Destin is located on Florida's northern gulf coast, in Okaloosa County. For people who enjoy sport fishing, Destin is about as good as it gets. That's because, according to DestinFL.com, this is the "world's luckiest fishing village." So if you enjoy fishing, get your gear together and head for this quaint Florida locale with sandy white beaches and aquamarine waters.
Types
There are many types of fishing to be done in Destin. Most of the city's fishing fleet specializes in deep sea, bottom fishing. However, you don't need to bring your boat or rent one to go fishing. You can also fish off the beach pier or the jetty or anywhere else close to the shoreline. Alternately, rent a sea kayak and venture a bit off shore to see what's biting.
Catches
According to DestinFL.com, fishing near the shore can yield pompano, channel bass, whiting, bluefish and king mackerel, to name a few. Some of these species tend to be more plentiful from April through October. On the other hand, if fishing out further in the Choctawhatchee Bay, you can expect to catch white trout, red fish, sail cat and flounder. Inshore trolling from March through November will likely yield a good cobia catch. Offshore trolling any time of the year will yield grouper, snapper and marlin.
Licensing
You need a fishing license to fish in Destin, whether or not you're a Florida resident. However, there are some exceptions. For instance, individuals under 16 years of age, those fishing from a charter boat that has a Vessel Saltwater Fishing License, or those over the age of 65 with a valid Florida driver's license do not need a fishing license. Other exceptions exist, so make sure you don't fall under one of them before getting your fishing license. Fishing licenses for non-Florida residents cost between $17 and $47, as of September 2010, depending on the amount of time it's valid for. The price is between $9 and 17 for Florida residents.
Events
This lazy fishing village is transformed into an angler's paradise every October, when the Destin Fishing Rodeo takes place. If you have a competitive spirit and are confident in your fishing skills, this is the time to be in Destin. The tournament attracts thousands of anglers throughout the month, who complete for more than $100,000 in prizes.
Considerations
Renting a charter boat for a day or even a few hours can be quite pricey, so if you don't own a boat and would like to go off-shore sea fishing, consider going to Destin with friends and fellow anglers so you can split the cost of a charter.
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