Dolphin Tour & Inshore Fishing Combo - Destin
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Combined dolphin watching and inshore fishing adventure in Destin watersAccommodates up to six guests for fullday coastal experienceBay fishing opportunities alongside marine wildlife encounters
Picture this: you're casting your line in the emerald waters of Destin's back bays when a pod of dolphins surfaces just 50 yards away. That's exactly what you'll get with Flowing Water Charters' combo trip - a perfect marriage of world-class inshore fishing and dolphin watching that's become a customer favorite. Captain and crew know these waters like the back of their hand, and they've designed this full-day adventure to give you the best of both worlds. With space for up to six anglers, this isn't your typical crowded charter boat experience. You'll have plenty of room to work your rods while keeping an eye out for the playful dolphins that call these waters home.
Your day starts early at the Destin Harbor, where you'll meet your captain and get a rundown of the game plan. The beauty of this combo trip is the flexibility - we're not locked into one specific spot or activity. The morning might kick off with some light tackle fishing in the grass flats while dolphins are most active, then transition into serious angling as the day heats up. Destin's inshore waters are a maze of channels, flats, and structure that hold everything from schooling Spanish mackerel to trophy redfish. The captain reads the conditions daily - wind, tide, water temperature - and adjusts the approach accordingly. Some days we're sight fishing in crystal clear shallows, other days we're working deeper channels where the bigger fish hang out. The dolphin encounters happen naturally throughout the day, often when you least expect it. These curious mammals are drawn to fishing activity, so don't be surprised if they show up right when you're fighting a fish.
Flowing Water Charters provides all the gear you'll need, but understanding the techniques makes the day even better. We're talking light to medium spinning tackle - perfect for the finesse required in shallow water fishing. Live bait is king out here, with shrimp being the go-to for most species. The captain keeps a live well stocked with pilchards, pinfish, and whatever else is running that day. Artificial lures have their place too, especially when targeting Spanish mackerel or spadefish around structure. You'll learn to read the water - spotting baitfish activity, bird work, and subtle current changes that indicate feeding zones. The boat is equipped with a shallow water anchor system that lets us stay positioned quietly without spooking fish in the skinny water. Polarized sunglasses are essential gear you'll want to bring - being able to see into the water transforms your fishing game completely. The captain will teach you to spot redfish tailing in the shallows or see the subtle wake of a cruising sea trout.
Spanish Mackerel are the speed demons of Destin's inshore waters. These silver bullets typically run 1-3 pounds and provide non-stop action when you find a school. They're most active during the warmer months from April through October, often found around structure or following bait schools. What makes them exciting is their aggressive strike and acrobatic fight - they'll jump, run, and test your drag system. The key is using small spoons or jigs and keeping them moving fast.
Spadefish are the underrated fighters that will surprise you every time. These disc-shaped beauties average 2-4 pounds but fight like fish twice their size. They school around bridges, pilings, and artificial reefs throughout the summer months. Spadefish are notorious for their delicate bite - you need to stay alert and set the hook quickly. Once hooked, they use their flat body profile to pull hard against the current, making for a memorable battle on light tackle.
Sheepshead are the master thieves with human-like teeth that can steal your bait faster than you can blink. These black and white striped convicts average 2-6 pounds and are most active during cooler months from November through March. They hang around structure - docks, pilings, rocks - where they feed on barnacles and crabs. Landing a sheepshead requires patience, sharp hooks, and quick reflexes. They're also excellent table fare, making them a favorite target for anglers who love to eat their catch.
Sea Trout, or speckled trout, are the bread and butter of Destin inshore fishing. These spotted beauties range from 12-20 inches on average, with larger "gator trout" pushing 4-6 pounds. They're active year-round but peak during spring and fall transitions. Sea trout are ambush predators that hang around grass beds, drop-offs, and oyster bars. They respond well to both live bait and artificials, making them perfect for anglers of all skill levels. The distinctive spots and canine teeth make them easy to identify.
Redfish are the crown jewel of inshore fishing - powerful, beautiful, and smart. These copper-colored bruisers average 18-27 inches in the slot limit, though oversized bulls over 30 inches provide epic battles. Redfish are available year-round but are most cooperative during fall months. They're often found in shallow water, making them perfect for sight fishing. Watching a redfish crush your bait in two feet of water is what inshore fishing dreams are made of. Their powerful runs and bulldogging fight make every redfish memorable.
This top-rated combo experience fills up fast, especially during peak season when both fishing and dolphin activity are at their best. You're getting two premium experiences for the price of one - world-class inshore fishing guided by local experts plus dolphin encounters that happen naturally in their habitat. The six-person limit means you're not fighting crowds for rod space or photo opportunities. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to explore new waters or a family wanting to experience the best of Destin's marine life, this trip
The 32' Sailfish Express delivers serious fishing power with twin 300HP Suzuki engines that'll get you to those prime inshore spots fast, cruising at up to 40 knots. This 2008 vessel handles Destin's waters like a dream while you're chasing redfish, speckled trout, and whatever else is biting in the bay. The fish finder keeps you on top of the action, while the wireless trolling motor lets you sneak up on those finicky shallow water fish without spooking them. Between dolphin watching and working the flats, you'll appreciate the AC keeping things comfortable and the icebox keeping your drinks cold. With full amenities including a kitchen, shower, and sleeping quarters, this boat's got everything covered for your full-day combo adventure. The GPS and radar ensure you're always on course, whether you're tracking down dolphin pods or navigating to that secret honey hole. Perfect setup for up to 6 anglers ready to experience the best of what Destin's inshore waters have to offer.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our inshore fishing - copper-colored bruisers with distinctive black spots near their tails. Most slot fish run 18-27 inches, but we see plenty of oversized bulls pushing 30+ inches in deeper water. They love super shallow flats, oyster bars, and grass beds where they tail-feed like freshwater carp. Year-round fishing is good, but fall and spring offer peak action. Guests go crazy for these fish because they fight like freight trains and provide great photo opportunities. The meat is sweet and flaky when properly prepared. Local secret: look for nervous water and tailing fish on shallow flats during moving tides. Use gold spoons, topwater plugs, or live shrimp and be ready for explosive strikes.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Sea Trout, or "specks," are a staple of our inshore fishing. They typically run 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds with beautiful silver sides covered in black spots. You'll find them in shallow grass flats, around oyster bars, and near drop-offs, especially at dawn and dusk. They school up in deeper channels during winter but move shallow in warmer months. Guests love their aggressive strikes and decent fight, plus they make excellent table fare with delicate, white meat. These fish are structure-oriented and feed heavily on shrimp and small baitfish. Here's a tip: fish the edges of grass flats with live shrimp under a popping cork, or throw soft plastics on jig heads during low-light periods.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" of our waters with their distinctive black and white stripes and human-like teeth. Most run 1-8 pounds, but we occasionally see 20-pounders around Destin's many structures. They love dock pilings, bridges, and jetties where they crunch barnacles and crabs. Spring spawning season (February-April) brings the best action as they gather in large numbers. Guests love the challenge - these fish are notorious bait thieves with incredible bites that require quick reflexes. The white, flaky meat is some of the best eating around. Pro tip: get your bait tight against the structure and use a small hook with fresh shrimp or fiddler crab. When you feel that subtle tap, set the hook hard immediately.
Chaetodipterus FaberSpadefish are distinctive disk-shaped fish that usually weigh 3-10 pounds and measure around 18 inches. They love hanging around structure - you'll find them near reefs, wrecks, and dock pilings in shallow to medium depths. These silver fish with black stripes travel in large schools, sometimes 500 strong, making for exciting action when you locate them. Spring through fall offers the best fishing as they move closer to shore. Guests enjoy targeting them because they put up a scrappy fight and school together for multiple hookups. The meat is decent table fare too. Local tip: use fresh clam on a small circle hook and cast past the school, then slowly drag your bait through them. They're picky eaters, so patience pays off.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish Mackerel are fast, aggressive fish that typically run 1-2 feet long and 8-11 pounds around Destin. You'll spot their silvery bodies with yellow spots as they school near the surface, especially in warmer months from spring through fall. They love structure - look for them around reefs, wrecks, and even shallow flats when water temps rise. These speedsters put up a solid fight once hooked, and their mild, flaky meat is perfect for grilling or frying. They're notorious bait thieves, so here's a local trick: use a small wire leader and keep your bait moving. They hit fast and hard, so stay ready to set that hook quick when trolling spoons or casting jigs.
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