What’s Biting in Destin?

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

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.