Situated an hour from Panama City to the south and an hour from Pensacola to the north, the crystalline waters of Destin offer a haven for anglers. It is known as the billfishing capital of Florida's northwest shores and renowned as the "world's luckiest fishing village." Opportunities abound for taking home a fish tale. Drop a line off a pier to catch pompano or strap in to bag a marlin with offshore trolling.
What to Expect to Catch and When
Pompano begin to show up in April, signaling the best time for pier and jetty fishing. Through October you can count on catching Spanish and king mackerel, whiting, bluefish and sheepshead. August to October are prime months for offshore trolling when big fish like wahoo, blue and white marlin and sailfish take the bait. When schools of cobia, also called ling cod, begin to run in spring, inshore trolling season begins. Along with cobia, from March to November you can land bonito and schoolie dolphin. Deep sea-bottom fishing yields catches year-round. You'll frequently find scamp, amber jack, grouper and snapper dangling from the end of your line.
Pier Fishing
The pier at Okaloosa Island extends 1,262 feet over snow-white sand into the depths of Santa Rosa Sound. The end of the pier opens onto an eight-sided landing, so if you hook a 50-plus-pound tuna or tarpon, you'll have plenty of room for the ensuing fight between angler and fish. The pier offers rod and tackle rental from an on-site tackle shop and an individual fishing license is not required.
Jetty Fishing
With daily tidal changes, fishing from Destin's east and west jetties provides an opportunity to catch a variety of fish including flounder, grouper, redfish and trout year-round. An added bonus is amazing vistas of the Gulf of Mexico. To access the east jetty, park in the designated area on Gulfshore Drive; the walk to the jetty takes about 30 minutes. West Jetty is a longer walk, between 45 to 60 minutes, with designated parking at the southwest end of the Destin Highway 98 Bridge.
Deep Sea Fishing Charters
You'll find several fishing charters in Destin offering half-day to full-day to overnight excursions. Charters provide everything you need for the trip, from equipment to licenses, so all you need to supply are personal items, food and drink. Remember to bring your camera to capture a shot of you and the big fish that didn't get away.
Fishing License Requirements
Florida residents and non-residents are required to purchase a saltwater fishing license, with certain exceptions. Check with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for details.
Considerations
Use caution when walking the jetties. There are no walkways, so to reach the end of the jetty you have to clamber over huge boulders, some with drops of more than 20 feet between them. Check daily weather conditions for storm warnings, as waves can crash over the top of jetties, placing you in a dangerous position.
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