Cape San Blas Fishing Charters & Guides

Cape San Blas Fishing Charters

Want to visit a place that’s truly away from it all? The kind of place that few people visit because it really is off the beaten path? Welcome to Cape San Blas, Florida. Take a look at the silhouette of the state of Florida. See that part that curves down into the Gulf of Mexico before creeping back towards the mainland? At the very tip of that curve is where you’ll find Cape San Blas.

It’s located on the St. Joseph Peninsula and is more commonly referred to as “the Cape.” On both sides of the peninsula are some incredible fishing. From St. Joseph Bay in the north to the Gulf of Mexico to the south, anglers visiting Cape San Blas have a difficult choice to make: Where to cast a line? There’s also Apalachicola Bay just around the bend going east. We recommend staying a few days and experiencing it all!

Cape San Blas Inshore Fishing

Kayak fishing and scalloping are two very popular activities while visiting Cape San Blas. The water levels and topography of St. Joseph Bay creates the perfect atmosphere. The shallow waters and grass flats are home to nutrients that keep scallops happy. Families looking to do some scalloping should bring their snorkel masks, fins, a small mesh net and bucket to keep the mussels. It’s like a treasure hunt, and the reward is a delicious dinner! Scalloping season in Cape San Blas typically runs mid-August until mid-September. Exact dates are subject to change; check local regulations before heading out.

St. Joseph Bay is the place to try your hand at kayak fishing. This unique technique gets anglers closer to the action than ever before. You can literally dip your fingers into the water! Sneak up on the schools of fish and get ready for a great day of fishing. Good balance and minimal gear is all you need when kayak fishing St. Joseph Bay. Anglers can expect to catch spotted seatrout and redfish. Bring a bag of pinfish or cut finger mullet and fish with light tackle.

Apalachicola Bay also offers fantastic fishing. “Gator” trout is the draw here. Anglers often debate exactly what size constitutes the name “gator”, but generally a large speckled trout earns the name “gator trout.” Bait a large, live shrimp under a popping cork and get ready for the trout to strike. The popping cork is similar to ringing a dinner bell, and is certain to get trout to your line.

Another highly sought-after Cape San Blas inshore species is redfish. Part of the drum family, redfish are known for the grunting noise they can make. They are a tan or bronze color with a prominent black dot near the tail. In the shallow waters near Cape San Blas you can often see their backs and tails as they look for food. Anglers refer to these as “tailing” redfish. Cast a gold spoon, jig, shrimp or crab on light to medium tackle and hang on to your rod. Other Cape San Blas inshore species include spanish mackerel, tripletail, whiting, sheepshead, and more.

Cape San Blas Offshore Fishing

Offshore fishing in the Gulf starts in late spring, usually late April or May. Pelagic fish such as mahi mahi, tuna, and wahoo are often found within 100 miles of the Cape San Blas coast. Mahi mahi, also known as dolphin and dorado, are a favorite for anglers. They are colorful fish with bright yellows, blues, and greens. Cape San Blas captains will keep an eye on the birds in the sky. If they are diving into the water, that means that there’s something nearby to eat. Which means the mahi won’t be far behind.

They are a top water species, and arguably provide some of the best table fare that the Gulf has to offer. If someone on the boat gets a hook in a mahi, the captain will often leave it in the water so that others on the boat can also get hook-ups. Soon you’ll have a boat full of mahi mahi and plans for a delicious dinner.

Another summertime offshore species is cobia. This large, sleek fish is identified by its odd-shaped head and protruding lower jaw. They can grow large in the Gulf of Mexico, and have been known to weigh as much as 100 pounds. Use medium to heavy tackle with live bait such as eel, pinfish, or crab. They, too, are schooling fish and all anglers in the boat will get a chance to hook on a cobia. Cobia are very tasty when grilled.

Cape San Blas Fishing Calendar

January

Cape San Blas isn’t exactly a household name among Florida destinations. But when it comes to fishing, it should be. This 20-mile stretch of white sand beaches & sand dunes between St. Joseph Bay & the Gulf of Mexico offers great fishing all year. Redfish, speckled trout, flounder, and sheepshead offer great inshore fishing, and there’s amberjack, grouper, and snapper out in the Gulf.

February

This month continues the same pattern as January. There are speckled trout, flounder, sheepshead, black drum, redfish, and more near shore and up in the estuary areas. Schools of bonita, pompano, reds, whiting, amberjack, grouper, vermillion snapper, triggerfish, and more are moving out in the Gulf waters off the point of this area that juts out into the Gulf of Mexico. 

March

Nothing gets anglers more excited around here this month than the cobia run. There are also showings of king and Spanish mackerel and Jack Crevalle. Big mako sharks often follow the schools of fish shallow and they are becoming popular targets. They are also becoming more popular as table fare, but either way, they’ll stretch your line and bend your pole for an exciting fight. 

April

Bottom fishing species really pick up the bite this time of year. Vermillion snapper, triggerfish, Amberjack, black grouper, and red grouper are biting. The speckled trout and redfish are also caught on a regular basis. They are both popular for the fight and the culinary delight.

May

Speckled trout and redfish roll in here in big numbers this month. Amberjack, red grouper, scamp, vermillion snapper and triggerfish are numerous and further offshore, the big boys of the Gulf get into the game. Blue and white marlin begin to show as well as yellowfin and blackfin tuna.

June

It would be shorter to list what’s NOT biting this month. Fishing in the bays is still good for trout and redfish. Offshore caches of wahoo, dolphin, white and blue marlin, sharks and yellowfin tuna alone would make a trip worthwhile this month. Check with your boat captain and see what options you have for a big adventure that is right down your alley. Red snapper season opens this month and there’s nothing better to target. 

July

This is peak season for tourists and for fishing. Make sure and include a chartered trip while you are here. Blackfin tuna, dolphin, king mackerel, tarpon and gag grouper put up great fights and provide great action. Vermillion snapper, wahoo, blue and white marlin and swordfish should also be on your target list.

August

This month is much like July. Just about everything is biting and you can always count on specks and reds, Flounder fishing is also good as are Spanish and king mackerel, pompano, dolphin, marlin, vermillion snapper, wahoo and swordfish. The deeper wrecks and reefs are popular and a good captain can put you right on top of them. 

September

Amberjack, vermillion snapper, scamp grouper and blackfin tuna provide good, consistent action. Sailfish and king mackerel fishing is good and further offshore, your selection gets even better. Wahoo, white and blue marlin, dolphin and swordfish are good. Fishing for yellowfin tuna is great this month and you can still find flounder, speckled trout and redfish. The bull reds usually begin their Fall run, too, and that’s a good way to fill up your ice chest and test out your arm strength.

October

Blackfin tuna are on the move this month and they can be caught a number of ways without making a long trip offshore. Same thing goes for king mackerel. There are still a lot of folks going after the excitement of sharks, and don’t forget grouper, amberjack, speckled trout and redfish. Flounder are also a top target, as are sheepshead and black drum. The offshore bite is still good with yellowfin tuna, white and blue marlin and swordfish.

November

There’s a lot to be thankful for this month and that includes the fishing. The fishing inshore and nearshore is all about redfish, speckled trout and flounder. You can’t go wrong chasing these tasty fish. Bottom fishing for big vermillion snapper, amberjack and scamp grouper is also good. 

December

Black drum, redfish, flounder and trout will be a good present for anybody! Triggerfish and vermillion snapper, red grouper and amberjack remain good. Offshore, look for swordfish and yellowfin tuna.

Book A Cape San Blas Fishing Charter

Visitors to Cape San Blas can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities. From kayaking, boating, swimming, hiking, and camping - there’s plenty to keep you busy. Don’t forget to add a day or two of fishing to your travel plans. Find a local Cape San Blas fishing charter today and plan the vacation of a lifetime!