The main baitfish species in Choctawhatchee Bay are the Bay Anchovy (Rain Minnow of Blood Minnow) and the Atlantic Menhaden (pogy) These 2 baitfish species are the main forage food for sport fish along the upper gulf Coast and the Choctawhatchee Bay is FULL of them!
Table of Contents
Is there good fishing in Choctawhatchee Bay?
One of the reasons that Choctawhatchee Bay is such a great place to go fishing is because it is home to environments where fish can thrive. Some of these spots are natural, but others are made by man. There are several shipwrecks, for example, that have been left alone and are now a kind of artificial reef.
Where can I fish in Choctawhatchee Bay?
- East Pass Jetties. East Pass is the first stop for any angler who sets out from Destin.
- Mid-Bay Bridge. This is one of the best-known fisheries in Destin, which attracts schools of fish and scores of boating anglers.
Does Choctawhatchee Bay have sharks?
Yes, sharks are a natural part of the Choctawhatchee Bay ecosystem and along with many other species of wildlife, they move freely between the bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Much like their counterparts in the deep sea, sharks are an integral part of Choctawhatchee Bay’s natural ecosystem.
Are there alligators in Choctawhatchee Bay?
Choctawhatchee Bay is home to the American Alligator. Each year, during Alligator season, hunters report harvesting numerous alligators from the bay. Recently, a 12-foot, 360-pound alligator was caught by a Pensacola man.
Is Choctawhatchee Bay freshwater or saltwater?
The bay is an estuary, which is a semi-enclosed body of water where fresh and saltwater mix. The primary source of freshwater is the Choctawhatchee River and secondary sources include small creeks that feed into the bayous. The saltwater comes from the Gulf of Mexico that connects to the bay through East Pass.
How deep is the Choctawhatchee Bay?
Choctawhatchee Bay is more than 43 km (27 mi) long and follows an east-west orientation along the upper gulf coast of Florida in Okaloosa and Walton Counties. It varies from 2 to 10 km (1 to 6 mi) in width, with depths ranging from 3 to 13 m (10 to 43 ft).
What lives in the Choctawhatchee Bay?
Stretching some 30 miles from end-to-end and spanning 4 to 6 miles across at any given point, Choctawhatchee Bay is home to an abundance of redfish, speckled trout, shrimp, oysters, gulf menhaden, blue crab, flounder, striped mullet, white mullet, and of course, the ever-delightful dolphins.
What fish are biting now in Destin Florida?
Flounder and Sheepshead are targeted now along with some Redfish action. Nice catches of all three species have been accomplished by our Clients. With the cooler Destin Inshore water temperatures comes the signal to the Flounder to move out of the Destin Inshore Bays and out to the Destin Inshore Gulf areas.
Where can I catch redfish in Choctawhatchee Bay?
However, the best redfish fishing spots in Destin are the Choctawhatchee River, Mid-Bay Bridge, Hogtown Bayou, and East Pass Jetties. If you’re in the Choctawhatchee River, look for redfish around rock piles and the river mouth.
Where can I fish in Hogtown Bayou?
- © Mapbox, © OpenStreetMap. Horseshoe Bayou. Florida,
- Choctawhatchee Bay. Florida, United States.
- Hewett Bayou. Florida, United States.
- Mack Bayou. Florida, United States.
- Buck Bayou. Florida, United States.
- Mussett Bayou. Florida, United States.
- Campbell Lake. Florida,
- Morris Lake. Florida,
How do you catch redfish in Destin?
Are there dolphins in Choctawhatchee Bay?
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration estimates about 175 bottlenose dolphins live in Choctawhatchee Bay and about 51,000 live along northern Gulf of Mexico continental shelf, which runs from Texas to the southern tip of Florida.
Is Choctawhatchee Bay clear water?
The beautiful white sand and crystal clear water clarity are further amplified by the Choctawhatchee Bay, just north of Destin. Sediment run-off into the waters of Destin is minimized due to the Choctawhatchee Bay and its ability to filter everything before it makes it into the Gulf.
Can you swim in the Choctawhatchee Bay?
The bay is popular for swimming, fishing, paddleboarding, kayaking, and boating. Rare species call the bay their home, including the gulf sturgeon and alligator gar.
Can you swim in the Choctawhatchee River?
In violation of the Clean Water Act, this stretch of the river lacks a swimming use classification despite its current and historical moderate to heavy recreational use.
Are there whales in Destin?
Fort Walton Beach and Destin are the two hotspots when it comes to areas where you’re more likely to find a dolphin or whale watching Florida cruise, meaning you shouldn’t have to travel far from your vacation rental to find a company.
Are there alligators in Sandestin?
Over 80 live alligators have been spotted in the center of Destin. Don’t worry it’s safe! Gator Beach is located beneath Fudpucker’s Beachside Bar & Grill and has Free admission year round. There are a series of gator shows each day in which a gator handler answers questions and provides an interactive experience.
How do you fish in the bay?
Can you fish in Destin Harbor?
Destin is known as the “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village” because of its abundant sea life and easy access to many of the Gulf’s deep-sea fish thanks to the drop-off at the Destin Harbor.
Where can I fish the bay in Destin Florida?
Mid-Day Bridge. This area is the most popular and well-known fishery in Destin, attracting boating anglers and schools of fish. The Mid-Bay Bridge pylons will attract Redfish and Speckled Trout that stay in the area most of the time.
Is the Choctawhatchee River navigable?
It then flows south into Florida and west to the east end of Choctawhatchee Bay, where it empties into an inlet of the Gulf of Mexico. The river, about 180 mi (290 km) long, is navigable in its lower course.
Is Destin bay saltwater?
The main source of freshwater in our bay comes from the Choctawhatchee River, which enters the bay on the East side, near Free- port. Saltwater enters the bay from the Gulf of Mexico through the Destin Pass.
What is the water temperature in Destin Florida right now?
Today’s Destin sea temperature is 86 °F.
Are there sharks in the Destin bay?
Yes, of course there are sharks in Destin! We are situated along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, sharks’ natural habitat, and there are a wide variety of sharks that live in the Gulf, such as nurse sharks, hammerhead sharks, reef sharks, and bull sharks.