5.0(1 Reviews)Private 3-Hour Inshore Fishing in Destin
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Three-hour afternoon inshore fishing charter near Destin watersTarget Black Drum, Redfish, and Trout with experienced Captain JoshuaAll equipment, licenses, bait, snacks and drinks included
Captain Joshua knows these Destin waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some serious fish. This 3-hour afternoon charter targets the prime inshore spots where black drum, redfish, and speckled trout hang out year-round. You'll be fishing the grass flats, oyster bars, and structure that make Destin's back bay system legendary among Gulf Coast anglers. With everything provided - licenses, live bait, tackle, plus snacks and drinks - all you need to bring is your fishing spirit and maybe a cooler for your catch.
This isn't your typical party boat experience. Captain Josh runs a tight ship with space for up to 4 anglers, though the trip's designed for 3 to give everyone plenty of elbow room. You'll launch from Destin Harbor and head straight to the productive inshore waters where the action happens. The afternoon bite can be absolutely spectacular, especially when the tide's moving and baitfish are getting pushed around. Josh reads the water conditions daily and adjusts his game plan accordingly - whether that means working the deeper channel edges or sliding up shallow to sight-cast redfish in skinny water. He's not the type to waste time at dead spots, so expect to move around until you find active fish. The captain provides all terminal tackle, but feel free to bring your favorite rod if you've got one you trust.
Inshore fishing in Destin means adapting to what the fish want on any given day. Captain Josh comes prepared with live shrimp, pinfish, and whatever baitfish are running thick. You'll likely be bottom fishing with circle hooks around structure for black drum, or working live bait under popping corks for trout and redfish. When conditions are right, he'll break out the artificial lures - soft plastics, spoons, and topwater plugs that can absolutely fire up aggressive fish. The gear is sized perfectly for inshore work - medium action spinning rods with 15-20 pound test that can handle a bull redfish but won't overpower a trout. Josh knows when to fish the grass beds with weedless rigs, when to work the oyster bars with live bait, and when to target the deeper channels where big black drum cruise. The beauty of inshore fishing is the variety - you might catch fish in 2 feet of water or 15 feet, depending on where they're feeding.
"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 bulldogs of Destin's inshore waters, and they're here year-round in good numbers. These fish average 5-15 pounds but don't be surprised if you hook into a 30-pounder that'll test your drag system. They love oyster bars and hard bottom, feeding on crabs and shrimp with those powerful pharyngeal teeth. Black drum fight deep and heavy, making long runs that'll get your heart pumping. The best part? They're excellent table fare when kept in the slot limit, with firm white meat that's perfect for blackening or frying.
Redfish, or red drum, are the poster child for Gulf Coast inshore fishing, and Destin's grass flats hold some beautiful specimens. These bronze-backed fighters typically run 18-27 inches in the slot, with broad shoulders and that distinctive black spot near the tail. Reds are aggressive feeders, crushing live shrimp and cut bait around oyster beds and grass edges. They're notorious for their bulldogging runs and head-shaking fights. Fall and spring offer the best action, but you'll find keeper reds here throughout the year. Many anglers consider them the perfect inshore game fish - they fight hard, look beautiful, and taste fantastic on the dinner table.
Speckled trout, or spotted seatrout, are the bread and butter of Destin inshore fishing. These beautiful fish with their distinctive spotted sides and canine teeth are found around grass beds, drop-offs, and anywhere baitfish concentrate. They typically range from 14-20 inches, with occasional gator trout pushing over 25 inches. Specks are incredibly light biters, so you need to stay alert and set the hook at the first sign of a tap. They're most active during moving tides and low-light periods. The soft mouth means you need to play them carefully, but their delicate white meat makes them one of the most sought-after table fish in the Gulf.
Tarpon make occasional appearances in Destin's inshore waters, especially during summer months. These silver kings can range from juvenile fish in the 20-40 pound class to absolute giants over 100 pounds. Even small tarpon are incredible fighters, known for their aerial displays and long runs. They're catch-and-release fish, but hooking into one is a bucket-list experience. Tarpon feed on live bait, especially pinfish and mullet, and they're most commonly found around deeper channels and passes where they ambush schools of baitfish.
Captain Josh's afternoon inshore trips book up fast, especially during peak season when the fishing is hot and the weather's cooperating. This 3-hour window hits the sweet spot - long enough to work multiple spots and put together a solid catch, but not so long that you're burned out by the Florida sun. With licenses, bait, tackle, and refresh
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 anglers, giving you plenty of room to work the waters for redfish, black drum, and trout. The boat's equipped with a wireless trolling motor for stealthy approaches to shallow feeding areas, plus GPS navigation and fish finder to locate the hottest bite. At 22 feet, she's perfectly sized for navigating Destin's back bays and nearshore waters where the big ones hide. The Century's stable platform makes it easy to cast into tight mangrove pockets or work structure where these gamefish love to hang out. With everything provided - licenses, live bait, snacks and drinks - just bring yourself and get ready to bend some rods on Florida's Emerald Coast.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, averaging 15-30 pounds but capable of hitting 50+ pounds. These grey-black bruisers love hanging around oyster bars, muddy flats, and structure in 2-8 feet of water. They're equipped with powerful crushing jaws perfect for munching crabs and shellfish. Spring brings the best action when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear their distinctive drumming sounds underwater. What makes them special is their bulldogging fight and the challenge they present on lighter tackle. Keep fish under 15 pounds for the table - the meat gets tough on bigger ones. My local trick? Use fresh blue crab and fish the bottom right at tide changes near those oyster beds. They're picky eaters but once hooked, they'll test your drag system and patience.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our inshore fishing, running 18-35 inches and 3-15 pounds typically. Look for that distinctive black spot near their copper-colored tail. They cruise super shallow flats, oyster bars, and grass beds in just 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. Fall and spring offer the hottest action when they're actively feeding. What makes reds special is their power - they'll make blistering runs and never give up easily. Plus, they're fantastic eating with mild, sweet meat. You can sight-fish them on the flats or blind-cast structure. They'll eat live shrimp, cut bait, or artificials equally well. My Destin tip: target the grass flats on incoming tides with gold spoons or soft plastic shrimp. When you see that telltale wake or "nervous water," drop your bait right in their path and hold on tight.
Salmo TruttaSea trout, or speckled trout as we call them locally, are beautiful spotted fish that run 14-24 inches and 1-4 pounds on average. They love grass flats, shallow bays, and drop-offs in 2-6 feet of water. These fish are most active during cooler months and low-light periods - early morning and evening bites are typically best. What guests love is their willingness to hit artificials and their excellent table fare - sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. They're also great fighters for their size, making long runs and head-shaking battles. During winter, they school up in deeper holes which makes for fast action. My local secret: work soft plastics or topwater plugs over grass beds on outgoing tides. The key is a slow, subtle presentation - these fish can be spooky in shallow water but the payoff is worth the patience.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the silver kings of our waters - pure adrenaline on a fishing rod. These giants average 80-150 pounds and can hit 200+ pounds, growing up to 8 feet long. They patrol our shallow flats, channels, and around bridges in 3-15 feet of water. Late spring through summer is prime time when they migrate through our area. What draws anglers from everywhere is their aerial show - they'll jump 6-10 feet out of the water, tail-walking and gill-rattling like nothing else. They're strictly catch-and-release due to their bony meat and conservation status. The fight can last an hour on heavy fish. My go-to tip for Destin waters: use live mullet or crabs near the pass during moving tides, and when one jumps, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip - keeps that hook from popping out during their acrobatic display.
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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