Fishing can sometimes feel like a big guessing game. Where can you get the best bait and find other amenities for a great vacation experience?
Well, here’s the good news: because St. George Island is a fishing hot spot, there are plenty of bait shops and fishing-centric retailers to choose from. Many of these locations operate all year long, so timing is not a problem.
We’ll break down our top picks for the best St. George Island bait shops, showing you what sorts of products and services they offer. We’ll also mention a few charter services that can teach you how to fish and show you the island’s coastal wonders.
Fisherman’s Choice
Located in Eastpoint, Florida, Fisherman’s Choice carries everything you need for a fun and successful fishing trip. You’ll even have the chance to restock your cooler with snacks, drinks, and ice from the shop.
They also offer fishing licences, protective apparel, and even live bait for fresh and saltwater fishing. If you’re taking your family on the water, they provide life jackets and safety equipment for any water-going vehicle.
For the more experienced fisherman, they have equipment for spearfishing and diving and pompano and shark rigs. If you’re more of a beginner and don’t mind a fishing lesson, you can book a guided charter fishing trip too.
Scipio Creek Marina
The premier full-service marina in the Apalachicola Bay area, Scipio Creek, includes boat storage and a full onsite supply and bait shop. If you have time to stop for lunch, you can sample quality seafood in the family-friendly onsite restaurant, which sometimes includes live music.
Scipio Creek has an onsite mechanic and boat cleaning service, so your boat stays in peak condition all season. They have all kinds of boat docking to accommodate all fishermen and boaters.
The shop is pet-friendly so that they can accommodate your furry friend for their sea-going adventures. They even encourage guests to take pictures of their pets to share on the shop’s website!
Scipio Creek is also conveniently located within walking distance of downtown Apalachicola so that you can do your bait shopping the same day as your downtown shopping.
Survivors Island Bait and Tackle
You’ll find Survivors Island Bait and Tackle on Florida’s Forgotten Coast. It is not a full-service marina, but it carries both live and frozen bait and fish tackle accessories. It mostly caters to saltwater and light tackle fishing, with affordable rod and reel combos. You’ll also find crabbing and fishing traps.
Forgotten Coast Fly Company
Here’s a shop made specifically for Apalachicola’s saltwater fly fishers. The Forgotten Coast Fly Company makes custom flies and sells equipment to catch tarpon, redfish, flounder, and many others.
Although the store is currently open by appointment only, you can still custom order a bulk of flies online. The Forgotten Coast Fly Company strives to use all high-quality hooks and materials available. Plus, they’ll work with you to custom-design your own fly if you don’t see just the right fly for you.
The shop also offers chartered fishing trips, where they’ll show you a thing or two about catching redfish or tarpon. All guides are fishing experts from the area, available for day-long rides if you wish.
Jolly Roger SGI
Jolly Roger SGI is more than a bait shop. It includes almost everything you need for a day on the beach, including towels, sunscreen, and snorkel gear. They also include all you’ll need for a land adventure, such as a gas-powered golf cart or some bikes.
Beyond anything, they have everything you might need for a marine adventure! You can peruse the Forgotten Coast with a kayak or paddleboard, either by yourself or with a guide.
Their bait shop is one of the largest live bait and tackle suppliers on St. George Island, including bay and offshore baits, spears and gigs. It also carries a complete line of lures, rods, hooks, and reels. If you have any questions, Jolly Roger SGI’s captains are more than glad to offer expert advice. They’ll even give you some help rigging up.
You might have a good time taking the kids on a Jolly Roger treasure hunt, where they can keep the buried treasure chests they find on the beach!
Bay View Charters of SGI
While not a full-on bait shop, Bay View Charters of SGI is one of the best-rated fishing charter services on the island.
You can ride with Captain Wes McCall either 10 miles into the Gulf of Mexico to catch larger fish or ride 9 nautical miles to catch smaller fish. Some fish you may catch include snapper grouper, Spanish mackerel, cobia, amberjack, flounder, and more. You might even encounter some dolphins playing along the way, so it’s a great family trip!
Bay View Charters of SGI provides everything necessary for the trip, including rods, reels, bait, fishing licences, bait, and iced water for guests to drink. Guests are more than welcome to bring their own beverages and snacks.
Island Outfitters
Captain-owned and operated since 2003, Island Outfitters caters to those looking for a fun kayak adventure or a day fishing. Captain Larry Troy and his wife Angela are always in the shop, ready to offer free fishing advice. They’ll even help hook you up and teach you to cast if you’re new.
While wandering the shop, you might even run into the shop’s mascot, Layla, who has a blog on the website.
The shop specializes in fishing from a pedal-powered kayak. Each kayak uses foot pedals to push the boat (instead of the smaller muscles in your arm) more easily through the water. You can rent or even purchase your choice of kayak if you enjoy your experience.
Bait-wise, the shop carries several different artificial baits and lures, all of which Captain Larry highly recommends to his customers. They offer frozen bait and scent-released baits that last longer than usual live bait.
Island Outfitters also has a quality lineup of tackle for both near and offshore, as well as several excellent rods.
