Fishing/Activity recomendations for Destin,Fl

[maroonandwhite]

We are planning a trip in June for just east of Destin, FL and I am trying to get some ideas for activities in the area. I am interested in charter fishing mostly but am looking for ideas for anything interesting other than laying on the beach. Also if anyone has specific experiences with any of the fishing outfits I would appreciate the reviews. Thanks!

[Sam1]

We went on a sunset dolphin tour with a really small company there, and it was pretty fun. Free alcohol and it was a big flat boat so you could walk around and socialize... The huge speedboat thing was funny because they would blow their horn and people were excited to leave port, but they couldn't do anything except sit in a seat. We both arrived back at the same time and everyone on our boat was having a blast, and the speedboat people looked dissapointed lol.

I'll try to track down the name of the company again for you. The guide also spent a lot of time explaining where the locals eat at, away from the touristy areas

[maroonandwhite]

Yeah I am hoping being just east of Destin we won't be in a tourist overrun area. I would appreciate the name.

[MacGyver]

You know, when I'm in that part of the Gulf, I like nothing more than taking lightweight tackle, wading out to about waist deep, hooking up a X-Rap or something similar and wearing it out on inshore fish.  The chartered booze cruises don't hold a candle to the fun you can have just wading in.  Just make sure you really wash your rig down afterwards.

 

Likewise, there are some pretty good coastal lakes in and around Destin.  Assuming you're not afraid of the black water, don't be afraid of hitting those with your regular bass tackle.  We've pulled some great fish out of there.  Just watch for gators and snakes (and pigs and the occasional bear).

 

This time of year, waves are more likely in the Gulf, but we still get those "lake flat" days.  Get out there and have some fun!

[MacGyver]

Grayton Beach State Park has a great coastal trail, and had good access to Western Lake.  You can rent a canoe at the Ranger Station if you want.  We've pulled some monster red fish out of that lake.

[maroonandwhite]

You know I hadn't even thought of that! I could take the money we'd spend on a charter and just buy some good equipment to shore fish. We don't drink either so a boat full of intoxicated people with sharp objects isn't very appealing. No offense meant towards those who choose to drink.

 

As a matter of fact you pretty much just made my mind up about that. What size and type of fish can I expect to catch on shore fishing? I am ignorant on most fishing stuff. It's funny because I love to fish but if it isn't bass, brim or crappie I'm clueless.

[10-Ring]

If you want to get into some good fish hire a private charter.  Party boats are dumb.  I have no interest in them, I guess they are fine if you want to watch drunk people hang a line off the side of a boat, get tangled up and never see any fish.  With a private charter it will be you and maybe one other party so it isn't crowded.  You will pay but you are getting the expertise of full time local fishermen and they should put you on good fish.  I always go down to the marina the day before I go out and find the boat that has the best fish then schedule with them. 

[MacGyver]

The booze cruises out of Destin are a good recipie for an awful afternoon.  That said, there are usually at least one or two on every boat that provide pretty good chum...

 

You're likely to catch anything fishing from shore, really.  In one recent afternoon (maybe two hours while all the kids were resting) I caught probably 15 ladyfish, which are incredibly ariel fish and fun to catch, a small bull shark, and a nice jack.

 

If you're fishing the bottom with fresh bait, you might hook into rays or flounder.

 

Really, you can catch about anything out there.

 

As to equipment, sealed bearings, saltwater rated if you can get it, and be strict about your maintenance when you come in.  Bass Pro down in Destin has some great equipment if you're into the big box thing.  If you want something more local, then I would suggest Yellowfin out on 30A.

[KahrMan]

If you like to fish off the rock walls and beach, here is a place to go.  Harbor Blvd is the main drag thru Destin.  Turn onto Gulf Shore Drive and drive to the end and you will find a little parking lot.  You have to walk across a sand dune to get to the rock wall.  Use a cast net to catch some bait and have fun.

 

 

 

[MacGyver]

Florida licenses differently, too.  They've got separate licenses for freshwater and saltwater.  Assuming you're only making a week trip down there, a seven day is completely reasonable for either - $19 - I think.

[maroonandwhite]

Sounds like I will pretty much have to buy all new stuff. All I have are some basspro special ready to go bass rigs. A new rod and reel might be in my future.

[MacGyver]

It's not the most sustainable choice out there, but plenty of people have basically used a $15 shakespeare spinning combo for the week knowing that it's drag system will likely be trashed when they get home.

 

My favorite rig for the Gulf is a St. Croix 7 foot midweight rod with a Shimano Stradic CI4F 3000 series reel.  The reel wasn't cheap, but I have not been disappointed. It holds up to saltwater well.

[NoBanStan]

The naval air museum isnt too far away, hour or so. VERY cool place, I must have taken a hundred photos.

We go yearly and ride the boogies dolphin cruise, never failed to see dolphin, plus I think you can charter fishing trips at the docks.

[Sam1]

Here's who we went with:  http://www.destinsnorkel.com/

 

And this has zero to do with fishing, I'm not even sure if they have fishing trips it's just to get out and relax. The guides were extremely nice, and we stayed out almost an hour longer than expected just because the weather was nice and the guides were enjoying it too. It was the best "socializing" time we had while down there.

 

Oh and another thing to consider, was that someone down there has those ironman jetpacks you can fly around on, due to my injuries at the time, we weren't able to try them out, but they sure looked cool floating around in the bay. Am not sure if this is the same company, but here's a link to one of the companies there: http://www.powerupwatersports.com/

[TMF]

We are planning a trip in June for just east of Destin, FL and I am trying to get some ideas for activities in the area. I am interested in charter fishing mostly but am looking for ideas for anything interesting other than laying on the beach. Also if anyone has specific experiences with any of the fishing outfits I would appreciate the reviews. Thanks!

I rented a pontoon boat when I was last there and spent the day in the intercoastal nailing channel cat all day and catching a tan. Very relaxing and hardly any boat traffic since I was away from the tourism area. Edited February 14, 2013 by TMF