Destin Inshore Fishing: 4-Hour Winter Trip
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour inshore fishing trip targeting redfish and speckled troutAll equipment, bait, and fishing licenses included in packageSmall group experience with maximum four guests per charter
When the water temps start cooling down from January through April, Destin's inshore waters come alive with hungry fish stacking up in the shallows. This 4-hour daily fishing trip with Last Cast Charters puts you right where the action is – from the grass flats behind the island to the deeper cuts around East Pass. We're talking about prime time for some of the Gulf Coast's best inshore species, and you'll have everything you need to make it happen. No need to worry about gear or licenses – just bring yourself, some cold drinks, and get ready to put some serious bends in the rod.
Your day starts early when the fish are most active and the morning bite is hot. Captain will pick his spots based on tides, weather, and what's been biting lately – could be working the oyster bars for redfish, drifting the deeper holes for trout, or sight-fishing the flats when conditions are right. The boat holds up to 4 anglers, so you've got plenty of room to work without bumping into each other. We'll move around throughout the trip, hitting different structure and depths to keep you on fish. The beauty of inshore fishing here is the variety – you never know if the next cast will bring up a bull red, a keeper trout, or a doormat flounder. Pack light with just snacks, drinks, sunscreen, a good hat, and polarized sunglasses. The January through April window is perfect because you're fishing the winter-to-spring transition when these fish are feeding heavy before the spawn.
We'll be running a mix of live bait and artificials depending on what the fish want that day. Shrimp under popping corks for trout and redfish is always a go-to, but don't be surprised if we switch to paddle tails or spoons when the fish are aggressive. The rods are set up medium-light to give you that good fight feel without overpowering these inshore species. We'll work everything from 2 feet of water on the flats to 15-foot holes where the bigger fish like to hang. Drift fishing, anchor fishing, and some sight casting when we spot tailing reds – it's all about reading the water and adapting to what's happening. The boat's rigged with a shallow-water anchor system so we can lock down on productive spots without spooking fish in skinny water. Your captain knows these waters like the back of his hand and will put you on the structure, grass beds, and drop-offs where Destin's inshore fish love to feed.
Southern Flounder are the kings of ambush predators around here. These flatfish bury themselves in the sand near creek mouths and channel edges, waiting for baitfish to swim by. January through March is prime time because they're staging before their offshore spawn. They can push 3-4 pounds when you find a good one, and they fight like they're twice that size. What makes flounder so fun is you never see the bite coming – one second your bait's just sitting there, next second your rod tip is dancing. They're also some of the best eating fish in these waters.
Grey Snapper, or mangrove snapper as most folks call them, are year-round residents around any kind of structure. Docks, oyster bars, rock piles – anywhere they can hide and pick off shrimp and small baitfish. These guys are smart and will test your patience, but when you hook one, they'll make several strong runs before giving up. The 12-15 inchers are common, but the big ones over 3 pounds will really put a bend in your rod. They're notorious bait stealers, so you've got to stay sharp and set the hook quick.
Black Drum are the bulldozers of the inshore waters. These bottom feeders cruise the oyster beds and grass flats looking for crabs and worms, and when you hook into a good one, you'll know it immediately. They don't jump or make flashy runs – they just pull hard and steady like a freight train. The smaller ones in the 2-5 pound range are great eating, while the big bulls over 20 pounds are pure adrenaline. Spring is when they show up in bigger numbers around Destin, making this trip timing perfect.
Sea Trout, or speckled trout, are probably the most popular inshore target around here, and for good reason. They school up over grass beds and around structure, they'll hit both live and artificial baits, and they're absolutely delicious. The spring months bring some of the best trout fishing of the year as water temperatures start climbing. A good keeper trout runs 15-20 inches, but the gator trout over 25 inches are the ones that'll have you talking for years. They're aggressive feeders and will often hit topwater baits early in the morning.
Redfish are the poster child of inshore fishing, and Destin's got some beautiful copper-colored bulls. These fish are built for fighting – broad shoulders, strong tails, and an attitude to match. You'll find them cruising the flats, tailing in shallow water, or busting bait around structure. The slot-sized fish between 18-27 inches are great for the table, while the oversized bulls are catch-and-release trophies that can stretch over 40 inches. Reds will eat just about anything you throw at them, but they're also spooky in shallow water, so presentation matters.
This winter-to-spring inshore fishing window is some of the most consistent action you'll find in Destin waters. The fish are hungry, the weather's comfortable, and the crowds haven't hit yet. With everything included – rods, reels, bait, and license –
Get ready to chase redfish and speckled trout aboard our 2018 24' Skeeter bay boat, powered by a reliable 300HP Yamaha that'll get you to the hottest fishing spots around Destin's inshore waters. This versatile fishing machine cuts through the shallows at up to 50 knots, letting you cover more ground and find where the fish are biting. The boat comes fully rigged with a fish finder to locate your targets, GPS navigation to hit those productive back bays, and a wireless trolling motor for stealthy approaches when the bite gets finicky. There's an icebox onboard to keep your drinks cold and your catch fresh. With room for up to 4 anglers, you'll have plenty of space to work the flats for flounder, target mangrove snapper around structure, or hunt black drum in the deeper channels. The shallow draft design lets us access those prime fishing areas where bigger boats can't reach.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the bulldogs of inshore fishing - thick, powerful fish that can really test your drag. They typically run 5-15 pounds inshore, but we occasionally hook into 20+ pound bruisers. You'll find them around oyster beds, mud flats, and creek mouths in 3-20 feet of water, using their strong jaws to crush crabs and shellfish. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning, making them easier to target consistently. Guests love the solid, steady fight they put up - no flashy jumps, just pure muscle. They're also known for making those distinctive drumming sounds you can actually hear. Here's the key: use fresh, soft crab on a Carolina rig and keep it right on the bottom. Black Drum are bottom-feeders, so if your bait isn't touching sand or mud, you're fishing over their heads.
Lutjanus GriseusAlso called Mangrove Snapper, these copper-red fish with the dark eye stripe are some of the smartest fighters we target. They typically run 12-16 inches inshore, though bigger ones lurk around deeper structure. You'll find them hugging docks, mangrove roots, rock piles, and any cover they can use to ambush prey. Being nocturnal hunters, they're most active during low-light periods - early morning, late evening, and overcast days. Guests love them because they're scrappy fighters that punch above their weight class, plus they make outstanding table fare with firm, white, flaky meat. These guys are extremely line-shy and opportunistic. My go-to trick is using the lightest leader you can get away with and letting your live shrimp sink naturally to the bottom without any extra movement - too much action spooks them off.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the poster fish for Gulf Coast inshore fishing, easily recognized by their copper-bronze backs and distinctive black spots near the tail. Most inshore fish run 18-28 inches and 3-8 pounds, with plenty of fight in them. They love super shallow water - often so shallow their backs show above the surface - around oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines. Our winter to spring window is perfect since they're actively feeding in the shallows. Guests love them because they're aggressive strikers, strong fighters, and make excellent table fare with mild, slightly sweet meat. That black spot near their tail acts as a false target to confuse predators. Pro tip: when sight-fishing for reds in shallow water, cast well ahead of where they're heading and let your bait settle before they arrive - spooking them with a splash overhead game over.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are beautiful silver fish covered in distinct black spots, and they're one of our most popular inshore targets. Most run 14-18 inches and 1-2 pounds, with the occasional 3-4 pounder to keep things interesting. You'll find them over grass flats, around drop-offs, and near structure in 3-12 feet of water. They're most active during cooler months and low-light conditions. What makes them special is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials, plus they're outstanding eating with delicate, flaky white meat. The key is not to overcook them since the flesh is tender. Here's what works: during our winter trips, look for them in slightly deeper pockets within the grass flats. Use a popping cork with live shrimp about 18 inches below - the noise draws them in from a distance.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are masters of disguise - these flat, oval-shaped fish bury themselves in sandy and muddy bottoms with both eyes on their left side, waiting to ambush prey. You'll typically find them in 2-15 feet of water around grass flats, creek mouths, and oyster bars. Most run 15-18 inches and 1-3 pounds, though we occasionally land some pushing 5+ pounds. They're most active during cooler months, making our winter and spring trips perfect timing. What guests love is the challenge - they're sneaky biters and excellent table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. Here's a local tip: when you feel that subtle tap-tap on your bait, don't set the hook immediately. Count to three, then lift firmly - flounder like to mouth the bait before fully committing, and patience pays off with better hookups.
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