Private Charter Fishing in Destin's Gulf Waters
There's nothing quite like having the boat to yourself when you're chasing fish in the emerald waters off Destin. This 4-hour private charter gives you and one other angler the VIP treatment with Captain Matt and his crew from 850 Fishing Charters. You'll launch either at sunrise (6:00 AM) or midday (12:00 PM), depending on what works best for your schedule and the bite. With just two guests max, you get personalized attention that makes all the difference between a good day and a legendary one on the water.
What to Expect on the Water
Captain Matt knows these Gulf waters like the back of his hand, and he's not the type to waste time running around aimlessly. He'll have you positioned over productive bottom structure where snapper like to hang out, or trolling the blue water for pelagics like king mackerel and mahi-mahi. The beauty of a private charter is flexibility – if the bite is hot at one spot, you stay put. If it's slow, you move without worrying about other guests getting antsy. The crew handles all the heavy lifting: bait prep, rigging lines, and netting your fish. Your job is simple – cast, hook, and fight. Whether you're a weekend warrior or someone who's never held a rod, Captain Matt adapts his approach to match your skill level and keeps things fun without the pressure.
Techniques and Tackle Setup
The fishing style depends on what's biting, but you'll likely experience both bottom fishing and trolling during your trip. For snapper and triggerfish, the crew sets you up with medium-heavy spinning gear loaded with braided line and circle hooks. They'll show you how to feel the bottom, work your bait naturally, and set the hook properly when a fish picks it up. When targeting kings and mahi, it's all about trolling with planers, downriggers, or free-lining live bait behind the boat. Captain Matt provides all the rods, reels, tackle, and bait – no need to bring anything except your fishing license and maybe some snacks if you get hungry. The boat is equipped with quality fish-finding electronics, so locating structure and baitfish schools is never a guessing game. You'll learn proper fighting techniques for different species and pick up tips you can use on future fishing trips.
Customer Stories
"Captain Matt is best! I learned some great techniques for fishing. We all had a great time and we will definitely be using him again next trip. Highly recommended!! Thanks again, Matt!" - Samantha. "Captain Matt was great and he put us on the fish! We caught our limit of Snapper and learned some great techniques for fishing on the reefs. The boys had a great time and we will definitely be using him again next trip. Highly recommended! Thanks again, Matt!" - Mike. "Captain Matt was the absolute best! We were reeling in fish nonstop, not all were keepers but we were on our feet reeling in the whole 5 hours we were out on the boat. I felt very safe with Captain Matt the entire time. He is excellent with kids too! He made sure my niece was having the time of her life and taught her and everyone else a lot about boats, fishing, and the different species that we were catching." - Kristen.
Top Catches This Season
King mackerel are the speed demons of the Gulf, and Destin's waters serve up some beautiful smoker kings from spring through fall. These fish typically run 15-40 pounds, with the occasional monster pushing 50-plus. Kings are aggressive predators that hit trolled baits hard and fast, then peel line off your reel in blistering runs. The best action happens from April through October when they're feeding heavily on Spanish sardines, cigar minnows, and blue runners. What makes kings so exciting is their unpredictability – they might slam a spoon one minute, then ignore everything except live bait the next.
Red snapper are the crown jewel of Gulf bottom fishing, and Captain Matt knows exactly where they stack up on the offshore structure. These fish average 5-15 pounds but can reach impressive sizes over 20 pounds. Snapper are smart and cautious, requiring finesse and patience to fool consistently. They're most active during their season (typically June through July), when regulations allow retention. Even outside the season, catch-and-release snapper fishing stays hot year-round. The challenge of outsmarting these wary bottom dwellers keeps anglers coming back – they're notorious for stealing bait and testing your knots.
Grey triggerfish are the bullies of the reef, with their powerful jaws and aggressive attitude making them both frustrating and fun to catch. These 2-8 pound fish might not be the biggest fighters, but they're abundant around Destin's artificial reefs and natural bottom structure. Triggerfish have a unique way of hitting baits – they'll often nibble and test before committing to a full bite. Their season typically runs from August through May, and they're excellent table fare with firm, white meat. The trick is using smaller hooks and being patient with their finicky feeding behavior.
Mahi-mahi bring the tropical vibes to Destin's offshore scene, showing up in good numbers during warmer months when the blue water pushes closer to shore. These colorful fish average 10-25 pounds and are absolute acrobats when hooked, jumping and tail-walking across the surface. Mahi are often found around floating debris, weed lines, or schools of flying fish. They're aggressive feeders that respond well to both trolled lures and live bait. What makes mahi special is their stunning colors – brilliant greens, yellows, and blues that light up when they're fighting. They're also fantastic eating, which makes them a favorite target for charter guests.
Time to Book Your Spot
A private 4-