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Port guide / Florida Panhandle / Florida
Carrabelle fishing guide
Carrabelle is a working fishing town at the mouth of the Carrabelle River on St. George Sound, with Dog Island and the open Gulf just past the sound. Inshore anglers work the river, the sound and the bay flats for reds, trout and flounder, while offshore boats run to more than 50 artificial reefs between Alligator Point and Apalachicola and to live bottom for red snapper, grouper, amberjack and kings. It is also the jumping-off point where Intracoastal traffic heads across the open Gulf toward Tampa.
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 Carrabelle. Updates through the day.
- Loading the 7 day forecast.
NOAA tides, Carrabelle River, St. George Sound, 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 Ochlockonee River to Apalachicola FL out to 20 NM (opens in a new tab)
12 ft, the chart
Chart and depths
The official NOAA chart, centered on Carrabelle. 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: 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 Carrabelle. 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 |
| Red grouper | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Slow |
| Gag grouper | Slow | Slow | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Slow |
| Red snapper | Slow | Slow | Slow | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Slow |
| King mackerel | Slow | Slow | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Slow |
| Spanish mackerel | Slow | Slow | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Slow | Slow |
| Tripletail | Slow | Slow | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Slow |
| Cobia | Slow | Slow | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Slow |
Redfish
Peak: April, May, June, July, August, September, October
An inshore staple in the river, sound and bay that local charters target on their bay and nearshore trips.
Speckled trout
Peak: April, May, June, October
Fished on the bay and nearshore grass, but harvest is closed in February because Carrabelle is in the Panhandle region.
Flounder
Peak: May, June, October
A bay and nearshore target from spring into fall; harvest closes Oct. 15 through Nov. 30.
Red grouper
Peak: April, May, June
Local anglers were limiting out on red grouper off Carrabelle in September 2026.
Gag grouper
Peak: April, May, June, July, August
Caught on offshore live bottom and wrecks, but in 2026 harvest was only open Sept. 1 to 30.
Red snapper
Peak: May, June, July, August
Offshore boats fish live bottom and wrecks for them, and a 24-inch fish came from just 50 feet of water in September 2026.
King mackerel
Peak: May, June, July, August, September
A summer offshore and nearshore fish, and the reason for the June Kingfish Shootout in town.
Spanish mackerel
Peak: May, June, July, August
A warm-water bay and nearshore fish, best May through August.
Tripletail
Peak: May, June, July, August
A summer target, best May through August.
Cobia
Peak: April, May, June
Best in spring and also on the offshore charters' target list.
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 (Carrabelle is west of the 84 degrees 20.8 minutes line near Alligator Point)
Closed in February; open March 1 through Jan. 31.
FWC, annual, applies to 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Snook, Panhandle Region
Harvest closed Dec. 1 through the end of February and May 1 through Aug. 31; a snook permit is required to keep one.
FWC, current Official page (opens in a new tab)
Bay scallops, Franklin County through northwestern Taylor County zone (includes Carrabelle)
Open July 1 through Sept. 24.
FWC, 2026 season as listed by FWC Official page (opens in a new tab)
40 ft, where to fish
Where to fish
- Channel
Carrabelle River
The river runs right through town past the marinas, the Riverwalk fishing piers and the 12th Street pier.
- Bay
St. George Sound at Island View Park
A seven-acre county park just east of town with a fishing pier and kayak launch on St. George Sound.
- Reef
Franklin County artificial reefs
More than 50 reefs lie offshore between Alligator Point and Apalachicola, and the Organization for Artificial Reefs publishes the locations.
- Offshore
Offshore live bottom and wrecks
Carrabelle offshore charters fish live bottom and wrecks for red snapper, amberjack, kings and red and gag grouper.
- Bay
Carrabelle bay and nearshore waters
Bay and nearshore trips out of Carrabelle target trout, redfish, flounder, black sea bass, sheepshead, Spanish mackerel and sharks.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marine Street Boat Ramp (City of Carrabelle) (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Paid | Marine Street off Hwy 98, Carrabelle, FL 32322 |
| 4th Street Public Boat Ramp (City of Carrabelle) (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Paid | Hwy 98 at 4th St W, Carrabelle, FL 32322 |
| Timber Island Boat Ramp (Franklin County) (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Check | End of Timber Island Road, Carrabelle, FL 32322 |
| 12th Street Fishing Pier (opens in a new tab) | Pier | Check | South end of West 12th Street near the Hwy 98 bridge, Carrabelle, FL 32322 |
| Carrabelle Riverwalk and Marine Street fishing piers (opens in a new tab) | Pier | Check | Marine Street, Carrabelle, FL 32322 |
| Island View Park fishing pier (Franklin County) (opens in a new tab) | Pier | Check | Hwy 98 just east of Carrabelle, FL |
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 (6)
Showing all 6 shops
- Fuel dockLive bait
Pirate's Cove Carrabelle
Bait: live shrimp, frozen bait
275 Timber Island Rd, Carrabelle, FL 32322
230-foot fuel dock on the Carrabelle River at Timber Island; the marina store sells live shrimp when available plus frozen bait and ice.
- Bait and tackleLive bait
Fisherman's Choice
Bait: live shrimp, fresh shrimp, frozen shrimp, cigar minnows, Spanish mackerel, LYs, northern mackerel, goggle eyes, chum, squid, mullet, stingray, bonita, ladyfish
330 Hwy 98, Eastpoint, FL 32328
In Eastpoint, roughly 20 miles west of Carrabelle; opens 5:30 am Monday to Saturday, sells instant fishing licenses and can book charters.
- Marina
C-Quarters Marina
501 St. James Avenue, Carrabelle, FL 32322
Full ship store in the middle of town with fresh and saltwater bait and tackle, non-ethanol fuel, open seven days, with a public ramp just east.
- Marina
The Moorings of Carrabelle
1000 North West Avenue A, Carrabelle, FL 32322
Carrabelle's largest marina on the river, with fuel, ice, bait, tackle and a ship store.
- Store
Lanark Market
2340 Highway 98, Carrabelle, FL 32322
Quick stop on Highway 98 near Lanark Village with bait, tackle, ice and non-ethanol gas.
- Store
Hometown Deli (Hometown Carrabelle BP)
109 St. James Avenue, Carrabelle, FL 32322
Gas station and deli on Highway 98 in town that sells bait and tackle, open 5:30 am to 10 pm seven days.
Live bait comes and goes with the weather and the season. Call before you drive.
Charters and guides
| Charter | Fishing |
|---|---|
| Shell Yeah Charters (Capt. Pat McElreath) (opens in a new tab) | Inshore and offshore |
| American Offshore Adventures (Capt. Thomas Merrell) (opens in a new tab) | Offshore |
| Capt. Jeff Ruppart (opens in a new tab) | Fly |
70 ft, on the calendar
Tournaments and events
Annual events on this water. Dates move, so confirm with the organiser.
Kingfish Shootout (opens in a new tab)
usually June
2026: June 20 (23rd annual, at C-Quarters Marina)C-Quarters Marina Free Youth Fishing Tournament (opens in a new tab)
usually July
2026: July 18 (22nd annual; river and bay fishing only, ages 16 and under)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 Carrabelle, asked and answered
Do the Carrabelle boat ramps charge a fee?
Yes. The City of Carrabelle charges a launch fee at its Marine Street and 4th Street ramps, with annual passes available at City Hall. Franklin County's Timber Island ramp is another option at the end of Timber Island Road.
Where can I get live bait in Carrabelle?
Pirate's Cove on Timber Island Road sells live shrimp when it is available. C-Quarters Marina, The Moorings, Lanark Market and Hometown Deli also sell bait, and Fisherman's Choice in Eastpoint carries live shrimp and a long list of offshore baits.
When is scallop season near Carrabelle in 2026?
FWC lists July 1 through Sept. 24 for the Franklin County through northwestern Taylor County zone, which includes Carrabelle.
What do offshore trips out of Carrabelle target?
Offshore boats run to more than 50 artificial reefs between Alligator Point and Apalachicola and to live bottom for red snapper, grouper, amberjack and kings. Check the 2026 season dates, since gag closed Oct. 1 and amberjack closed Oct. 14.
Can I keep a speckled trout in February near Carrabelle?
Not in Carrabelle waters. The town sits in FWC's Panhandle Region, where seatrout harvest is closed in February. The Big Bend Region starts just east, at 84 degrees 20.8 minutes west near Alligator Point, and has its own rules.
90 ft, the kit
What we would take to Carrabelle
Sources for this guide (23), last checked 2026-10-27
- captainexperiences.com/locations/florida/carrabelle/seasonality (opens in a new tab)
- franklincounty.news/2026/09/22/hitting-the-limit-fishing-in-carrabelle/ (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/snook/ (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)
- shellyeahcharters.com/ (opens in a new tab)
- carrabelle.org/business/c-quarters-marina/ (opens in a new tab)
- carrabelle.org/business/fishermans-choice/ (opens in a new tab)
- carrabelle.org/things-to-do/fishing-marinas/ (opens in a new tab)
- carrabelle.org/wp-json/tribe/events/v1/events?search=fish&start_date=2026-01-01&end_date=2 (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)
- floridasforgottencoast.com/business/american-offshore-adventures-llc/ (opens in a new tab)
- floridasforgottencoast.com/business/captain-jeff-ruppart/ (opens in a new tab)
- floridasforgottencoast.com/business/home-town-bp-deli/ (opens in a new tab)
- floridasforgottencoast.com/business/lanark-market/ (opens in a new tab)
- floridasforgottencoast.com/business/pirates-cove-carrabelle/ (opens in a new tab)
- floridasforgottencoast.com/business/the-moorings-at-carrabelle-hotel-marina/ (opens in a new tab)
100 ft, the seabed
Gear up for Carrabelle
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.