Freeport, Walton County, FL
Sunny
·
83°F
·
Feels 90°
Naples Premier Offshore Fishing Charter
Pattern day — fish are predictable. Work structure and watch the feeding windows.
80-150lb mono leader with crimps
Tarpon require heavy, abrasion-resistant leaders; their mouths are tough and bony
Classic rootbeer-colored DOA shrimp imitation
Flats standard — works everywhere for redfish, permit, seatrout
Gold spoon with fiber weed guard
Essential flats tool — triggers redfish and permit around grass
10lb braid + 20lb fluorocarbon leader
Perfect flats combo — lightweight, sensitive, and powerful
Local Fishing Resource
The World's Luckiest Fishing Village — Destin Harbor, East Pass, and the Emerald Coast
Open the Okaloosa & Walton Cheat Sheet
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 Freeport Bridge. Slow-drifted live shrimp or finger mullet near bottom, or a 1/4-oz white jig.
Lutjanus griseus
Versatile species found from mangroves to offshore reefs. Excellent eating.
Local Notes: Stack under Freeport Bridge at night. Drop live shrimp or small pilchards on light tackle to the pilings.
Archosargus probatocephalus
Bottom feeder with strong teeth. Found around structures and pilings.
Local Notes: Every piling at Freeport Bridge holds sheepshead. Work fiddler crabs or shrimp on a 1/4-oz jig right on the barnacles.
Pogonias cromis
Large drum species found in estuaries. Can reach impressive sizes.
Local Notes: Hold at the base of the pilings at Freeport Bridge. Large pieces of shrimp or blue crab on bottom.
Sciaenops ocellatus
Popular game fish with distinctive black spot near tail. Found in shallow coastal waters.
Local Notes: Patrol the current seams at Freeport Bridge, especially on falling tides. Gold spoons and live shrimp.
Scomberomorus maculatus
Fast-swimming pelagic fish with gold spots. Common in spring and fall.
Local Notes: Rip through Freeport Bridge during bait migrations. Silver spoons at a fast clip.
Cynoscion nebulosus
Popular inshore species with distinctive spots. Found over grass flats and sandy bottoms.
Local Notes: Work the flats adjacent to Freeport Bridge with live baits or DOA Shrimp, especially at first light.
Megalops atlanticus
Large powerful fish known for spectacular jumps. Migrates along Florida coast.
Local Notes: Roll under the bridge at Freeport Bridge during migrations. Live crabs and large mullet free-lined in the current.
