What you can fish at St. Andrews State Park

St. Andrews State Park sits on a barrier island east of Panama City Beach and holds three distinct fishing zones: the East Jetty, the West Jetty, and a 1,260-foot lighted pier that extends into the Gulf. The jetties are rock structures that attract Spanish mackerel, king mackerel, and pompano in the fall and spring; the pier works year-round for smaller species like Spanish mackerel, cobia, and permit. The bay side of the park—Grand Lagoon—holds redfish, spotted seatrout, and flounder in shallow water, especially around the seagrass beds and oyster bars.

Access is straightforward: you pay the park entrance fee (currently around $8 per vehicle for day use), and the jetties and pier are free to fish once you're inside. No saltwater license is required to fish from the pier or jetties in Florida, but you do need one if you wade or fish from shore in the bay. The park is open from 8 a.m. to sunset daily.

Key Takeaways

  • The East and West Jetties are best in fall and spring for Spanish mackerel and king mackerel; the pier fishes year-round and requires no saltwater license.
  • Grand Lagoon on the bay side holds redfish and spotted seatrout in shallow water around seagrass and oyster bars, especially during winter months.
  • Parking and facilities are at the main park entrance; the pier has a bait shop, and the jetties are accessible via short walks from the parking area.
  • Incoming tide and early morning produce the most consistent action on the jetties; the pier fishes better on slack or outgoing tide.
  • Live mullet and live shrimp work across all three zones; cut mackerel and squid are reliable backups when live bait is hard to find.

The East and West Jetties: Timing and technique

Both jetties are rock structures that break the current and create feeding zones. The East Jetty is longer and more exposed to the Gulf swell; it holds bigger fish but can be dangerous in rough water. The West Jetty is shorter and more protected, making it a better choice when the Gulf is choppy or when you're new to jetty fishing.

Fish the jetties on an incoming tide, especially the first two hours after the tide turns. Spanish mackerel and king mackerel hunt in the current breaks along the rocks. Cast live mullet or live shrimp parallel to the jetty, or use a small spoon (1/4 to 1/2 ounce) and work it with a steady retrieve. Pompano feed on the sandy bottom near the base of the rocks; use a small jig tipped with shrimp or a pompano rig with sand fleas if you can find them.

The rocks are sharp and the current can be strong. Wear shoes with good grip, bring a net if you plan to land anything over 5 pounds, and watch the swell. If waves are breaking over the jetty, leave. The park closes the jetties when conditions are unsafe, but that decision is yours to make in real time.

The pier: Year-round access and lighter tackle

The pier is 1,260 feet long and lit at night, so you can fish from early morning through dusk and into the evening. It's the most forgiving place in the park for beginners because you're standing on solid ground, the current is gentler than the jetties, and the bait shop at the pier entrance sells live shrimp, live mullet, and frozen squid.

Spanish mackerel and cobia are the most common catches. Fish the deeper water at the end of the pier during slack tide or on the outgoing tide. Use live shrimp on a 1/0 to 2/0 circle hook, or cast small spoons and soft plastics if you want to cover more water. Permit show up in spring and early summer; they're spooky and require a long cast and a slow, natural presentation with live shrimp or a small crab.

The pier can get crowded on weekends and holidays. Arrive early or fish in the evening when the crowd thins. The bait shop can tell you what's been biting that week and what bait is working best.

Grand Lagoon: Shallow-water redfish and seatrout

The bay side of the park opens onto Grand Lagoon, a shallow estuary with seagrass beds, oyster bars, and sand flats. This is where redfish and spotted seatrout live year-round, with the best fishing from November through March when the water cools and the fish concentrate in deeper holes and channels.

Wade or fish from a kayak in water 2 to 4 feet deep, focusing on the edges of the seagrass and the gaps between oyster bars. Redfish hunt by feel and sound; they'll respond to a topwater plug or a soft plastic worked slowly along the grass line. Spotted seatrout prefer live shrimp or a small soft plastic in natural colors (tan, pearl, or light green). Fish the incoming tide and the hour before sunset; both produce aggressive feeding.

You'll need a saltwater license to fish the bay, but you can wade from the shore near the park entrance without a boat. The water is clear enough to sight-fish on calm days, which makes it easier to spot tailing redfish and cruising seatrout.

Bait, tackle, and what to bring

Live mullet and live shrimp are your best bets across all three zones. The pier bait shop stocks both, and they're usually fresh. If you're fishing the jetties or bay, bring your own cooler with ice; the bait will stay alive longer if you keep it cool and change the water every hour or so.

For the jetties, bring 20- to 30-pound braided line and a medium spinning rod (6 to 7 feet). The rocks will cut lighter line, and the current is strong enough that you need the extra strength. For the pier, 15-pound line is fine. For the bay, 12- to 15-pound fluorocarbon leader and a 7-foot medium-light rod will handle redfish and seatrout without spooking them.

Bring sunscreen, a hat, and water. The park has no shade on the jetties or pier, and the sun reflects off the water. Wear polarized sunglasses so you can see fish in the shallow bay water. If you're wading, wear shoes that grip wet rocks and consider a pair of neoprene gloves in winter.

When to fish: Seasonal patterns

Fall (September through November) is peak season on the jetties. Spanish mackerel and king mackerel migrate through the area, and the water is still warm enough to be comfortable. The pier fishes well year-round, but fall and spring bring the most consistent action.

Winter (December through February) is best for the bay. Redfish and spotted seatrout move into deeper water and concentrate in channels and holes. The jetties slow down, but you can still catch Spanish mackerel on calm days. The pier remains productive, especially for cobia in late winter.

Spring (March through May) brings permit and tarpon to the area. The jetties heat up again with Spanish mackerel and king mackerel. The bay remains good for redfish and seatrout, though the fish spread out as the water warms.

Summer (June through August) is slow on the jetties and pier. The bay can be productive early in the morning before the heat sets in, but most anglers take a break or fish at night when the temperature drops.

Facilities and logistics

The park has a main parking area near the entrance, with restrooms, a picnic area, and a small concession stand. The pier has its own parking lot and a bait shop. There is no overnight camping at St. Andrews, but the park is only a few miles from Panama City Beach, where hotels and vacation rentals are abundant.

The park is open 8 a.m. to sunset daily. The entrance fee is around $8 per vehicle for day use. Pets are allowed in certain areas but not on the pier or jetties. If you're bringing a kayak, there's a launch area on the bay side near the main parking lot.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a fishing license to fish the pier or jetties?

No. Florida does not require a saltwater license to fish from a public pier or jetty. You do need a license if you wade or fish from shore in the bay or if you fish from a private boat.

What's the best time of day to fish the jetties?

Early morning (first two hours after sunrise) and the incoming tide produce the most consistent action. The current is strongest then, and fish feed more actively. Avoid midday when the sun is high and the water is calm.

Can I fish the bay from shore without a boat?

Yes. You can wade from the shore near the park entrance into Grand Lagoon. You'll need a saltwater license, but you don't need a boat. The water is shallow (2 to 4 feet) and clear enough to sight-fish on calm days.

What should I do if the jetties are too rough to fish safely?

Fish the pier instead. The pier is more protected and safer in rough water. You can also fish the bay if the wind is from the north or east; the bay stays calmer than the Gulf side in those conditions.

Is there a bait shop at the park?

Yes, there's a bait shop at the pier entrance that sells live shrimp, live mullet, and frozen squid. It's open during park hours. If you arrive early or late, bring your own bait to be safe.