Apalachicola, FL Fishing: A Town that Feels Like Home

Nestled on the mouth of the Apalachicola River is a small coastal city called Apalachicola. This city bursts with a rich maritime history and is home to bustling seafood houses, stately historical buildings, and weather-worn shrimp boats. Apalachicola is the county seat of Franklin County, Florida, on the shore of Apalachicola Bay. 

The name Apalachicola was derived from the Apalachicola tribe. It is a combination of the Hitchiti words, apalahchi which means “on the other side”, and okli which means people. In original reference to the subgroup within the Seminole tribe, the name Apalachicola translates to “people on the other side of the river”. However, many inhabitants of this town say it means “land of the friendly people,” which is true as the people residing in this town are brimming with smiling faces and warm hospitality.

Apalachicola is the home port for various seafood workers, like oyster harvesters and shrimpers. In fact, more than 90% of Florida’s oyster production is harvested from this town. Needless to say, this gives away what angling opportunities await anglers during their town visit.  

Apalachicola Fishing

Apalachicola is known to be a town that revolves around waters. With the beautiful Apalachicola Bay and the Gulf of Mexico within its reach, it has been one of the best places known amongst anglers. The town also has abundant marine life with more than 100 different species. In addition, it is one of the best-kept secrets in Florida for catching trophy size fish. For first-time visitors, visiting such a small town can be overwhelming because of the different angling opportunities that it offers like inshore fishing, nearshore fishing, offshore fishing, surf fishing, freshwater fishing, and shore fishing. Thus, here are some spots you can start angling in.

First is the Apalachicola Bay. The Apalachicola provides some of the finest spots for inshore fishing in the whole of Florida especially during summer as more fish species are present.  It also provides anglers an unforgettable fishing experience as it permits them to fish in calm waters. Likewise, the bay’s unique ecosystem makes it a thriving place for more than 100 species. Some of the most popular fish to target year-round are sheepshead, redfish, sea trout, flounder, and black drum. Meanwhile, during summer, there are more species of fish available as they pass through the bay.

If you are targeting trout and redfish, these species are more abundant in the flats and bridges.  Anglers also have the option to just wade these fish. Using a shrimp under a popping cork is found to be one of the most effective ways to catch redfish, sea trout, and flounder during summers. Meanwhile, if you are targeting some sheepshead and black drum on a summer day, the areas by the bridge piling will be your perfect spot. 

Next is the Indian Pass. It is another popular fishing spot for nearshore fishing. Anglers exploring in this area can get a ton of fish running along the outside beaches. Some of the species caught here include grouper, snapper, kingfish, cobia, and tarpon, which is the best catch in this area. The best area to fish is that with a tidal change as these species are found to nestle in those areas. 

Apalachicola also offers deep sea fishing. Anglers, both local and visiting, fish offshore for a variety of fish depending on the season. Anglers can target grouper in waters with a depth of 80-100 feet. This goes the same for the red snapper, most especially during its open season in the months of June and July. Gag grouper is another fish species that is a hot target, especially during its open season from the months of August to June. These species are spotted 9 miles out in the Gulf of Mexico. The best lure to ring them to the surface is by chumming the water and catching them using a 2/0-3/0 circle hook and cigar minnows for bait. If you are targeting cobia, you may use a 3oz cobia jig or artificial saltwater eel bait, and for King mackerel, using a troll with stretch 30+ baits or Rapala lures work best.

The mangrove snapper, lane snapper, Key West grunts, and black sea bass are hot targets during the winter season. These species nestle in the areas outside of the big wrecks and ledges. You may catch them by using small hooks with light pieces of squid as bait. It is recommended to use a light tackle and a 30lb fluorocarbon leader and a 3/0 circle hook.

Come fall, the water temperature drops from the upper 80s to the low 40s due to the unpredictability of the weather. However, offshore fishing during this season is still productive especially if you are targeting tripletail, black drum, flounder, and sheepshead. 

Another fishing opportunity Apalachicola offers is shore fishing. Due to the mile-long shores around the town, anglers are given the opportunity to fish from the surf. Some of the most popular catches in this area are whiting, pompano, and redfish. From the area near the bridges, species like the redfish, sheepshead, black drum, flounder, seatrout, and sharks nestle.

It is recommended that for bigger fish from the shore, anglers should look for the throughs between sandbars as this is the perfect nestling spot for species like the redfish, trout, and bluefish. They can be seen every 200-300 feet along the beach especially during summer.

Top 10 Fish Species in Apalachicola, FL

The top 10 fish species in Apalachicola are sheepshead, redfish, sea trout, flounder, lane snapper, Key West grunts, pompano, tripletail, gag grouper, and black drum

Apalachicola Fishing Seasonality

One of the reasons why Apalachicola is listed as one of the best spots for angling is its year-round fishing. However, one’s visit would be most memorable if you go during the months and seasons your target fish is at its peak. 

In the months of December and January, schools start to spawn and the water is the warmest, making it the best month to visit Apalachicola. During this time, bass and northern pike remain to be unaffected by the ice storm and continue to feed in the shallows.  During Spring, waters are warmer and more fish species are in the zone. Anglers mat bag many redfish, sheepshead, sea trout, flounder, whiting, and black drum. Come summer, fishing is not much of a challenge as there is a wide range of fish to spot beginning with redfish, sea trout, flounder, black drum, and sheepshead. In the middle of Summer, tarpon starts to become abundant in number.

In months that fall under Fall, your catches may be migratory species. Then on Winter days, angling becomes more challenging especially when a cold front comes in. This season’s target includes redfish, sheepshead, flounder, and trout. 

On the other hand, Apalachicola bay fishing offers trout, redfish, flounder, sheepshead, and black drum year-round. Species like Spanish mackerel, pompano, tripletail, bluefish, ladyfish, and sharks are abundant during the months of March and November. Meanwhile, surf fishing provides whiting, flounder and redfish, the whole year. In the months of June, July, and August, species like red snapper, grouper, amberjack, cobia, jack crevalle, kingfish, and mahi-mahi can be caught offshore. During these months, tarpon also becomes abundant.

Exploring Apalachicola

1.Fishing Charters

Several fishing charters are available in Apalachicola to take you and your loved ones for open water and deep-sea fishing to catch different species of fish. Depending on the season, the professional guides will take you to the best spots for a half-or full-day trip, depending on you.

2. Hike along the Scipio Creek

Scipio Creek Boardwalk is a moderate hike that gives you a view of the Apalachicola River Estuary. The hiking area features various coastal habitats. It also gives you access to an observation deck at one point along the trail. Likewise, the trail is something one would enjoy as it is only a boardwalk with a short rocky pathway by the entrance. This makes you appreciate and enjoy the view more

3. Visiting the Maritime Museum

The Apalachicola Maritime Museum is a history museum that was built with the intention of celebrating and preserving the maritime history of the town. It offers a hands-on learning environment with active sailing and adventure programs.