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Port guide / Florida Panhandle / Florida
Steinhatchee fishing guide
Steinhatchee is an Old Florida fishing village on the Steinhatchee River in Taylor County, where the river opens into Deadman Bay and the Gulf. The fishing is mostly shallow: undeveloped grass flats, creeks and rocky shoreline north toward Hagens Cove and south past Pepperfish Keys for trout and redfish, with spotted seatrout crowding into the river in October and November and natural and artificial reefs offshore. The difference from Carrabelle, the nearest existing guide: Steinhatchee is in FWC's Big Bend Region with no seatrout closed season, and its scallop zone (Fenholloway to Suwannee) opens June 15, two weeks before the Carrabelle and Wakulla zone, which makes summer here a scalloping town.
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 Steinhatchee. Updates through the day.
- Loading the 7 day forecast.
NOAA tides, Steinhatchee River entrance, Deadman Bay, FL (opens in a new tab) NOAA station Cedar Key, FL (opens in a new tab) NWS 7 day forecast (opens in a new tab) NWS marine forecast, Coastal waters from Suwannee River to Keaton Beach FL out 20 NM (opens in a new tab)
12 ft, the chart
Chart and depths
The official NOAA chart, centered on Steinhatchee. 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.
- We have not found a report source that posts online for this water yet.
Report sources: Captain Experiences Steinhatchee guide reports (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 Steinhatchee. This month is marked.
| Species | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speckled trout | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good |
| Redfish | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good |
| Flounder | Slow | Slow | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Good | Slow |
| Sheepshead | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Spanish mackerel | Slow | Slow | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Slow | Slow |
| Cobia | Slow | Slow | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Good | Slow | Slow |
| Tripletail | Slow | Slow | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Slow |
| Gag grouper | Slow | Slow | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Good | Slow |
| Black sea bass | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good |
Speckled trout
Peak: May, June, July, August, September, October, November
The flats fish all year, and in October and November spotted seatrout move into the Steinhatchee River in huge numbers.
Redfish
Peak: May, June, July, August, September
Fish the points, creek mouths and shoreline north and south of the river for reds, especially in fall; harvest is open all year in the Big Bend Region.
Flounder
Peak: May, June, July
One of the most popular local catches with trout and redfish; harvest closes Oct. 15 through Nov. 30.
Sheepshead
Peak: May, June, July
A year-round fish here that Taylor County lists among its trophy-size catches.
Spanish mackerel
Peak: May, June, July
A warm-month fish on the Big Bend flats, best May through July.
Cobia
Peak: April, May, June
A spring fish off Steinhatchee, best April through June.
Tripletail
Peak: May, June, July, August
A summer target, best May through August.
Gag grouper
Peak: May, June, July
Found on Taylor County's natural and artificial reefs, but in 2026 harvest was open only Sept. 1 to 30.
Black sea bass
Rated good every month on the Steinhatchee calendar, a steady bottom fish when other species are out of season.
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.
Bay scallops, Fenholloway through Suwannee Rivers zone (FWC names Keaton Beach and the Steinhatchee area)
Open June 15 through Labor Day (Sept. 7 in 2026), with a lower daily bag and vessel limit from June 15 to 30.
FWC, 2026 season as listed by FWC Official page (opens in a new tab)
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, Big Bend Region
Open year-round.
FWC, current Official page (opens in a new tab)
Red drum, Big Bend Region
Open year-round.
FWC, current Official page (opens in a new tab)
40 ft, where to fish
Where to fish
- Channel
Steinhatchee River
Spotted seatrout move into the river in huge numbers in October and November, and the river is forgiving for new anglers.
- Bay
Deadman Bay
The bay at the mouth of the Steinhatchee River, fished along its shoreline by paddlers and small boats leaving the river.
- Flats
Offshore grass flats (scallop grounds)
Scallops are found about 2 to 3 miles from shore almost anywhere eelgrass grows.
- Marsh
Dallus Creek and Clay Creek
North of town, Dallus Creek's deeper holes hold big trout on cold days, and the shoreline north to Clay Creek holds reds.
- Flats
Hagens Cove, Sponge Point and Piney Point
Fish the points for reds and drift the shallow grass between them for slot trout.
- Flats
Pepperfish Keys
South in Dixie County, the rocky islands behind Cow Creek draw mullet schools and the fish that chase them.
- Reef
Taylor County natural and artificial reefs
Taylor County has both natural and artificial reefs with quick access to the Gulf for grouper and other bottom fish.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steinhatchee Boat Ramp (Taylor County) (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Paid | 1st Street East, Steinhatchee, FL 32359 |
| Hagens Cove Park primitive ramp (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Check | Off CR 361 between Steinhatchee and Keaton Beach, Taylor County, FL |
| Dallus Creek Landing (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Check | Dallus Creek Landing Road off CR 361, about 5 miles north of Steinhatchee, Taylor County, 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 (4)
Showing all 4 shops
- MarinaLive bait
Sea Hag Marina
Bait: live shrimp
322 Riverside Drive, Steinhatchee, FL 32359
Full-service marina at Marker 47 on the Steinhatchee River with a ship's store, bait, lures, tackle, scalloping gear, a dive shop and fuel.
- Marina
Steinhatchee Marina at Deadman's Bay
104 1st Avenue Southeast, Steinhatchee, FL 32359
Listed by the Steinhatchee Chamber under marinas and bait shops.
- Marina
Steinhatchee River Inn and Marina
1111 S. Riverside Drive, Steinhatchee, FL 32359
Inn and marina on the river, listed by the Steinhatchee Chamber under marinas and bait shops.
- Marina
Good Times Motel & Marina
7022 SW 358 Hwy, Steinhatchee, FL 32359
Motel and marina on the Steinhatchee River whose store carries tackle, gifts and snacks, with boat rentals and an on-site restaurant.
Live bait comes and goes with the weather and the season. Call before you drive.
Charters and guides
| Charter | Fishing |
|---|---|
| Florida Saltwater Flats Fishing Charters (Capts. Mark and Bobbi Brady) (opens in a new tab) | Inshore |
| YKnotFish (Capt. Tony Mathis) (opens in a new tab) | Inshore |
| Crystal Sea Charters (Capt. Crystal Pesek) (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.
Fiddler Crab Festival and Fishing Tournament (opens in a new tab)
usually mid February
2027: February 12 to 14 (19th annual); the 2026 festival fishing tournament was February 14 at Sea Hag MarinaFishin' for Vision Fishing Tournament (opens in a new tab)
May
2026: May 16CCA Florida Inter-Chapter Challenge (opens in a new tab)
early June
2026: June 5 to 6 (at Sea Hag Marina)Santa Fe Lady Raiders Inshore Slam (opens in a new tab)
early October
2026: October 3 (14th annual, at Sea Hag Marina)Nauti Girls Fishing Tournament (opens in a new tab)
October
2026: October 10 (at Sea Hag Marina)
80 ft, asked and answered
Fishing Steinhatchee, asked and answered
When is scallop season in Steinhatchee in 2026?
Steinhatchee is in FWC's Fenholloway through Suwannee Rivers zone, open June 15 through Labor Day, which falls on Sept. 7 in 2026. A lower bag and vessel limit applies June 15 to 30. Scallops are found about 2 to 3 miles out wherever eelgrass grows.
Do I need a permit to use the Steinhatchee boat ramp?
Yes. Taylor County's Steinhatchee ramp takes a yearly decal or a daily pass paid at the ramp, with higher rates for non-residents. Decals are sold at Sea Hag Marina, Maddie's Market in Steinhatchee, Wilson's Bait and Tackle and the Taylor County Tax Collector's driver license and DMV offices, or online.
Where can I buy live bait in Steinhatchee?
Sea Hag Marina on Riverside Drive sells live shrimp along with lures, tackle and scalloping gear. Steinhatchee Marina at Deadman's Bay, Steinhatchee River Inn and Marina and Good Times Motel and Marina are the other marinas the chamber lists.
When do trout run in the Steinhatchee River?
Taylor County's tourism office says spotted seatrout move into the river in huge numbers in October and November. The Big Bend Region has no closed season for seatrout.
When is the Fiddler Crab Festival?
The 19th annual Fiddler Crab Festival is set for Feb. 12 to 14, 2027, and Sea Hag Marina runs a fishing tournament during the festival.
90 ft, the kit
What we would take to Steinhatchee
Sources for this guide (22), last checked 2026-10-27
- captainexperiences.com/locations/florida/steinhatchee/seasonality (opens in a new tab)
- crystalseacharters.com/ (opens in a new tab)
- goodtimesmotelandmarina.com/ (opens in a new tab)
- inshoreredfish.com/ (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/red-drum/ (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)
- seahag.com/ (opens in a new tab)
- seahag.com/tournaments/ (opens in a new tab)
- steinhatcheechamber.com/fiddler-crab-festival/ (opens in a new tab)
- steinhatcheechamber.com/members/ (opens in a new tab)
- fisheries.noaa.gov/bulletin/noaa-fisheries-announces-2026-gulf-america-red-snapper-recreat (opens in a new tab)
- naturalnorthflorida.com/blog/paddle-steinhatchee-on-floridas-big-bend-coast/ (opens in a new tab)
- naturalnorthflorida.com/steinhatchee/ (opens in a new tab)
- taylorcountytaxcollector.com/boat-ramp-permits (opens in a new tab)
- taylorflorida.com/fishing-in-taylor-county/ (opens in a new tab)
- yknotfish.com (opens in a new tab)
100 ft, the seabed
Gear up for Steinhatchee
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.