The call of Destin, Florida means different things to different people, but if some sort of fishing is on your Florida adventure to-do list, Destin provides the ultimate backdrop for your vacation – whether you’re coming by yourself, with a group of friends, or with your family.
Oftentimes if you want to experience an adventure vacation with world-class fishing, particularly with variety in mind, you need to visit some remote, off-the-grid location. That can be fun and occasionally exhilarating, but for most of us the associated hassles aren’t worth it. They’re often not kid- or family-friendly, they’re excessively costly and it takes extra time to get there and back – and frequently they don’t have the creature comforts that we’ve come to appreciate and expect.
A trip to the Emerald Coast, and to Destin in particular, is likely the best fishing adventure you can imagine. You can dive deep into one type of angling or sample from a buffet of options, but it’s the one place that has activities for everyone and no one will feel anything but fulfilled.
Why Destin?
Florida – from one end of the state to the other – has long been a dream destination for vacationers from around the country and around the world. We’ve made tourism and adventure our business for good reason: because the weather, natural resources and ease of travel are unmatched by any other vacation spot. But Destin is different from most other Florida adventures in all the best ways.
That starts with our location. Up here on the Panhandle, with water all around, you have quick access to points north, south, east and west. There’s the Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport not far away, and major highways close by – all of the infrastructure needed to enter and exit efficiently, without being overgrown or overdeveloped like some other popular venues.
Then there’s our temperature, year-round climate – never too hot, never too cold, always just about right. You’ll get four seasons without the overbearing extremes. That’ll keep you comfortable as you pursue both water-based and land-based activities, or just sitting in a chair enjoying a libation. We have great restaurants, bars and attractions, but the lure of Destin is the ability to be comfortably outside well over 300 days a year.
Destin Activities for Everyone
If you’re a hard-core angler, you might come to the Emerald Coast specifically for the fishing, but what if you just want a world-class angling add-on to your trip? Or if the family wants to do other things? There are literally endless numbers of activities to pursue for people of all ages, interests and physical abilities. Here are some of our favorites:
Gator Beach
Where else can you feed a live alligator? Gator Beach is fun for the whole family with over 100 alligators on-site that you can feed yourself. It’s become one of the most well-known gator farms in the country.
Henderson Beach State Park
The park offers fine white sand beaches and spectacular emerald-colored waters. There is a small fee required to enjoy this state park, but activities include nature trails, picnicking, camping and grilling. Henderson Beach State Park receives a lot of positive feedback from visitors for being one of the most family friendly, off-the-beaten path things to do in Destin.
Big Kahuna’s Water Adventure Park
Big Kahuna’s Water Adventure Park is the perfect day activity if your family’s sick of the beach. Here you’ll find water rides, feature slides, and even a wave simulator – and, of course, a Lazy River so the parents can relax, too. There’s even a miniature golf course to cap off the day.
Kelly Plantation Golf Club
Adults and avid golfers love the Kelly Plantation Golf Club. The club itself was designed around a lush stretch of coastline along Choctawhatchee Bay, and the course is as beautiful as the landscape. Go enjoy a round of golf while in town and tell your friends you experienced one of the state’s top-ranked courses.
That’s just the tip of the iceberg. You couldn’t exhaust all of the options in ten lifetimes, but if you want to try, we’ll do our best to make it happen.
Have a Great Charter Boat Fishing Experience in Destin
For you adventurous types, especially those with a streak of Jack London or Ernest Hemingway running through your veins, the fishing will be the draw on your epic Florida adventure. Bring the family or leave them to their own devices but assess our seasons and our offerings and we’ll put them up against any “destination fishery” worldwide. When you push off from the dock, you never know exactly how the day will go or what you’ll catch, but you know that you’re in the proper zone for success.
Fortunately, Destin has a well-developed charter fleet and fishing infrastructure, including bait shops. There are tons of options to find the right charter for your group and your goals. The best charters include top-notch equipment, considerations of safety, an understanding of the likely species you’ll encounter, and a desire to please the customers. The worst ones are unsafe or may just end up turning into an expensive boat ride. There are all sorts of gradations in between, and there’s not necessarily a one-size-fits-all solution, but if you ask the right questions, and take certain factors into consideration, you’re more likely to skew towards the side of excellence.
What’s to Catch Around Destin?
Many conversations start with snapper, including species such as gray snapper, mutton snapper, lane snapper, and the highly desirable red snapper. The latter, which fight like banshees and taste divine, grow to record proportions here. Some of the red snapper can live a few hundred feet deep, so if you want to learn about structure fishing and marine electronics (while catching one of the best-tasting fish on earth) they’re the ones you want to target.
Some other tasty fish include mahi mahi (AKA, dorado or dolphinfish), which are brightly colored, taste incredible, and reproduce multiple times a year, so there’s no harm in harvesting them. They’re lightning fast and can grow up to 80 pounds.
Grouper are another popular fish, with various types residing here. They include Black, Goliath, Nassau, gag, red, Warsaw, yellowfin and yellowmouth. The Goliath lives in gnarly wrecks and will test your physical fitness. Several others live on the bottom, but we often catch them trolling artificial lures in the winter, too.
You want to catch a billfish? We have tasty swordfish, which are best caught at night, and majestic sailfish that jump and swim like underwater cheetahs. There are also tuna and spotted seatrout and cobia, all renowned for their plate worthiness. If you time it right, you can often catch several of these in the same day.
Adventure and Entertainment in the Same Place
Besides the superior fishing itself, what’s the best thing about an adventure fishing trip to Destin? It’s the opportunity to do something every minute, do nothing at all, or find some happy medium in between those extremes. After catching the delectable table fare of your dreams, take it home or to a local restaurant and get it prepared to your liking. Or just sit back, toes in the sand and a cold drink in your hands – it’ll give you an opportunity to reflect back on that glorious experience and to look forward to the next one.
That’s the best thing about a Destin fishing vacation: realizing that it met your spiritual and physical needs and then planning the next one. Finding an experienced charter captain is the first step in tying that all up together. Get going on your Florida adventure today and prepare to be drawn back to the Emerald Coast again and again and again.
The great news about fishing in Destin, Florida is that there’s always something biting but understanding what you’re able to target at a particular time isn’t always simple. Your charter captain should and will likely know, but even if a particular species is technically allowable to pursue and/or keep, they may not be present or biting.
If you’ll be on the Emerald Coast at a particular time, or there’s a specific type of fish you want to chase, it makes sense to be realistic about your options. It’s also critical to check the latest regulations (most bait and tackle shops will be able tell you, or you can check out the regs online), especially if you’re undertaking the trip on your own.
One of the best places to understand the regulations in Federal waters is the Gulf of Mexico’s Fishery Management Council website. They know that fishing is big business and a way of life for those who live in Destin and those who travel there, so they endeavor to lay things out as clearly as possible.
The great news is that there are lots of fish – both great table fare and great sporting opposition – for which the seasons are open year-round. Even then, however, it pays to understand the minimum size to keep them, the maximum size to keep them, and the total bag limit. Sometimes such limits will be aggregated with fish of similar types.
Destin was founded by Billy Marler and Captain Leonard Destin in the mid 1800’s. The area was named after Captain Destin, a master angler who originally came to the area to take advantage of the large array of fish in the nearby waters. By the early 1900s, the first private charter business in Destin began to take thrill seeking anglers out to harvest the gulf waters. At the time, the area was known as “The Bill Fish Capital of the Gulf” and has since grown into the deep-sea fishing destination phenomenon it is today.
These days there remain ample fishing spots both near to the shore and far from it. Weather may determine what you can chase at a given time, but it also comes down to how you want to fish. There’s bottom fishing, and then trolling and sight fishing. Check out the breakdowns below. They aren’t the only fish you can target at those times, but they’re our best bets for what’s biting:
Winter (December – February): Load the Boat While the Rest of the Country is Iced Over
Bottom Fish: Amberjack, Vermillion Snapper, Triggerfish, White Snapper, Black Snapper
Troll/Sight Fish: Wahoo, Tuna
Spring (March – May): Moving Toward Warmer Waters
Bottom Fish: Amberjack, Vermillion Snapper, Triggerfish, White Snapper, Black Snapper, Shark
If you hire a reputable charter captain, he or she should know the best fishing spots at particular seasonal junctures, but if you want to do it on your own, from land or from a boat, consider the various habitats that draw fish like moths to a flame.
Throughout the bay, there are tons of great spots where you can set up your own fishing adventure. They include:
The Destin Bridge
East and West Jetty
Coast Guard Station
Norriego Point
Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier:
Several of these places – and many more – are accessible by foot or by car, some for a small fee, others for free. Always make sure that you are not trespassing, and the popular spots became that way for a reason but try to get away from the crowds if you can. Sometimes that’s not possible, which is ok because the popular piers and bridges have fish enough for everyone.
Ask around but keep your eyes and all of your other senses open to the changing conditions and to clues that you might be at or near a great spot…and don’t be afraid to change locations.
Pay attention to safety, too, not just with your hooks but with your footwork. Due to tidal changes, jetties may be a prime feeding ground for a large variety of fish, but the currents and waves and slippery conditions may crate footing hazards
Remember, fish need several things to keep them going: a ready supply of food, some protection from predators, and usually some current. If you can find those things together, whether under a dock or around a seawall or in a grass bed, something probably lives there. That’s when the fun begins – figuring out what that “something” might be and how to get it to bite.
The Okaloosa Fishing Pier is an especially great option for beginners and experts alike. It juts out 1,262 feet into the Gulf of Mexico, has bait for sale, and you don’t need a license to fish here. Stay near the shore for easier catches or go to the end and test your skill with more challenging fish. You’ll be surprised at the amazing variety that’s available.
Bay fishing in Destin is a great experience for anglers of all ages and skill levels. We formally invite you to come to Destin and experience the very best inshore bay fishing around! Well, as formally as a casual beach town can, anyway…Just be sure to check those regulations to properly understand and abide by Destin’s fishing seasons, to keep the fishing great for generations to come.
Notes on Seasons and Some Popular Species
Remember, some fish can be found in multiple habitats. For example, Cobia can be found both inshore and offshore, depending on the time of year and what they’re feeding upon. A cobia that is located inshore is likely hunting shrimp or smaller fish. In the deep water, they may not recognize the same types of bait you would use inshore. This is where it may pay to consult with a tackle shop or to employ a charter captain.
If you are fishing for Cobia around Destin, Florida it is important to understand the behaviors of cobia and how to target them. Cobia is a migratory fish, and the local populations tend to migrate from the northern Gulf to the Southern Gulf and then back again. Generally, from March into October you find the most cobia in the Northern Gulf waters. From October or November until March or early April, you find the most cobia in the Southern waters of the Gulf.
The best Cobia Season in Florida is when the fish are in the Northern Gulf of Mexico – March through October and sometimes into November. If you are planning on fishing for longer or overnight, then you can fish Cobia year-round. It takes longer to hit the Southern waters, but it is doable.
While there are billfish around in multiple seasons, the big game fish like marlin may be most accessible during the fall, when changing temperatures push bait fish into regions accessible for Destin charter boats.
Tuna are one of our visitors’ favorite species because they pull hard and taste great. Yellowfins up to 240 pounds have been caught here. Hey can be caught trolling, chumming or even fly fishing.
Red Snapper may be the pride of the Gulf, another coveted species that fights like the dickens and tastes great, but due to complicated state and federal regulations, and increasingly short seasons, it pays to know when they are in season, and how to target them.
There’s no bad time for the angler, or the vacationer, to come to Destin. Our fishing is always on fire in some respect – just make sure you know what to target on your preferred dates.
While many anglers see fishing as a contemplative and peaceful effort, and we think that’s OK, sometimes it takes some old-fashioned mano-a-mano combat to really get the blood flowing. Competing in fishing tournaments is a great way to test your skills, feed your competitive juices, and perhaps pay for your hobby.
Fortunately for residents of Destin and travelers to the Emerald Coast, our fertile waters and multiple world-class fisheries provide the playing field for everything from weekend small scale derbies to competitions that bring the best of the best from all over the globe.
The Destin Fishing Rodeo
Perhaps the best known is the October Destin Fishing Rodeo, which is more than just a fishing competition. It includes everything from a 5K run to a pageant to events and activities for kids too young to compete.
The Destin Fishing Rodeo is considered the “ultimate saltwater tournament” because of its incredible scale, which includes not only huge prize payouts, but also 29 divisions for over 33 species of fish. Virtually every meaningful gamefish found in local waters is eligible for some sort of prize. That means the various local snappers and groupers, as well as King Mackerel, and massive billfish like sailfish are marlin are all valid targets. In other words, no matter what your favorite species, what kind of craft you own, and where you think your competitive advantage lies, there’s a way to get in on the action.
It’s possible to competed out of a kayak or paddle board, or even from a bridge or the beach, but if you want to hit the depths and you don’t own a boat, you can charter one.
What makes the Destin Fishing Rodeo stand apart from other tournaments is the emphasis placed on children during the event. The biggest investment that the fishing communities across America have is in our children. The Destin Fishing Rodeo is a time to involve children and families in the traditions of coastal living.
Other Fishing Competitions in Destin
If you won’t be in Destin in October, or you want to fish a different time of year, or simply have the itch to fish multiple tournaments, there are other major events taking place throughout the calendar year.
One of the most exciting fish to chase, as well as one of the tastiest, is the cobia, and Boshamps Seafood and Oyster House runs a major Cobia tournament (the “Flathead Classic”) in April. Also in the spring, Harbor Docks runs a Cobia World Championship out of Destin Harbor.
In June, there’s the Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic Tournament, where competitors chase one of the Gulf’s apex predators for hundreds if not millions of dollars in prize money.
If none of these appeal to you, or more likely if you simply want more, consult the calendars of local fishing clubs, bait and tackle shops, and tourism boards. No matter when you’re coming, or what you want to catch, there’s an option that’ll fit your needs.
Tournament fishing takes a hobby and turns it into a serious competition, and possibly a business. While everyone has to start somewhere, this is a serious endeavor, and some of the best anglers in the world reside in or frequent Destin’s contests. Everyone has to start somewhere, though, so with a simple game plan you can make the most of your chances.
Do this to be your best on the water:
Pick Your Events Carefully – Know what species you are able to chase and might have a competitive shot at capturing. You’re probably not going to be able to compete in the blue marlin events from a paddleboard. Even if you have a larger craft, understand how far you’ll need to go and in what type of seas. Remember, there are always charter boats you can hire, but the best ones tend to fill up months or even years in advance.
Know the Rules – Each competition has slightly different rules and regulations and you’ll be expected to know them and abide by them. Read them in advance. If you have any questions, ask the tournament director. You don’t want to miss out on a valuable prize or honor because you violated a rule, nor do you want to get the reputation (deserved or otherwise) of someone who operates in a gray area.
Understand Seasonal Fish Habits – You may be the world’s greatest snapper or marlin or King Mackerel fisherman in a given month, or a given venue, but in the world of fishing, things are changing all of the time. Know where you’ll need to be to encounter the winning fish and how to tempt them at that particular time. Ninety percent of the fish are in 10 percent of the water, so if you’re in the wrong areas, you might as well not compete at all.
Come Up with a Game Plan – Look at past tournament results so that you know what it will take to win. That way you’re not tilting at windmills trying to chase a winner that doesn’t exist. Then take into account factors like tides, your gas budget, your time limitations and likely fishing pressure to give yourself the best chance to win. You don’t need to catch a world record, although they certainly exist in our waters, but you do need to beat everyone else.
Put Together the Right Team – Some fishing tournaments are individual affairs, while others allow you to compile a group of anglers to help your cause. If you’re participating in one of the latter, get the right folks on board, people who are willing to work and who know what they’re doing. Of course, it can behoove you to add in a newcomer to grow the future of the sport, but this is a time for seriousness and concentration.
Prepare Your Equipment – A pulled hook or a broken line can result in lost fish that cost you thousands or tens of thousands of dollars. Prior to even loading gear on your boat, make sure that everything is in top notch shape and of premium quality. Once you’re out there, you’re limited on time and attention, so do the “busy work” when you’re onshore, waiting for competition to start. Halfway through the battle with a winning fish you don’t want to wonder whether you lubricated your reels, tested your drag or spooled on fresh line.
Gauge the Weather – The behavior of your quarry depends heavily on seasonal and daily weather changes, so be aware of what’s going on around you and what’s likely to ensue. You may have the best game plan in the world, but wind or rain or sunshine can impact it significantly. This is not just a matter of competition – it impacts safety, and you don’t want to put yourself in a position where chasing the winning fish puts you, your crew or your boat into a compromising position.
Whether you’re a first-time offshore angler or a veteran of hundreds of trips, the key to having a great experience on the water starts with hiring the right charter boat. You can occasionally have a good trip with the “wrong” choice, or experience tough days with a great operation, but you substantially tilt the odds in your favor by doing your homework in advance. When you come to a world-class fishing destination like Destin on the Emerald Coast, there are a wealth of options to choose from if you act in time, and it’s not always an apples-to-apples comparison.
The best charters include top-notch equipment, considerations of safety, an understanding of the likely species you’ll encounter, and a desire to please the customers. The worst ones are unsafe or may just end up turning into an expensive boat ride. There are all sorts of gradations in between, and there’s not necessarily a one-size-fits-all solution, but if you ask the right questions, and take certain factors into consideration, you’re more likely to skew towards the side of excellence.
Act Early
The best charter boats in Destin tend to get booked months or even years in advance, especially for certain times of year when the fishing is particularly good, and their services are therefore in higher demand. You may be able to make a call or walk the docks and find an open charter the day before you want to go – and there are sometimes circumstances when that’ll turn out to be a great trip – but typically you’ll be hard-pressed to get the best of the best on short notice.
If you know something about the fishery and you have some flexibility, inquire on your initial call whether there’s some factor that favors one time or day over another. Certain tides or moon phases may be considered good or bad, and sometimes there are tournaments or other events that put boats in short supply and crowd the waterways.
Understand the Fishery
If you’re an experienced angler, you probably know that the Emerald Coast has one of the most varied and dynamic fisheries in the world. Figure out what you want to catch and whether that’s a realistic expectation.
Are you looking for nonstop action or for the chance at a single fish of a lifetime?
Do you want to take home fillets, or just enjoy the experience? If the former, are the fish you want in season and does a particular boat target them?
There are lots of great charts that will explain the various seasons and limits and thereby help you ask the right questions.
Set a Realistic Budget
While there are Destin charter boats in a wide range of price points, make sure you know what you’re getting. How many people are allowed onboard? Does it include fish cleaning or drinks or snacks? And don’t forget that mates work for tips, and the best ones work their butts off all day. Sometimes there are surcharges for gas or for certain types of bait. Be sure that you know exactly what is included in advance.
Also, once you are spending a not-insubstantial amount of money on the trip, ask if there are ways to take it better. Your initial budget, for example, might support a half-day or three-quarter day trip, but if the captain tells you that a longer run and more time on the water substantially enhances your chances of success on a certain target species, listen to him.
Do Your Research
You can always call marinas or locals and ask for recommendations to find the right operation for your group. Sometimes that works out swimmingly, but not always, as they may take a commission or not understand what you want. However, you can supplement that starter set with a little bit of elbow grease.
In the internet age, there’s a ton of information out there about various fisheries, seasons, and the boats that ply their waters. Start off by trying to figure out the basics – who’s going, what are their goals, and what is your budget, and hit the web. You’ll be able to rule out some operations immediately, but when you find one or more that look promising, that’s when the fun starts. Try to find reviews in online forums, or places like Tripadvisor. Sometimes those reviews are only the best and the worst, but usually you can read between the lines See what people liked and what they didn’t and how that plays into your needs.
It also pays to make sure that you’re going with an established operation. There are plenty of fly-by-nights and people who want you to supplement their fishing habit or boat payments. Occasionally a newcomer will be excellent, but usually the proven hands win out.
So now that you have a candidate or two, email them to ask about availability or set up a call. You want to get the captain or someone who’s more than just a booking agent on the phone – both to ask your questions and to feel them out. If the Captain or staff is non-responsive or dismissive of your questions when you’re still in the asking phase, you can only imagine how poor the communication will be once they have your money or you’re standing on the boat.
If you like what you hear, put down a deposit and get on the calendar!
Understand the Policies
Backing up one step, before you make a nonrefundable payment, ask what the policies are. At any time can you cancel and get all or some of your money back? Can you reschedule without a penalty? What happens if you get canceled due to weather? What happens if the boat has issues at sea? Make sure this is spelled out clearly.
Congratulations, you’ve booked a charter boat. Probably a pretty good one, too, after going through this lengthy process. Remember, fishing is never guaranteed, but you’ve given yourself a great chance of success.
If you’re a little obsessive, monitor social media reports or local fishing reports in the weeks leading up to your trip to gauge expectations. A few “grip and grin” shots should get your whole group excited.
Once you’re a week or two away, call the charter boat to know where you’re going and when to be there. Also, make sure that you have a list of everything you’ll need, from sunblock to a hat to ice to seasickness medication (never hurts) so it’ll all be ready to go. Once you push off from the dock, there are no stores where you’re headed. You may, however, be preparing not only for the adventure of your life, but also for a grocery run, with the ocean’s bounty coming home with you as another reminder of careful planning and Destin’s amazing opportunities.
Guests displaying catches from a Finest Kind Charters trip.
Beautiful start to the morning with Finest Kind Charters.
The area around Destin, Florida, comes by its “Emerald Coast” moniker honestly – it’s a jewel of the Gulf of Mexico, one of Florida’s most desirable beaches, with temperate weather and soothing seas, but there’s more to it than that. In this resort zone, where people from across the globe travel to enjoy rest, relaxation and miles of white sand beaches, there’s a not-so-hidden world class fishery.
So, what’s biting in Destin, you might ask?
Something’s biting all the time. In fact, there are few places in the world where there are so many different types of highly prized sportfish available throughout the calendar. Whether you’re a globe-traveling tournament angler, a first timer who wants that “hero shot” for your office, or a family looking to enjoy the great outdoors together, there are multiple options.
Choose your time of year, and whether you like to cast, troll or bottom fish, whether you’re looking for pure sport or to fill your freezer, there are more options than you can shake a line at – and often you can catch several of them in the same day.
Your dream may be a leaping marlin, the hard-pulling amberjack, or one of the highly coveted and table-worthy species of snapper, but they’re all here to be caught
Why Destin is a Premier Fishing Destination
Destin is the perfect location for the whole family to vacation, with a Jimmy Buffett vibe and the ability to “get away from it all” without getting away from any creature comforts. But its location on the Emerald Coast is also an ecological gift. There’s an amazing array of fish here, because the quick access to the deepest portions of the Gulf provide natural highways for the fish to travel. There’s a veritable buffet for all of them to eat, so whether they’re migratory or residents, there’s always something on the menu – until you put them on your menu.
Because Destin has long been known as a fishing haven, there’s also the infrastructure here to get you going, whether you own a boat or need the assistance of a charter boat. The marinas, bait shops and ancillary businesses provide a long history of fish catches and a competitive environment where there’s enough around for everyone to make a living, but substantial information to tell you who to book with and when.
Destin caters to both novice and experienced anglers, with ample information and services for both. Our friendly locals will steer you in the right direction, and if one species of fish isn’t biting, there’s almost always something else that is. Usually the biggest problem is figuring out which one of the region’s world-class fisheries to target. Don’t be surprised if you need more than a day to get it all done.
Even non-anglers will be tempted to take their shot on the fish, but if they just want to enjoy the scenery, Destin’s temperate climate, incredible coastal scenery and wealth of marine mammals make any day on the water a memorable one. Our skilled local captains, and the entire staff associated with the Finest Kind, know all of the details and lore about this region, and they’ll regale you with tales of the area while you reel in fish after fish after fish.
Types of Fish you can Target in Destin
Red snapper caught aboard the Finest Kind Charter.
So, what are you going to catch in and around Destin?
Many conversations start with snapper, including species such as gray snapper, mutton snapper, lane snapper, and the highly desirable red snapper. The latter, which fight like banshees and taste divine, grow to record proportions here. Some of the red snapper can live a few hundred feet deep, so if you want to learn about structure fishing and marine electronics (while catching one of the best-tasting fish on earth) they’re the ones you want to target.
Some other tasty fish include mahi mahi (AKA, dorado or dolphinfish), which are brightly colored, taste incredible, and reproduce multiple times a year, so there’s no harm in harvesting them. They’re lightning fast and can grow up to 80 pounds.
Grouper are another popular fish, with various types residing here. They include Black, Goliath, Nassau, gag, red, Warsaw, yellowfin and yellowmouth. The Goliath lives in gnarly wrecks and will test your physical fitness. Several others live on the bottom, but we often catch them trolling artificial lures in the winter, too.
You want to catch a billfish? We have tasty swordfish, which are best caught at night, and majestic sailfish that jump and swim like underwater cheetahs. There are also tuna and spotted seatrout and cobia, all renowned for their plate worthiness. If you time it right, you can often catch several of these in the same day.
What’s in Season?
While state and federal regulations limit what anglers can target and/or what they can keep, there’s always a good bite going on in Destin. The local charter captains stay on the fish, understand the seasonal patterns, and want you to have the day of a lifetime.
If you’re coming with the family, or for a summer vacation, you’re in luck. There’s plenty going on at this time of year. Those include a wide variety of snapper – frankly, you can catch a lot of snapper 12 months out of the year – as well as mahi mahi, wahoo, tuna, sailfish and marlin. It just depends on whether you want to drop to fish near the bottom, or troll, and what your crew is capable of handling.
The real joy of being able to come to the Emerald Coast in the shoulder seasons or “off seasons” (there really isn’t an offseason here, at least for fishing) is that there’s always a great bite. Come in the winter and you’ll be thrilled to chase tuna. Come in the fall, and there’s almost always a great mackerel run. During the spring, just about everything is wide open as the Gulf of Mexico jumps to life and the food chain starts in earnest.
Cobia are best in the spring, and if your goal is to catch “Jaws,” there’s always some type of toothy shark biting somewhere. All sorts of other species like triggerfish and amberjack fill out the calendar and days on the water that end all too soon. The best local charter captains have the appropriate tackle to handle multiple types of tackle onboard, so when you see them bring out a different type of gear, you’re about to experience a new and special thrill.
Planning Your Perfect Fishing Trip
Planning your perfect Destin fishing trip starts with a good attitude and a willingness to learn. Ask your charter captain and booking staff what to expect and what to bring. They’re used to dealing with all sorts of anglers, and they welcome clients from every walk of life. Make sure that your group all has the same expectations. While there are plenty of trips that are family-friendly and child-friendly, not all of them are equally suited for everyone. Gauge your companions’ aptitude, patience and interests when you book your trip.
While Destin’s local waters are typically quite calm, some people do get seasick, so consider over the counter or prescription remedies. Seasickness affects different people differently, and some not at all, but it pays to be prepared.
Of course, the weather is a huge part of fishing success and comfort. While Destin is lovely just about year-round, you need to be prepared for the heat, or the rain, or a little bit of spray. Check the weather report, and remember that you’ll be out in the elements, where everything feels al bit more extreme. Bring sunscreen, lip balm, sun protective clothing, rain gear if needed, polarized sunglasses to cut down on glare and eye fatigue, and shoes that are non-marking yet grippy, so you don’t lose your balance. Hydration is also key – so bring plenty of liquids to stay comfortable.
Ask your captain if he’ll have a cooler with ice onboard for your drinks and snacks. If not, bring your own, just nothing so big that it’ll get in the way. Fishing is active so bring a few items that will help you maintain your energy levels. Soft drinks, sports drinks, and energy drinks can be a good choice, but remember water is more important.
Also, water – whether from rain, spray running the boat, or flipping fish – tends to get into everything. Bring Ziplocs or waterproof bags to store your valuables and to protect them. That includes phones and wallets, which should be stowed away, because if they go into the drink they’re likely gone forever.
In Summary
When you charter a boat, it’s your personal adventure, so ask a lot of questions, and demand that you get what you pay for – not just an overpriced boat ride. Start with concerns about safety, then ask for duration and what’s included. You’ll want a seaworthy craft, like the Finest Kind, a 53’ G&S Sportfish. It’ll provide speed, comfort and fishability. You’ll want it to be equipped with the tools necessary to get the job done, from radar to GPS to sonar. And of course there’s the safety factor – don’t skimp there, either.
Once those prongs are met, it comes down to fishing experience and knowledge. Miss your target by a hundred yards or a mile, and even biting fish might as well not exist. You want staff that knows the Destin area and lives and breathes Emerald Coast fishing.
Questions About Your Destin Fishing Trip?
Check out our FAQ page for important information about your charter here in Destin. And of course, call us if you’ve got questions – we’re happy to help you plan your upcoming fishing trip! We promise a day on the Finest Kind will be a memory you’ll enjoy for years to come.
The call of Destin, Florida means different things to different people, but if some sort of fishing is on your Florida adventure to-do list, Destin provides the ultimate backdrop for your vacation – whether you’re coming by yourself, with a group of friends, or with your family.
Many conversations start with snapper, including species such as gray snapper, mutton snapper, lane snapper, and the highly desirable red snapper. The latter, which fight like banshees and taste divine, grow to record proportions here. Some of the red snapper can live a few hundred feet deep, so if you want to learn about structure fishing and marine electronics (while catching one of the best-tasting fish on earth) they’re the ones you want to target.
The great news about fishing in Destin, Florida is that there’s always something biting but understanding what you’re able to target at a particular time isn’t always simple. Your 
Whether you’re a first-time offshore angler or a veteran of hundreds of trips, the key to having a great experience on the water starts with hiring the right charter boat. You can occasionally have a good trip with the “wrong” choice, or experience tough days with a great operation, but you substantially tilt the odds in your favor by doing your homework in advance. When you come to a world-class fishing destination like Destin on the Emerald Coast, there are a wealth of options to choose from if you act in time, and it’s not always an apples-to-apples comparison.
