Fishing In Destin Florida

Nestled along the Emerald Coast of Florida, Destin originated as a small fishing village and has exploded into a tourist Mecca. While white sand beaches, emerald green waters and populations of cobia and redfish attract visitors from across the country, the big game action is too good to be true. While you could certainly head offshore from any port in the northern Gulf and win big, with the aide of satellite based fishing forecasts like FishTrack, captains in the know are afforded a better understanding of areas worthy of dropping the riggers. From here you'll likely encounter blue and white marlin, sailfish, tuna, dolphin and wahoo. Photo: Steve Dougherty-doughertyphotos.com

Loading up on fresh live bait, local crews fish the tide line as inshore waters mix with the nutrient rich Gulf. Photo: Steve Dougherty-doughertyphotos.com

With the doom and gloom scenario of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, it's safe to say that the Gulf is open for business. The local charter fleet is alive and well. Photo: Steve Dougherty-doughertyphotos.com

Sargassum weed stacks up in the Gulf and provides world-class opportunities. Look for the best action along these floating mats of vegetation when temperature breaks, color changes or converging currents are present. Photo: Steve Dougherty-doughertyphotos.com

Blue marlin cruise weedlines in search of juvenile tuna and dolphin. Out here there's no lack of forage. Photo: Steve Dougherty-doughertyphotos.com

Feeding on the same juvenile tuna and dolphin, slob wahoo excite anglers and provide incredible table fare. Although a few are taken on marlin lures, if you want to focus on catching wahoo it will be in your best interest to rig with wire leader. Photo: Steve Dougherty-doughertyphotos.com

In an attempt to shake the hook a blue marlin takes to the air. Photo: Steve Dougherty-doughertyphotos.com

A lit up marlin rises to the surface as it prepares for one last aerial assault. Photo: Steve Dougherty-doughertyphotos.com

With weedlines that stretch for miles there's no shortage of fishy water. Satellite based forecasting services like FishTrack help point anglers in the right direction. Photo: Steve Dougherty-doughertyphotos.com

In between billfish bites slammer dolphin are welcomed bycatch. However, sometimes they are so numerous that it can be hard to keep marlin lures in the water. Photo: Steve Dougherty-doughertyphotos.com

Perched atop a tuna tower, anglers have a better view of what lurks below. Photo: Steve Dougherty-doughertyphotos.com

For competitive crews steering a course south of Destin, feisty white marlin are common occurrences. Photo: Steve Dougherty-doughertyphotos.com

Extensive weedlines provide ideal habitat and forage for a wide variety of game fish. Photo: Steve Dougherty-doughertyphotos.com

Destin, Florida