Winter Offshore Flounder from a Kayak (60-Foot Reefs, Jigs, and Safety Tips)

In this week's Northwest Florida Fishing Report, host Joe Baya and co-host Angelo DePaola of The Coastal Connection mix fishing and Gulf Coast living, with Angelo sharing a quick update on the Northwest Florida real estate market and what buyers and sellers should be thinking about as 2026 gets underway. On the fishing side, they sit down with Brandon Barton of Emerald Waters Kayak Charters to break down offshore winter flounder fishing on nearshore reefs—an overlooked cold-season bite that can be done by boat or kayak. Brandon covers the depth range he targeted (roughly 50–65 feet), how to stay positioned on structure in wind and current, and how to read the subtle flounder bite and time your hookset. They also dig into the simple, effective tackle approach—bucktail-style jigs with durable strip bait like bonita, dialing in jig weight for solid bottom contact, and why a net matters for landing flounder consistently—then close with winter safety priorities and a reminder on stewardship when fish are stacked up offshore. Sponsors: Dixie Supply and Baker Metal Killerdock Coastal Connection EXP Realty AFTCO SlipSki Solutions Black Buffalo Stayput Anchor Hilton's Realtime Navigator