Gulf Seasonal Calendar — Big Bend & Forgotten Coast
Critical: Seasons, size limits, and bag limits change. Check FWC before every trip. This table is trip-planning rhythm, not legal advice.
Use this with the wind picker and three-town comparison.
| Month | What I think about | Town lean | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan–Feb | Sheepshead / structure; cold fronts; shorter days | Steinhatchee · Carrabelle | Dress for cold; tide + wind matter more |
| Mar–Apr | Transition; weather swings; early Gulf windows | All three | Pack layers; have a backup town |
| May–Jun | Longer days; offshore windows open | Carrabelle · Apalach · Indian Pass | Ice plan for longer runs |
| Jul–Aug | Peak heat; deep ledge vis days possible | Apalach / Indian Pass when clean | Hydration; storms; deep discipline (carbo story) |
| Sep–Oct | Fronts start; mixed inshore/offshore | All three | Watch post-front clarity vs wind |
| Nov–Dec | Sheepshead energy; hunting season overlap | Steinhatchee · Carrabelle | Split weekends: dive vs deer (hunt prep) |
How I pick a weekend from Tifton
- Marine forecast + wind direction for Steinhatchee, Carrabelle, Apalach
- Species legality this week (FWC)
- Drive energy — 3 hr vs 4 hr vs tournament week
- Boat/crew plan — never invent marks on a tired Friday night