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Taylor Bankston
Captain

Taylor Bankston

Destin, United States
Federal waters
250+ reviews
I was born in Louisiana and raised on tugboats. I started fishing and driving boats from a very young age with my grandfather who taught me most of what I know. So I was raised on the water and I've been going out into the Gulf for the past 25 years. When I was a young teen I moved to Destin and started working on sport fishing boats as a deckhand and learning to drive those. I have been driving a center console for the past three years and have really enjoyed it. I love seeing the enjoyment on people's faces when I take them out fishing. I am so thankful for being able to fish all the time and, most of all, doing something that I love and am very passionate about every day! I have spent two years rebuilding my boat and now have two 150 HP Yamaha outboard engines with a Minkota Terrova trolling motor for the best fishing experience.
Andrea B.
Andrea B.
Business partner
Taylor B.
Taylor B.
Captain

Charter

Rating

4.6
497 reviews
4.6
Boat & Equipment
4.7
Captain & Crew
4.5
Fishing Experience

What anglers say

85%
Good experience
96%
Friendly captain
89%
Recommend this charter
93%
Appropriate for children
94%
Satisfied with the boat
84%
Caught fish

All reviews (497)

Showing 1 – 5 of 497 reviews
  • Levi Householder
    Levi Householder
    us
    Missouri, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified
    NEW

    AWESOME TRIP

    3hr Shark/Red fish Trip • 5 adults

    It was a great trip! 5 of us went. Plenty of room for everyone. Captain was polite and very professional with a great sense of humor. We caught bait fish(and a baby sucker shark), then fished in the deep past the bay, then under the bridge. Caught two good sized red fish and had an awesome time. Captain Taylor cleaned and filleted the fish for us and even recommended an amazing place to take them to have them cook them for us. (Brotulas) AWESOME TRIP! would recommend for anyone looking for a good casual fishing trip. We also saw like 15 dolphins and lots of cool birds. We are by no means a fishing family yet he showed us a great time. also he had everything on board we needed to have an absolute blast. music included!

    Reported catch:
    Redfish
  • Kira Phillips
    Kira Phillips
    Repeat angler
    us
    Georgia, US
    Member since 2025
    3 trips
    5.0
    Verified
    NEW

    Biggest Redfish I’ve Ever Caught!

    6 Hour PM Deep Sea • 2 adults

    This morning, we braved the wind, the cold, and the rough waters, and caught the biggest redfish I’ve ever caught! Captain Tyler was enthusiastic and knew right where they’d be biting. So we headed out, close to shore to catch bait, watch an amazing sunrise, see some dolphins, then headed back to the bridge to fight the reds. And boy, did they give us a fight! All in all, a great day on the water! Thank you, Captain T!

  • Daniel Hardwick
    Daniel Hardwick
    us
    Tennessee, US
    Member since 2024
    5.0
    Verified

    8 hour offshore

    8 hr offshore • 3 adults

    awesome trip. weather didnt want to cooperate with us so we had to stay near shore due to wave size but boy did we catch them. had a boat full of mackerel and sashimi grade tuna by 10. then went caught our own bait and slayed some trophy amberjack. even caught a tagged amberjack to finish off our trip. it was one for the books for sure. cant complain about the 5 days of lunch and dinner for 3 people as well. would definitely reccomend captain taylor and his cousin to everyone ! cant wait to get back out there

    Reported catch:
    Amberjack
    Response from Captain

    Thank you so much for your review as well as the 5 stars. I am pleased to hear how much you enjoyed your fishing charter with us even though we had a little bit of crazy weather. I am glad we could still slay some fish. I hope to take you out again in the future.

  • Joseph Alles
    Joseph Alles
    us
    Missouri, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Amazing First Fishing Charter Experience

    8 hr offshore • 2 adults

    This was our first time doing an offshore fishing charter, and I am glad to have chosen Captain Taylor. We quickly gathered enough bait fish to go after some Amberjack. Within 20 minutes of trolling, we limited out, and caught a dozen more. We then trolled for tuna, tripling up! Captain Taylor is very personable, charasmatic, and joins in on the excitement for his guests. Such an amazing experience and we will be back for another adventure!

    Reported catch:
    Amberjack
  • Ryder Lognion
    Ryder Lognion
    us
    Texas, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Great trip!

    5 Hour • 3 adults

    Taylor and Easton were great. Taylor did a great job giving us a breakdown on what the plan was and it was right in line with what we wanted to do. We caught several Tuna and a Spanish mackerel trolling and caught some giant Greater amberjack and Jack Crevalle on a shipwreck. We even got to see a shark come up and unfortunately help his self to a big Cobia we had on. Highly recommend captain Taylor!

    Reported catch:
    Amberjack
    Cobia
    Spanish Mackerel
    Response from Captain

    Thank you for your review as well as the 5 stars. I am pleased to hear you enjoyed your fishing charter with us and we caught lots of different species. I hope to take you out again in the future.

Real catches shared by our community

  • Get The Gaff Sportfishing Charters
    Get The Gaff Sportfishing ChartersDestin, FL
    Angler proudly holds a large redfish aboard a charter boat beneath a coastal bridge at sunset.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    +1
    Redfish
    Levi H.
    Levi H.
    It was a great trip! 5 of us went. Plenty of room for everyone. Captain was polite and very professional with a great sense of humor. We caught bait fish(and a baby sucker shark), then fished in the deep past the bay, then under the bridge. Caught two good sized red fish and had an awesome time. Captain Taylor cleaned and filleted the fish for us and even recommended an amazing place to take them to have them cook them for us. (Brotulas) AWESOME TRIP! would recommend for anyone looking for a good casual fishing trip. We also saw like 15 dolphins and lots of cool birds. We are by no means a fishing family yet he showed us a great time. also he had everything on board we needed to have an absolute blast. music included!
  • Get The Gaff Sportfishing Charters
    Get The Gaff Sportfishing ChartersDestin, FL
    A boat deck displays a mixed catch of red snapper and a dark pelagic fish, highlighting a productive offshore fishing trip.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    Red Snapper
    Ryan H.
    Ryan H.
    Kids had the best time. Captain Taylor put us on the fish and accommodated the boys fishing expectations. We had an absolute blast on the boat catching lots of fish.
  • Get The Gaff Sportfishing Charters
    Get The Gaff Sportfishing ChartersDestin, FL
    Adult angler holding a large redfish aboard a fishing boat beneath a bridge.
    Fish 1
    Redfish
    Kira P.
    Kira P.
    This morning, we braved the wind, the cold, and the rough waters, and caught the biggest redfish I’ve ever caught! Captain Tyler was enthusiastic and knew right where they’d be biting. So we headed out, close to shore to catch bait, watch an amazing sunrise, see some dolphins, then headed back to the bridge to fight the reds. And boy, did they give us a fight! All in all, a great day on the water! Thank you, Captain T!
  • Get The Gaff Sportfishing Charters
    Get The Gaff Sportfishing ChartersDestin, FL
    Solo angler reeling a fishing rod from the bow of a boat on open ocean waters during sunset.
    Martin P.
    Martin P.
    Captain Taylor was a very funny and made the trip exciting. We saw Dolphins, a sea turtle, and caught a bull shark.
  • Get The Gaff Sportfishing Charters
    Get The Gaff Sportfishing ChartersDestin, FL
    Solo angler reeling from a boat at sunset over calm coastal waters.
    Kris C.
    Kris C.
    captain Taylor was amazing 10 out of 10 will do again
  • Get The Gaff Sportfishing Charters
    Get The Gaff Sportfishing ChartersDestin, FL
    Young angler holding a large red drum, also known as redfish, aboard a small center-console boat on open coastal waters.
    Fish 1
    Redfish
    Lori L.
    Lori L.
    my family and I enjoyed a wonderful day on the ocean! everyone caught fish 🎣 we had a great dinner eating our catch! 💯 Taylor is the best Captain ♥️
  • Get The Gaff Sportfishing Charters
    Get The Gaff Sportfishing ChartersDestin, FL
    Angler proudly displaying a large Redfish caught under a bridge, showcasing a successful day on the water.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    Redfish
    Mike C.
    Mike C.
    Took a short trip, captain was on time we headed out and caught bait. Posted up in shade under bridge and caught several big reds. Exactly what i asked for catch big fish that fight.
  • Get The Gaff Sportfishing Charters
    Get The Gaff Sportfishing ChartersDestin, FL
    Two adult anglers pose aboard a small fishing boat while holding large amberjack, with additional fish displayed on the deck at a marina.
    Fish 1
    Little Tunny (False Albacore)
    Morning deep sea trip. Went out to catch some amberjacks and see what else was biting. Caught some tunas and bonitas.
  • Get The Gaff Sportfishing Charters
    Get The Gaff Sportfishing ChartersDestin, FL
    Two adult anglers proudly display a large silver game fish on a fishing boat at a dock during sunset.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    King Mackerel (Kingfish)
    Quick little afternoon/evening trip. Caught a few amberjacks that were a little small to keep but got a nice king!
  • Get The Gaff Sportfishing Charters
    Get The Gaff Sportfishing ChartersDestin, FL
    Adult angler holding a large barracuda aboard a center-console boat at sunset offshore.
    Fish 1
    King Mackerel (Kingfish)
    Jeremy B.
    Jeremy B.
    Had a great time. Caught plenty of fish. Not all keepers but enough to put in the fridge. Highly recommend.

What's biting with Get The Gaff Sportfishing Charters in Destin

Fishing in Destin has to cool down at some point – but not in November! Make the most of the end of the pelagic season, while bay and bottom fishing is still on fire. Fill your boat to fill the freezer for the holidays!

Top catches for November

Fishing reports

Two adult anglers pose aboard a small fishing boat while holding large amberjack, with additional fish displayed on the deck at a marina.

Morning Amberjack Trip with Tunas

Sep 23, 2026 • Destin
Morning deep sea trip. Went out to catch some amberjacks and see what else was biting. Caught some tunas and bonitas.
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Two adult anglers proudly display a large silver game fish on a fishing boat at a dock during sunset.

Afternoon Trip: Small Amberjacks, Nice K

Sep 23, 2026 • Destin
Quick little afternoon/evening trip. Caught a few amberjacks that were a little small to keep but got a nice king!
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A group of three anglers proudly displaying their catch of large Amberjack at the dock, showcasing a successful day of fishing.

Another Limit of Amberjacks

Sep 6, 2026 • Destin
Took this family a few miles out for some closer to shore Ajs and limited out on the amberjacks!
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A family proudly displaying their catch of large Amberjack fish at the dock after a successful fishing trip.

First Amberjack trip of opening Aj seaso

Sep 5, 2026 • Destin
Took this family on a 5hr am trip and went out just a few miles and caught their limit of Amberjacks and a couple others.
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Adult angler holding a large reef fish aboard a twin-outboard boat in open ocean waters.

Fun catch and release AJ and some keeper

Aug 12, 2026 • Destin
5 hour trolling for king mackerals and caught and released a few amberjacks.
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Multiple red snapper and tuna-like fish arranged on the deck of a fishing boat.

Great 6hr mixed bag

Jun 28, 2026 • Destin
Took this lovely family out on the 6 hr am trip and caught a bunch of different fish. From bottom fishing for snappers to trolling for mahis! What a blast. Taking advantage of the closer mahis!
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