What would you recommend to anglers fishing in Destin, Florida for the first time?

Answers by verified FishingBooker anglers who went fishing in Destin

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Derek Wall
Wetumpka, AL
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with Just Reel on June 3, 2023
Make sure to bring sunscreen, sun glasses, hat, beverages and snacks. Talk to the Captain about what you would like and any suggestions they may have about the locale. This is their home and their livelihood, they know what they're talking about. You will have a great time and a wonderful experience!

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Paul Tackett
Tulsa, OK
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with Hound Dog Fishing Charters on May 23, 2023
Don’t forget that what you catch can be your dinner. Several restaurants near the harbor, such as Dewey Destin’s, can prepare your fish any way you like with all the sides. DELICIOUS! I recommend bronzed or blackened. Thanks for the memories.

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Cody Blakely
Livingston, TN
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with Just B Cause Charters on May 16, 2023
Great for spring bottom fishing. Just B cause fishing with captain ken was really great. If first time fishing it’s a really great start specially for younger kids giving the the thrill but still being able to pull the fish in by themselves.

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William H Gritton
Zionsville, IN
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with Always Tight Fishing Charter Destin on May 15, 2023
Fishing in Destin is great. If you get with a good outfit, you're guaranteed to catch fish. However, if you want to keep the fish you catch, you need to check the seasons for your targeted fish and plan accordingly. The seasons for many of Florida's game fish are pretty short. Booking a trip and catching a bunch of amazing fish you can't keep can be frustrating. But, all in all, great place to fish!

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Michael Braun
Rochester Hills, MI
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with King of Kings Charters on April 25, 2023
I am not an experienced salt water fisherman, in fact it had been 14 years since the last time. Being from Michigan my fishing is all fresh water. If you are in a similar position, I would recommend a 4 hour trip. That way you get a taste, and some education, and will know better what you want to do next.

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Matt Behan
New Orleans, Louisiana
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with No Alibi Fishing Charters on April 8, 2023
Some grouper and snapper were closed but still very fun to catch and release, same with the sharks. Fight quality fish till your arms fall off then hit a spot for some smaller but very tasty fish to fill the cooler

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AnnMarie Halterman
Vienna, VA
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with Always Tight Fishing Charter Destin on December 23, 2022
The fishing here was excellent. Calm water and endless bites. Great for family or those that enjoy reeling in the fish. We didn’t troll today, our preference was for everyone to catch many fish. We caught our limit!

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Patrick Hawkins
Decatur, MI
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with Party/Walk-On 30-65 Passenger Trip on September 21, 2022
This year in September it was over 90 degrees everyday so far. So dress and protect accordingly. You have to learn how to fish this area if you don't know gulf fishing/salt water fishing. I look forward to next trip to Destin and trying my luck again.

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Patrick Rolon
Decatur, MI
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with Party/Walk-On 30-65 Passenger Trip on September 21, 2022
The first thing is to learn is that you have to learn Destin. You may not kill it the first time. You need seasonal clothing and food/refreshments. Warm months require covering and hydration. Right tackle, etc.

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Fred Simmons
Somerville, TN
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with Get The Gaff Sportfishing Charters on August 17, 2022
Listen and learn, every trip out is an adventure. The fish may not always cooperate, but the scenery is spectacular and and the Captains I've fished with over the years have always made the trips fun and memorable...

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Katina Greenlee
College Station, TX
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with Just B Cause Charters on July 14, 2022
Our Captain took us out approximately 20 miles to provide the best spots for great red snapper. It was great. Our group caught some beautiful reds. We did have some issue with sharks taking our catch but we still managed a nice catch. The weather was challenging but the Captain kept watch and kept us moving. It was a great trip!

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Lowell Fox
Knoxville, TN
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with Just B Cause Charters on October 15, 2021
If fishing on a charter for the first time, one be cause of sea sickness. Anyone that gets sick riding in the car will definitely get sick out at sea. Also pay attention to the wind and swell, high wind equals big waves, which will make you or those in your party sick. Plus for the ones that don't get sick, it's more difficult to fish. Other than that enough yourself, and listen to the first mate he will have to teach you a few new things when fishing for large fish in the deep, its a little different than fishing off your bass boat, lol.

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MARK VONBARGEN
McMinnville, TN
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with Affordable Fishing on Lucky Lina on April 19, 2021
Captain Steve said he would put us on top of fish, that's exactly what he did. We had 4 of us on the trip and almost every stop we were all hooking up on Fish that we could keep as well as getting a look at some that will; be ready to keep on a later trip as they get a little bigger. First mate Steve was great as well, experienced as well as fun to have along. Sometimes you would forget that he was working and was not just one of the gang that you brought with you. We ended up going out two days in a row and would highly recommend Steve and Steve. We have been going to the area for years and have found a boat and crew that will become our new regular go too crew !!!! We are already looking at the colander for our next opportunity to book.

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Gary Gibson
Cowlington, OK
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with Shamrock Charters on June 25, 2019
Pick shamrock ll and let them take all of your worries away! If possible take you're Dramamine the night before and the morning of. Drink plenty of water or Gatorade. Talk to the captain ahead of time and be specific on what you're expecting. He can put you on sharks even if you didn't book a shark trip. Remember it's called fishing not catching so don't expect the fish to jump on as soon as it hits the water!

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Eric Lenington
United States
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with Affordable Fishing on Lucky Lina on May 13, 2019
Check on the fish in season and verify with your captain that they can put you on your desired fish. I have fished many times in Destin and will continue for as long and often as possible. I have yet to have a bad or even mediocre experience. You will relish your time on the most beautiful water off the shores of the "World's Luckiest Fishing Village". Be sure to have a local restaurant like Dewey Destins cook up your catch. This will show you how to cook it up yourself when you take home a freezer full of fish.

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Logan Anglin
Ladoga, IN
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with East Pass Inshore Charters on March 7, 2019
I would avoid fishing Destin in the month of March. We tried fishing the gulf from shore as well as the bay from shore and by boat. There just wasn't much activity in the area. We talked to several other anglers who were also having a stroke of bad luck. I think it would be best to wait until the water has a chance to warm up and bait fish/shrimp move inshore. I couldn't say what month that would be because this was my first time fishing Destin but maybe mid summer after the water has a chance to warm up.

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Jerry Roush
Topeka, KS
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with Mighty Fine Charters on May 27, 2022
Come Prepared, Take Motion medicine if you need it even if you think it is calm. Don't chance it and ruin the amazing experience you will have. Make sure to take lots a pictures, it is an experience you will want to remember.

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Jim Storey
Prospect, KY
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with Flowing Water: Fish, Cruise & Tour on March 6, 2022
Obviously watch the weather. Finding a guide that matches your personality is the difference on a good vs bad trip. Fishing is spotty in early March but that’s why they call it fishing and not catching. We reeled in over 40 fish and lost a couple of nice ones for sure. We also saw dolphins everywhere. Destin is beautiful and being out, even in some rough water is fantastic.

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CRAIG WESTMORELAND
Davidson, NC
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with 850 Charters on January 9, 2022
Really nice harbor, clean beaches and really clear water...Grew up in Texas and had nothing but dirty experiences in the Texas gulf...Quite the opposite in Destin with Far Far exceeded my expectations...

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Amanda Wilder
Bealeton, VA
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with MAXIMUS on December 23, 2021
Be prepared for the weather - wind on boat is 20-30 degrees colder… nice in summer but tough when in 40’s and 50’s! And winds can make water choppy which makes for a rough ride. Use motion sickness patch even if never seasick before… better to be prepared…

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Lionel Cortinas
Schertz, TX
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with Misa Charters on August 12, 2021
Understand the fish in season and listen to the Captain. If he is recommending a longer charter, it’s not because he is looking to bill more but trying to put you on the fish and sometimes they are further out.

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Louis DeWild
Des Moines, IA
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with Living Right Fishing Charters on August 5, 2021
Expect it to be really hot and not to be peak season for anything. I would not come here on a primarily fishing driven trip in August but I’d fish a day if here. We just wanted to catch some fish and we did and our captain was great but it’s a slow time of year.

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Richard Biscoe
Destin, Florida
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with 100 Proof Charters on July 27, 2021
Drink a lot of water. Start with a smaller trip before you do a full-day unless you've fished before. Have a plan for what you are going to do with the fish you catch (give them away or take them to a restaurant to have them cooked).

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Lisa Robinson
Marietta, GA
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with Flowing Water: Fish, Cruise & Tour on July 15, 2021
get to your boat on time and bring food. you need a lot of time to catch the fish because sometimes there are dolphins around and they end up getting the fish before you do so the captain usually has to move his boat to different spots.

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Ethan Stoneberg
Leesburg, Florida
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with Party/Walk-On 30-65 Passenger Trip on July 18, 2021
I would not recommend a long or out on the sea trip if this is your first time fishing. My wife and another guy got seasick as this was their first time. Either try some offshore fishing or reef fishing. Don’t try a 2 hour boat ride to fish and then 2 hours back on your first go.

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Joel McCloud
Pensacola, Florida
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with Charter Boat Strike Zone Too on June 12, 2021
Book early. Explore the boats you're planning to book. Beginners should pick larger boats with 4-6 hr expeditions. Smaller speedboats can be quite a rough ride to get farther offshore, although the bigger catches often require longer, farther offshore excursions.

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Nancy Fleming
Hattieville, AR
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with Cutting Edge Charters – Wahoo II on May 15, 2021
Book the Wahoo. Captain Steve is the boat owner so he really care about his customers being happy. His crew has been with him for years and they do a great job of making the fishing fun and productive. We have been on many fishing boats, this is our favorite.

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Wayne Eurton
Madison, AL
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with Affordable Fishing on Lucky Lina on May 7, 2021
Make sure you know what fish are in season and the size of the fish required to keep. Caught a lot of triggers and 3 sizeable amber jacks, but all were too small to keep. Do admire the captain for carefully returning fish that did not qualify.

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Leslie Lindquist
Destin, FL
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with High Cotton Charters on March 19, 2021
It was a very clean boat and the captain and crew were very friendly and it was an enjoyable trip. The first mate was exceptional and worked very hard to make sure that we had a very enjoyable trip. I would recommend this charter to anyone wishing to fish in the Gulf when they are here visiting Destin.

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Jarrett Friddle
Cabot, Arkansas
VERIFIED  
Went fishing with Vengeance Charters on August 6, 2020
August is a great time to fish with the smaller kids because one of the primary targets is smaller mingo snapper. There are plenty of them and the kids can reel them in. A few prized fish are out of season by August 1st. Red Snapper and Triggerfish for example. You might catch them, but you can't keep them.