Fall into Offshore Fishing

Although it’s cooler weather, plenty of fish are available in the Gulf when you go on a fishing trip with Destin Offshore Charters.

Whether you want a short trip or a longer one, you’re sure to be happy with what you bring home from the expedition.

In the northwest portion of the state, you can expect to catch Flounder, Gag Grouper or Red Grouper, Black Drum, Redfish, Sheepshead, Bass, Flathead Catfish, speckled Seatrout or Tuna. While Red Snapper is not in season now, Black Snapper, Mingo Snapper, Vermillion Snapper and White Snapper are.
While Triggerfish is in season, fishing for Triggerfish is considered to be fair in November and December. You may also be able to catch Mahi Mahi or Blackfin Tuna.

Of course, there’s always a chance you could catch a trophy fish, such as a Sailfish, a Swordfish, a Blue Marlin or another that will put up a fight for you.

Your captain will take you to the best location for the best fishing. Whether it’s an artificial or manmade reef, you can trust his knowledge.
Fishing remains fast and furious in local waters, so book your charter trip today with Destin Offshore Charters. Grab a waterproof jacket, sunglasses and sunscreen, and don’t forget your fishing license.

Come on aboard with Destin Offshore Charters for the fishing experience of a lifetime.

Category: Uncategorized

Fall Offshore Fishing is a Must

Destin off shore fishing with Destin Offshore Charters is a must for a memorable fall vacation. You’ll get the fishing memories you’ve been wanting. Just wait until you tell your friends what you caught.

A deep sea trip can last a long as you want; anywhere from 8 to 16 hours, depending on the fishing experience you desire. Check with Destin Offshore Charters for help with what’s best for you. Don’t worry if you aren’t an experienced fisherman or woman. Help is available for all levels.

Off shore Destin offers many reefs, both artificial and man-made, where fish are plentiful. In the Gulf of Mexico, you may have an opportunity to catch amberjack, grouper, king mackerel, wahoo, mahi mahi, sailfish blue marlin, sword fish and many others. Your captain will know the best locations for the best fishing, including what fish have been biting lately. Their knowledge will guarantee that you’ll at least have a good time and maybe even reel in a big catch.

Make a reservation now and prepare to board for the best fishing experience with Destin Offshore Charters.

Category: Uncategorized

Fish Offshore in Destin

If you’re vacationing in Destin, a deep sea fishing trip is a must. With many charter boats available, you’ll want to cut through the crowd and call Destin Offshore Charters. You’ll have the fishing experience you’ve been wanting when you’re in their hands.

Near-shore trips range from 4-6 hours and are perfect for the entire family. Others may want a longer trip, and that can be arranged, as well. Longer trips can last from 8 to 16 hours and provide the ultimate fishing experience.

The Gulf of Mexico offers a large variety of fish, including red snapper, grouper, amberjack, king mackerel, wahoo, mahi mahi, sailfish, blue marlin, sword fish and others. Your captain will know the best locations for you to encounter the best fishing. While nothing is guaranteed a far as which fish you’ll catch, you are guaranteed a good time.

Make a reservation and prepare to board. This vacation will be the fishing trip of a lifetime so don’t forget the camera.

Category: Uncategorized

Everyone’s Bucket List Fish ~ The Mahi-Mahi





Mahi- Mahi, Dorado, Dolphin… whichever name you call it, is a name heard around the coast. Everyone wants to reel in one of these over the top colorful, tasty fish. This is one of our most popular requests on our trips.

A Mahi-Mahi is considered part of the pelagic family. Pelagic fish are species found neither near the bottom or near the shore. These free-swimming fish are often caught while deep water offshore trolling. They are also known to be hanging around sargassum seaweed patches or floating objects that have accumulated bait fish to school around it. Unlike many other species of fish, a mature dolphin is very easily determined to be a male or female by just the way they look. The males (or bulls) will have a large prominent protruding forehead while the females (or cows) have a rounded shaped head. Mahi-Mahi are also known for their mesmerizing blue, green, and yellow colors. They are truly a piece of art swimming around.

Mahi-Mahis are among some of the fastest growing fish. They don’t live much long than four to five years but regenerate very rapidly. Female Mahis will spawn two to three times a year and can produce between 80,000 and 1,000,000 eggs per event! That is a lot of kids.

To better your odds on catching one of these fish of a lifetime, we suggest booking an all-day 12 hour (or longer) trip. This will allow enough time to travel to the clean blue, deep water where the Mahi-Mahi usually homestead. Also, while trolling for Mahi-Mahi you have a chance to hook up a sailfish, wahoo or blackfin tuna as well.


Category: Uncategorized

2021 Red Snapper Season

Federal Red Snapper Announced! The 2021 Red Snappers season will start June 1st and go through August 2nd closing on August 3rd.

Along with Red Snappers, Gag Groupers are set to open June 1st, 2021 as well. This is a great time to come fishing and be able to capitalize on the chance to harvest both species at the same time. Snappers and Groupers are by far some the most delicious fish to eat!

June and July are our busiest months of the year. Popular by demand we usually book up 2 to 3 months out for this particular time. Don’t be left at the dock!

Call Shelby directly at (850) 685-9368 to book your trip now.

FUN FACTS: Here is are the 2020 preliminary Gulf Red Snapper Landings (as of 1/20/2021)

-June Landings : 591,358 lbs.

-July Landings : 503,202 lbs.

-October Landings : 103,791 lbs.

That is a total of 1,172,208 lbs. harvested (62% of Florida’s allotted quota).

Category: Fishing Trips

2021 Triggerfish Season Announced

Federal Waters: Gulf of Mexico: Gray Triggerfish 2021 Season

MARCH 1ST – MAY 31ST and AUGUST 1ST – DECEMBER 31ST

(please note potential early closure if quota is met prematurely)

Triggerfish regulations are required to be 15”. Only 1 per person per day included within 20 reef fish aggregate.

With Red Snappers, Gag Groupers, and Amberjacks being closed until later in the year, Triggerfish are an awesome bonus to be able to keep during the Spring. They are one of the tastiest fishes to eat. Triggerfish are not only good to eat but fun to catch as well! No better way to spend your Spring Break or Late Summer then catching your own dinner. It doesn’t get any fresher then walking off the boat and taking your fish right to a restaurant on the harbor for a “hook n cook” or a “cook your catch” dinner. A fun way to spend time with friends or family!

Category: Fishing Trips

Wrapping Up October 2020

Destin’s 72nd Annual Fishing Rodeo, Triggerfish, and Amberjack season are coming to an end as we wrap up the last week of October.

The 2020 Gray Triggerfish season will close on October 26th.

The 2020 Greater Amberjack season will close October 31st.

Triggerfish and Amberjacks are both delicious to eat and fun to catch! Both species represent the experience of Deep-Sea Fishing in Destin, FL perfectly. Triggerfish and Amberjacks are hard fighting fish. This duo makes deep sea fishing in Destin fun for the whole family!

We had a record hurricane season this year which made for an interesting September and October to say the least. Most of our trips were spent dealing with the big seas that Mother Nature pushed in. We are thankful for the trips we were able to make and the fish we were able to harvest.

On November 2nd, The Backlash is set to be hauled out and undergo a face lift. We will be working with the Coast Guard in order to officially be certified to carry more than 6 passengers. We will resume normal operations starting the first of the year once we are finished at dry dock and the certification is completed.

Anyone who has fished with is during the 2020 season who would like to reserve the same date for the 2021 season is welcome to book now. All other bookings will be on a first come, first serve basis starting January 1st, 2021.

Looking forward to seeing y’all on the water and a huge THANK YOU to all the customers who fished with us this season

Category: Offshore Fishing

Greater Amberjack Season 2020 Announced

Destin Amberjack SeasonOffshore charter fishingOffshore Fishing Charter

The 2020 Greater Amberjack season for Gulf state and federal waters will open May 1st-31st and August 1st – October 31st, 2020. The daily bag limit is 1 per person, per day and must be a minimum of 34” to the fork.

Amberjacks are a pound for pound hard fighting fish. They are often to referred to as “Reef Donkeys” because of their fighting strength. They prefer live bait and can be found schooling around nearshore and offshore structures in the Gulf such as reefs, wrecks and pieces of steal. Amberjacks can grow upwards of 60 inches in length and up to 176lbs. The most common found are 40 inches and 40lbs and under. The Florida state record is 142lbs and was caught near Islamorada. Amberjacks are a firm fish and can be cooked a variety of ways. One fish can yield quite a bit of meat and set a feast for lots of mouths. Here is one of our favorite ways to prepare Amberjack.

Microwave Fish Tacos

(YES, you read that correctly!)

You will need:

Soft butter, Margarine (Country Crock is what I use)

Cavenders Greek Seasoning

Slap Yo Mama Seasoning

Shredded Lettuce

Diced Tomatoes

Shredded Cheddar Cheese

Soft Tortillas

Your favorite salsa

Microwave

1) Prep your fish. Cut out any bloodline and cut into 3-4-inch-wide strips. You don’t want the filet to over hang your plate.

2) Place strips on plate and cover with butter completely.

3) Top with seasoning of your choice. We do a variety of each. The Slap Yo Mama will be spicier then the Cavenders.

4) Cook on high for 3 ½ minutes or until you can put a fork and twist with them flaking apart.

5) Prep your tortillas with lettuce, tomatoes and salsa. Then add one filet and top with shredded cheese. Enjoy!


Trigger Fish Season 2020 Announced

destin offshore fishing charter

offshore fishing charter

The 2020 Gray Triggerfish season for state and federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico will open March 1st, 2020 and go until May 1st, 2020. The season will close for May, June, and July but then reopen August 1st 2020 and go through December 31st, 2020. (If the max quota for the Gulf is reached, earlier season closures are possible.)

The daily bag limit for Triggerfish in state and federal waters is 1 per person, per day. The minimum size to harvest is 15” to the fork. Triggerfish are usually found on hard- bottoms, reefs, and ledges in water that usually exceeds 80ft deep. Because of their habitat they are usually are caught alongside the famous Red Snapper. Triggerfish typically prefer cut bait such as squid. Since they have very hard, bony mouths it is important to use smaller hooks when fishing for them to increase your hook up ratio. Triggerfish are one of the most delicious fish to eat in the Gulf and are a firm, white flakey filet that you can cook a variety of ways. See the recipe below for one of our favorite ways to cook up a Blackened Triggerfish Sandwich.

FUN FACT: The Florida state record triggerfish is 12lbs, 7oz and was caught off the coast of Pensacola in July 2001.

 

Blackened Triggerfish Sandwich & Homemade Slaw

 

You will need:

1 bottle Chef Paul’s Magic Seafood Seasoning

Cast Iron Skillet

2 Sticks of butter, melted

Kaiser or Hawaiian King Buns

Louisiana Tartar Sauce

Triggerfish Filets

6 cups shredded cabbage/carrot mix

½ cup Mayo

1 tsp white vinegar

1/3 cup miracle whip

¼ cup sugar

1 lemon, squeezed and seeded

 

1) Prep your fish. Cut out any bloodlines and trim up filet to fit a sandwich. Triggerfish usually yield one sandwich per filet.

2) Get your skillet hot. (350-400 degrees)

3) In a large bowl combine mayo, miracle whip, sugar, cabbage mix, vinegar, and lemon juice. Mix until all combined. Set slaw aside.

4) Once skillet is hot, dip one filet into melted butter and then top the upward side completely with chef Paul’s seasoning. Place seasoned side down in skillet and then coat top side in skillet with seasoning as well. Repeat process for all filets. They will need to cook for 2-3 minutes on each side.

5) Toast your buns and add a little tartar sauce on them.

6) Top buns with slaw and a blackened filet. Serve immediately.

 


71st Annual Destin Fishing Rodeo with Backlash

With the start of October comes not only Halloween decorations, but every Destin fisherman’s favorite time of year. Established in 1948, The Destin Fishing Rodeo is the ultimate fishing tournament for saltwater anglers of all ages! People come from across the globe to enter the tournament for a chance to win their share of over $100,000 in awarded cash and prizes. The Rodeo is held from October 1st thru the 31st, and daily weigh-ins are located at A.J.’s Seafood and Oyster Bar from 10am – 7pm.


destin offshore charters


Don’t Miss Shark Saturday!

Hang ‘Em High every Saturday in October. It’s time to put all that muscle work from the summer to the test. If you bring in the largest shark of the day, you’ll get a cash prize! What are you waiting for? Start reeling!

Aboard the Backlash, your captain will be Chris Kirby and his professional team of fishermen. Just because summer is over, doesn’t mean the fishing fun has come to an end. Book your fishing trip today to take part in this yearly event!

Category: Fishing Events
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