St. Andrews State Park Gulf Pier Fishing

St. Andrews State Park Gulf Pier is the park's pier on the open Gulf, west of the jetties and St. Andrews Pass.

• Reopened in full in August 2025 after repairs to storm-damaged supports, local news reported
• Spanish mackerel, bluefish, bonito and cobia in season, with pompano, whiting and redfish close in
• Park entry covers the piers; open 8 a.m. to sunset
• A picnic area by the pier and a bait store in the park

The pier is inside St. Andrews State Park at 4607 State Park Lane, at the end of Thomas Drive on the east end of Panama City Beach.

• Getting there: follow Thomas Drive to the park entrance, then the park road to the Gulf pier area
• Hours: 8 a.m. to sunset, 365 days a year
• Fees: $8 per vehicle at the gate; access to the piers comes with park admission
• Parking: day-use parking in the park; use the lot nearest the pier
• The walk: an elevated boardwalk crosses the dunes to the pier

With St. Andrews Pass close by, the pier sees both beach fish and the fish that ride the tide through the pass.

• Spring (Mar-May): cobia cruising the beach in March and April, Spanish mackerel and bluefish, pompano in the troughs
• Summer (Jun-Aug): Spanish mackerel, little tunny (bonito) and blue runners off the end, whiting and ladyfish closer in, redfish late in the day
• Fall (Sep-Nov): the mullet run brings redfish, bluefish and mackerel; pompano return to the troughs
• Winter (Dec-Feb): slower; whiting, sheepshead on the pilings and redfish on calm days

Bring a light rod for bait and mackerel and a heavier one for cobia and bull reds.

• Spanish mackerel and bluefish: gotcha plugs, small silver spoons or casting jigs on a 30 to 40 lb fluorocarbon leader, retrieved fast
• Little tunny: small metal jigs thrown into breaking fish
• Cobia: a 1 to 2 oz bucktail or a live bait sight-cast to fish cruising past; 30 to 50 lb class tackle
• Pompano and whiting: a double-drop rig with sand fleas or shrimp in the trough near the beach end
• Redfish and sheepshead: live shrimp or fiddler crabs close to the pilings
• A pier net is needed to land cobia and big reds from the deck

Tides here are small and usually come once a day, but the pass next door keeps water moving along this beach through the tide.

• Clean green water on a light wind is best for mackerel and cobia
• A moving tide brings bait past the pier; slack water is slow
• The first hours after the 8 a.m. opening are often the best bite in summer
• A strong south wind muddies the surf and pushes pelagics offshore; fish the bottom close in
• Cobia arrive as the Gulf warms in March and April

The pier is reached by an elevated boardwalk over the dunes.

• Leave the pier at the first thunder; summer storms come quickly off the Gulf
• There is no shade on the deck: bring water, a hat and sun protection
• Watch for backcasts and treble hooks when the rails are busy
• Do not swim near the pier; check the beach warning flags posted at the park
• The park lists two fishing piers and elevated boardwalks to the beach among its accessible amenities, and beach wheelchairs at the ranger station

The state park is well set up for a day's fishing.

• A picnic area in the Gulf pier day-use area, and four first-come pavilions in the park
• The Camp Store sells bait and tackle, ice and supplies; check its hours, which can change with the season
• The Jetty Store and a food truck there sell food and drinks
• Restrooms with changing areas in the park
• Beach wheelchairs at the ranger station
• A campground on the Grand Lagoon for longer trips

• Be at the gate for the 8 a.m. opening in summer; the early bite is the best
• Stand high on the deck in spring and watch for cobia cruising along the beach
• The park's other pier, on the Grand Lagoon, is sheltered when the Gulf is rough
• Buy bait and ice at the Camp Store on the way in
• Pets are not allowed on the beach or boardwalks, so leave the dog at home

St. Andrews State Park is run by Florida State Parks, and posted park rules apply on the pier.

• Open 8 a.m. to sunset; the park entry fee covers the piers
• The park says a Florida saltwater fishing license is required, and all fishing must follow state rules on size, number, method of capture and season
• Spearfishing is not permitted anywhere in the park
• Pets are not allowed on the beach or boardwalks
• Check current FWC rules for size, bag and season limits before keeping anything