This guide to Spanish mackerel fishing out of Apalachicola is for anglers running their own boat. It covers when the fish are here, which ground to pick, and which structure to mark, and it stays within this port. By the end you have the season window, three ground types, five named sites with their AARA IDs, and the buoy station to read before you go.
When Spanish mackerel are off Apalachicola
FishingBooker’s Apalachicola fishing guide puts Spanish mackerel along the shoreline and near local reefs and wrecks until June. That is the local window, and the sections below cover where to look inside it.
For behavior and biology, read the Spanish mackerel species guide. For the wider picture, see Spanish mackerel across the Gulf (see also the Gulf of Mexico fishing guide).
Where boats run
Boats fish three grounds out of Apalachicola: the shoreline, Apalachicola Bay, and local reefs and wrecks. Check the conditions first, then pick the ground that fits them.
The shoreline
Spanish mackerel are fished along the shoreline here until June. It is the easiest of the three grounds to reach, and you can scout it on the way out.
Apalachicola Bay
The bay is the inshore option. Apalachicola Fishing Company runs inshore bay trips that include Spanish mackerel, so the species is fished there.
Local reefs and wrecks
The reefs and wrecks off the port are the structure ground. The named sites, their AARA IDs, and their depths are in the next section.
Reading conditions at APCF1
The nearest NOAA buoy is NOAA station APCF1 observations:
- Station ID: APCF1
- Station number: 8728690
- Position: 29.724 N, 84.980 W, Apalachicola
Read the station’s numbers and the official NOAA marine forecast before you choose a ground or leave the dock. Wind, wave height, and period decide whether the run is worth making, and the forecast is the authority on them.
Named reefs and structure
These sites come from the AARA Franklin County reef list and are identified by site ID. Chart layers are not for navigation.
| Site | ID | Depth (ft) |
|---|---|---|
| K Tower | FR0007 | 60 |
| City of Apalachicola East | FR0015 | 78 |
| Yamaha Reef Addition | FR0030 | 85 |
| Buddy Ward Memorial Reef | A4N / A6S | |
| S Tower | FR0005 |
K Tower (FR0007)
FR0007, 60 ft. This is the shallowest of the sites with a listed depth.
City of Apalachicola East (FR0015)
FR0015, 78 ft.
Yamaha Reef Addition (FR0030)
FR0030, 85 ft. This is the deepest listed site. Together with the two sites above, it gives a 60 to 85 ft range to work.
Buddy Ward Memorial Reef (A4N, A6S)
Listed under A4N and also under A6S.
S Tower (FR0005)
FR0005, listed in the AARA Franklin reef area.
How it is fished here and who fishes it
Running your own boat
Work in this order:
- Check APCF1 and the official marine forecast.
- Pick a ground: shoreline, bay, or reefs and wrecks.
- Mark the site IDs from the table above.
This sequence doesn’t guarantee fish, but it makes the decision about where to look better informed.
Apalachicola Fishing Company
Captain Ryan Kelley runs Apalachicola Fishing Company’s site from a 36-foot Contender with triple 350 Yamaha. The company runs inshore bay trips and lists Spanish mackerel.
Bigfish SGI
Captain Clint Taylor is the owner and operator of Bigfish SGI, which lists Spanish mackerel.
FAQ about Spanish mackerel fishing out of Apalachicola
When do Spanish mackerel leave Apalachicola?
FishingBooker puts them along the shoreline and near reefs and wrecks until June. Read the APCF1 numbers for conditions on the day, and check the official marine forecast before you run.
Should I fish the bay or the reefs?
It depends on which ground the conditions support, so read APCF1 and the forecast first. The bay is the inshore option, and Apalachicola Fishing Company runs bay trips there. The named reef sites sit at 60 to 85 ft.
Which named reef off Apalachicola is deepest?
Yamaha Reef Addition, FR0030, at 85 ft. Next is City of Apalachicola East, FR0015, at 78 ft, then K Tower, FR0007, at 60 ft.
Which NOAA station should I check before running?
APCF1, station 8728690, at 29.724 N, 84.980 W. Read it alongside the official marine forecast, and let the wind, wave height, and period numbers drive the decision.
Who runs Spanish mackerel charters out of Apalachicola?
Apalachicola Fishing Company, with Captain Ryan Kelley, and Bigfish SGI, with Captain Clint Taylor, owner and operator. Both list Spanish mackerel among their trips.
What else holds on these reefs?
For other species that use coastal and offshore structure, see the coastal and offshore gamefish guides.
