Destin's Premier Offshore Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Six to eight hour offshore fishing adventure up to 20 miles outBottom fishing and trolling with licenses and gear included onboardSummer charter accommodates up to nine guests with experienced crew
The emerald waters off Destin hold some of the Gulf's best fishing, and our summer charter puts you right in the heart of the action. This isn't your typical half-day trip - we're talking 6 to 8 hours of serious fishing time, heading up to 20 miles offshore where the big fish live. You'll get your hands on both bottom fishing and trolling, covering all the bases for a day that'll have you talking for months. Our crew knows these waters like the back of their hand, and with all your gear and licenses included, you just need to show up ready to fish. We run these trips from June through August, and that 5:30 AM departure time? Trust me, it's worth the early alarm clock.
Picture this: you're 20 miles out in the Gulf of Mexico as the sun climbs higher, and the water changes from that coastal green to deep blue. That's where the magic happens. We start early because that's when fish are most active, and cooler morning temperatures make for better fishing conditions all around. The Destination is built for comfort and performance, handling up to 9 anglers without feeling cramped. You'll have plenty of room to move around, whether you're fighting a king mackerel on the troll or dropping down for some serious bottom fishing over structure. Our captain reads the water conditions daily, adjusting our route based on where fish are biting and what species are most active. Some days we might spend more time trolling the blue water for pelagics, other days we'll focus on productive bottom spots for snapper and grouper. The beauty of a 6 to 8-hour trip is having time to try different techniques and locations.
We've got you covered with top-shelf fishing gear matched to what we're targeting. For bottom fishing, we use heavy conventional reels spooled with braided line - you need that backbone when you're pulling red snapper and gag grouper up from 80 to 120 feet of water. Circle hooks are the standard for bottom rigs, and we'll have you fishing with everything from chicken rigs to knocker rigs depending on current and fish behavior. When we're trolling, we switch to lighter tackle that's still built for the Gulf's bigger fish. Planer boards, downriggers, and outriggers spread our lines to cover maximum water. We pull a mix of live bait, dead bait, and artificial lures - king mackerel love a slow-trolled live blue runner, while mahi mahi often can't resist a well-presented ballyhoo or colorful skirted lure. The crew handles all the rigging and re-baiting, so you focus on what matters: setting the hook and bringing fish to the boat.
Red snapper are the bread and butter of Destin offshore fishing, and summer is prime time. These fish hang around structure - wrecks, artificial reefs, and natural bottom contours in 60 to 150 feet of water. A decent red snapper runs 15 to 25 pounds, but we regularly see fish pushing 30 pounds or more. They're strong fighters with a tendency to head straight for cover when hooked, so you need to keep pressure on them. What makes red snapper special is they're both challenging to catch and fantastic on the dinner plate. The season timing means you're fishing when they're most aggressive and feeding heavily.
Gag grouper are the heavyweight champions of the bottom fishing world around here. These fish can exceed 40 pounds and fight like they're twice that size. Gags are ambush predators that live around the same structure as red snapper, but they require different tactics. They hit hard and immediately try to get back to their hole, so the first few seconds after hookup are crucial. Summer months find them in relatively shallow water compared to winter, making them more accessible on our 6-hour trips. Landing a big gag grouper is one of those fishing moments that stays with you - pure power and determination on the end of your line.
Blackfin tuna show up in our Gulf waters during summer months, usually in schools around structure or temperature breaks. These fish are pure speed and endurance, typically running 15 to 30 pounds with some larger specimens mixed in. They're excellent table fare and put up a fight that'll test your arms and back. Blackfins often travel with other pelagic species, so hooking into a school can mean multiple hookups and controlled chaos on deck. They respond well to both live bait and artificials, making them a favorite target when we're covering water looking for active fish.
King mackerel are the reason many anglers get addicted to offshore fishing. These fish are fast, aggressive, and absolutely spectacular when they jump. Summer kings in our area average 20 to 40 pounds, with some real giants mixed in that can exceed 60 pounds. They're notorious for their razor-sharp teeth and acrobatic fights, often making multiple jumps and long runs. Kings are also one of the best eating fish in the Gulf when handled properly. They travel in schools and follow bait, so finding one usually means finding several.
Mahi mahi, or dolphinfish, are the wild cards of offshore fishing. They're not always around, but when they show up, they make the day memorable. These fish are incredibly colorful, excellent fighters, and absolutely delicious. Mahi are drawn to floating debris, weed lines, and structure, often traveling in small schools. They're curious fish that will sometimes stay around the boat after you've caught one, giving everyone a chance at the action. A good mahi runs 15 to 30 pounds, though smaller schoolies and larger bulls are both possible. Their willingness to hit a variety of baits and lures makes them exciting targets for anglers of all skill levels.
Summer fishing in Destin books
The Destination is your ticket to serious offshore fishing adventures in Destin's deep waters. This well-equipped sportfisher handles the 20-mile run to prime fishing grounds with ease, packed with everything you need for a productive day on the water. Captain Stan and his crew know these waters inside and out, putting you on the fish whether you're dropping lines to the bottom or trolling for pelagics. The boat's fish finder and GPS take the guesswork out of finding the action, while the spacious deck gives your group of up to 9 anglers plenty of room to work. Air conditioning keeps you comfortable between bites, and the onboard icebox ensures your catch stays fresh for the trip home. With radar for safety and a clean head onboard, you're set for those long summer days chasing whatever's biting in the Gulf's productive offshore waters.
Thunnus AtlanticusBlackfin Tuna are speed demons that put on aerial shows you won't forget. These smaller tunas typically run 15-35 inches and 5-25 pounds, but they punch way above their weight class. We find them in blue water 15-30 miles out, often around floating debris or feeding birds. Summer through fall is peak season when they're schooled up and hungry. What guests love is their blistering runs and jumps - pure adrenaline on light tackle. They're also excellent eating with that rich, red tuna meat that's perfect for searing or sashimi. Look for them mixed in with skipjack schools or under bird activity. Here's a local secret: scale down your tackle and use 30-pound fluorocarbon leaders with 5/0 circle hooks. These fish have sharp eyes, so lighter gear gets way more bites. Chunk with pilchards or vertical jig when you mark them on the bottom machine.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag Grouper are serious fighters that'll test your arm strength every trip. These guys average 20 inches but the big bulls can hit 40+ inches and 30 pounds. You'll find them around rocky structure, reefs, and wrecks in 40-200 feet of water. Summer's prime time when they're feeding heavy before the fall closure. What makes gags special is their bulldog fight - once hooked, they'll dive straight for the rocks trying to break you off. They're also fantastic table fare with firm white meat. The cool thing about gags is they start as females and change to males as they get bigger. For the best shot at landing one, use live pinfish or cut squid on a stout bottom rig. Here's the key: soon as you feel that bite, lock down your drag and lift hard. Don't give them an inch or they'll wrap you around structure and snap your line every time.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing Mackerel are lightning-fast predators that'll smoke your drag in seconds. These silver bullets average 15-30 pounds but trophy kings can top 50+ pounds. We target them trolling in 40-150 feet, especially around structure and bait schools. Summer months are hot when they move inshore chasing Spanish sardines and blue runners. What makes kings special is their raw speed and vicious strikes - they'll cut through the water like missiles. Plus they make excellent eating when bled and iced properly. The big females really put up a fight compared to smaller males. For best results, troll with live bait on a wire leader and stinger hook rig. Here's the trick: use two hooks - one through the nose and a trailing treble hook. Kings always bite the back half of baitfish first, so that stinger hook is money. Keep your drag loose initially or they'll snap you off on the strike.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are the most colorful fighters in the Gulf, flashing gold and green as they jump. These beauties average 15-30 pounds with bulls reaching 40+ pounds and distinctive square heads. We find them around floating debris, weedlines, and current breaks 10-30 miles offshore. Summer into early fall is prime time when they're thick in the blue water. What guests love is their acrobatic fights and those amazing color changes - plus they're top-shelf eating with sweet, firm white meat. Mahi travel in schools, so where there's one, there's usually more. Look for frigate birds working floating sargassum or debris. Here's a money tip: once you hook one, keep it in the water and have others ready to cast. The hooked fish will keep the school around. Use live ballyhoo or blue runners, and make them skip on the surface - mahi go crazy for anything that looks like a flying fish.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed Snapper are the crown jewel of Gulf bottom fishing. These bright red beauties typically run 1-3 feet and average 5-15 pounds, though we've seen monsters pushing 30+ pounds. They hang around structure in 30-200+ feet - think reefs, wrecks, and ledges. Summer months are prime time when they're most active and feeding heavily. What makes them special? They fight like crazy, diving straight for cover the second they feel that hook. Plus, you won't find better eating fish in these waters - sweet, flaky white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. Here's a local trick: when you hook one, keep steady pressure but don't horse them up. Let your drag do the work and keep them away from structure. Use fresh cigar minnows or live pinfish on a knocker rig, and always have your reel locked tight - these fish will test your tackle every time.
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