Flounder Fishing in Cape San Blas & Port St. Joe, Florida
Flounder are flatfish known for their ambush-style feeding and excellent taste. In the Cape San Blas and Port St. Joe area, anglers can catch southern flounder and Gulf flounder inshore near sandy bottoms, channels, and estuary edges. They are targeted by inshore anglers year-round with peak catches during fall migrations.
Where to Catch Flounder
In this area, flounder are commonly found:
Near sandy and muddy bottoms inshore
Around docks, seawalls, and pilings
At creek mouths and along channel edges
On shallow flats and drop-offs near bait schools
Best Time to Fish for Flounder
| Season | Flounder Activity |
|---|---|
| Spring | Good fishing near inshore structure and sand flats |
| Summer | Consistent catches near creek mouths and grass edges |
| Fall | Peak season during flounder migration toward the Gulf |
| Winter | Slower, but a few fish remain in deep channels |
Peak Season: October through November
Tackle & Tips
Lures: Soft plastic paddletails, bucktail jigs, and gulp shrimp
Bait: Live mud minnows, finger mullet, or shrimp
Leaders: 15–20 lb fluorocarbon
Technique: Slowly drag baits along the bottom and pause frequently to trigger strikes
