5.0(1 Reviews)Extended Half Day Fishing Trip - Destin, FL
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour private charter targeting multiple offshore speciesEarly morning departure includes live bait catching experienceAccommodates up to eight guests for reef and open water fishing
If you're looking for the perfect balance between a quick trip and a full day on the water, our 6-hour extended half day charter hits that sweet spot. Starting at 5:30 AM when the Gulf is calm and the fish are hungry, this top-rated experience gives you plenty of time to work both inshore and offshore waters without burning your whole day. Good Thing Fishing Charter's guest favorite trip is designed for serious anglers who want variety – we're talking live bait fishing, reef hopping, and open water action all rolled into one memorable outing.
This isn't your typical rushed half-day trip. Six hours gives us real time to fish properly, starting with catching our own live bait before the sun comes up. Once we've got a good bait well full of lively pilchards or cigar minnows, we'll make our way to the productive reefs and ledges where the big boys hang out. The beauty of this trip is the flexibility – we can hit multiple spots, adjust to the conditions, and really dial in on what's biting. Whether the Mahi are busting on the surface or the Amberjack are stacked up on structure, we've got time to work them right. The early start means we're fishing during prime time hours when predator fish are most active, plus you'll still have your afternoon free for other activities.
We run a combination approach that covers all the bases. Live bait fishing is our bread and butter – nothing beats a frisky pilchard or goggle-eye when you're trying to entice a big King Mackerel or Tarpon. We'll also work with cut bait for the bottom dwellers like Amberjack, and when conditions are right, we might throw some artificials at schooling fish. All tackle is provided, from the heavy spinning gear for bottom fishing to the trolling setups for pelagic species. We fish everything from 30-foot reefs to 100-foot depths, depending on what's producing. The boat is rigged with quality Penn and Shimano reels, and we keep our hooks sharp and our leaders fresh. If you've got your own lucky rod, feel free to bring it along – just make sure it can handle 20-40 pound fish.
"We didn't catch any keepers, but we had a great time. Wife started getting a little sea sick, so Trev headed in to shallower water to chase some Tarpon. Overall it was a good experience." - Michael
Tarpon are the silver kings of the Gulf, and Destin's waters hold some beautiful fish from May through September. These prehistoric giants can reach 150+ pounds and are pure adrenaline when they eat your bait. What makes Tarpon special is their acrobatic fight – they'll jump, tail walk, and generally put on a show that'll have everyone on the boat cheering. We practice catch and release with these magnificent fish, but the photos and memories last forever. The shallow waters around Destin's harbor and nearby grass flats are perfect Tarpon habitat, especially during the warmer months when they move in to feed.
King Mackerel are speed demons that'll test your drag and your arms. These torpedo-shaped predators cruise the Gulf year-round but are most active from April through October. A good King will run 15-30 pounds, with occasional giants pushing 40+. They're notorious for their blistering runs and acrobatic jumps, making them a favorite among serious anglers. Kings respond well to live bait trolled at various depths, and the waters off Destin are renowned for producing quality fish. The meat is excellent if you decide to keep a few for the table.
Mahi Mahi, also called Common Dolphinfish, are the most colorful fighters in the Gulf. These brilliant gold and green beauties are pure excitement from hookup to boat. Most Mahi we encounter run 10-25 pounds, but schools often contain multiple fish, so doubles and triples are common. They're most abundant from late spring through early fall, often found around floating debris or sargassum lines. Mahi are excellent table fare and put up an aggressive fight with lots of head shaking and aerial displays.
Greater Amberjack are the bulldogs of the reef. These powerful bottom dwellers can reach 50+ pounds and are known for their brute strength and stubborn fights. They inhabit the deeper reefs and wrecks around Destin, typically in 60-120 feet of water. Amberjack are most active during cooler months but can be caught year-round. They're aggressive feeders that respond well to live and cut bait, and they'll test every piece of gear you've got. The fight is characterized by powerful runs straight down to the structure they call home.
Crevalle Jack might not win any beauty contests, but they make up for it with pure fighting power. These bronze-colored brawlers are incredibly strong for their size, with even 10-pound fish fighting like they're twice as heavy. They're year-round residents in Destin's waters and are often found in large schools around reefs and structure. Jacks are perfect for keeping the action going between bigger fish, and they're known for their never-give-up attitude that'll have your arms burning.
This extended half-day trip offers the best of both worlds – serious fishing time without the full-day commitment. With six hours on the water, multiple species to target, and the flexibility to adjust based on conditions, it's easy to see why this charter consistently ranks as our most popular option. The early morning start puts you in prime fishing territory when the bite is best, and you'll still have time to enjoy Destin's other attractions later in the day. Whether you're an experienced angler
The Sea Breeze is your ticket to serious fishing action off Destin's coast. This 23-foot Hanson center console packs a punch with its 200HP Suzuki engine, getting you to the fish fast at 35 knots. Built in 2019, she handles Gulf waters like a champ while keeping up to 6 anglers comfortable during those early morning runs to the reefs. The boat comes loaded with everything you need for a productive day chasing jack and amberjack. The fish finder helps locate schools holding near structure, while the wireless trolling motor lets you position quietly without spooking wary fish. GPS navigation keeps you on the productive spots, and the icebox ensures your catch stays fresh and your drinks stay cold during the 6-hour adventure. Whether you're working live bait around the reefs or trolling the open Gulf for mahi and kings, the Sea Breeze delivers the perfect platform for targeting multiple species in one trip.
Caranx HipposJacks are the bullies of the flats - aggressive, hard-fighting fish that punch way above their weight. Most run 3-15 pounds but fight like they're twice that size. You'll find them in shallow bays, around structure, and pushing bait in both inshore and offshore waters year-round. What makes them fun is their attitude - they attack lures with zero hesitation and fight dirty with strong runs. Look for bird activity; when jacks school up and push bait to the surface, it's a feeding frenzy. They're not great table fare, but the action is non-stop. Best trick is to cast past the school and burn your lure back fast - they love the chase and won't let anything escape their territory.
Seriola dumeriliThese bruisers are the bulldogs of the reef - thick-bodied fighters that'll test your back and your tackle. Average fish go 30-50 pounds, but we regularly see 60+ pounders around deep structure and wrecks in 80-200 feet. They're year-round residents, but spring and fall offer the best action when they're most active. What guests love is the power - no fancy jumps, just pure muscle pulling toward the bottom. They're great eating too, though bigger fish can carry ciguatera. We target them with heavy tackle and live bait around hard bottom and artificial reefs. Here's the deal: once hooked, you've got to muscle them up fast or they'll wrap you in the structure and cut you off every time.
Scomberomorus CavallaKings are speed demons that'll test your drag and your arms. These silver bullets average 20-40 pounds but can hit 60+ pounds, cruising 40-150 feet deep along reefs and drop-offs. Best action happens spring through fall when bait schools are thick. What makes them special is that blistering first run - they'll peel 200 yards of line before you know it. Plus, they're excellent table fare with firm white meat. We fish them with live bait on wire leaders since their razor teeth will cut through mono in a heartbeat. Pro tip: rig with a stinger hook behind your bait - kings love to hit tail-first, and that back hook will save you plenty of cut-offs.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are the most colorful fighters in the Gulf - brilliant gold and electric blue that shifts and changes when they're hooked. Average fish run 15-30 pounds, though we see bulls pushing 50+ pounds. They love floating debris, weed lines, and current edges in blue water. Spring through fall gives us the best shot when they're following the warm water. Guests get hooked on their acrobatic jumps and how they light up like neon when fighting. Bonus: they're some of the best eating fish out there - mild, sweet, and firm. The key is finding birds working over floating stuff. Once you hook one, leave your spread out - mahi travel in schools and you might boat several from the same spot.
Megalops AtlanticusThese silver kings are the ultimate bucket-list fish - watching a 100+ pound tarpon launch 8 feet out of the water never gets old. Most fish we catch run 80-150 pounds and can live over 50 years. They cruise shallow flats, deeper channels, and around structure from spring through fall when water temps hit the mid-70s. Guests love them because they're pure athletes - multiple jumps, long runs, and fights that can last an hour. Fair warning: their bony mouths make hook-ups tricky, so we use circle hooks and keep steady pressure. The real trick is "bowing to the king" - dropping your rod tip when they jump to give them slack, or they'll throw the hook every time.
5.0 out of 5.0We didn’t catch any keepers, but we had a great time. Wife started getting a little sea sick, so Trev headed in to shallower water...
Destin, FL