Best Deep Sea Fishing Charters in Destin

Always Tight Fishing Charter Destin

Always Tight Fishing Charter Destin

125 reviews
 Destin  •  33 ft  • 6 persons
Popular with anglers looking for Deep Sea fishing charters in Destin

For your next trip to Destin, look no further than Always Tight Fishing Charters, a locally owned and operated charter company. Captain Tyler and his crew are locals who have been fishing these waters for over 25 years with great success. They want to make sure you have a great day out with them, learn about the area, and catch some top fish.

My Chance Charters

My Chance Charters

201 reviews
 Destin  •  30 ft  • 6 persons
Popular with anglers looking for Deep Sea fishing charters in Destin

The vessel is a stout 30’ Black Watch saltwater fisher, powered by twin 225 HP Cummins engines. The boat is equipped with powerful engines so you can take full advantage of the great fishing locale that is Destin. It also has an observation tower, helping you spot that Mahi Mahi and Cobia. Comforts are not neglected though, as the boat has a full head toilet.

Just Reel

Just Reel

81 reviews
 Destin  •  23 ft  • 6 persons
Popular with anglers looking for Deep Sea fishing charters in Destin

From the shallow inshore water to deeper water up to 9 miles offshore, you’ll explore them all aboard a 26’ Parker center console. A versatile vessel, she’s comfortable on all kinds of water. There’s plenty of space on board for up to 6 guests, while 4 people can fish at the same time. Take advantage of the onboard ice box to keep your catch fresh, but make sure to bring a cooler full of drinks and snacks to make the most of your trip.

Karma Charters LLC

Karma Charters LLC

48 reviews
 Destin  •  29 ft  • 6 persons
Popular with anglers looking for Deep Sea fishing charters in Destin

Come and discover why Destin, FL, is known as the “Luckiest Fishing Village in the World” with Karma Charters LLC. Head offshore to the wrecks and deep waters of the Gulf and battle it out with some of the nation’s biggest, most prized fish. You’re sure to fill the boat and have plenty of fun while doing it!
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Top Deep Sea Fishing Charters in Destin

Emerald Coast Charters

Emerald Coast Charters

39 reviews
Destin  • 40 ft  • 6 persons
35 people are looking at this charter.
trips from $700
East Pass Inshore Charters

East Pass Inshore Charters

294 reviews
Destin  • 22 ft  • 6 persons
66 people are looking at this charter.
trips from $330
Charter Boat Rewind

Charter Boat Rewind

79 reviews
Destin  • 46 ft  • 6 persons
37 people are looking at this charter.
trips from $880
Frigate

Frigate

63 reviews
Destin  • 30 ft  • 6 persons
33 people are looking at this charter.
trips from $800
Mighty Fine Charters

Mighty Fine Charters

190 reviews
Destin  • 50 ft  • 14 persons
40 people are looking at this charter.
trips from $880
Championship Offshore Outfitting And Charters

Championship Offshore Outfitting And Charters

78 reviews
Destin  • 42 ft  • 6 persons
16 people are looking at this charter.
trips from $860
Nothin Matters LLC

Nothin Matters LLC

35 reviews
Destin  • 43 ft  • 6 persons
16 people are looking at this charter.
trips from $800
Pescador III – 51′

Pescador III – 51′

219 reviews
Destin  • 51 ft  • 16 persons
48 people are looking at this charter.
trips from $800
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Deep Sea Fishing in Destin

Famous as ‘The World’s Luckiest Fishing Village,’ it's no surprise that the deep sea fishing Destin has on its doorstep is something special. This is one of the closest ports to blue water in the Gulf of Mexico, and the 150 strong charter boat fleet is primed and ready to show you what lies beneath the surface. 
 
Destin charter boats might be famous for bottom fishing for Red Snapper, but go on a deep sea fishing trip and you’ll find that there’s a lot more to be done in these parts. Whether it’s deep dropping for Golden Tilefish, Snowy Groupers, and Yellow Edge Groupers, getting out the LEDs and glow sticks for deep water Swordfish, or trolling for pelagics, this is some of the most exciting deep sea fishing you can find... well, pretty much anywhere.
 

Top Fishing Hotspots

The Edge

Bring up the topic of offshore fishing in Destin and you’ll hear ‘The Edge’ dropping into the conversation pretty early on. This refers to the edge of the Continental Shelf, which comes closer to this part of the Panhandle than anywhere else in the Gulf of Mexico. You thought Destin's impressive fish counts were down to luck alone? Think again.
 
It's here that the sea floor starts to get deep enough to be interesting. Twenty-three miles southwest of the East Pass (or 16 miles south of Navarre Beach), the seabed drops from 130 to 400 feet. With such depths and plenty of rocky outcrops, this is a paradise for the bottom fish that have made Destin famous. Big Red Snapper, Grouper, and Amberjack regularly find their way onto boats here. Dolphin (Mahi Mahi), Cobia, King Mackerel, Blackfin Tuna, and even the occasional Wahoo and Sailfish join them in the summer. All this, just around 20 miles from the coast.
 

100 Fathom Curve

Unlike any other place in the area, Destin offers unprecedented offshore fishing opportunities much closer to shore thanks to its special geolocation. Just 10–12 miles offshore, you'll encounter a drastic drop off known as the “100-Fathom Curve.” The waters here get 600 feet deep, which is heaven for both bottom and deep sea fishing, with a variety of Grouper, Snapper, Mahi Mahi, and others as regulars. 
 
If your sights are set on true deep water fishing, you need to travel beyond the 100-Fathom Curve. Here, waters drop to below 600 ft, where Blue Marlin, Mahi, Tuna, and Wahoo hunt around fishing hotspots such as the Nipple and the Elbow. This will require traveling at least 42 nautical miles, but if you have the time and the engine power, it’s a no brainer. Being one of the best places in the Gulf to catch a Billfish at certain times of year, it’s no wonder that the most seasoned captains in Destin believe this is where local deep sea fishing begins for real. “Squiggles” is another popular fishing spot located 60 miles from the coast of Destin, southeast from the edge of the curve. 
 

The Spur, the DeSoto Canyon, and Beyond

 
Go 50 plus miles offshore from Destin, and you’ll find yourself fishing waters well over 1000 ft deep. The action gets really hot at The Spur. Go 60 miles from the coast, and you’ll be fishing above the northern tip of the DeSoto Canyon. Here, you can expect 24 hour fishing action, with big game fish such as White and Blue Marlin in the day and Broadbill Swordfish at night. Travel 150 miles offshore, and the waters get to over 5000 ft deep. Yes, it’s a long old run, but it can be more than worth it. 
 

Charter Fishing Options

Private Charters

In order to get the best out of deep sea fishing in Destin, you should be looking at trips lasting at least 10 hours. Almost all local deep sea fishing charters offer longer trips as well, with anything from 12 to 48 hour trips coming under their list of options. Of course, the longer the trip, the better your potential catch, although we recommend only going for 10+ hour trips if you have been fishing a few times before.
 
The distance you can travel depends on the boat, but 24 hour trips can get you fishing the DeSoto Canyon, while 2 day trips can see you fishing anywhere from 70 - 150 miles offshore. 3 day trips can take you to the offshore oil rigs, where you will be fishing in 5000 ft of water for huge Yellowfin Tuna as well as Billfish. 
 
Most private charters will offer a combination of bottom fishing and trolling. The price of 8-hour full day trips usually starts around $1500 for an offshore boat, reaching about $2500 for 12 hours and around $3000 per day for multiday trips. 
 

Party Boats

Commonly understood to be the cheapest option for traveling anglers, most Destin ‘deep sea fishing’ party boats will actually be fishing no further than about 20 miles offshore. While this can be a fun introductory experience to fishing the Panhandle, private charters are a better option for people who are looking for the top quality fishing experience. That said, these trips can result in catches of Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, Blackfin Tuna, as well as the poster child of Destin fishing — the Red Snapper. 
 

When To Go

While there’s something worth catching in the Gulf of Mexico all year round, deep sea fishing trips are much more likely to be rescheduled due to weather conditions than other packages. This can make winter trips harder to schedule than summer ones.
 
There’s a good bite from Swordfish, Tilefish, and large Groupers all year round. If your heart is set on pelagics, April to October is the main fishing season. June-July can be a great time to fish for Wahoo, Tuna, Mahi, and Sailfish around floating weeds around the spur, while White and Blue Marlin peak in September.
 
Come in October, and you can be witness to the famous Destin Fishing Rodeo—this is something every serious saltwater angler should experience at least in their lifetime!

Destin

4.56
Based on 18,305 reviews by FishingBooker anglers

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What People Are Saying About Deep Sea Fishing in Destin

"Fishing with Steven"

Tim Noblett fished with Affordable Fishing on Lucky Lina on July 15, 2017
Took my kids on a Great Deep Sea Fishing trip with Capt. Steve and first mate Jacob on the Lucky Lina! The kids had a blast and I caught a 50 lb King Mackerel, what a trip it was! They were really good with the kids! If you are look for a great experience Capt. Steve is the one to call. Lucky Lina did not disappoint!!!

Top Targeted Deep Sea Fishing Species in Destin

Snapper (Red)

Snapper (Red)

Amberjack

Amberjack

Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)

Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)

Wahoo

Wahoo