Welcome to Walton Outdoors Your source for the outdoors in Walton County Florida and the surrounding area

Angler Brittany Williams shows off her gag grouper catch aboard the Trigger Happy.

Your guide to the best fishing in the Walton County area

For those that like to cast a line out in the water, it goes without saying that fishing is always good in Walton!

Most anytime of year, a good angler is bound to catch something – whether surf fishing for pompano, catching snapper in the Gulf, or reeling in a redfish in the Bay. The Gulf of Mexico, the Choctawhatchee Bay, the Choctawhatchee River, and its many tributaries offer a variety of both salt and fresh water fishing.

Visitors can stay and fish in South Walton, without the bustle of driving to Destin or Panama City Beach before dawn to catch a charter boat.

All of the local fishing guides/captains have years of experience under their belt and offer a unique experience for the visiting angler. Something the local captains say keeps folks coming back.

With the ability to get to deep-water fishing in a matter of minutes, the quick run time can lead to a catch in a mere 30 minutes.

There is something for everyone in the area, and the following is a list of some of the best pros to take you out:

In Shore Gulf fishing specialty

Capt. Jim Bishop and Capt. Jimbo Bishop – Fish On Charters
Capt. Jim grew up in DeFuniak Springs and has been fishing off the beach since he was a child. Jim and his son Jimbo both have Grayton charters.
The boats:  20’ Capehorns
Capacity: 4 adults
850-231-1667
850-685-4849
850-974-4357

Capt. Phil Hammond
Phil Hammond grew up in South Walton and has been fishing for more than 30 years in the area. He has been launching from Grayton since 2006.
The boat: 19’ Capehorn
Capacity: 4 Adults
850-258-8395

Capt. Kerry Jones – Not a Dog Charters
Captain Kerry has been in South Walton since 1969. He has fished and dived the local waters since and has an exceptional knowledge of the natural bottom structures that attract fish to the area.
The boat: a 20-foot catamaran custom-built by Captain Kerry.
Capacity: 4 adults
850-267-2514
850-865-7318
www.notadogcharters.com

Capt. Larry Pentel – Dead Fish Charters
Larry Pentel grew up in Walton 300 yards from the beach. Fishing local waters for more than 40 years, Larry is familiar with fish populations, their habits and most importantly their habitats. Larry has been a captain since 1999.
The boat: 20’ Catamaran
Capacity: 4 adults
850-685-1092
Website: www.deadfishcharters.com
Get an up to date fishing report from Larry at:
http://cyberangler.com/fishing-reports/larry-pentel/1/

Capt. Mike Valentino
Mike Valentino has lived in South Walton for 12 years, and his family has owned a home in the area for more than 25 years. Mike has had his charter since 2005.
The boat: 17’ Cape Horn
Capacity: 4 adults
Office: 850-835-2989
Cell: 850-685-6787
www.TriggerHappyFishing.com

Photo courtesy Sam Wesley.

Capt. Jody Wesley

Jody Wesley has been fishing with his brother and father since a young boy. Jody, his brother Sam and father Gene, are lifelong residents of Walton county. Sam has had a charter since 1996.
The boat: – 19’ Cape Horn
Capacity: 4-5 adults
Office: 850-835-2980
Cell: 850-978-5658

Capt. Sam Wesley
Sam Wesley has been fishing with his brother and father since a young boy. Sam, his brother Jody and father Gene, are lifelong residents of Walton County. Sam has had a charter since 2000.
The boat: The Relentless – 17’ Cape Horn
Capacity: 3 adults
Contact: 850-231-2043 or 850-685-1086

Photo courtesy David Barron.

Bay and river specialty

Nick’s Basin Bayou Charters – Nick’s launches their charter from Nick’s Restaurant on the north side of the Choctawhatchee Bay. They will also meet clients at a variety of launch areas according to needs. Nick’s Charter’s have more than 50 years experience fishing the local area and are legends in Walton County.
Boat: 19’ Mako, 25’ Mako and 17’ skiff
Capacity: varied
Contact: 850-835-2222

/

/

/

Shallow water/light tackle fishing

Photo courtesy Shallow Water Expeditions.

Shallow Water Expeditions – Fly and light tackle charters, backcountry flats, Bay and nearshore Gulf
Shallow Water Expeditions has 10 captains and a variety of boats to offer the angler. They have been in business since 2004.
Contact: 850.534.4349, 850.685.5756, 850.496.0594 or 850.534.4343
For more information, go to: www.shallowwaterexpeditions.com
Boats: 6 Technical Flats Skiffs 18 ft. (Hells Bay Boatworks, Maverick Boat Co., Back Country, Gordon Boatworks)
Flats Captains: David Mangum, Gjuro Bruer, Jason Stacy, Preston Sutter, Jeff Ragland, Christian Yergens
4 Center Console Tower Bay Boats 22-26ft. (Pathfinder-Blazer Bay)
Bay Boat Captains: Kyle Pitts, Jason Giles, Phillip Wilds, Mike Mangum

Bass Fishing speciality

Captain Harry Wright has been fishing for more than 40 years and has been a guide in the area since 1995. Capt. Wright specializes in bass fishing on the Choctawhatchee River year round.
Boat: 19 ft. Express
Capacity: 2 adults
Contact: 850.837.6262 or 850.585.1566

View a great day fishing on the Dead Fish Charter:

Posted under Fishing, Outdoor Family Fun