Choctawhatchee Bay Fishing Charters

Choctawhatchee Bay Fishing Charters offers guided fishing trips on Choctawhatchee Bay out of Santa Rosa Beach. Captain Brad Bishop runs the operation and brings more than 20 years working and fishing local waters, and weekly fishing reports posted under his name and Captain Nick’s track how the bite is moving through the bay season by season. The business has picked up Gold or Platinum honors in the Best Fishing Charter category of Perfect in South Walton’s annual awards, a locals’ and visitors’ poll that reflects sustained repeat business rather than a one time write up.

The boat is a 2002 SeaPro SV2300, a center console rigged with a tower, T-top for shade, and a 250 horsepower Yamaha outboard capable of a 60 knot cruise when running between spots. A wireless trolling motor lets the captain hold position in shallow grass flats without noisy anchor drops, and the boat carries the full slate of Coast Guard approved safety equipment. That setup suits the bay’s mix of structure, from deep drop offs to skinny water flats, better than a run and gun offshore rig would.

Choctawhatchee Bay stays productive across the calendar, and the target list reflects that variety: redfish, speckled trout, flounder, cobia, sheepshead, Spanish mackerel, jack crevalle, and mangrove snapper all show up depending on season and water temperature. Spring reports describe larger speckled trout moving into the shallows as water warms, while Spanish mackerel push into the bay in bigger numbers by late spring, often triggered by baitfish schooling up over deeper drop offs. Early morning trout bites over grass beds in two to four feet of water are a recurring pattern the captains chase, using techniques that range from trolling Clark spoons and Christmas tree rigs to popping cork presentations, Carolina rigs, and simple free lining with live croakers, shrimp, or pogies.

Trip options run from a two hour outing built for kids up through half day and full day charters, plus specialty trips. Morning and afternoon charters run four hours and fit up to six anglers, a three hour trip covers similar ground in less time, and a dedicated sight fishing trip caps at two people for a more technical, visual style of fishing over the flats. Longer eco trips run two, four, or eight hours and lean toward a slower paced look at the bay’s rivers and backwaters rather than straight rod and reel action, and offshore trips of six or eight hours push out into deeper Gulf water for anglers who want to go beyond the bay itself. Multi boat charters can combine two to four boats for groups as large as 24, which makes the outfit a workable option for family reunions or corporate outings that a single boat could not handle. Every standard fishing trip includes tackle, fishing license coverage, and bait, and the crew cleans and fillets the catch at the dock so anglers can walk straight to dinner. Guests are asked to bring their own cooler with drinks and snacks.

Pickup is flexible for a Santa Rosa Beach based operation, with service extending from Panama City down to Destin, so visitors staying anywhere along that stretch of the Emerald Coast can typically arrange a launch point without much extra driving. Surf fishing gear is also available to rent separately, from a single day up to a full week, for anglers who would rather fish from the beach on their own schedule. Because trips are seasonal and weather dependent, the outfit asks that anyone booking online call or text (850) 543-8303 to confirm date and time before finalizing, and a 20 percent deposit or full payment secures the reservation.