Walton Hopper Barge (WL0003)
Artificial reef Walton County, Florida, Gulf side. 195' X 35' X12' Steel Barge, with 100 Tons Steel Ballast.
What bites on Walton Hopper Barge
Structure in 77 ft on the Gulf coast usually holds: Red snapper, Gag grouper, Red grouper, Mangrove snapper, Triggerfish, Amberjack. What is actually biting changes with the season, water temperature and tide — the day's plan for this reef has the bite window and what to target that day.
Anchoring on Walton Hopper Barge
In 77 ft, pay out about 405 ft of rode at 5:1 in calm water, or 567 ft at 7:1 when it's blowing. Drop the anchor up-drift of the structure by about the same distance and fall back onto it. Before you drop, kill the engine for 60 seconds and watch your GPS track — that's your real drift, and it beats any forecast.
Today's fishing report near Walton Hopper Barge
Destin fishing report — today: tides, wind, seas, water temperature and the GO / NO-GO call for inshore and offshore, updated through the day. Also nearby: Panama City Beach fishing report (37 mi).
Nearby reefs
| Reef | Distance | Heading | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Miramar/Frangista Reef (E) WL0044 | 94 yd | WSW | 60 ft |
| 2018 Miramar/Frangista Reef (NE) WL0041 | 103 yd | WNW | 60 ft |
| Frangista Beach Culverts WL0004 | 135 yd | N | 77 ft |
| 2018 Miramar/Frangista Reef (SE) WL0047 | 143 yd | SW | 60 ft |
| Miramar Steel Structure 2 WL0009 | 153 yd | NW | 76 ft |
Before you go
Size limits, bag limits and seasons change — check the current Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) rules for the day you fish. Carry a descending device for reef fish you release.