Bay Fishing Trips in Destin, Florida
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target Bull Reds, speckled trout, and black drums in Destin BayInshore fishing adventure accommodates up to four guests maximumPanhandle Fishing Charters provides professional bay fishing experience
If you're looking for some of the best inshore action on the Gulf Coast, Destin Bay delivers big time. This isn't your typical dock fishing – we're talking about going head-to-head with Bull Reds that'll test your drag system and make your arms burn. The shallow flats and grass beds here are loaded with redfish, speckled trout, and black drum that know how to put up a fight. With Panhandle Fishing Charters, you'll fish the productive waters where locals have been pulling trophy fish for generations. We keep our groups small – just 4 anglers max – so everyone gets plenty of shots at the good stuff.
Destin Bay fishing is all about reading the water and working the structure. We'll start early, usually around sunrise when the fish are most active and the bay is glass-calm. The water here ranges from 2 to 8 feet deep, with oyster bars, grass flats, and drop-offs that hold fish year-round. You'll see why this area is considered world-class for inshore species – the ecosystem is perfect for baitfish, which means the predators aren't far behind. The scenery is pretty sweet too, with white sand beaches and emerald water, but trust me, once you hook into a Bull Red, you won't be looking at the view. These fish will drag you around the boat and make you earn every inch of line you get back. The bay stays fishable even when the Gulf gets rough, making this a customer favorite when offshore trips get blown out.
We fish with medium to medium-heavy spinning gear that can handle 15-30 pound fish without being overkill for the smaller trout. Most of the action happens with live bait – finger mullet, shrimp, and pinfish work great here. We'll also throw artificial lures like soft plastics, topwater plugs, and spoons when the fish are aggressive. The key is staying quiet and making accurate casts to structure. You'll learn to pitch baits tight to oyster bars where redfish love to cruise, and work the grass edges where trout ambush baitfish. When we're targeting black drum, we'll anchor up and fish cut bait on the bottom near deeper holes. Don't worry if you're new to this – we'll walk you through everything from setting the drag to fighting techniques that'll help you land more fish.
Redfish are the stars of the show here in Destin Bay. These copper-colored bruisers run anywhere from 18 inches up to Bulls that push 40+ inches and 30+ pounds. Spring through fall is prime time, but we catch them year-round. What makes reds so special is how they fight – they'll make long, powerful runs and use their broad tail to bulldoze through the water. Plus, they're gorgeous fish with that distinctive black spot near the tail. The slot-size fish (16-27 inches) are fantastic table fare, while the big Bulls are pure adrenaline and perfect for photos before release.
Speckled trout are the other bread-and-butter species that keep anglers coming back. These spotted beauties typically run 14-20 inches, with some real slabs pushing 4-5 pounds. They're most active in spring and fall when water temperatures are in the 70s, but we catch them throughout the warmer months. Trout have soft mouths, so the fight is more about finesse than brute strength. They're also some of the best eating fish in the bay – flaky white meat that's perfect for the grill. Look for them around grass beds and drop-offs, especially early morning and late afternoon.
Black drum are the powerhouses that'll surprise you with their strength. These bottom-dwellers can get massive – we're talking fish that can exceed 40 pounds and look more like small sharks when you first see them. They're most active in cooler months, from late fall through early spring. Black drum fight differently than reds – they use their weight and stay deep, making short but incredibly powerful runs. The bigger ones are catch-and-release, but the smaller drum (under 30 inches) are excellent eating with firm, white meat similar to redfish.
Destin Bay fishing with Panhandle Fishing Charters gives you the best shot at trophy inshore fish without the long run to deep water. Whether you're after your first Bull Red or looking to add to your slam, these waters consistently produce. The small group size means personalized attention and better fishing for everyone on board. This is top-rated charter fishing at its finest – we know where the fish live and how to get them to bite. Book your bay trip today and get ready to battle some of the strongest fish that swim in Florida waters. Your arms might be sore tomorrow, but the memories and photos will last a lifetime.
This completely custom 2006 Carolina Skiff 198 DLX is rigged specifically for serious bay fishing in Destin waters. Powered by a reliable 2018 Suzuki 115 HP four-stroke with jack plate, she'll get you to the flats quietly and safely. The raised deck gives you perfect sight lines for spotting redfish cruising the shallows, while six 100-watt LED lights keep the action going after dark. Garmin electronics and fish finder help locate those bull reds and speckled trout, and the wireless trolling motor lets you sneak up on wary fish without spooking them. Four anglers fit comfortably with plenty of room to fight those hard-pulling black drums. Onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold, plus there's a sound system for the ride out. VHF radio and GPS keep you connected and on course, while radar handles those foggy morning trips when the fish are biting best.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our bay system, typically running 15-30 pounds but capable of hitting 50+ pounds. These powerful fish cruise shallow oyster beds and muddy flats, using their crushing jaws to demolish crabs and shellfish. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear their distinctive drumming sounds underwater. What makes them special is the sheer pulling power; they'll test your drag and your patience. The smaller ones make excellent table fare with firm, white meat. Pro tip: use fresh blue crab on a Carolina rig and fish it right on the bottom near oyster bars. When you feel that slow, heavy pull, hold on tight.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our bay fishing, ranging from 18-27 inches with those famous black spots and bronze coloring. They cruise super shallow water - sometimes with their backs showing - around oyster bars, grass flats, and shoreline structure. Fall months are phenomenal when they school up in big numbers. What makes reds so special is their powerful runs and stubborn fight in shallow water, plus they're fantastic on the table with sweet, firm meat. These fish will eat almost anything, but they're sight-fishing superstars on calm days. Here's the trick: when you spot one tailing in skinny water, cast your gold spoon well ahead and work it slowly past their nose. Patience pays off big time.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are one of our most popular targets, running 12-20 inches on average with the occasional 4-5 pounder. These spotted beauties love grass flats and shallow bays, especially around dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding. Fall and spring produce the best action when water temps are in the 60-75 degree range. What anglers love is their willingness to hit topwater lures - nothing beats watching a trout explode on a spook at first light. They're also excellent eating with delicate, flaky white meat. My go-to setup is a soft plastic shrimp under a popping cork worked slowly over grass beds. The key is making subtle twitches - trout prefer finesse over aggression.
Fort Walton Beach, FL