Does Destin Offer Good Fishing? A Complete Breakdown
One of the most popular fishing destinations in Florida is Destin. Many more anglers really should consider coming to Destin to have access to some of the best fishing in the state.
Destin is one of the greatest fishing destinations in Florida offering unmatched fishing for redfish, red snapper, grouper, sharks, mahi-mahi, tuna, snook, billfish, and a variety of other species of gamefish.
In this article, we will take a deep dive into the quality of inshore, nearshore, and offshore fishing in Destin waters and give you a roadmap to planning your next fishing trip to these rich waters.
Does Destin Have Good Fishing?
Destin is a unique town located on the southern coast of the panhandle of Florida. The town of Destin offers some great fishing and is known for having some of the best deep-sea fishing in the world.
Seeing that Destin is on the north side of the gulf, migration patterns look a bit different than other parts of Florida, learn these and you’ll be able to track down some great fishing.
Quality of Destin Fishing Opportunities
Inshore
Although Destin is more well-known for its deep-sea fishing, the area offers some great inshore fishing. The main target of inshore anglers in Destin is redfish. Aside from redfish, Destin offers great speckled trout, tarpon, and snook fishing.
Redfish and trout are generally active throughout the year, but along with tarpon, become more active during the summer months. You should aim to fish around high tide because the fish will become even more active.
Nearshore
Along with inshore fishing, redfish are among the most popular species to target. Cobia, sharks, and tarpon are very popular in nearshore fishing.
These fish are also the most active during the summer months and high tide. The best time of day to target the fish nearshore is the morning, during the morning, the water will be somewhat cooler, allowing the fish to swim out further from cover to feed.
Offshore
Destin’s main attraction is its’ offshore fishing. You can expect to find plenty of grouper, marlin, mahi-mahi, and tuna. Known as “the world’s luckiest fishing village”, Destin offers great offshore fishing year-round.
The location of Destin makes it a great place for fish to migrate to in the warmer months. The area offers cooler water and is generally less susceptible to tropical storms than the southern areas of the state.
Destin Species Fishing Breakdown
Redfish
Although it may be overshadowed by offshore fishing in the area, Destin offers great redfish fishing. Redfish can be found mainly in flats or other nearshore areas with structure. Redfish are hard fighters, and you can sometimes get into the double digits in a day of fishing for them.
In Destin, redfish are in season year-round and are generally active throughout the whole year. The best seasons for them are the summer and fall, redfish will be much more active during these times as they prepare for winter.
Later in the fall is usually when bigger bull redfish are found, and during the spring and summer is when you’ll find more numbers of them. The fishing slows down a little during the winter, but not enough to stop you from targeting them.
Some of the main spots in Destin for redfish are between Destin and the mainland. There are plenty of flats and nearshore spots that are perfect for redfish. Try to stick somewhat close to shore, and use poppers, shrimp, crabs, or even flies to target them.
Tuna
Destin has some great tuna fishing, mainly yellowfin and bluefin tuna. Tuna are offshore fish that live in open water. They usually migrate to the area around the end of spring, varying depending on the water temperature. A tuna charter is your best bet to be able to catch one, seeing that they aren’t reachable by the shore.
Grouper
Grouper are another fish that can be found offshore, but unlike tuna, they are mainly found around reefs and wrecks.
The most common way to fish for grouper is vertical jigging live bait, but they can also be caught by trolling artificial bait. Grouper are great tasting and can be very aggressive fish, making them one of the top targets in Destin.
Marlin & Sailfish
As is the case with tuna, marlin and sailfish can be found in open, deep water. They are mainly targeted by looking for patches of seaweed, and by casting or trolling ballyhoo. These species follow roughly the same migration pattern as tuna as well, showing up around late spring.
Snapper
Snapper are also great tasting fish, and can usually be found at offshore wrecks and reefs, but are sometimes also found inshore as well. Snapper are available through most of the year, but retreat to deeper water in the winter and become more difficult to catch.
Recommended Fishing Guides/Charters in Destin
These Destin-based charters have earned great reviews from anglers and will offer you a tremendous service. The captains are knowledgeable, friendly, and are sure to put you on fish. By clicking the links below, you will be taken to the charter’s respective profile on Fishing Booker where you can read reviews, learn more about the charter, view photos, and book online at the best rate.
| Recommended Fishing Charters | Location |
| East Pass Inshore Charters | Destin, FL |
| Just Reel Fishing Charters | Destin, FL |
| Always Tight Fishing Charter Destin | Destin, FL |
| 850 Fishing Charters | Destin, FL |
| Hound Dog Fishing Charters | Destin, FL |
| Last Cast Charters | Destin, FL |
| Get The Gaff Fishing Booker | Destin, FL |
| Just B Cause Charters | Destin, FL |
| Blue Runner II Fishing Charters | Destin, FL |
| Championship Offshore Outfitting & Charters | Destin, FL |
| Apex Charters & Rentals | Destin, FL |
| Southern Country Charters | Destin, FL |
| My Chance Charters | Destin, FL |
Best Species to Fish for in Destin
Destin is a great town for fishing and offers plenty of species, but some stand out above the rest. Fishing the flats for redfish can offer a great day without too many waves or spending a lot of time on travel. Tuna, marlin, and sailfish are all great offshore targets off the coast of Destin.
They share similar seasons and habitats, but generally won’t be caught on charters that are targeting the other species. Lastly, mahi-mahi are another great option for deep sea fishing. Mahi-mahi are generally found around patches of seaweed in deep water, similar to tuna, marlin, and sailfish.
How Does Destin fishing compare to the rest of Florida?
When comparing places to go for a fishing trip, Destin should be a top choice. Destin’s fishing is comparable to the fishing of Miami and Jacksonville. All of these spots offer great offshore fishing, but Miami somewhat lacks the nearshore fishing that Destin offers.
Jacksonville offers both great off and nearshore fishing, but deep-sea fishing is generally better in Destin. An area that could compete with the redfishing of Destin would be Jupiter, and Miami would be the top competitor for deep sea fishing.
Best Season & Times to Fish Destin
Destin can provide great fishing all throughout the year, but the best season to fish in Destin is the summer. Most species will be very active from late spring through early fall. In the summer, charters will be a bit busier, so make plans accordingly.
During May, tarpon begin to show in the inshore waters of Destin and will usually stay until around august. The same goes for tuna and mahi-mahi, they just migrate to Destin’s offshore waters.
As for redfish, they will stay in Destin year-round, but will usually hit their peak during the summer, offering a good mix of size and numbers.
During the late summer and early fall is when bull redfish will enter the area and you can find some larger redfish. When it comes to the best times to fish Destin, you should aim for high tide above everything else. Alongside high tide, you should try to get on the water in the early morning or evening for the best chance of getting fish.
Is Nightfishing Good in Destin?
Night fishing is a viable option in Destin, but usually only for select species in select areas. Inshore fish are the most commonly targeted at night, such as snook, trout, and shark.
They are mainly found near shore, around artificial light so that they can hunt by vision more so than they’d be able to in a darker area.
Is Beach Fishing Good in Destin?
Beach fishing is a very popular pastime among locals in Destin. There are plenty of beaches and piers on either side of Destin, offering a wide variety of species to catch.
On the gulf side of Destin, you can expect to catch mainly cobia and speckled trout, but will be able to catch some deeper water fish like mackerel or even snapper. On the north side of Destin, you can expect to catch snook, speckled trout, and redfish.
Hot Fishing Spots in Destin
Destin East Jetty
Destin’s East Jetty is on the southeast side of Destin, facing the Gulf of Mexico and the channel leading into Choctawhatchee Bay. This spot is so good because it is located on the trial. Fish use the channel to migrate between the two bays.
This is also a common area for fish to go during low tide, or in the afternoon, the water is a bit cooler than the water of Choctawhatchee Bay, attracting fish during the summer.
Mattie Kelly Park and Nature Walk
This park is located on the north coast of Destin and on Joes Bayou. In the main part of Joes Bayou, you can have good luck with snook, sheepshead, and drum.
This spot is much better in the summer because of how close to shore it is. Throwing spooks or live bait along the shoreline should produce plenty of fish for you.
Main Street Park
Main Street Park is located in the backwaters of Joes Bayou on the north side of town. This area isn’t very big, but you can find plenty of inshore species like snook or drum. There are open areas to fish and a dock to fish from.
Choctawhatchee Bay
This bay is the water between the stretch of land that Destin is located on and the mainland. There are plenty of spots with the bay on either Destin’s side or closer to the mainland.
In the bay, you will find a lot of inshore species, but can also find grouper and snapper. Choctawhatchee bay is also where most of the redfish in the area can be found, mainly close to the shore or along flats.
Destin & Fishing Charters
-is it a good idea?
Fishing charters in Destin are a great way to get out on the water and experience Destin’s world-class offshore fishing. Destin is well-known for its tuna, marlin, and mahi-mahi fishing, which are all found offshore.
The only way to effectively catch these fish is to take a boat out and target them in deeper water. There are also charters available for fish a bit closer to shore such as tarpon and redfish.
Most charters will offer trips anywhere between 4-12 hours and will provide everything you need to catch some fish. There are plenty of options for charters in the area, most of which will have inshore or offshore options available.
For a complete breakdown of the best time to fish in Destin, check out this article. For a complete breakdown of the fishing charter costs in Destin, check out this article. For a complete breakdown of the best fishing charters in Destin, check out this article.
