Popular Fish Caught Inshore
| Black Drum | Saltwater Catfish |
| Flounder | Sea Trout |
| Jack Crevalle | Sharks |
| Ladyfish | Sheepshead |
| Mangrove Snapper | Tarpon |
| Redfish | |
Apalachicola provides some of the finest inshore fishing in Florida, especially if you fish here during the summer months when more species of fish are present. You have access to multiple bays, bridges, passes and a river.
Fish the Bays
This area has several bays to fish, although, most anglers will stay in the Apalachicola Bay because the barrier islands give it protection from bigger waves. The fishing is also very good, so many anglers don’t feel the need to go explore some of the other areas to fish here. If you want to fish some of the other bays though, you have some excellent fishing opportunities in several different bays.
Apalachicola Bay
The Apalachicola Bay is home to a variety of fish year round. The barrier islands provide protection from the Gulf’s larger waves, however, there are 2 major passes and a smaller pass that provide awesome fishing spots for so many different fish. Most of the popular fish to target here year round are sheepshead, redfish, sea trout, flounder and black drum. Other fish move into the bay and in the passes during the warmer months of the year.
St. Vincent Sound
The biggest draw to the St. Vincent Sound is Indian Pass. If you want to fish the other areas of the sound, try fishing the many oyster bars here as well as the deeper channel.
Saint George Sound
The St. George Sound is just east of Apalachicola Bay. It offers plenty of good spots to catch fish. Everything that you can catch in Apalachicola Bay and St. Vincent Sound can also be caught here. East Pass is found in this area and it is a very popular fishing spot as well.
Fish the Bridges
St. George Island Bridge
The St. George Island Bridge, also called the Bryant Patton Memorial Bridge, is 4 miles long. It was built in 2002 when the two original bridges were deemed unsafe due to their old age. There are boat launches near the bridge on the south and north ends. Even when there are a lot of boats on the water, you have plenty of space to find a spot to fish around the bridge.
John Gorrie Memorial Bridge
The John Gorrie Bridge is a large bridge that carries US 98 and US 319 over the Apalachicola Bay. It connects Apalachicola, Florida, with Eastpoint, Florida.
There is tons of water to fish here, so if you’re looking to find a spot with your boat, you will have no problems. Anglers report good fishing here during the tidal changes.
Fish the Passes
Indian Pass
Indian Pass is one of the most popular spots to fish in this area, especially when the tarpon migrate into the area. You can catch a lot more than just tarpon here though. Fish the tidal changes and you’ll catch something.
West Pass
West Pass is also a popular spot to fish in the area. You can find a variety of fish here all year long, but the bite is definitely better for a variety of different fish during the warmer months.
Government Cut
Government Cut is a much smaller pass, but some anglers report good fishing here during the tidal changes. Some people fish from the rocks here, but it is definitely a lot easier to fish from a boat. The current can really move in this area during the tidal changes, so be careful.
East Pass
There are deep currents that run through East Pass, which separates St. George Island from Dog Island. It is a possible fishing spot as some anglers fish it from shore and many boats fish this area too.
Fish the Apalachicola River
The Apalachicola River runs from Lake Seminole, on the Florida-Georgia border at Chattahoochee, 106 miles south through the Panhandle to the Gulf of Mexico, at the town of Apalachicola. The best fishing in this river is in the upper river and the lower river.
Upper River
The upper river is quite the drive, so most anglers do not consider fishing this part of the river while here on a vacation. It does offer good fishing for largemouth bass even though few anglers take advantage of it.
Lower River
The lower river consists of the main river channel and the tributaries which form the delta: the St. Marks River, Little St. Marks River, and East River. Striped bass and sunshine bass are stocked in the lower river. Largemouth bass and catfish are here as well. As you get closer to Apalachicola Bay, you will find brackish water, which will hold some freshwater and saltwater species.
