Fort Walton Beach, Okaloosa County, FL
Partly cloudy
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80°F
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Feels 84°
Naples Premier Offshore Fishing Charter
Local Fishing Resource
The World's Luckiest Fishing Village — Destin Harbor, East Pass, and the Emerald Coast
What's Inside
Paralichthys albigutta
Flatfish common in coastal bays and flats. Excellent eating and popular sport fish.
Local Notes: Bury in the sandy and muddy bottom throughout Choctawhatchee Bay West. Slow-drifted live shrimp or finger mullet near bottom, or a 1/4-oz white jig.
Sciaenops ocellatus
Popular game fish with distinctive black spot near tail. Found in shallow coastal waters.
Local Notes: Patrol the shallow flats and shorelines of Choctawhatchee Bay West. Sight-fish tailing reds on low tide with gold spoons or D.O.A. Shrimp.
Cynoscion nebulosus
Popular inshore species with distinctive spots. Found over grass flats and sandy bottoms.
Local Notes: Dominate the grass flats throughout Choctawhatchee Bay West. DOA Shrimp, CAL jigs, and live pilchards over the flat edges at first light.
Pogonias cromis
Large drum species found in estuaries. Can reach impressive sizes.
Local Notes: Root around oyster bars and shell beds in Choctawhatchee Bay West. Shrimp or crab on bottom in 3–6 ft of water.
Trachinotus carolinus
Excellent eating fish found in surf. Silver body with yellow fins.
Local Notes: Roam the sandy potholes and flats of Choctawhatchee Bay West in cooler months. Quarter-ounce jigs tipped with shrimp.
Lutjanus griseus
Versatile species found from mangroves to offshore reefs. Excellent eating.
Local Notes: Hold tight to mangrove roots, docks, and any structure in Choctawhatchee Bay West. Live shrimp on light fluorocarbon.
Archosargus probatocephalus
Bottom feeder with strong teeth. Found around structures and pilings.
Local Notes: Work oyster bars, crab trap floats, and dock pilings throughout Choctawhatchee Bay West. Fiddler crabs are best.
Megalops atlanticus
Large powerful fish known for spectacular jumps. Migrates along Florida coast.
Local Notes: Roll through Choctawhatchee Bay West on their way to spawning aggregations. Sight-fish rolling fish with crabs or swimbaits.