Destin Deep Sea Fishing Charters

The best out of 253 charter fishing deals in Destin - enter dates to check availability

Top Deep Sea Fishing in Destin

Showing top 10 charters
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Meet the Captain

52 ft

up to 18

5 HR kids, shark, catch and release
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+3
Running angling trips out of Destin, Twilight Fishing Charters invites you to a family-friendly fishing experience in the world's luckiest fishing destination! Captain Taylor is a Destin local and wants to share his expertise for an epic day fishing
Instant Confirmation
Price for up to 6 people
US $1,750
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Meet the Captain

28 ft

up to 6

 
State licensed
 
Destin
3/4 Day Trip
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+1
Add a few more hours to a half day and spend more time on the water. And more time means more fish! When the season allows, head to the reefs for Snapper and try bottom fishing. Troll for Kingfish, Wahoo, and many other exciting species.
Instant Confirmation
Price for up to 4 people
US $1,440
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26 ft

up to 6

 
State licensed
 
Destin
6 hour afternoon
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+5
Known as “the fishing capital of America,” Destin is the place to be for outstanding fishing adventures! Charter Boat Malia Ann exploits these waters to the max, meaning you’re in for a real treat. Your Captain welcomes you aboard to dis
Instant Confirmation
Price for up to 4 people
US $1,260
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Meet the Captain

48 ft

up to 15

 
Federally permitted
 
Destin
6 Hour Trip (PM)
Travel further out from the coast of Destin, spend more time on the water, and get ready to hook a wider variety of fish! You'll target huge Snapper species, including Red and Mangrove, as well as Mackerel, Jack Crevalle, Cobia, Mahi Mahi, Bonito, and more. Your captain will show you the best techniques, including trolling, and will provide rods, reels, bait, tackle, and a fishing license for you. Please note that your trip departure time is flexible, depending on when your captain's morning trip ends.
Instant Confirmation
Price for up to 6 people
US $1,740

Angler's choice

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35 ft

up to 6

 
Federally permitted
 
Destin
8 Hour Trip - Summer (Morning)
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8 hour trips are recommended if you want to target Red Snapper (when in season). This longer trip also allows more time for exploration and a chance to catch bigger King Mackerel, Blackfin Tuna, Mahi Mahi, Scamp Grouper, Gag Grouper (when in season, Red Grouper, Red Snapper, Mangrove Snapper, Vermilion Snapper, and Porgies. (Shark fishing is also a very exciting option if you would like to try and catch a trophy fish while in Destin.)
Instant Confirmation
Price for up to 6 people
US $2,000

Angler's choice

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55 ft

up to 27

 
Federally permitted
 
Destin
5 Hour Trip - Summer (PM)
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+5
Step aboard the Charter Boat Destination for a first-class deep sea fishing experience on one of the finest charter boats in Destin. The Destination is owned and operated by Capt. Stan Phillips, an experienced and USCG licensed captain who is committed to
Instant Confirmation
Price for up to 9 people
US $2,250

Angler's choice

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Meet the Captain

27 ft

up to 5

 
Federally permitted
 
Destin
10 Hr Offshore (Federal trip)
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This 10-hour federal waters trip takes you 20+ miles offshore, far beyond the state water limits, in search of bigger, harder-fighting fish. If you’re looking to target premium species and chase giants, this is the trip for you. These deeper waters require a longer run and burn more fuel, but the payoff is well worth it. At the end of the trip, your captain will clean and fillet your catch so you’re ready to enjoy the fruits of your adventure.
Price for up to 3 people
US $3,500
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36 ft

up to 6

 
State licensed
 
Destin
Afternoon 5 Hour Trip
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+7
Introducing Captain Dennis Hodge Jr., affectionately known as Brody. Born and raised on the beautiful emerald coast, Brody developed a deep love for the water and the mysteries beneath the gulf’s surface from a young age. He began fishing as soon as
Instant Confirmation
Price for up to 6 people
US $1,500

Angler's choice

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47 ft

up to 10

 
Federally permitted
 
Destin
6 HR TRIP (PM) SEASON
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Fish offshore on Captain Tyler's 47' air-conditioned, stocked boat. Fish with the family. Captain Tyler will put you on the fish and Jesse will get you all set up. Fish with the best. You won't regret it!
Instant Confirmation
Price for up to 6 people
US $1,950

Angler's choice

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56 ft

up to 40

 
Federally permitted
 
Destin
5 Hour Trip – Deep Sea Fishing
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+3
Attention! This trip has a minimum amount of people required in order for the trip to go. If we do not reach the minimum requirement the trip will be canceled and you will be refunded. This is great trip for someone who is wanting to experience being on the water with a fishing pole in your hand! Beginners love the 6hr trips. We do everything we can to make sure you have a great experience.
Instant Confirmation
Per person
US $112

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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

4.8/5
Based on 29,146 reviews by FishingBooker anglers

What anglers said about Deep Sea Fishing in Destin

Derek S.
Derek S.
Reviewed 4 Hour Trip (PM) –Summer
Great Time
5/5
Jonathan kept us engaged the entire time with plenty of success throughout the day. Best deep sea fishing experience I’ve had so far. Thanks for everything!!
Jacinto B.
Jacinto B.
Reviewed 4 hr afternoon
Great Experience
5/5
We had never been deep sea fishing, PJ and his first mate were awesome in helping us get the best possible outcome. We had a special needs cousin with us and they absolutely made this trip awesome for him.
Donna R.
Donna R.
Reviewed Half Day Trip (PM)
Great crew
5/5
We did a short 4 hour trip since we had two new to deep sea fishing and two with serious motion sickness. The 1st mate kept us baited and lines in the water caught 36 keepers. We were even thinking about going again but couldn’t squeeze it in on this trip but for sure the next. Thank you Jason and Jasey for the great memories.
Herman D.
Herman D.
Reviewed 2 Hour Trip – Kids/Beginners Fun
First Time Fishing in the Gulf
5/5
My son and I went out with our Captain JT for our first experience deep sea fishing. We had a great time, my son was excited reeling some fish in. Our Captain took care of everything and was very friendly.
Alex B.
Alex B.
Reviewed 5 HR CAPTAIN’s CHOICE/Deep Sea (AM)
Capt Philip Was Great!
5/5
Capt. Philip was amazing!!! He’s great for families and was patient with those in our group new to deep sea fishing. It was an overall great experience and I would definitely go back.