Recreational Red Snapper Season Has Begun!
The recreational red snapper season started June 17 in Gulf state and federal waters off Florida and will remain open through July 31 with 12 days in the fall.
The Gulf federal season for for-hire operations with federal reef fish permits begins June 1 and...
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission announces the 2022 Lionfish Challenge tournament, which ends Sept. 6. The Lionfish Challenge is a summer-long lionfish tournament open to competitors around Florida. The goal is to remove as many lionfish as we can in just three-and-a-half months.
Participants will compete in either...
By April Sarver, Okaloosa County PIO
Congratulations! Divers participating in the 4th Annual Emerald Coast Open Lionfish Tournament successfully removed 13,835 lionfish from local waters. The invasive species prey on native fish and have no known predators due to their venomous spines. Hosted by Destin-Fort Walton Beach, alongside Florida Fish...
The Gulfarium’s C.A.R.E. Center successfully released four rehabilitated sea turtles on Thursday, May 12, 2022, at Inlet Beach.
It was a beautiful morning as crowds gathered to watch the endangered turtles head back into the Gulf of Mexico. All of the rehabilitated sea turtles had fallen victim to fishing hook...
By Cali Hvalac, To Do In Destin
Easter morning started off differently for one local charter boat called the “NoName,” as it hooked up the largest Bluefin Tuna ever caught off the Florida shore. The team, led by Captain Jacob “Jake” Matney, set out for a weekend of Marlin fishing...
Military veterans from FORCE BLUE launched their inaugural FORCE BLUE OCS (Ocean Conservation School) for Gold Star families recently at Vortex Springs in Ponce DeLeon. (A Gold Star Family is the immediate family member(s) of a fallen service member who died while serving in a time of conflict.)
The FORCE...
It’s time for the world’s largest lionfish tournament, the Emerald Coast Open, held right here at the Destin Harbor. Calling all spearfishermen to join the tournament and remove this invasive species. Participate and win cash and Gear prizes! The more lionfish you remove, the more prizes you can win!...
One million registered Florida recreational vessels
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) today announced that Florida continues to lead the nation and has passed the mark of 1 million registered recreational vessels across the state. Florida, with its great year-round weather and plenty of access to fresh and...
By Cali Hlavac, To Do In Destin
We are loving this warm weather and the fish are, too! We’ve had some rough waters this month, but overall the bite has been decent. The Choctawhatchee Bay is a bit slow this time of year, but the Gulf action has been picking...
By Lori Leath Smith
The oldest fishing tackle business in Destin has now opened its second marine and service center in Freeport! The Ships Chandler, located at 17309 U.S. Hwy, 331, has over 14 acres of space! The new marine and service center supplies the area with new and used...