What would you recommend to anglers fishing in Destin, Florida for the first time?

I spoke with Captain Matt after entering my previous review and found that he was sincerely apologetic about our fishing experience. He told me that he was preoccupied with other events in his life and assured me that he was refocusing his energy on his work to provide excellent service to his patrons in the future. I want to wish Matt the best in his fu.

For first timers, try a four-hour nearshore charter, but if you want to deep sea fish you will probably need a full day. We booked with Captain Jayson Self on the King of Kings boat, a 38-footer with covered area and a toilet. Captain Jayson & Juan were very helpful and fun to be with. Having a great captain, crew, and a boat with a covered area and toilet makes for a great trip. We caught 35+ fish which also makes for a great charter!

Charter Into the Blue and Captain Nino with First Mate Caden! They are friendly and fun and so knowledgeable!! On top of their game. Literally you will not be disappointed. Our boys have always wanted to go deep sea fishing and now they are literally “hooked”. And they both say we can ONLY go on this boat with this crew!! A new family tradition!! Thanks Nino and Caden

Check on the water temperature if its too high fishing near shore is not the best unless its early morning or evening but offshore should be anytime in the summer. Usually July through September water temps go up but ask the locals they will tell you.

Mid to late July may not be the best time to fish, but everything else around Destin is fantastic. Take a longer charter if you can as 4 hours is just barely enough time to get going. Destin area is crowded and expensive - but that's just how it is.

Bring sunscreen and water/drinks/snacks. If you plan to take Dramamine for motion sickness, take it the night before the trip. You’ll sleep well, you won’t me drowsy on the boat and it remains in your system to help with motion sickness. (I’m not a physician, but this was recommended to me on a previous charter.)

Do your research on what is currently in season to catch, small boats rock hard in 3-4 ft waves, find charters that provide the bait and you dont have to catch it yourself. Talk to the Captian before you book a charter for fishing species for time of year or weather conditions, recommendation and expectations what can and may not happen.

Don’t hesitate to book the trip! This was perfect for our family which included some experienced fishermen as well as our 10 year old who had never been fishing other than in the pond! The captain will take good care of you!

You have a good chance of catching fish in Destin. Our trip was successful as we brought home plenty of fish but we weren’t able to catch any palegics as I had hoped. But we had a great time anyway!

First off, if you’re not used to being in the water, take some kind of sea sick medicine. Second, definitely go red snapper fishing with a good charter captain. If they know their stuff, they’ll put you on more than just red snapper. Third, just enjoy yourself, even if the fish aren’t biting to well, a day on the water is better than a day at work!

Lots of red Snapper. Did take about an hour to get out but poor water conditions the day we went likely contributed to this. Weather rest of the week pretty good. Ken was able to get us on the water and fish safely and as comfortably as could be.

Make sure to bring sunscreen, sun glasses, hat, beverages and snacks. Talk to the Captain about what you would like and any suggestions they may have about the locale. This is their home and their livelihood, they know what they're talking about. You will have a great time and a wonderful experience!

Don’t forget that what you catch can be your dinner. Several restaurants near the harbor, such as Dewey Destin’s, can prepare your fish any way you like with all the sides. DELICIOUS! I recommend bronzed or blackened. Thanks for the memories.

Great for spring bottom fishing. Just B cause fishing with captain ken was really great. If first time fishing it’s a really great start specially for younger kids giving the the thrill but still being able to pull the fish in by themselves.

Fishing in Destin is great. If you get with a good outfit, you're guaranteed to catch fish. However, if you want to keep the fish you catch, you need to check the seasons for your targeted fish and plan accordingly. The seasons for many of Florida's game fish are pretty short. Booking a trip and catching a bunch of amazing fish you can't keep can be frustrating. But, all in all, great place to fish!

I am not an experienced salt water fisherman, in fact it had been 14 years since the last time. Being from Michigan my fishing is all fresh water. If you are in a similar position, I would recommend a 4 hour trip. That way you get a taste, and some education, and will know better what you want to do next.

Some grouper and snapper were closed but still very fun to catch and release, same with the sharks. Fight quality fish till your arms fall off then hit a spot for some smaller but very tasty fish to fill the cooler

The fishing here was excellent. Calm water and endless bites. Great for family or those that enjoy reeling in the fish. We didn’t troll today, our preference was for everyone to catch many fish. We caught our limit!

If fishing on a charter for the first time, one be cause of sea sickness. Anyone that gets sick riding in the car will definitely get sick out at sea. Also pay attention to the wind and swell, high wind equals big waves, which will make you or those in your party sick. Plus for the ones that don't get sick, it's more difficult to fish. Other than that enough yourself, and listen to the first mate he will have to teach you a few new things when fishing for large fish in the deep, its a little different than fishing off your bass boat, lol.

Captain Steve said he would put us on top of fish, that's exactly what he did. We had 4 of us on the trip and almost every stop we were all hooking up on Fish that we could keep as well as getting a look at some that will; be ready to keep on a later trip as they get a little bigger. First mate Steve was great as well, experienced as well as fun to have along. Sometimes you would forget that he was working and was not just one of the gang that you brought with you. We ended up going out two days in a row and would highly recommend Steve and Steve. We have been going to the area for years and have found a boat and crew that will become our new regular go too crew !!!! We are already looking at the colander for our next opportunity to book.

Pick shamrock ll and let them take all of your worries away! If possible take you're Dramamine the night before and the morning of. Drink plenty of water or Gatorade. Talk to the captain ahead of time and be specific on what you're expecting. He can put you on sharks even if you didn't book a shark trip. Remember it's called fishing not catching so don't expect the fish to jump on as soon as it hits the water!

Check on the fish in season and verify with your captain that they can put you on your desired fish. I have fished many times in Destin and will continue for as long and often as possible. I have yet to have a bad or even mediocre experience. You will relish your time on the most beautiful water off the shores of the "World's Luckiest Fishing Village". Be sure to have a local restaurant like Dewey Destins cook up your catch. This will show you how to cook it up yourself when you take home a freezer full of fish.

I would avoid fishing Destin in the month of March. We tried fishing the gulf from shore as well as the bay from shore and by boat. There just wasn't much activity in the area. We talked to several other anglers who were also having a stroke of bad luck. I think it would be best to wait until the water has a chance to warm up and bait fish/shrimp move inshore. I couldn't say what month that would be because this was my first time fishing Destin but maybe mid summer after the water has a chance to warm up.

This year in September it was over 90 degrees everyday so far. So dress and protect accordingly. You have to learn how to fish this area if you don't know gulf fishing/salt water fishing. I look forward to next trip to Destin and trying my luck again.

The first thing is to learn is that you have to learn Destin. You may not kill it the first time. You need seasonal clothing and food/refreshments. Warm months require covering and hydration. Right tackle, etc.

Listen and learn, every trip out is an adventure. The fish may not always cooperate, but the scenery is spectacular and and the Captains I've fished with over the years have always made the trips fun and memorable...

Our Captain took us out approximately 20 miles to provide the best spots for great red snapper. It was great. Our group caught some beautiful reds. We did have some issue with sharks taking our catch but we still managed a nice catch. The weather was challenging but the Captain kept watch and kept us moving. It was a great trip!

Come Prepared, Take Motion medicine if you need it even if you think it is calm. Don't chance it and ruin the amazing experience you will have. Make sure to take lots a pictures, it is an experience you will want to remember.

Obviously watch the weather. Finding a guide that matches your personality is the difference on a good vs bad trip. Fishing is spotty in early March but that’s why they call it fishing and not catching. We reeled in over 40 fish and lost a couple of nice ones for sure. We also saw dolphins everywhere. Destin is beautiful and being out, even in some rough water is fantastic.

Really nice harbor, clean beaches and really clear water...Grew up in Texas and had nothing but dirty experiences in the Texas gulf...Quite the opposite in Destin with Far Far exceeded my expectations...