Go fishing with the pros!

September 1, 2011

Photo courtesy Mike Valentino.
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:

Gulf fishing

Capt. Kerry Jones – Not a Dog Charters
Not A Dog is actually a 20-foot catamaran custom-built by Captain Kerry. Equipped with modern electronics and powered by twin Yamaha four-stroke outboard engines, she provides a quiet and comfortable ride to the fishing grounds.
Tel: (850) 865-7318

Capt. Larry PentelDead Fish Charters
Larry Pentel grew up in Walton 300 yards from the beach. He has been fishing local waters for more than 40 years.
The boat: 20’ Catamaran
Capacity: 4 adults
Tel: (850) 685-1092

Capt. Mike Valentino – Trigger Happy Charters
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
Tel: (850) 685-6787

Capt. Jody Wesley – Grayton Girl Charters
Jody Wesley has been fishing with his brother and father since a young boy. Jody and his brother Sam are lifelong residents of Walton county.
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 he was a young boy. Sam, and his brother Jody are lifelong residents of Walton County.
The boat: The Relentless – 17’ Cape Horn
Capacity: 3 adults
Contact: (850) 231-2043 or (850) 685-1086

Capt. Jim Bishop and Capt. Jimbo BishopFish 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 in the area for 30 years. He has been launching from Grayton since 2006.
The boat: 19’ Capehorn
Capacity: 4 Adults
(850) 258-8395

Capt. Scott Provow – Grayton Beach Charters
Captain Scott has been coming to Grayton Beach since 1979.  He has been fishing all his life and enjoys sharing his experience and sea stories with all those that would climb aboard the Tailhooker.
The boat: 19’6” Cape Horn
Capacity: Four Adults
Phone: (850) 855-2534

Capt. Mark Thompson – Fishy Booty Charters
Capt. Mark has lived here for 18 years and spent his first 10 years and is a scuba instructor. Captain Mark knows the area fish and their habitats well. Fishy Booty Charters is also a scuba diving charter service.
The boat: 19’ Cape Horn
Capacity: Five
Phone: (850) 586-0807

 

Bay and river specialty – Shallow water/light tackle fishing

Hunter Ray – Florida Boy Adventures
Capt. Hunter Ray – 4 hours / up to 4 people
18 ft. Hell’s Bay Neptune
Tel: 850-499-4473
Website: http://floridaboyadventures.com

Shallow Water Expeditions – Fly and light tackle charters, back country flats, Bay and near shore 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
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

Capt. Scott Chandler – Paradise Adventures – River and Bay tours
Capt. Scott Chandler offers bay fishing trips and eco river tours The Boat is a 20 ft. Bay Cat, licensed for (4) fishermen or (6) people on a river tour
Veterans, senior discount and boat is Handicap accessible.
Night Fishing trips also available thru labor day 8 p.m. – 12:00 midnite
Cell (850) 428-2352   Office. (850) 622-0176

Capt. Austin Woodard, Capt. Brandon Woodard – Santa Rosa Charters
20 ft. Skeeter – up to 4 people
Tel: 850-864-4222, 850-865-4089

Captain Trey Senterfitt – Rising Son Expeditions
Capt. Trey Senterfitt offers bay and river fishing trips for up to 4 people in his 22 ft. Pure Bay series made by Blue Wave.
Tel: 850-419-3373

Kayak / Stand Up Paddleboard fishing charter

slowandlowPatrick Tarpey – Slow and Low Outfitters

Kayak, stand up paddle board fishing and eco tours on the Gulf and Bay
Slow and Low Coastal Outfitters with Patrick “PT” Tarpey. Slow and Low Coastal Outfitters owns and maintains a fleet of Hobie and Ocean Kayaks and Bote stand up paddle boards. Each kayak is custom outfitted for safety, comfort, and fishing efficiency.  Gulf and Choctawhatchee Bay fishing and eco tours of coastal dune lakes. For more info call (850) 502-3222.

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