5.0(1 Reviews)Private Inshore Fishing Charter in Destin
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Threehour inshore fishing charter targeting redfish and troutCaptain Joshua provides licenses, live bait, and refreshments includedPrivate boat accommodates up to four anglers near Destin
Looking for a solid half-day fishing trip without the crowds? Captain Joshua's private 3-hour afternoon inshore charter gets you away from the tourist boats and into the productive backwaters where the fish actually live. This isn't some cookie-cutter experience – you'll be working the grass flats, oyster bars, and shallow structure where redfish cruise and trout stack up. With everything included from your fishing license to live bait, snacks, and drinks, you can focus on what matters: putting fish in the boat.
Captain Josh runs a tight ship and knows these Destin inshore waters like the back of his hand. You'll launch in the afternoon when the sun starts working in your favor, creating those perfect sight-fishing opportunities in the shallows. The boat comfortably handles up to 4 anglers, but this trip books for 3 to give everyone plenty of elbow room and maximize your chances. No rushing, no overcrowding – just quality time working productive water. The captain's approach is straightforward: get you to where the fish are holding, set you up with the right tackle, and put you on the bite. He'll adjust techniques throughout the trip based on conditions, whether that means switching from live bait to artificials or moving from deeper cuts to skinny water depending on what's working.
This is classic inshore fishing at its finest. You'll be working with medium-light spinning gear perfect for the species you're targeting – sensitive enough to feel that subtle redfish pickup but with backbone to handle a bull drum when one decides to cooperate. Captain Josh provides everything, including a selection of live bait like shrimp, pinfish, or pogies depending on what's available and what the fish want that day. The techniques vary based on conditions and fish behavior: sight-casting to tailing reds in skinny water, working live bait around structure for black drum, or fan-casting soft plastics across grass flats for trout. You'll learn to read the water, spot fish movement, and understand how tide, wind, and structure all play into where fish position themselves. The boat is set up specifically for this type of fishing, with a shallow draft to access those prime spots and plenty of deck space for fighting fish.
"Captain Josh was fantastic. From meeting him on the dock, to departing at the end of the trip. He made sure my nephew and I were aware of what to expect, what he was thinking and what our next move was. He wasted no time getting us to our first fishing spot, and made sure we had lines out and fish on in no time. We had a great time, would recommend booking your next charter with him, as I will mine. Thanks again Captain Josh, we had a blast!" - Derek
Black Drum are the heavyweights of this fishery and one of the most satisfying catches you'll encounter in Destin's inshore waters. These bruisers typically range from 5 to 30 pounds, with the occasional trophy pushing 40-plus. They're structure-oriented fish, hanging around oyster bars, bridge pilings, and deeper cuts where they cruise slowly, using their barbels to root out crabs and shellfish. The best action usually happens during moving water – either incoming or outgoing tide – when they become more aggressive feeders. What makes black drum so appealing is their fight: they're not flashy jumpers, but they'll test your drag system and your patience with long, powerful runs. Fresh shrimp or crab is the ticket, and you'll know when one picks up your bait – that distinctive thumping on the rod tip is unmistakable.
Redfish are the poster child of inshore fishing and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters typically run 18 to 27 inches in these waters, with plenty of slot-sized fish perfect for the dinner table. Reds are ambush predators that love shallow grass flats, oyster bars, and marsh edges where they can surprise unsuspecting baitfish. The visual aspect of redfish fishing is what hooks most anglers – watching a red's back and tail break the surface as it feeds in 2 feet of water never gets old. They're year-round residents, but fall brings some of the best action when they school up and feed aggressively before winter. A hooked redfish will make blistering runs toward structure, so you'll need to pressure them quickly. They'll eat live shrimp, pinfish, or well-presented soft plastics, and their aggressive strikes and dogged fights make them a customer favorite.
Sea Trout are the bread and butter of inshore fishing, and Destin's grass flats hold excellent populations of these spotted beauties. Most trout here run 14 to 20 inches, with the occasional "gator" trout pushing 4 to 5 pounds. They're schooling fish that suspend over grass flats and sandy potholes, feeding on shrimp, small baitfish, and crustaceans. Trout have soft mouths, so you'll need to play them carefully, but their willingness to bite makes them perfect for building confidence and keeping rods bent. The best trout fishing typically happens during cooler months when they move into deeper grass areas and hold in predictable patterns. They're also one of the best eating fish you'll catch, with white, flaky meat that's perfect for a variety of preparations. Live shrimp under a popping cork is deadly effective, but they'll also crush soft plastic jigs worked slowly across the bottom.
Tarpon represent the ultimate inshore challenge, and while they're not always cooperative, when they show up, everything else becomes secondary. These silver kings can range from juvenile fish in the 10 to 30-pound class up to true giants over 100 pounds. Tarpon are seasonal visitors to Destin's inshore waters, typically showing up in warmer months when baitfish are abundant.
Captain Joshua's 22-foot Century motorboat is your ticket to Destin's best inshore fishing spots. This reliable 2007 vessel comfortably handles up to 4 passengers, giving you plenty of room to cast lines and land those prize catches. The boat's equipped with everything serious anglers need - a wireless trolling motor for sneaking up on wary fish, GPS navigation to hit productive areas, and a fish finder to locate schools of redfish, trout, and black drum lurking below. At 22 feet, she's the perfect size for navigating Destin's shallow inshore waters while providing a stable platform for fighting fish. Whether you're targeting redfish in the grass flats or working structure for speckled trout, this well-equipped fishing machine will get you on the fish and back to the dock with coolers full of dinner.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, typically running 5-30 pounds but capable of hitting 90+ pounds. These gray-black bruisers love oyster beds, shallow flats, and creek mouths where they crush crabs and shellfish with powerful jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear their distinctive drumming sounds underwater. They're fantastic fighters that'll test your drag, but stick to keepers under 15 pounds if you plan to eat them since the big ones get tough and stringy. Pro tip: use fresh blue crab on the bottom near structure - they can't resist it, and it won't get picked off by bait stealers like other baits will.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the copper-colored bruisers that make our shallow water fishing so exciting. These red drum typically run 20-35 inches and sport that distinctive black eyespot near their tail. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. Look for them around oyster bars, grass flats, and marsh edges where they root around for crabs and shrimp. They bite best during spring and fall when water temps are comfortable, but you can catch them year-round. Guests love their bulldog fights and how they'll eat everything from topwater plugs to live bait. The meat is sweet and firm when they're slot-sized. Local tip: cast ahead of cruising fish and let your bait sit still - they spook easily in skinny water.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them, are one of our most reliable inshore targets. They typically run 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds, with that beautiful silver body covered in black spots. You'll find them over grass flats, around docks, and in shallow bays, especially during dawn and dusk. They bite year-round here, but spring and fall are peak times when they're most active. Guests love them because they fight well, hit artificial lures readily, and make excellent table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. The key is working soft plastics or topwater plugs slowly over the grass beds. My local secret: fish the lights around docks at night with a popping cork and live shrimp underneath.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the silver kings that'll give you the fight of your life. These prehistoric giants average 4-6 feet and 80-100 pounds, but can push 8 feet and 280 pounds. They love our warm Gulf waters, especially around bridges, channels, and passes where baitfish gather. Late spring through summer is when they migrate through Destin in good numbers. What makes them special is their aerial show - they'll jump 10 feet out of the water trying to throw your hook. Most folks release them since the meat is bony and tough. My go-to trick is using live mullet or pinfish on a circle hook, and when one jumps, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip to keep tension off the line.
5.0 out of 5.0Captain Josh was fantastic. From meeting him on the dock, to departing at the end of the trip. He made sure my nephew and I were a...
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