters of the bay, while predatory fish use this cover to disguise themselves while hunting.
Port St. Joe Fishing & Tidal Impacts
As stated earlier, fishing success in the ocean correlates to its tides. The tide time that will produce the most catches is a rising tide.
Water will essentially flow toward the shores, bringing fish with it. An additional perk of the rising tide is that the water clarity will be much higher than a falling tide.
A popular location for fish such as tarpon is the “elbow” of Cape San Blas. The rising tide will bring baitfish to this location, with tarpon following behind.
Many fish will become more active during this rising tide. Unfortunately, once the rising tide is over, the slack tide that follows is notorious for its lack of fish activity. This is a great time to enjoy the restaurants and beaches of Port St. Joe.
Storms & Port St. Joe Fishing
While the weather year-round in Florida usually longed for no matter where you’re from, it’s susceptible to many tropical storms such as hurricanes. Hurricane season for most of the southeastern United States runs from June to November.
As with any trip, it is important to keep an eye on the weather, as any deep-sea trips may be canceled due to rainy weather. Fishing after any rain, however, can be very productive.
The rain can cool the water down and the pressure will drop, leading to more bites from fish such as speckled trout, redfish, and many more.
Is Winter Fishing Bad or Good in Port St. Joe?
Winter fishing is a possibility in Port St. Joe as long as you know what to target and where to target them. Redfish and speckled trout can be found up estuaries and in the rivers that lead into the waters surrounding Port St. Joe. The various species of snapper can also be found in deeper channels in the ocean.
Flounder and black drum can also be caught early in the winter (November-December), with some lingering around into January and February.
If you are hoping to catch a large variety of fish, it is recommended that you fish during the warmer months.
Night Fishing in Port St. Joe
Night fishing is excellent in St. Joseph Bay. The low visibility is utilized by predatory fish and fishermen alike. Larger fish can hide in the cover and use it to prevent from being seen by baitfish. This allows them to hunt more easily than in the daytime.
The best time of year to night fish the bay is during the spring and fall when fish such as redfish and speckled trout wander into the shallow grassy areas to eat. At night, there will also be another round of rising and falling tides, making fishing much more successful.
Top Fishing Spots in Port St. Joe
| Location | Fishing License Required? | Overview | Best Season/Time |
| St. Joseph Bay | If fishing on your own – yes; If booking a charter – dependent on the type of trip | St. Joseph Bay offers a wonderful habitat for many fish. Highly prized trophy fish including speckled trout and redfish thrive in the grassy flats of the bay. Live bait and artificial lures will prove effective. The best way to increase your chances of catching fish is to book a boat or kayak trip, so the captain can show you the area and lead you to the flats and channels that fish may be living in. | April-October; rising and falling tide |
| Apalachicola Bay | If fishing on your own – yes; If booking a charter – dependent on the type of trip | Located 25 minutes from Port St. Joe, this small town offers many additional fishing spots, including piers and jetties. The Battery Park Fishing Pier is a great place to relax and get your line wet. Seafood Landing Park also has two relatively small piers in which you can catch fish passing through. Fishing off of these piers can catch you anything including sea mullet, pompano, speckled trout, and redfish | March-September; rising and falling tide |
| St. Vincent Sound | If fishing on your own – yes; If booking a charter – dependent on the type of trip | St. Vincent Sound can be accessed by the many miles of shoreline. The most popular species found here are black drum and flounder, found near structure and in the shallow flats of the bay. | Black Drum – Summer; morning and afternoonFlounder – October-December; all day |
| St. Joseph Peninsula State Park | Yes | Beaches of Cape San Blas provide plenty of area for surf fishing. Surf fishing the beautiful beaches of Cape San Blas will provide plenty of opportunity to catch many different fish including sea mullet, pompano, spanish mackerel, redfish and even the occasional shark. Surf fishing does require that you have the proper equipment, or it may be a difficult fishing outing. A surf rod is highly recommended, as well has heavy sinkers to hold your bait in the surf, and line strong enough to withstand the occasional shark bite. | March-September; rising and falling tide |
| Lake Wimico | If fishing on your own – yes; If booking a charter – dependent on the type of trip | This lake, located a half-hour inland from Port St. Joe, offers a well-rounded fishing experience. It is home to many freshwater species including largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, and the occasional saltwater species. Charter trips are also available for this lake. | March-May; morning and afternoon |
| “Elbow” of Cape San Blas | If fishing on your own – yes; If booking a charter – dependent on the type of trip | Another popular fishing spot just off the “elbow” of Cape San Blas. It can be accessed by foot or by boat. Tarpon can be found here feeding on baitfish during the summer months. | July-September; rising and falling tides |
Booking Charters in Port St. Joe
Chartering a boat is a great way to optimize your fishing experience by learning from the locals. Most fishing charters eliminate the difficult aspects of fishing.
You’ll be provided with tackle, bait, and instructions on how to fish the area, making it easy for anglers of all levels to enjoy. For a more intimate experience, kayak charters are becoming more popular, especially in the shallow flats of St. Joseph Bay.
Best Seasons to Go
Port St. Joe is part of Florida’s “Forgotten Coast”. While tourists still visit the small town, it is not an overcrowded vacation spot.
This will only amplify the small-town feeling of Port St. Joe, and shouldn’t affect the best time to book a fishing charter. The best season to book a charter depends on the target species and the type of trip you are planning.
Deep Sea
The summer months of June, July, and August are the best months to find large trophy fish. While the weather may be hot, the fishing is definitely hotter.
A wide variety of species including Mahi Mahi, marlin, king mackerel, amberjack, and barracuda can all be caught during these months.
Deep-sea trips are essential for some of these species, as most of them live in deeper waters just outside of St. Joseph Bay. Tarpon can also be found in the waters off Port St. Joe.
Most charter captains know the area better than anyone else and can place you in the right location to catch fish. As the weather cools down in the fall, fish such as redfish and speckled trout move inshore and up the local estuaries.
Inshore
The spring and fall are prime times for two major sport fish of the southern United States: redfish and speckled trout.
During these seasons, redfish and speckled trout can be found in the shallow, grassy waters of St. Joseph Bay. For a trip like this, a charter boat might be fitted with a specialized motor to handle the vegetation.
Another available option for this type of water is a kayak charter. Kayak fishing has become more popular in recent years, and arguably provides fishermen with the easiest access to these otherwise hard-to-fish waters.
Kayak trips will get you closer to the water than you’ve ever been before, quite literally. These vessels are able to get up and down the estuaries of Port St. Joe, making it easier to find fish.
Best Time of Day
Morning vs. Afternoon
With freshwater fishing, most fishermen will tell you to fish in the early morning and late afternoon to increase your chances of catching fish, as they become dormant in the heat of the day. However, ocean fishing can be much different.
The time in which you fish the ocean is most likely going to be dictated by the local tidal chart. Most charter captains will be well-versed in the tide changes and may even plan their trip accordingly.
However, it doesn’t hurt to have some knowledge of your own so you can properly plan your trip, especially if you are only going for a few hours.
Incoming tides are typically the best times to fish, as the water coming from the ocean is cooler and rich in oxygen. Additionally, this will bring baitfish closer to shore, with the larger predatory fish following.
Conversely, outgoing tides may bring fish that traveled up any river mouths back out to the oceans, and you may be able to catch them in the many estuaries of Port St. Joe.
Inshore trips may be planned around the tide changes by your charter captain. Unfortunately, this may mean you have to embrace the Florida sun if you want to catch fish.
However, with deep-sea charters, you might be able to avoid the heat. For most deep-sea trips, the charter captain will likely have a pre-planned departure time.
Most charters offer 4-hour, 6-hour, and even 8 to 12-hour options. The 4-hour option will likely have two trips per day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon.
Which trip you go on is completely up to you. Deep-sea fishing isn’t as influenced by the tides as inshore fishing.
The morning trips may be able to beat the heat, as most trips leave before the sun is up, while afternoon trips will catch the tail end of the day as the sun is going down. In conclusion, the time of day isn’t as important for deep-sea trips as compared to inshore trips.
Charter Length
The duration in which you book a fishing charter all depends on your own interests. Simply put, more time out on the water increases your chances of catching fish. Most charter captains offer trips anywhere from 4 hours to 12 hours.
In some areas of the U.S., overnight charters are also available. These hours are determined by your captain and will provide you with the most customizability for your fishing trip.
Shorter length trips (4-6 hours) are common for inshore fishing that targets species such as redfish, speckled trout, flounder, grouper, and king mackerel.
Full-day trips (6+ hours) will be able to travel further out into the ocean and target larger species including Mahi Mahi, marlin, tarpon, and tuna. The length of the trip you pick is dependent on your target species and desire to stay out on the ocean.
For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Panama City, please check out this helpful guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Pensacola, please check out this helpful guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Destin, please check out this helpful guide. For a complete breakdown of the average cost of Panama City fishing charters, please check out this helpful article.
