Average Cost of Destin Fishing Charters (Complete Guide)
Destin is home to some of the best fishing in Florida but the costs associated with fishing trips here can seem daunting to many anglers. That’s why it’s so important for fishermen to know the charter costs in Destin ahead of time.
The average cost of Destin fishing charter trips that last 4 hours is $598, 6 hours is $1087, 8 hours in duration is $1242, 10 hours is $1866 and 12 hours in duration is $2460.
Destin is a destination that allows anglers to try different types of fishing and countless species of fish. However, anglers should get familiar with charter costs before fishing in Destin.
Destin Fishing Charter Costs: By Trip Length
4-hour trips
Anglers can experience fishing in inshore waters only if they book a 4-hour fishing trip in Destin. Based on 21 charters surveyed, you can find 4-hour trips in Destin for an average of $598, with the highest cost being $900 and the lowest being $450.
With a 4 hour trip, anglers have enough time to enjoy fishing in the area. However, they don’t need to spend all day fishing. Anglers fish in calm waters because they don’t go into deep waters. It takes anglers approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour to get to the necessary fishing spots. As a result, they have about 3 – 3.5 hours that they can spend on fishing.
Destin fishing trips that last 4 hours are relaxing. That’s why such trips are suitable for families. In fact, anglers need only a couple of hours to enjoy fishing with a family. It’s a great idea to book 4-hour trips during the hot summer months. In this case, you can book a trip to go fishing either in the morning or in the evening to avoid the summer heat.
6-hour trips
It’s worth noting that some anglers are interested in longer trips, but they don’t like to spend a whole day fishing. In this case, 6-hour fishing trips in Destin are worth considering. Based on 13 charters surveyed, you can find 6-hour trips in Destin for an average of $1087, with the highest cost being $2640 and the lowest being $600.
Anglers, who book 6-hour fishing trips in Destin, usually fish in inshore waters. However, this type of fishing trip is longer. So, anglers can go further and experience fishing in offshore waters. Traditionally, anglers spend about 1 – 2 hours traveling and about 4 – 5 hours on fishing.
If you choose to fish in inshore waters, you will manage to dedicate more time to fishing. On the other hand, you’ll have less time for fishing if you decide to fish in offshore waters.
8-hour trips
Based on 15 charters surveyed, you can find 8-hour trips in Destin for an average of $1242, with the highest cost being $1900 and the lowest being $850.
Those anglers, who are interested in full-day trips in Destin, should think about 8-hour fishing trips. Such trips are longer. That’s why anglers have to prepare more meals and water. Such trips allow anglers to explore more fishing spots and catch more fish.
It’s also important to note that anglers have a better chance to land a trophy if they book full-day fishing trips. With 8-hour trips, anglers spend about 2 hours traveling and about 6 hours on fishing.
Anglers should book 8-hour fishing trips with the weather forecast in mind. Keep in mind that spending all day on the water can be hard during hot summer months. So, it would be better to book an 8-hour trip either in spring or in fall.
10-hour trips
Based on 19 charters surveyed, you can find 10-hour trips in Destin for an average of $1866, with the highest cost being $2200 and the lowest being $1600.
Not every angler is ready to fish in Destin for so long. That’s why such trips are recommended only to professional anglers. And of course, anglers should prepare a lot of food and water when planning 10-hour fishing trips. Such trips allow anglers to go further offshore and visit more fishing spots in Destin.
With a 10-hour Destin fishing trip, anglers spend about 2 hours traveling and have about 10 hours on fishing. These longer trips allow fishermen to catch more fish and increase their chances to land a trophy.
However, booking a 10-hour fishing trip can be challenging. Oftentimes, the weather is unpredictable in the region. When captains see the signs of bad weather, they cancel 10-hour trips. If this happens, anglers either get a refund or a fishing trip is rescheduled. With a 10-hour fishing trip, anglers can go anywhere and catch any fish.
12-hour trips
If you would like to book the longest fishing trip in Destin, then 12-hour fishing trips are worth considering. Based on 9 charters surveyed, you can find 12-hour trips in Destin for an average of $2460, with the highest cost being $3200 and the lowest being $1900.
It’s worth noting that 12-hour trips give fishermen plenty of time that they can dedicate to the hobby. It takes anglers 2 hours to get to the fishing spots. Therefore, 10 hours can be spent fishing. Such trips are long. So, make sure that you have enough food and water.
With 12-hour trips, anglers can fish in inshore and offshore waters. However, fishermen usually prefer to book 12-hour trips when they would like to fish in offshore waters.
The truth is that weather affects fishing in the region. It’s worth noting that long fishing trips depend a lot on weather conditions. If the weather is bad, fishing can be dangerous. So, it would be better to avoid fishing in bad weather. That’s why 12-hour trips are often canceled due to bad weather.
Recommended Fishing 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 |
| Maximus Fishing Charters | Destin, FL |
| Always Tight Fishing Charter Destin | Destin, FL |
| Get The Gaff Fishing Charter | Destin, FL |
| Just B Cause Charters | Destin, FL |
| 850 Fishing Charters | Destin, FL |
| Lock N Load Charters | Destin, FL |
| Southern Country Charters | Destin, FL |
| Apex Charters & Rentals | Destin, FL |
| Just Reel Fishing Charter | Destin, FL |
| Last Cast Charters | Destin, FL |
| Living Right Fishing Charters | Destin, FL |
| My Chance Charters | Destin, FL |
| Blue Runner II Inc. | Destin, FL |
Destin Fishing Trips: Seasonal Trip Cost Breakdowns
Spring
Spring is a great time to book a fishing trip in Destin. The weather in spring is getting warmer, but it’s not too hot in the region. The waters are calm. As a result, the ideal conditions for fishing in the area are created. It makes sense to book longer fishing trips in spring.
As the weather warms up, more anglers choose to go fishing. So, the demand for fishing increases and the charter costs are higher in April. However, captains can be busy in the late spring. So, it would be better to book a Destin fishing trip in advance.
Water temperature increases and that’s the reason why fishing in the region is becoming more productive. Many fish species get active due to the warm springtime temps.
Cobia starts its annual migration in spring. Anglers can also target such species as black drum, cobia, grouper, jack crevalle, king Mackerel, redfish, snapper, Spanish mackerel, spotted seatrout, triggerfish, and wahoo during the spring months.
Summer
Summer is the best time to fish Destin. Warmer water increases the activity of fish in the area. So, anglers can target more fish species during the summertime. However, anglers should plan their fishing trips in Destin with the weather in mind.
Traditionally, the rainy season runs in the region between the beginning and the middle of June. Bad weather creates challenges for anglers and makes fishing impossible.
Later, the demand for fishing in Destin increases and charters will be more expensive. A lot of anglers choose to fish during the summertime. That’s why charters are unavailable and competition among anglers is high.
However, summer is not a good time to book long fishing trips in Destin. The weather is hot. So, it can be difficult to fish a long day in the region during the summertime. Anglers need to prepare plenty of water as well as sunscreen to fish in hot weather.
Fishing in Destin is the most expensive in summer. However, anglers can target many fish species. These include barracuda, black drum, blue marlin, mahi-mahi, grouper, jack crevalle, king mackerel, redfish, snapper, spotted seatrout, tarpon, triggerfish, blackfin tuna, yellowfin tuna, and wahoo.
Fall
Fall is also a good time to go fishing in Destin. It’s the time of the year when fishing is good, but fewer anglers fish in the area. The weather is perfect, so anglers can fish successfully. It’s possible to fish in nearshore waters or go to deeper waters in the fall.
Fall is a good time of the year to visit the area if you are interested in affordable Destin fishing. The demand for fishing in Destin is lower during the fall months. That’s why captains often choose to lower the prices to attract anglers.
Anglers get good results during Destin fishing trips. Red snapper season is coming to an end in the fall, but many other species are still active. Among fish species that anglers can target during the fall months are barracuda, black drum, bonito, cobia, jack crevalle, mahi-mahi, mackerel, marlin, redfish, sailfish, snapper, sheepshead, spotted seatrout, blackfin tuna, yellowfin tuna, sharks and wahoo.
Winter
It’s getting colder in Destin and that’s why many fish species stay inactive in winter. Nevertheless, anglers can experience fishing during the cold winter months.
The demand for charters is low and many charters are available in Destin during the winter months. Fishing is cheaper during Destin’s winter. It’s possible to target such species as bonito, grouper, redfish, snapper, and spotted seatrout in winter.
Destin Charter Costs: Factors that Impact Prices
Charter costs in Destin depend a lot on the season and can vary during different times of the year. Among the other factors that have an impact on charter costs are gas prices, bait prices, the day of the week, etc. The popular events that attract a lot of tourists in the region may also affect fishing and charter costs in the region.
Fishing is more expensive during a busy season. A peak fishing season begins in late May and lasts until early November. A lot of species get active and fishing is becoming more productive during these months. The demand for charters increases and anglers must be prepared that the prices of fishing in Destin go up.
Anglers should take into account the prices of baits when planning the budgets for their Destin fishing trips. So, get familiar with the bait prices in the local shops ahead of time.
Plus, anglers should take into account gas prices. Boats use gas as fuel. The bigger boat is – the more fuel it consumes during a trip. The longer a trip is – the more fuel it needs. It’s also important to note that fishing in Destin becomes more expensive when gas prices go up.
It’s no surprise that many anglers prefer to fish on weekends. So, it would be great to book a Destin fishing trip on weekdays. By doing so, you’ll manage to save on a trip and avoid crowds.
Cost of Shared Fishing Charter
Charter costs depend on such factors as the type of a boat and the length of a Destin fishing trip. When booking a fishing trip, anglers have to pay a flat rate for a group of anglers.
A group consists of a certain number of anglers. If more anglers are on a fishing trip, then it’s necessary to pay a flat rate as well as the extra costs for each additional person.
Generally speaking, a shared fishing charter is much cheaper compared to solo and duo fishing trips. Anglers can save some money if they choose to book a shared fishing trip.
Additional Costs with Charter Fishing
When planning a budget for fishing adventures in Destin, anglers have to calculate charter costs. Plus, anglers should take into account the additional costs of charter fishing. The additional costs cover the expenses of a fishing license, baits as well as foods, beverages, and sunscreen. Some charters also offer fish cleaning services.
Anglers can take advantage of this service to have their fish cleaned on a boat. Cleaning of the fish is paid service. However, the service is not very expensive. Totally, anglers should increase their budgets by 15 – 25% to cover the additional costs of charter fishing.
For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Destin, please check out this article. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Marathon, please check out this article. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Key West, please check out this article.
For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Islamorada, please check out this article. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Pensacola, please check out this article. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Panama City, please check out this article.
For a complete breakdown of the fishing charter costs in Corpus Christi, please check out this guide. For a complete breakdown of the fishing charter costs in the Bahamas, please check out this guide. I also wrote a great article on the quality of Destin fishing. For a complete breakdown of the best fishing charters in Destin, check out this article. For a complete breakdown of the best fishing charters in Destin, check out this article.
