Clifford Sims Park (Jetty Park) Fishing

Clifford Sims Park is an easy walk-up fishing spot in Port St. Joe: two piers and a long bulkhead between the marina and the open bay, close to downtown.

• Wooden fishing piers and several hundred feet of bulkhead, as the city lists them
• Trout and reds along the walls; drum, mangrove snapper and small gag around the rocks
• Gazebos, picnic tables and a public restroom
• Named for Medal of Honor recipient Staff Sgt. Clifford Sims, and dedicated in 2013

The park is on the peninsula between the Port St. Joe Marina basin and St. Joseph Bay, at the northern end of the city's Bay Walk Trail.

• Getting there: from US 98 in downtown Port St. Joe head for the marina; the park is on the bay side of the basin
• Parking: ample, but one space per vehicle; boat trailers and RVs are not allowed in the park
• Entry: a city park with no entry fee listed
• The walk: level paths to the piers and bulkhead
• The Bay Walk Trail links it with Frank Pate Park, Maddox Park and George Core Park along the bay

Deeper water at the marina edge and the grass of St. Joseph Bay give a good mix all year.

• Spring (Mar-May): trout along the marina wall, redfish, sheepshead on the rocks and pilings, Spanish mackerel arriving
• Summer (Jun-Aug): mangrove snapper and small gag around the rocks, black drum, ladyfish, trout at dusk
• Fall (Sep-Nov): redfish and flounder, with trout feeding hard as the water cools
• Winter (Dec-Feb): sheepshead and black drum; trout on warm afternoons

Light tackle is all you need here: a 7 foot spinning rod with 10 to 15 lb braid and a fluorocarbon leader.

• Trout and reds: live shrimp under a cork along the walls, or a small soft plastic on a 1/8 oz jighead
• Mangrove snapper and small gag: a live pinfish on a small circle hook with a rubber-core sinker, tossed near the rocks
• Black drum and sheepshead: shrimp or fiddler crabs on the bottom beside the rocks and pilings
• Flounder: a mud minnow worked slowly along the bottom
• Throw a cast net for pinfish bait if you know how

St. Joseph Bay has small tides, often only one a day, and clear water.

• Fish the moving tide; current along the marina rocks brings the snapper and drum to feed
• Dusk and dawn fish best, especially in summer heat
• Clear, calm days call for light leaders and long casts
• A strong wind muddies the shallows; the marina side is more sheltered
• Red tide sometimes reaches the bay, as in fall 2025; check the FWC's reports if fish seem scarce

The park is flat, close to town and easy to fish.

• Level paths, piers and bulkhead with parking and a restroom close by
• Keep casts clear of boats entering and leaving the marina
• The marina rocks are uneven and slippery; fish from the piers and bulkhead instead
• Leave the waterfront at the first thunder
• Bring water and sun protection; shade is under the gazebos

The City of Port St. Joe lists two fishing piers, two covered gazebos, picnic tables, a public restroom, a bulkhead for fishing and ample parking.

• Two wooden fishing piers and several hundred feet of bulkhead
• Two covered gazebos and picnic tables
• A public restroom
• A sunset viewing area
• Ample parking, one space per vehicle
• Bait and tackle in Port St. Joe, a short drive away

• Small live pinfish tossed near the marina rocks draw mangrove snapper in summer
• Trout gather along the marina wall in spring; small soft plastics and live shrimp both work
• Walk the Bay Walk Trail south to Frank Pate Park if the piers are busy
• The park's sunset viewing area over St. Joseph Bay makes a fine end to an evening session
• Port St. Joe keeps Eastern Time, an hour ahead of Panama City

The City of Port St. Joe manages Clifford Sims Park and posts its rules.

• No alcohol in the park
• Boat trailers and RVs are not allowed; use one parking space per vehicle
• A Florida saltwater fishing license is required unless you are exempt
• Check FWC rules before keeping any grouper or snapper
• Check current FWC rules for size, bag and season limits before keeping anything