Santa Rosa Beach

If you’re in the area, it’s worth treating yourself to a Santa Rosa Beach fishing experience. Located between Destin and Panama City, this little gem is rather overshadowed when it comes to sportfishing. But don’t let that stop you, because a wide variety of game fish are ready and waiting here—from Redfish and Cobia to Largemouth Bass.

Founded in 1910, this town has a short but rich history. Many consider Santa Rosa Beach to be the ultimate vacation spot, with sugar-white sand, fine dining, and a family friendly atmosphere.

Here you’ll find access to some of the richest waters on the Panhandle, including Choctawhatchee Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. But what really makes this place special is the very fact that it’s overlooked. Take your pick of Santa Rosa Beach fishing charters and come experience the Emerald Coast without getting lost in the crowds at Destin or Panama City.

Step off the beach and you’ll walk straight into Choctawhatchee Bay. Tucked away behind the Emerald Coast, this body of water gets its name from the freshwater river flowing in from the east. The Choctawhatchee River carries essential nutrients into the bay, feeding large numbers of baitfish and creating the ultimate feeding grounds for Redfish and Speckled Trout. If you book a fishing trip in Santa Rosa Beach, chances are this is exactly where you’ll be casting lines.

The bay is home to many of Florida’s inshore game fish, including Jack Crevalle, Flounder, Sheepshead, Ladyfish, Black Drum, Mangrove Snapper, and the seasonal Cobia. From May through August, you’ll have a chance to fish for Tarpon along the beaches.

You can fish Choctawhatchee Bay any time of year, but late summer and fall are especially good. This is when anglers catch Bull Redfish ranging from 20-30 lbs in size. You’ll see these brutes ferociously feeding in large schools near the surface—a dream come true for sight casters and fly fishers.

Depending on where the bite is best when you come to town, your captain might also take you around the coast and south to the shallow waters of Panama City Beach, St Andrews Bay, and West Bay.

You can also pass your time in Santa Rosa Beach fishing the Choctawhatchee River for a variety of freshwater fish. In spring and fall, fishing for Striped Bass and Hybrid Striped Bass is especially good in this area. Wait for an outgoing tide at dawn or dusk and fish Shad, Shad-like lures, or finger Mullet on the bottom.

Other species commonly caught here include Crappie, Sunfish, Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, and Smallmouth Bass. You’ll find a boat launch for the lower part of the river if you take US 331 south of Freeport and turn left onto SR 394. You’ll start to see signs about a mile in.

If you’re ready to leave the inshore waters behind, ask your captain about a trip to the Gulf. A six to eight-hour charter will have you fishing up to 9 miles offshore.

Here, you can bottom fish near wrecks and reefs in water 50-100 feet deep. Common catches include Snapper, Grouper, and Triggerfish. Red Snapper and Gag Grouper are two of the most delicious—and sought-after—species around here. However, both are highly regulated and usually open to harvest for a brief period in summer. Ask your captain about this year’s fishing season or stay up to date online.

Fishing in the Gulf also presents some awesome surface fishing opportunities. Trolling on your way to the fishing grounds will result in catches of King and Spanish Mackerel, Bonita, Jack Crevalle, and Barracuda. Come springtime, the star of nearshore fishing is Cobia. Anglers love sight fishing for this fiend, and who knows—you may even find yourself racing against a Shark or two when it’s time to reel this bad boy in!

For those who are eager to venture farther into the Gulf, there’s no shortage of deep sea fishing charters in Grayton Beach, Destin, and Panama City. For superb fishing and fewer crowds, head to Grayton Beach. Just a 15-minute drive away from Santa Rosa Beach, this town’s ideal location on the edge of the Gulf makes all the difference. Here you can charter a boat for extended day trips to the deep water, where there’s no telling what you’ll catch, from Blackfin Tuna and Mahi Mahi to Sailfish.

While fishing in Choctawhatchee Bay, you’ll be using light tackle to catch Redfish, Speckled Trout, Flounder, and other species. In cooler months, live bait is the weapon of choice, but your guide might recommend cut bait or a variety of lures depending on the season. You can also catch most species inshore by fly fishing.

Fishing for large bottom fish and pelagic predators in the Gulf involves a combination of trolling and bottom fishing. Trolling with bait and lures will help you catch Mackerel, Cobia, Barracuda, and other surface feeders. You can bottom fish with Pinfish, Sardines, Mullet, or frozen Squid for Snapper and Grouper.

Anglers looking to hone their skills can spend some time surf fishing in Santa Rosa Beach. In warmer months, you’ll catch the likes of Jack Crevalle, Pompano, Redfish, Black Drum, Ladyfish, and Bluefish along shore. You may also hook into the odd Shark here and there.

A 7’ rod and spinning reel will get the job done for most species. You may want to bring a 9’ rod and 20 lb test line for bigger fish and Sharks. GOT-CHA plugs, frozen fleas, and other baits work well.

All licensed Santa Rosa Beach fishing charters include a fishing license for their customers. Anglers fishing from shore or their personal boat need to have a Florida fishing license, available for purchase online. You also need to buy a fishing license if you plan on fishing Choctawhatchee River.