Port St Joe FL beach fishing/crabing

The bay is really nice. When are you headed there? Scallop season is coming soon.

There's some large specks in there.

We vacation on St George Island almost every year. I surf fish there quite a bit. It's getting close to prime pompano season if you can get to a gulf beach. If you're in the bay there then probably you have a good shot at specks and possibly reds along with croakers and flounder. You can also get those on the gulf beachs as well as whiting and a few other fish.

I like to use Fish Bites as well as shrimp (live, fresh dead, and frozen) and sand fleas.

You can find some good info on Surf fishing Florida

Live shrimp up in the bay on edge of grass and in clear areas within the grass, some monster trout there. Also nearly half the cape is a park go our toward the end and walk the beaches, is isolated with good shelling etc.

I second this. The state park is really nice. I miss this trip and want to bring my lab

You should be able to find pompano rigs in the local bait shops. If I were home, I would check my tackle for the brand I picked up on SGI at Island Outfitters. The main thing to look for are circle hooks for Pompano. For whiting, a smaller, long shanked hook is better. Links for each below. If you want to tie your own the last link is a particular setup that has gained favor with a lot of Florida surf fishermen.

Pompano fishing

Fishing for whiting on SGI (good tips for whiting anywhere)

Fishin Mortician rig (FM rig)

As another poster pointed out, if you can afford a charter, do it. I find the charters in Florida to be considerable less expensive than Louisiana. Also, 7 day license in Florida is reasonably priced and can be purchased online

Florida Fishing License

Scallops aren't in yet. Trout , flounder, reds are good. Out in deep water everything is great! Nothing in season! Spanish are running. Cobia are being caught. Pompano also.

Depending on how long you are there, try to do some shelling at Cape San Blas. Considering that there is more beach than beachgoers in this area, you can find shells by the thousands after low tide. You will find Sailors Ears, Lucines, Periwinkles, and even Florida Fighting Conch's measuring up to 4". Starfish and Sand Dollars are very plentiful as well. It is not fishing but is a unique experience that borders Port St Joe.

Many, many years ago after getting engaged on the beach...wife and I fished the grass flats (close to the State Park boat ramp) with a guide. Mostly used Mirrolure topwater prop-baits. You chunk em out and "rip" them back to you....really nice trout can be caught. The traditional walk the dog baits would get fouled with the floating sea-grass. Actually caught a 3' shark on a She Dog towards end of trip.