The smooth waters surrounding Port St Joe are teeming with a variety of fish species thanks to the 20 mile long St Joseph Peninsula. This barrier protects St joseph Bay from wind and rough seas and creates an ideal environment for targeting prized fish species in inshore and nearshore waters. With shallows bays, grass flats, and calm water the fishing in Port St Joe is almost too good to be true.
The inshore fishing in Port St Joe is second to none with miles of pristine habitat that provide excellent fishing and beautiful scenery. The St Joseph Peninsula shields St Joseph Bay from wind and waves leaving the water clear and flat making it a perfect place to go sight fishing. With grass flats, oyster beds, deep holes, shallow bays, and so many other environments there are endless spots to find fish. Fishing in Port St Joe is especially effective because the fish experience less fishing pressure compared to other nearby fishing destinations.
This shallow bay is home to popular gamefish like redfish, speckled trout, black drum, tarpon, tripletail, cobia, pompano, and flounder. The sea trout and drum thrive in the grassy flats and deeper holes of this shallow bay system primarily feeding on shrimp and baitfish. The peak bite for these classic inshore species comes in the spring and fall when water temperatures are moderate and food is abundant. Tarpon push through the area near Cape San Blas on the Gulf side of the peninsula from summer into the fall.
Tripletail are one of the most popular species in Port St Joe during the summer months when they migrate into shallow waters. These fish float on their side next to structure which allows anglers to target them by sight fishing. Pompano and cobia are popular along the beaches but can be found almost anywhere.
Port St Joe Nearshore Fishing
Located on a point that extends into the gulf, Port St Joe and nearby Cape San Blas are surrounded by productive nearshore waters. Just offshore from Port St Joe, reefs and wrecks hold big fish including kingfish, amberjack, snapper, grouper, and cobia.
The peak bite for amberjack is in the spring and fall while kingfish and cobia dominate the nearshore waters from spring through summer. Various snapper and grouper species inhabit the submerged structures just offshore and can be caught year round but the peak season is usually in the summer.
Things to Do in Port St Joe
Port St Joe is a small town that trades hotel highrises for quiet beachside cottages. While it does attract a lot of tourists each year it has adopted the nickname “small town with big heart” because of its peaceful setting. Even though it’s a small town it does have plenty of things to do. With sugary white sand beaches and beautiful blue water, it’s the perfect place to get some much-needed relaxation.
If you prefer a more active vacation then check out the St Joseph Peninsula State Park and enjoy snorkeling, hiking, biking, bird watching, and so much more. For food and drink options Port St Joe has plenty to choose from offering a variety of meals from seafood to Tex-Mex. If you’re looking for a laidback beach town that has incredible fishing, beautiful beaches, and plenty of accommodations, Port St Joe is the perfect place for your next trip.
Port St Joe Weather and Tides
To be prepared for your trip check out Port St Joe weather forecast Here, and tides times and charts here.
