Destin Inshore Fishing with Captain Joshua
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Three-hour morning inshore fishing charter in Destin watersTarget Black Drum, Redfish, and Trout with experienced Captain JoshuaAll equipment, licenses, bait, snacks and drinks included
Looking for a solid morning on the water without all the hassle? Captain Joshua's got you covered with this 3-hour private inshore charter that hits all the right spots around Destin. You'll be fishing the flats, channels, and grass beds where the reds and trout like to hang out, and trust me – Josh knows exactly where to put you on fish. This isn't some cookie-cutter trip where you're crammed in with strangers. It's just you and up to 3 buddies (though there's room for a 4th if needed) getting the full attention of a captain who's been working these waters for years. Everything's included – your fishing licenses, fresh live bait, tackle, and even some snacks and drinks to keep you going. All you need to bring is your crew and maybe a cooler for your catch.
Captain Joshua runs a tight ship but keeps things relaxed and fun. You'll launch early to beat the crowds and the heat, which is exactly when the fish are most active anyway. The beauty of inshore fishing around Destin is the variety – one minute you're sight-casting to a tailing redfish in 2 feet of water, the next you're working a grass flat for speckled trout. Josh reads the conditions like a book, adjusting the game plan based on tides, wind, and what the fish are telling him. Don't worry if you're new to this – he's patient with beginners but also knows how to challenge experienced anglers. The boat stays in protected waters, so even if it's a little bumpy outside, you'll be fishing comfortably in the bays and estuaries where the action really happens.
You'll be fishing with quality spinning gear perfectly matched to the target species – nothing too heavy that kills the fight, nothing too light that loses fish. Captain Joshua keeps his tackle box stocked with everything from soft plastics and topwater plugs to live shrimp and finger mullet. Depending on what's biting, you might find yourself throwing a popping cork over a grass bed, bouncing a jig head along the bottom, or even sight-fishing with live bait when the water's clear enough. The techniques change with the conditions, but that's what makes inshore fishing so dynamic. Josh is big on teaching, so you'll pick up tips on reading water, understanding tidal movement, and recognizing the subtle signs that separate good anglers from great ones. Live bait is always on board – nothing beats a frisky shrimp or mullet when the fish are finicky.
Sea Trout are the bread and butter of Destin inshore fishing, and for good reason. These spotted beauties average 14-18 inches but can surprise you with a 20+ inch gator trout when conditions are right. They love grass flats in 3-6 feet of water and hit both live bait and artificials with equal enthusiasm. Spring through fall are prime time, with early morning producing the most consistent action. What makes trout special is their willingness to bite and their respectable fight – perfect for anglers of all skill levels.
Redfish are the crown jewel of inshore fishing, and Destin's got some serious bulls. These copper-colored fighters range from slot-sized fish around 20-25 inches to bruiser bulls pushing 35+ inches and 15+ pounds. Reds are year-round residents but really turn on during spring and fall migrations. They're ambush predators that love structure – oyster bars, dock pilings, and grass edges. When a big red takes your bait and makes that first bulldogging run, you'll understand why anglers get addicted to targeting them.
Ladyfish might not win any beauty contests, but they're pure fun on light tackle. These silver rockets average 12-16 inches and fight way above their weight class with acrobatic jumps and long runs. They're most active during warmer months and often show up in schools, which means fast action once you find them. Kids especially love ladyfish because they're aggressive biters and put on a show when hooked.
Mutton Snapper bring a taste of the tropics to your inshore experience. These colorful fish prefer deeper grass flats and channel edges, typically running 12-18 inches with occasional larger specimens. They're structure-oriented and can be finicky, making them a favorite challenge for experienced anglers. Muttons are excellent table fare and their bright colors make for great photos.
Spanish Mackerel are the speed demons of the inshore world, capable of blistering runs that'll test your drag system. They average 14-20 inches and are most active during spring through fall. Mackerel are sight feeders that love shiny lures and small live baits. When they're around, you'll know it – they'll crash baitfish on the surface and provide some of the most exciting light-tackle action you can ask for.
This 3-hour morning charter with Captain Joshua delivers exactly what serious anglers want – productive fishing, local expertise, and a personalized experience that bigger operations just can't match. You're getting access to prime inshore spots that many visiting anglers never see, plus the knowledge that comes from years of fishing these waters daily. The all-inclusive approach means no surprise costs or forgotten essentials, and the private boat setup ensures you're fishing at your own pace with your own crew. Whether you're looking to introduce kids to fishing, have a guys' trip, or just want to catch some quality fish without the all-day commitment, this trip hits the sweet spot. Captain Joshua's building his reputation one trip at a time, and slots fill up fast during peak season. Don't wait until the night before – book now and get ready to see why Destin's inshore fishing keeps anglers coming back year after year.
Captain Joshua's 22-foot Century motorboat is built for serious inshore fishing around Destin's productive waters. This 2007 model comfortably handles up to 4 anglers while you target redfish, black drum, and speckled trout in the shallows. The wireless trolling motor lets you slip quietly into fish-holding spots without spooking your targets, while the GPS keeps you on productive structure and the fish finder shows what's swimming below. At 22 feet, she's got the stability you want when fighting fish but draws shallow enough to get you into those back-country honey holes where the big reds feed. Perfect size for working the grass flats and oyster bars where Destin's best inshore action happens. Captain Joshua knows these waters like the back of his hand and this boat gets you there ready to fish.
Elops SaurusLadyfish are the acrobats of Destin's inshore waters and pure fun on light tackle. These silver torpedoes average 12-20 inches but fight way above their weight class, jumping and dancing across the surface when hooked. You'll find schools of them around piers, in bays, and along beaches in depths from just a few feet to about 30 feet. They bite year-round and aren't picky about tide or time of day, making them perfect for filling in slow periods. While they're not table fare, kids and light-tackle enthusiasts love the action they provide. They're also excellent cut bait for bigger fish like snook. Pro tip: when you hook one ladyfish, stick around - they school up tight, so there's usually more where that came from. Use small jigs or live shrimp and keep your drag light.
Lutjanus AnalisMutton Snappers are one of our prized reef fish, known for their olive-pink color and distinctive blue lines around the face. Most run 15-20 inches, but we've seen them push 30+ inches and really test your gear. They hang around structure in 20-80 feet of water - think reefs, wrecks, and rocky bottom. Spring through fall offers the best bite when they're most active. What makes them special is their strong fight and exceptional table quality - firm, white meat that's hard to beat. They're smart fish though, so fresh bait and light leaders are key. Here's the trick: when you're fishing for muttons, use a knocker rig and let your bait drift naturally in the current. They're spooky, so keep the boat positioned well off the structure and let the tide do the work.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the kings of our shallow water fishing here in Destin. These copper-colored bruisers with distinctive black spots near their tails typically run 20-35 inches and fight like they're twice that size. You'll find them cruising oyster bars, grass flats, and around docks in just 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. They bite year-round, but fall and spring offer the best action when they're actively feeding. What guests love most is watching these fish crush topwater lures in skinny water - it's pure excitement. Plus, they're excellent eating with mild, sweet meat. My go-to tip: when you spot a redfish tailing in the shallows, cast your bait well ahead of where they're heading, not right at them. They spook easy in shallow water.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are some of our most reliable targets around Destin's grass flats and shallow bays. These silver beauties with black spots run 14-24 inches typically, though we've seen some push 5 pounds. They love hanging around structure in 2-6 feet of water, especially near oyster bars and drop-offs. Fall and spring are prime times when water temps hit that sweet spot. What makes them special? They fight hard for their size and taste fantastic - white, flaky meat that's perfect for the dinner table. Here's a local trick: when you're working the flats early morning, look for nervous baitfish dimpling the surface. Trout are usually feeding just underneath. Use a popping cork with live shrimp about 18 inches below, and work it slow over the grass beds.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish Mackerel are speed demons that'll test your reflexes around Destin. These streamlined silver fish with yellow spots typically run 1-3 pounds and 12-20 inches, but what they lack in size they make up for in fight and speed. Look for schools near the surface around structures, piers, and over grass flats, usually in 10-40 feet of water. They're most active during warmer months when baitfish are thick. Anglers love them because they hit hard, jump, and make multiple runs. Plus, they're fantastic eating - great grilled, smoked, or even raw. Their razor-sharp teeth mean you'll need a wire leader though. Local tip: when you see diving birds or bait getting busted on the surface, get there fast. Spanish mackerel often feed in frenzies, and the action can be non-stop if you hit it right.
Choctawhatchee Bay