Destin is well known for having some of the best fishing in the country. In fact, its nickname is “The World’s Luckiest Fishing Village.” With abundant fish and variety, this is indeed a lucky spot for fishing. Anglers love the unique fishing experiences on the comforts of shore and exploring the adventures of the deep-sea fishery you can easily find in Destin.
Destin is known for its easy access to the best fishing spots and largest commercial fishing fleets. Visitors come from all over the world to enjoy-year round fishing in the beautiful Gulf of Mexico or the Choctawhatchee Bay. Destin, Florida offers a fishing experience like no other. So, grab your fishing gear and explore the world’s luckiest fishing village.
Destin Named Top Fishing Spot in Florida
A recent study conducted by Fishing Booker, a leading platform for booking fishing trips in the U.S, named Destin as the best fishing destination in Florida. Destin outranked 201 other towns across the state. Destin received perfect scores in various categories including the number of available fishing charters, average recommended score, number of guides with the Angler’s Choice Award, number of bookings, and minimum price of a fishing trip.
Widest Variety of Fish Species in the Area
Destin is a fishing paradise with the widest variety of fish species in the area. With direct access to the Gulf of Mexico and the nation's largest commercial fishing fleet, Destin offers easy access to the deepest depths of water making it a great fishing spot.
Throughout the waters surrounding Destin, you will find up to 20 types of edible game fish. Common fish in this area are red snapper, gray snapper, mutton snapper, grouper, and dolphin fish, otherwise known as mahi-mahi. The largest red snapper caught in Florida was caught in Destin, weighing in at 46 pounds and 8 ounces.
What is the Best Time to Fish in Destin?
Fishing is excellent year-round with prime season from May to November. Red snapper season is usually in mid-summer. Winter fishing in Destin is when many trophy inshore fish are caught including redfish, speckled trout, tarpon, flounder, jacks, pompano, sheepshead and snapper. During the winter it only rains a handful of days on average, and temperatures can still be up in the 50s and 60s.
What you need to fish in Destin
In order to fish in Destin, your options are that you can hire a charter or get your own fishing license in Florida. If you hire a charter, a fishing license is not required on the charter boat if they have a valid license. However, if you decide to fish on your own, you will need to obtain a fishing license.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission issues fishing licenses and permits. There are two types of fishing licenses: freshwater and saltwater, each with restrictions on the types of fish you can catch. You can also get combination licenses and commercial freshwater fishing licenses.
The most cost-effective way to get a fishing license is to visit your local tax collector's office. However, some people prefer the convenience of getting a license at a Walmart, tackle shop, or online, even if it costs a little more.
Fishing on the Gulf of Mexico
Destin has the closest and fastest access to deep-sea fishing in the Gulf of Mexico. With waters quickly reaching 600 ft only 10-12 miles from shore, this is an incredible opportunity to catch big snapper, grouper, and other fish. There are many charters available at the Destin Harbor so you can take a group and enjoy a day on the water. Some charters you can book include Destin Charter Service and Pelican Adventures
Fishing on the Choctawhatchee Bay
Among Choctawhatchee Bay’s brackish water, you will find a buffet of redfish, speckled trout, black drum, flounder, and more. You can fish the area in a boat or on a kayak or stand-up paddle board. There are great options to hire a licensed saltwater guide or acquire your Florida fishing license. Destin Shore Guides specializes in bay fishing and Fish Destin offers deep sea and bay fishing charters.
Deep Sea Charter Fishing in Destin
Destin has the largest fishing fleet in the country, so the number of deep sea fishing charters is endless. This experience of having a full day on the water will be unforgettable. You can choose from private charter fishing, shared fishing, party walk-on fishing, and swordfish deep-drop fishing. Check out local charters such as Sea Winder, Pelican Adventures or Destin Offshore Charters to name a few.
Pier and Shore Fishing in Destin
Destin offers an amazing fishing experience from its sandy shores and Piers. The nearby Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier is a great spot for fishing offering clear water to see the fish you will be catching. Fishing off the pier does require a Florida saltwater fishing license.You can enjoy fishing while relaxing on the sand and taking in the emerald waters of the gulf.
Destin Marina and Destin Harbor Boardwalk
Destin Marina, located within Destin Harbor, offers a boat launch that provides easy access to Crab Island, Choctawhatchee Bay, and the Gulf of Mexico. It is still family-owned and operated and has been open to the public for 50 years. The Marina itself features boat slips, transient docking, and fueling services.
The Destin Marina provides easy access to nearby restaurants, shops, and attractions in Destin Harbor. The City of Destin's Harbor Boardwalk stretches nearly a quarter of a mile along beautiful Destin Harbor, providing increased access to the waterfront and preserving the harbor’s unique character.The Destin Harbor Boardwalk is a popular spot for and offers fishing charters, boat rentals, sightseeing tours, restaurants, attractions and shops.
The Annual Destin Fishing Rodeo
The Destin Fishing Rodeo is the ultimate saltwater fishing tournament. This iconic event extends the entire month of October. It features daily weigh-ins, a boat raffle, awards, and more. Private boats and Charter boats must register to enter the Rodeo at least 24 hours before weighing a fish. There is no entry fee for anglers on registered vessels. Shore fishermen can participate by just bringing their catch to the scale.Over 30,000 anglers compete in the month of October for over $100,000 in cash and prizes.
Gulf to Table Restaurants in Destin
After a fantastic day of fishing, you can bring your catch to local restaurants where chefs will cook your fish to order. East Pass Seafood & Oyster House and Harbor Docks offer a hook-and-cook option for a remarkable experience. These gulf-to-table restaurants offer fantastic gulf-to-table menu varieties. Dewey Destin’s was founded by the grandson of Captain Leonard Destin, who founded Destin, and offers a cook-your-catch option.
Enjoy a fun fishing experience in Destin, Florida
With so many ways to fish along with the vast selection of fish in the area, your catch is sure to be worthwhile. When planning your fishing trip to Destin, be sure to catch a great spot to stay. Panhandle Getaways makes finding a vacation rental for your stay simple. Book your stay today and enjoy some of the best fishing in the county.