The community of St. Andrews is part of Panama City, Florida. St. Andrews affords anglers of all fitness levels the opportunity to seek both sport and food fish. You can pit your muscles against a fighting swordfish or try your hand at reeling in trout for dinner.
History
St. Andrews doesn't have a spot on many maps, but had a small population -- less than 1,500 people -- in the mid-19th century. Indigenous people lived here before European colonists. As with many coastal Florida cities, people historically earned their living in St. Andrews by catching fish, and today charter-fishing tours are available in the area.
Geography
St. Andrews has St. Andrews Bay on one side and the Gulf of Mexico on the other. The water off the coast doesn't get very deep. While anglers in search of a true deep-sea fishing experience must take multi-day trips, the shallow waters have ample places for a wide variety of smaller fish to thrive.
State Fishing Spots
St. Andrews State Park, formerly a military installation, has water on both sides and offers anglers the chance to fish from piers and beaches. In addition, the park has a lagoon and a boat ramp. Common catches in the park include bonito, cobia, bluefish, trout, dolphin and Spanish mackerel. The park sells bait and fishing licenses.
Charter Boat Fishing
Anglers in St. Andrews can choose from party boats, which carry upwards of 100 people and often cost less than $50, and sportfish boats, private charters that generally carry less than six people and start at just over $500 for a half day, as of 2010. Most of these trips include tackle and many include bait.
Fishing Requirements
The state of Florida requires anglers to have a valid fishing license. Fishing licenses cost $17 per year for residents and $17 per three-day period for nonresidents. In addition to the fee, some species like snook or lobster require an additional endorsement on the license. Many charter boat trips include the cost of the license but any other type of fishing -- from a beach or a boat -- requires that you to buy your own license.
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