12th Street Fishing Pier, Carrabelle

12th Street Fishing Pier is a peaceful boardwalk-and-dock fishing spot on the Carrabelle River, away from the busier downtown wharf. It rewards anglers who like marsh scenery and an unhurried tide.

• A paved path, a boardwalk through the marsh and a wood deck and dock over the river
• Redfish, trout, sheepshead and flounder in the tidal river
• Gazebo, parking and sidewalk access, all described by the city as ADA accessible
• Close to the US 98 bridge and the rest of Carrabelle

The pier is at the southern end of West 12th Street, on the north side of US 98 near the Carrabelle River bridge. The City of Carrabelle lists it among its public fishing piers.

• Parking and sidewalk access are listed by the city
• Designated accessible parking is noted by the Big Bend Scenic Byway
• The route is paved, then a boardwalk through marsh grass, then a wood deck and dock
• Hours are not published on the pages we read, so read the signs on arrival

The river here mixes salt and fresh water, and the catch follows the tide and the season.

• Spring (Mar-May): trout and redfish on the incoming tide; flounder begin to show
• Summer (Jun-Aug): small jacks, ladyfish and catfish; fish early and late
• Fall (Sep-Nov): redfish and flounder as mullet and bait leave the marsh
• Winter (Dec-Feb): sheepshead and black drum near the pilings on calm, clear days

Keep the gear light and the bait fresh.

• Redfish and trout: live shrimp under a popping cork or on a small jig head
• Sheepshead: a small hook with a fiddler crab or a piece of shrimp, fished straight down at the pilings
• Flounder: a mud minnow or a soft-plastic jig worked slowly along the bottom
• Black drum: a chunk of shrimp or crab on a bottom rig
• A long-handled net helps to land fish from the dock

Franklin County usually has two uneven highs and lows a day, so check the NOAA tide predictions for the nearest station before you go.

• Fish the moving tide, rising or falling
• Falling water drains the marsh and concentrates fish along the channel edge
• Heavy rain stains the river and pushes the fish toward saltier water downstream
• Calm mornings and evenings are best for trout and redfish

The walk is easy, but this is open marsh.

• The city describes the pier as ADA accessible
• Mosquitoes, no-see-ums and deer flies can be bad in warm, calm weather; bring repellent
• Boardwalks can be slick when wet or algae-covered
• Traffic noise from US 98 is nearby but the pier is off the road
• Leave the dock at the first sign of lightning in summer

Facilities are modest.

• A gazebo and a boardwalk
• Parking and sidewalk access
• We could not confirm restrooms or a bait shop here; use the riverfront wharf or bring supplies
• Food and fuel are close by in Carrabelle

• Time a trip for a moving tide and the first or last hour of light
• Bring bug spray from spring to fall
• Pair this pier with a trip to the Marine Street wharf if the wind is up
• Visitors describe it as quiet, so keep a light touch and give other anglers room
• Check the US 98 bridge area for floating debris after storms
• Carry a net; the deck is some height above the water

The pier is a City of Carrabelle facility.

• The city lists it as a fishing pier and gives no restrictions on its page
• Obey any signs about hours, vessel use and cast nets
• A Florida saltwater fishing license is required unless you are exempt
• Redfish and other inshore fish have their own rules; check FWC at myfwc.com
• Check current FWC rules for size, bag and season limits before keeping anything