Book Your Fishing Charter in Port St. Joe, Florida

Historically rich, friendly, and isolated, Port St. Joe is a tiny city that’s often considered the best-kept secret of the Florida Panhandle.

Book Your Fishing Charter in Port St. Joe, Florida
Book Your Fishing Charter in Port St. Joe, Florida
Team Guidesly

March 1, 2021, 2 min read

Updated on June 19, 2023

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Port St. Joe: Florida’s Hidden Gem

Historically rich, friendly, and away from the maddening crowds, Port St. Joe is a tiny city that’s often considered the best-kept secret of the Florida Panhandle. Visitors seeking a more relaxing getaway will find Port St. Joe and its neighboring community, Cape San Blas, a breath of fresh air. White sandy beaches, prime fishing (but without the crowds to compete with), a walkable downtown area, endless hiking and nature trails, and an overall friendly vibe -- Port St. Joe is a family-friendly destination for those seeking a true escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

Port St. Joe: Low-key but Fruitful Fishing

Cape San Blas Beach Port St. Joe

Calm waters and equally calm fishing conditions characterize Port St. Joe as a fishing destination. Located right on St. Joseph Bay, Port St. Joe provides ample fishing for a wide variety of fish species, but without the pressures of dealing with a crowd. Make sure to get the services of a local friendly guide who should be more than happy to tell you where your target catches are most abundant.

Top catches on Port St. Joe:

  • Tarpon: are especially abundant around Cape San Blas during the summers around bays and grass flats.
  • Redfish: can be caught right on the oyster bars of Apalachicola Bay where they feed during incoming tides.
  • Groupers: are found to be quite abundant around local wrecks, along with amberjacks and kingfish, but should be targeted during colder months.
  • Speckled Seatrout: are available to catch all year round, particularly on the grass flats of St. Joseph Bay
  • Snappers: are likewise available all year round and maybe targeted when deep sea fishing

Port St. Joe: Fantastic Nature Trips, Relaxing Beaches, and Quaint Downtown

 

Port St. Joe Shelling

1. Exploring Nature and Observing Wildlife

Port St. Joe and its neighboring communities offer a wide array of opportunities to get closer to nature and wildlife. In nearby Cape San Blas, nature-lovers will find the T.H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park, where one can enjoy hiking, bird-watching, and even just relaxing and sunbathing on the shores. Meanwhile, in Apalachicola Bay, people who love going on peaceful walks will enjoy exploring the St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge, where many species can be observed in the ten habitats present in the park.

2. Swimming and Sunbathing on White Sand Beaches

Windmark Beach is famous for its soft white sand. You can easily access them via the many vacation rentals dotting the area as well. 

3. A Relaxing Walk Downtown

Downtown Port St. Joe is quaint and tight, a truly walkable downtown area with lots of good places to eat, antique shops for those hunting a good buy, and a fantastic waterfront marina. 

Fish in Port St. Joe and beyond.