Destin Fishing Charters with Hiliner Charters
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Choose from 4, 8, or 12hour offshore fishing tripsTarget Snapper, Grouper, King Mackerel, and Cobia speciesAccommodates up to 6 guests with experienced crew guidance
When you're looking for the real deal in Destin fishing, Hiliner Charters delivers the kind of offshore action that keeps anglers coming back year after year. We're talking about serious Gulf fishing here – the kind where you're fighting fish that'll test your drag and leave you with stories worth telling. Our crew knows these waters like the back of their hand, and whether you've got four hours or want to make it a full 12-hour adventure, we'll put you on fish that'll make your arms ache in the best way possible.
Step aboard and you'll quickly realize this isn't your average weekend fishing trip. We run a tight ship that accommodates up to six anglers, which means plenty of room to work without bumping elbows when the action heats up. The beauty of our charter options is flexibility – maybe you want a quick four-hour morning bite, or perhaps you're after the full offshore experience with our 12-hour deep water adventure. The Gulf of Mexico off Destin is a fishing paradise, with clear emerald waters that drop into serious depths just a short run from the dock. Our captains read the water like a favorite book, watching for birds, bait schools, and current breaks that signal feeding fish below. You'll spend your time either working the bottom structure for snapper and grouper or running the blue water edges where pelagics cruise. The boat comes equipped with quality tackle, but if you've got lucky rods or favorite reels, bring them along – we love seeing anglers work with gear they trust.
We fish two main ways out here, and both produce fish when done right. Bottom fishing means dropping baits to structure 60 to 200 feet down, where snapper and grouper call home. We're talking about serious fish-holding bottom – ledges, rocks, and artificial reefs that concentrate baitfish and the predators that hunt them. You'll be working with heavy sinkers, circle hooks, and fresh cut bait or live bottom fish. The key is feeling the bite through the current and setting the hook before these fish can duck back into their holes. Trolling is a different game entirely – we're covering water with spreads of lures, targeting the faster fish that roam the open Gulf. Ballyhoo, diving plugs, and spoons get rigged at different depths while we work temperature breaks and current edges. When a rod goes off on a trolling strike, it's game time – these fish hit hard and run fast, so you better be ready to settle in for a fight.
The fish we target off Destin are the stuff of angling dreams, each species offering its own brand of excitement and challenge. Blackfin tuna show up consistently throughout the warmer months, typically ranging from 10 to 30 pounds of pure muscle and speed. These fish are built for battle – they'll test your endurance with long, powerful runs that strip line off your reel like it's going out of style. What makes blackfin special is their willingness to bite and their incredible table fare. They school up around structure and current breaks, often feeding aggressively on the surface where you can see the chaos of birds and bait. King mackerel are the speed demons of our offshore waters, with fish commonly running 15 to 40 pounds and the occasional smoker pushing 50 plus. These toothy predators patrol the edges of the continental shelf, ambushing anything that looks like an easy meal. When a king hits your trolled bait, the initial run can peel off 100 yards before you even get your hands on the rod. They're notorious for their acrobatic jumps and wire-cutting teeth, which keeps every fight interesting until the fish hits the boat.
Wahoo fishing in the Gulf represents some of the most exciting angling you'll find anywhere. These fish are pure speed – capable of runs that'll make your reel scream and strip line faster than you thought possible. A typical Gulf wahoo runs 20 to 50 pounds, with their razor-sharp teeth and torpedo-shaped bodies built for one thing: catching prey that thinks it's safe. They hit trolled baits with authority, often at boat speeds that would spook other species. The fight is typically a series of blistering runs punctuated by head-shaking attempts to throw the hook. Cobia offer a completely different experience – these curious fish often approach the boat, giving you sight-fishing opportunities that'll get your heart racing. They're strong, stubborn fighters that use their broad tails and thick bodies to muscle their way through fights. Cobia in our waters typically run 20 to 60 pounds, and they're known for making multiple runs toward structure or the boat's hull.
Red snapper remain the crown jewel of Gulf bottom fishing, and for good reason. These fish combine beautiful coloration with excellent eating and a willingness to bite that makes them perfect for anglers of all skill levels. Gulf red snapper typically range from 5 to 25 pounds, with their distinctive red coloration and aggressive feeding behavior around structure. They school up on ledges, rocks, and artificial reefs, often in numbers that'll keep you busy for hours. What makes snapper fishing special is the consistency – when you find them, you can usually count on steady action. They're also incredibly cooperative when it comes to taking baits, though the bigger fish often require finesse and patience to pull away from their rocky homes.
The Gulf of Mexico off Destin offers some of the most consistent offshore fishing you'll find anywhere, and Hiliner Charters puts you right in the middle of the action. Whether you're chasing the speed and power of pelagic species or working the bottom for reef fish that'll fill the cooler, our experienced crew knows how to make it happen. We provide the local knowledge, quality equipment, and fishing expertise – you bring the enthusiasm and willingness to fight some serious fish. These waters don't give
Get ready to hit the Gulf waters aboard our 40-foot Infinity sport fishing vessel! This classic 1974 boat got a complete makeover in 2012 and packs twin 800HP Cummins diesels that'll cruise you out to the fishing grounds at 21 knots. Perfect for up to 6 anglers, she's loaded with everything you need for a serious day of fishing - fish finder to locate the schools, GPS and radar for navigation, plus A/C to keep you cool between bites. The spacious layout includes a full kitchen, head, and icebox to keep your drinks cold and your catch fresh. Whether you're trolling for King Mackerel and Cobia or dropping lines for Snapper and Grouper, this boat handles Destin's offshore waters like a champ. With onboard entertainment system for the ride out and plenty of room to fight those Gulf monsters, you'll have everything covered for a productive day on the emerald waters.
Thunnus AtlanticusBlackfin tuna are the scrappiest fighters in our Gulf waters. These beauties typically run 15-30 pounds with dark backs and that signature golden stripe along their sides. You'll find them in open water from 40-200 feet, often mixed with skipjack schools. Spring through fall gives us the best action when water temps hit 68°F or warmer. What makes blackfins special is their incredible fight-to-size ratio - they'll burn drag like fish twice their weight. Plus, they're absolutely delicious with firm, flaky meat perfect for searing. Here's a local trick: when we locate a school, scale down to 30-pound fluorocarbon leaders and 5/0 circle hooks. Their eyesight is razor sharp, so lighter tackle means more hookups. Live pilchards work magic as chum to keep them fired up around the boat.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the gentle giants of our near-shore waters, averaging 30-60 pounds with a distinctive shark-like profile. These brown beauties hang around structure - wrecks, buoys, and platforms in 20-100 feet of water. Spring migration brings the best action, especially during spawning season. What makes cobia special is their curious nature - they'll often swim right up to the boat for a look. They're also fantastic eating with firm, white meat that's perfect for grilling. The key to cobia is sight fishing - we spot them cruising near the surface, then pitch bucktail jigs or live bait right in front of them. They're usually solo or in small groups, so when you find one, work the area thoroughly. A 4-8 ounce bucktail jig in any color works great.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing mackerel are the Gulf's premier speed demons, averaging 20-40 pounds but capable of reaching 90+ pounds. These silver bullets cruise our waters from 40-150 feet, especially around structure and drop-offs. Peak season runs spring through fall when they follow baitfish migrations. Kings are pure adrenaline - they'll scream line off your reel at 40+ mph and test your drag system to the limit. Their firm, flaky meat makes excellent table fare when prepared fresh. The trick with kings is rigging two hooks on wire leaders - one through the bait's nose, another trailing behind. Kings love hitting the back end of live bait, so that stinger hook is crucial. We typically troll around 6-8 knots with live bait or spoons to trigger strikes from these aggressive predators.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed snapper are the crown jewel of Gulf bottom fishing, typically running 3-15 pounds with some monsters pushing 30+ pounds. These crimson beauties live on hard bottom, wrecks, and reefs from 60-200 feet deep. Summer brings prime snapper season when regulations allow harvest. Anglers love them for their bulldogging fight - they'll use every rock and crevice to try breaking your line. Plus, there's no better eating fish in the Gulf with sweet, flaky white meat. The trick is getting your bait to the bottom quickly before other species grab it. We use 6-8 ounce weights with circle hooks and fresh cigar minnows or squid. Keep steady pressure when fighting them - if you give slack, they'll wrap you around structure and break off every time.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are the rockets of the deep, hitting speeds up to 60 mph and averaging 30-80 pounds. These torpedo-shaped predators patrol open Gulf waters near structure like oil rigs and drop-offs. Best fishing happens during cooler months when they move closer to shore. What gets anglers hooked is their blistering runs - when a wahoo takes off, it's like watching your line disappear. Their white, flaky meat rivals mahi for table quality. The secret to wahoo success is high-speed trolling at 12-15 knots with wire leaders - those razor teeth will slice through anything else. We run spreads of diving plugs and skirted ballyhoo. Pro tip: when you hook one, keep steady pressure but don't try to muscle them. Let them make their run, then work them back steady.
Destin