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Port guide / Florida Panhandle / Florida
Cape San Blas fishing guide
Cape San Blas is the hooked peninsula that wraps around St. Joseph Bay, so open Gulf surf and calm bay grass are a few minutes apart. Port St. Joe, the nearest guide, sits on the mainland side of the bay with the city launch and the big tackle store; out on the Cape the only public boat launch is inside T.H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park, and most people fish from the beach or wade the bay flats. The Gulf side gives up pompano, whiting, sharks and reds, the bay side holds trout, reds and flounder, and Indian Pass at the east end opens toward St. Vincent Island and Apalachicola Bay.
10 ft, conditions now
Conditions now
Live from NOAA and the National Weather Service. Times show in your own time zone.
Today’s bite
A forecast built from live data and the calendar below. Not a catch report.
Working out today from the tides, water and calendar.
Tides
- Loading the next highs and lows from NOAA.
On the water now
- Water
- Checking
- Wind
- Checking
Marine forecast
Loading the National Weather Service forecast.
7 day forecast
National Weather Service, for Cape San Blas. Updates through the day.
- Loading the 7 day forecast.
NOAA tides, Cape San Blas, Western Cape, FL (opens in a new tab) NOAA station Apalachicola, FL (opens in a new tab) NWS 7 day forecast (opens in a new tab) NWS marine forecast, Coastal waters from Mexico Beach to Apalachicola FL out 20 NM (opens in a new tab)
12 ft, the chart
Chart and depths
The official NOAA chart, centered on Cape San Blas. Depths, channels, reefs and markers, live from NOAA.
The NOAA chart loads when you scroll here.
15 ft, fishing reports
Fishing reports
What people are catching, on what, and where. Every report links to whoever wrote it. We do not write these ourselves.
Latest reports
From local captains, shops and outdoor writers. Newest first, last 14 days.
- Checking the latest reports.
Report sources: Bluewater Outriggers Fishing Reports (opens in a new tab) The Apalachicola Times Forgotten Coast Fishing Report (opens in a new tab)
Straight from the dock
Reports sent to us by shops and captains on this guide. We check each one before it posts.
Checking for reports.
20 ft, what is biting
What is biting, month by month
When each fish is at its best around Cape San Blas. This month is marked.
| Species | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Redfish | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good |
| Speckled trout | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Good | Good |
| Flounder | Slow | Slow | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Good | Slow |
| Florida pompano | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Good | Good |
| Whiting | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Blacktip shark | Slow | Slow | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Slow | Slow |
| Spanish mackerel | Slow | Slow | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Slow | Slow |
| Cobia | Slow | Slow | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Slow |
| Tripletail | Slow | Slow | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Slow |
| Sheepshead | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Good | Good |
Redfish
Peak: April, May, June, July, August, September, October
Caught both in the Gulf-side surf and on the bay flats, where waders throw a popping cork or a baited jig head.
Speckled trout
Peak: April, May, June, October
A bay fish here; in October 2026 soft plastics on the Eagle Harbor flats in about three feet of water were producing, and harvest is closed in February.
Flounder
Peak: May, June, October
Found on the St. Joseph Bay side along with trout and reds; harvest is closed Oct. 15 through Nov. 30.
Florida pompano
Peak: April, May, June, October
A top surf target on the Gulf side of the state park.
Whiting
Peak: May, June, July, August
A steady surf fish on the Gulf beaches of the peninsula.
Blacktip shark
Peak: May, June, July, August
Sharks are a regular surf catch on the Gulf side in the warm months.
Spanish mackerel
Peak: May, June, July, August
A warm-water fish, best May through August.
Cobia
Peak: April, May, June
Best in spring, April through June.
Tripletail
Peak: May, June, July, August
A summer target, best May through August.
Sheepshead
Peak: March, April, May, October
Back on the mainland side, live shrimp on a small circle hook along the Intracoastal Waterway out of Port St. Joe produced sheepshead in October 2026.
30 ft, seasons and rules
Seasons and rules
Open and close dates we could confirm from official sources, plus where to check limits before you keep a fish.
Red snapper, private recreational, Gulf state and federal waters
Summer season May 22 to July 31 daily. Fall season Sept. 1 to Oct. 4 daily, Oct. 9 to 22 daily, then Oct. 23 to 25, Oct. 30 to Nov. 1, Nov. 7 to 8, 14 to 15 and 21 to 22, Nov. 26 to 29, Dec. 5 to 6, 12 to 13 and 19 to 20, Dec. 25 to 27, and Jan. 1 to 4, 2027. Also applies to charter boats without a federal permit fishing Florida Gulf state waters.
FWC, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Red snapper, federal for-hire (charter boats with a federal reef fish permit)
Opened 12:01 a.m. June 1, 2026 and closed 12:01 a.m. Oct. 26, 2026.
NOAA Fisheries, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Gag grouper, Gulf state and federal waters
Open Sept. 1 to 30, 2026; harvest closed Oct. 1 for the rest of the year.
FWC, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Red, black and scamp grouper, Gulf
Open year-round in state waters; in federal waters closed Feb. 1 to March 31 seaward of 20 fathoms.
FWC, current Official page (opens in a new tab)
Greater amberjack, Gulf state waters
Open Sept. 1 through Oct. 13 and closed at 12:01 a.m. Oct. 14, matching adjacent federal waters.
FWC, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Gray triggerfish, Gulf state and federal waters
Open March 1 to May 31 and Aug. 1 to Dec. 31.
FWC, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Flounder, state and federal waters off Florida
Closed every year Oct. 15 through Nov. 30.
FWC, annual, applies to 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Spotted seatrout, Panhandle Region
Closed in February; open March 1 through Jan. 31.
FWC, annual, applies to 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Bay scallops, St. Joseph Bay and Gulf County zone
Closed to harvest for the 2026 season after a summer survey found very low scallop numbers. The zone runs from the Mexico Beach Canal to the west tip of St. Vincent Island, which takes in all of St. Joseph Bay and Cape San Blas. The area stays open for fishing, boating and swimming.
FWC, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
40 ft, where to fish
Where to fish
- Flats
St. Joseph Bay grass flats
About 73,000 acres of bay where trout, reds and flounder can be caught from a boat or by wading with a popping cork, surface lure or baited jig head; shuffle your feet for stingrays.
- Beach
St. Joseph Peninsula Gulf surf
The Gulf side of the state park is the surf spot for pompano, sharks, whiting and redfish.
- Flats
Eagle Harbor flats
Bay flats in about three feet of water that gave up steady trout on soft plastics in October 2026.
- Beach
Salinas Park bay and beach access
County park on Cape San Blas Road with both Gulf beach access and bay access, at the start of the Loggerhead Trail.
- Pass
Indian Pass
The Indian Pass ramp opens up St. Vincent Island, Indian Pass Lagoon and Apalachicola Bay, with beach parking right at the ramp.
50 ft, launch and piers
Ramps and piers
Public launches and fishing piers. Fees and hours change, so check the link before you tow.
| Name | Type | Fee | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| T.H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park boat launch (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Check | St. Joseph Peninsula State Park, Cape San Blas, FL |
| Indian Pass Boat Ramp (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Check | 2850 Indian Pass Road, Port St. Joe, FL 32456 |
| Frank Pate Park boat launch (Port St. Joe) (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Paid | US Hwy 98 at US Hwy 71, Port St. Joe, FL 32456 |
| Frank Pate Park fishing pier (Port St. Joe) (opens in a new tab) | Pier | Check | US Hwy 98 at US Hwy 71, Port St. Joe, FL 32456 |
60 ft, bait, tackle and charters
Bait, tackle and charters
Where to get live and fresh bait, tackle and a guide. We are not paid to list anyone here.
Bait and tackle (2)
- Bait and tackleLive bait
Scallop Cove Bait & Tackle
Bait: live bait, frozen bait, artificial baits
4310 Cape San Blas Rd, Port St. Joe, FL 32456
Bait and tackle shop plus general store on Cape San Blas Road that also sells fishing licenses, fuel and ice and rents kayaks and paddleboards.
- Bait and tackleLive bait
Bluewater Outriggers
Bait: live shrimp
121 W Highway 98, Port St. Joe, FL 32456
On the mainland in Port St. Joe, about 20 minutes from the Cape; open from 6 am ET daily (until 4 pm on Sunday) and posts a weekly fishing report.
Live bait comes and goes with the weather and the season. Call before you drive.
Charters and guides
| Charter | Fishing |
|---|---|
| Shallow Seas Charters (Capt. Lee) (opens in a new tab) | Inshore |
| Congo Charters (opens in a new tab) | Inshore and offshore |
| Southern Salinity Guide Service (opens in a new tab) | Inshore |
70 ft, on the calendar
Tournaments and events
Annual events on this water. Dates move, so confirm with the organiser.
MBARA Kingfish Tournament (Mexico Beach) (opens in a new tab)
usually late July
2026: July 24 captains' party, July 25 fishing and weigh-in at the Mexico Beach public boat ramp (30th annual)Florida Seafood Festival (Apalachicola) (opens in a new tab)
early November
2026: November 6 to 7 (63rd annual, Battery Park)
80 ft, asked and answered
Fishing Cape San Blas, asked and answered
Where can I launch a boat on Cape San Blas?
The only public boat launch on the peninsula is inside T.H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park, and it opens right onto St. Joseph Bay. Off the Cape, there is the Indian Pass ramp to the east and the Frank Pate Park launch in Port St. Joe.
What can I catch surf fishing on Cape San Blas?
Pompano, sharks, whiting and redfish are the main surf fish on the Gulf side of the state park, with pompano best in April, May, June and October.
Is scallop season open on Cape San Blas in 2026?
No. FWC closed the St. Joseph Bay and Gulf County zone for 2026 after a summer survey found very low scallop numbers. Fishing, boating and swimming are still open.
Where can I buy bait on Cape San Blas?
Scallop Cove on Cape San Blas Road sells live, frozen and artificial baits and fishing licenses. Bluewater Outriggers in Port St. Joe carries live shrimp.
Can I keep a speckled trout in February?
No. Cape San Blas is in FWC's Panhandle Region, where seatrout harvest is closed in February and open March 1 through Jan. 31.
90 ft, the kit
What we would take to Cape San Blas
Sources for this guide (22), last checked 2026-10-27
- bluewateroutriggers.com/pages/frontpage (opens in a new tab)
- captainexperiences.com/locations/florida/apalachicola/seasonality (opens in a new tab)
- captainexperiences.com/locations/florida/port-st-joe/seasonality (opens in a new tab)
- cityofportstjoe.com/frank-pate-park.cfm (opens in a new tab)
- franklincounty.news/2026/10/20/cool-weather-can-help-wear-out-the-fish/ (opens in a new tab)
- mbara.org/kingfish-tournament/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/bay-scallops/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/flounder/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/groupers/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/snappers/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/spotted-seatrout/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/news/all-news/gray-triggerfish-0226/ (opens in a new tab)
- myfwc.com/news/all-news/greater-amberjack-0826/ (opens in a new tab)
- apalachicolabay.org/business_category/fishing-charters/ (opens in a new tab)
- fisheries.noaa.gov/bulletin/noaa-fisheries-announces-2026-gulf-america-red-snapper-recreat (opens in a new tab)
- floridaseafoodfestival.com/ (opens in a new tab)
- floridastateparks.org/learn/fishing-st-joseph (opens in a new tab)
- visitgulf.com/destinations/cape-san-blas/ (opens in a new tab)
- visitgulf.com/listing/congo-charters/229/ (opens in a new tab)
- visitgulf.com/listing/indian-pass-boat-ramp/136/ (opens in a new tab)
- visitgulf.com/listing/scallop-cove/283/ (opens in a new tab)
- visitgulf.com/listing/shallow-seas-charters/318/ (opens in a new tab)
100 ft, the seabed
Gear up for Cape San Blas
UPF 50+ fishing shirts, hats and gloves for the Gulf Coast. Free shipping over $100. Ships from Texas, usually within 1 to 2 business days.