Dolphin Tour & Inshore Fishing Combo
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Combined dolphin watching and inshore fishing adventure in Destin watersPrivate charter accommodates up to six guests for full-day experienceBay fishing paired with dolphin spotting creates diverse marine adventure
Picture this: you're casting lines in Destin's pristine inshore waters while playful dolphins dance around your boat. This isn't just another fishing trip – it's a top-rated combo that gives you the best of both worlds. Captain and crew at Flowing Water Charters have perfected this customer favorite, combining productive bay fishing with dolphin encounters that'll have you reaching for your phone to capture the magic. With space for up to six anglers, this full-day adventure lets you experience Florida's coastal charm while targeting some seriously good eating fish.
Your day starts early as you meet the crew at Destin Harbor, where Captain will brief you on the game plan. We'll head out into the calm inshore waters of Choctawhatchee Bay and the East Pass, areas known for holding quality fish year-round. The beauty of this combo is the flexibility – we might start with some light tackle fishing around grass flats, then cruise over to deeper structure where dolphins love to hunt. You'll spend roughly half your time fishing productive spots and the other half searching for dolphin pods. The boat stays comfortable even with six people aboard, and there's plenty of room to move around when those dolphins show up for their daily acrobatics show.
We fish light tackle here – think spinning reels spooled with 15-20 pound test and medium-light rods that let you feel every bite. Live shrimp and cut bait work magic on the grass flats, while small jigs and soft plastics are deadly around structure. The crew provides all tackle and bait, so you don't need to worry about rigging up. We'll anchor up on productive spots or do some slow drifting, depending on conditions and what the fish are telling us. When we're dolphin watching, we idle quietly and let these curious mammals come to us – no chasing or disturbing their natural behavior. The shallow inshore waters mean we're protected from rough seas, making this trip perfect for families or anyone who gets queasy in big swells.
Spanish Mackerel are speed demons that'll test your reflexes when they hit a moving bait. These silver bullets typically run 1-3 pounds and are most active during spring and fall months. They school up around structure and baitfish, making for fast action when you find them. What anglers love most is their aggressive strike and the way they peel drag on light tackle – plus they're fantastic on the dinner table when prepared fresh.
Spadefish might be the most underrated fighter in these waters. These silver, disc-shaped beauties hang around bridges and structure in summer months, often in large schools. They're notorious bait stealers with small mouths, so finesse fishing is key. Once hooked, they use that flat body to fight like fish twice their size. Most run 2-4 pounds, and experienced anglers know they're some of the best eating fish in the Gulf.
Sheepshead are the ultimate challenge fish – they're called the "convict fish" for their black stripes and their ability to steal bait like seasoned criminals. These toothy critters love structure, especially around pilings and rocks. They require patience and quick hook sets, but landing a nice 3-5 pound sheepshead feels like a major victory. Peak season runs from late fall through early spring, and they're prized for their firm, white meat.
Sea Trout are the bread and butter of inshore fishing here in Destin. These spotted beauties cruise grass flats and sandy bottoms, feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. They're most active during cooler months, with the best action happening early morning and late afternoon. What makes them special is their willingness to bite and their delicate, flaky meat that's perfect for any fish recipe.
Redfish are the crown jewel of inshore fishing – copper-colored bulldogs that can grow massive in these protected waters. Bull reds over 27 inches are catch-and-release only, but the slot-size fish (16-27 inches) are world-class table fare. They're ambush predators that love shallow water, oyster bars, and grass edges. The fight is legendary – they use their broad tail and stubborn nature to test every knot in your tackle box.
This combo trip fills up fast, especially during peak fishing months when both the dolphin activity and fish bite are at their best. You're getting two experiences for the price of one – productive inshore fishing and guaranteed wildlife encounters that'll have you talking about this trip for years. Flowing Water Charters has built their reputation on delivering exactly what they promise: a relaxing day on beautiful waters with professional service and local knowledge that can't be beat. Whether you're an experienced angler or just want to enjoy Florida's natural beauty with a rod in your hand, this trip delivers every time. Don't wait – the calendar fills up quick, and the fish aren't getting any smaller.
The 32' Sailfish Express cuts through Destin's waters with twin 300HP Suzuki engines, hitting speeds up to 40 knots when you need to chase the action. This fishing machine comes loaded for serious anglers – fish finder to locate your targets, GPS and radar for navigation, plus a wireless trolling motor for those quiet approaches in shallow bay waters. The boat handles up to 6 guests comfortably with air conditioning, refrigerator, and multimedia system for downtime between dolphin sightings and casting lines. Whether you're working the inshore flats or cruising to spot dolphins, the onboard amenities like kitchen, shower, and toilet mean you can stay out longer chasing fish. Built in 2008, this vessel combines the power needed for covering water fast with the comfort features that make all-day fishing trips enjoyable for the whole crew.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the copper-colored bruisers with that signature black spot near the tail that every angler wants to catch. These fish run anywhere from 18-30 inches in our shallow waters, with the bigger "bull" reds pushing 40+ inches. They love cruising oyster bars, grass flats, and marsh edges in just 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. Year-round fishing is good, but fall brings the best action when they school up. What makes them special is that powerful fight and the way they'll peel drag on shallow flats. Plus they're great eating when kept in slot. Watch for tailing fish in skinny water, then pitch a gold spoon or live shrimp ahead of them and let it sink slowly.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Sea Trout, or "Specks," are our most popular inshore target with their silver sides covered in black spots. Most run 14-20 inches and 1-3 pounds, though bigger ones lurk in deeper holes. They love grass flats, oyster bars, and drop-offs in 2-8 feet of water. Spring through fall fishing is best, especially during moving tides at dawn and dusk. Guests love them because they hit topwater lures with explosive strikes and have this beautiful speckled pattern. They're also prime table fare - tender, flaky white meat that's perfect for any recipe. The trick is working live shrimp under a popping cork over grass beds, or throwing soft plastics on jig heads along the edges where the grass meets sand.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with their black and white stripes and those famous human-like teeth. These 2-8 pounders love hanging around any structure with barnacles - docks, bridges, pilings, you name it. Winter and spring are prime time when they spawn and feed heavily. What makes them fun is they're notorious bait thieves with incredible bite detection, so it's a real chess match. When you hook one, they'll use those powerful jaws and that chunky body to give you a proper fight. The payoff is sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. My secret: use fiddler crabs on small hooks, get as close to the structure as possible, and set the hook hard the moment you feel them nibble.
Chaetodipterus FaberSpadefish are the disk-shaped silver beauties with black stripes that cruise in massive schools around our local structures. These 3-8 pound fish hang tight to bridge pilings, reefs, and jetties where they munch on barnacles and small crabs. Summer and early fall bring the biggest schools when they're most active. Guests love targeting them because they put up a solid fight for their size and have this unique habit of playing dead when hooked - makes for some interesting battles. They're also excellent table fare with sweet, white meat. Here's the key: use small circle hooks with fresh clam strips, cast past the school, then drag your bait right through the middle of them. Works every time.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish Mackerel are fast, silvery fish with distinctive yellow spots that typically run 1-2 feet long and weigh 2-3 pounds. These speed demons love to school up near the surface around structures, jetties, and grass flats throughout our bay. Spring through fall offers the best action when water temps warm up. What makes them special is their blistering runs and acrobatic jumps - they'll test your drag and give you a real workout. Plus, they're fantastic eating with mild, flaky white meat perfect for grilling. Pro tip: use small shiny spoons or live shrimp on light tackle, and when you see birds working the surface, get there fast - that's where the Spanish Macs are feeding.
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