Fishing

By Cali Hlavac, To Do in Destin Last year at this time, as it began to get cooler, we noticed different species of fish migrate into our Gulf waters – specifically Flounder and Sheepshead. That’s good for us since the cooler weather means the fish will school up in one...

Niceville resident Donald C. Vautrinot was spearfishing for red snapper in Destin Oct. 18 when he went back down to snag a few lionfish. And there it was. “I saw a monster lionfish and immediately knew I wanted to measure it,” Donald said. “I got really excited because I...

Recreational fishing is important, both culturally and economically, to our coastal communities around the Gulf. NOAA’s latest Gulf of Mexico Saltwater Recreational Fisheries report shows 2.6 million Gulf anglers took 58.6 million fishing trips in the Gulf, spending $13.5 billion on trips and durable goods in 2017 alone. As such,...

By Cali Hlavac, To Do In Destin The year 2020 has felt like a lifetime, but we are finally on the home stretch! Fall is officially here and with that comes our beloved Destin Fishing Rodeo! 2020 will be the 72nd Annual Fishing Rodeo in Destin, and like all the...

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) announces a fall red snapper season for private recreational anglers and state for-hire operations in the Gulf of Mexico to open on the following Saturdays and Sundays: Oct. 17, 18, 24, 25, 31 and Nov. 1. During this season, private recreational anglers...

By Cali Hlavac, To Do In Destin Fishing Tournaments have been one socially distant way to get outside with friends this summer and participate in a fun activity. This year was the 2nd annual Boathouse Oyster Bar Summer Slam Fishing Tournament that happened from June 1 to August 9. State and...

Fishing in our area isn’t a new phenomenon. It goes back over a thousand years. As far back as the seventh century A.D., the American Indians who called this strip of paradise home survived off the seafood in the area. Hundreds of years later, it is thought that Spanish...

By Cali Hlavac, To Do In Destin It’s August and that means it’s time for everyone’s favorite: Shark Week! This year, Shark Week runs August 9 to 16 and with that comes Discovery Channel entertainment, restaurant specials, and more. Sharks are an integral part of our eco-system. So, let’s learn...

By Mary Anne Windes 2020 has turned into a year of trials and patience-testing, but it didn’t start off that way. For the first time in many years, the captains received the great news that they were getting 61 days of Red Snapper season. One year, they only got six...

By Cali Hlavac, To Do In Destin The Tarpon have arrived! A bucket list fish for many anglers, Tarpon are most commonly found in south Florida but our area sees a passing migration during June and July. You’ll find them swimming nearshore, by the beaches in large schools. Often you’ll...