St. George Island, FL Fishing: Pristine Barrier Island with Access to the Gulf of Mexico

St. George Island is a unique North Florida destination, one of the last protected barrier islands in the Sunshine State. It is known for its strict building code and low-density zoning, both of which have helped keep the island serene and unspoiled. The island is divided into three zones, albeit informally: the St. George Island State Park, a public strip where you will find great shops and restaurants, plus a public beach, and a private gated community with some of the most expensive houses on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico.

The island was originally inhabited by the Muscogee people. In the 18th century, the European colonizers began to stake their claim on the island, and after a long struggle against them, the Muscogee tribe ceded control of a huge part of the island to John Forbes and Company. The island has a unique World War II history, in that it was used as a practice range for B-24 bombers. In the 1950s, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers created what would come to be known as the Cape St. George Island, otherwise known as Little St. George Island, by constructing the Bob Sikes Cut, a ship channel used by fishing fleets from Apalachicola with access to the waters of the Gulf of Mexico from the bayside.

Today, St. George Island is mostly known as a pristine vacation spot. No high-rise hotels here; instead, you can stay in one of the beach cottages or hotels, or if you feel like splurging, rent out one of the luxury beach homes. Here you can enjoy a pure white sandy shoreline overlooking the clear waters of the Gulf, plus a lush marshland that’s home to a diverse variety of wildlife. Moreover, this tiny island has plenty to offer anglers of all levels. From inshore to offshore fishing opportunities, St. George Island is a great spot for the fisher who wants to experience the richness of Florida without the crowds.

St. George Island Fishing

St. George Island may be small, but its fishing opportunities pack a punch. Because it’s in Florida, with direct access to the rich and warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, you can expect year-round fishing here. 

If you’ve only got one spot in your itinerary for fishing, then you can do no better than getting into the Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park. Here you can catch speckled trout, flounder, redfish, pompano, whiting or if you’re lucky, some Spanish mackerel from the bay or right from the surf. St. George Island State Park is a destination in itself. Aside from shore fishing access, it has two unpaved boat ramps, canoe and kayak rentals for anyone who wants to kayak fish, plus a campground for tents and RVs. 

Another surfcasting destination worth checking out is the East End Fishing Beach. It is exclusively reserved for fishing only, though it’s a gated beach that requires a permit (which you can get at the gate) and a fee to enter. The beach attracts plenty of baitfish (and hence a lot of game fish) because of the deep currents running through the East Pass. 

Still can’t get enough of surfcasting? Try the shallow-water oyster bars over on Unit Four Beach, or the grass beds at Old Carrabelle Beach. Other productive surfcasting destinations include Alligator Point Beach, where you can target plenty of trout, redfish, pompano, and even tarpon during the summer months, as well as Bald Point State Park, which is gifted with the rich waters coming from the Ochlockonee River. 

Another great way to fish St. George Island is by going to their fishing piers which offer access to Apalachicola Bay. One such pier is the Eastpoint Fishing Pier, which is on the northern side of the St. George Island Bridge, and the other, St. George Island Fishing Pier. Come here for the speckled trout, redfish, flounder, sheepshead, and black drum which are available all year round. Come summer, you can target pompano, bluefish, Spanish mackerel, and sometimes even sharks from the pier. And from March to November, you can expect tripletail and ladyfish to bite. The Apalachicola Bay is great for kayak fishing as well, as this will allow you to explore the oyster bars, grass beds, and muddy flats of the bay. Cast natural baits like shrimp and crab on a bottom rig and have more fish biting.

If you want to experience deep-sea fishing in Florida, doing so on St. George Island should be on your list. The island has a good number of fishing charters with local experts that will take you offshore over on the Gulf of Mexico or Apalachicola Bay, where you can catch snapper, grouper, sea bass, amberjack, common dolphinfish (mahi-mahi), cobia, and even sharks. 

If freshwater fishing is what floats your boat, you can do that here in St. George Island as well. Head to the upper river of the Apalachicola River system or the tributaries on the lower parts of the river. For a great mix of freshwater and brackish water fishing, head on over to the mouth of the Ochlockonee River where plenty of bream, bass, catfish, and redfish bite. You can easily access the river via the Alligator Point Marina, Alligator Point public boat launch, or Ochlockonee Bay Boat Ramp. 

Top 10 Fish Species in St. George Island, FL

The top 10 fish species to catch in St. George Island, FL are redfish, speckled trout, sheepshead, amberjack, Spanish mackerel, common dolphinfish, snapper, black drum, cobia, and flounder.

Seasonal Fishing

Fishing in Florida is fruitful all year round, but the peak seasons are from March to November, with summer months from June to August being particularly fruitful. Some of the catch available all year round include speckled trout, redfish, sheepshead, and black drum, as well as flounder and whiting. If you want to try your luck with tarpon, better come here around June to August.

Enjoy a Relaxing Island Vacation in St. George Island

If you want to enjoy the best of Florida away from the crowds, better head on to St. George Island, where you can experience the Sunshine State in its most pristine glory.

1. Book a Fishing Charter

Maximize your time in St. George Island by booking a fishing charter to take you to where the fish bite offshore.

2. Marvel at the Diverse Wildlife at St. George Island State Park

Apart from fishing, this state park is known for its amazing hiking trails and boardwalks. Come here for the migratory birds and if you’re lucky, you might even see a snowy owl or a flamingo in the wild. In the summer, you might be lucky to witness the loggerhead sea turtles nesting along the beach, with hatchlings emerging at night to get to the gulf, guided by the moonlight. 

3. Explore the Island on a Bike

The best way to see the island is on a bike, which you can rent from one of the local shops if you don’t have your own to bring. St. George Island has plenty of bike paths, including a six-mile path that runs alongside the Gulf Beach Drive which is the main road of the island. 

4. Go on a Dolphin Cruise

Spot these gentle creatures on a sunset cruise while learning more about them from your expert guide. Along the way, you might even spot some bald eagles, herons, ospreys, and jumping fish.

5. Rub Elbows with Locals and Fellow Travelers at Annual Events

Join the Chili Charity Cook-Off in March, or enjoy some live music at the Rock by the Sea Festival which happens during the summer and fall. 

6. Climb the Cape St. George Light 

This reconstructed lighthouse which once collapsed into the Gulf of Mexico in the early 2000s is a great spot to see the island from up high. The lighthouse hosts full moon and sunset climbs on a first-come-first-served basis. It has a museum and a memorabilia shop for anyone who wants a piece of the historic lighthouse.

7. Bring Your Pets

St. George Island is famous for being a pet-friendly city. You will find plenty of accommodations here that will accommodate your well-behaved pooch, as long as it’s on a leash.