Best Local Fishing Spots in Destin, FL

Destin is a fisherman's paradise if I say so myself. Clear water and lots of species make the Emerald Coast in general a hot spot for fishing. For anyone who is unfamiliar with the area, here are some of Destin's top inshore fishing locations.

Coast Guard Station: The Coast Guard station is located at the North West end corner of the Destin Bridge. The station has a rock wall and a lot of grass beds that hold fish pretty much year round. You are only allowed in certain spots, which are clearly marked with keep out signs and buoys. This area is shallow, only a couple feet deep. You'll pull your boat or kayak up the rock wall or as close to the white keep out markers as you can and cast towards the shore. Redfish are the most popular fish targeted at the Coast Guard station. You can also find trout, flounder, ladyfish, mullet, and pinfish there too.

Destin Bridge: Like the Coast Guard station, the Destin Bridge is home to fish almost year round as well. There is no one particular place to fish around the bridge, you'll just have to putt putt around if you're in a boat or walk to different spots if you're fishing from on top of the bridge and find where's producing better from day to day. You'll find redfish, spadefish, sheepshead, small grouper, grey snapper, and baitfish under the bridge.

East and West Jetty: The East and West jetties of Destin is our pass from the Choctawhatchee Bay into the Gulf of Mexico. The East Jetty is accessable by going down Highway 98 in Destin to Gulf Shore Drive, in front of Target. Follow Gulf Shore Drive all the way down towards Norriego Point. Right before you get to Norriego Point, you'll reach a public access called O'Steen. You'll park beside the street and walk a little ways on the sand to reach the jetty. Once there, you'll be climbing along the rocks and finding an open spot to fish. The West jetty is accessable by going to the pull off on Okaloosa Island, right underneath the Destin Bridge (looking at a map, on the South West corner, behind the Welcome to Destin sign). The West jetty is sort of a long walk but if you're up to it the fishing can be rewarding. On both jetties you're able to catch, seasonally, redfish, sheepshead, spanish, false albacore, pompano, grouper, to name a few.

Shalimar Bridge: Shalimar Bridge isn't in Destin, but in Shalimar instead. Shalimar is a short drive from Destin though. To get there, take Hwy 98 West to Fort Walton Beach. Take an immediate right off Brooks Bridge at the Blockbuster/Publix shopping center, then at the second stoplight, you'll go right. This will be Eglin Parkway. Shalimar Bridge is the second bridge you'll cross. You're able to park immediately before the bridge, on the right side. There is a walkway like the Destin Bridge that you're able to fish from. Shalimar Bridge is popular for casting to Spanish and also fishing for redfish and flounder. Shalimar Bridge is usually loaded with pinfish too if you need live bait.

Norriego Point: I mentioned Norriego Point above when describing how to get to the East Jetty. If you'll follow those same driving directions and instead of stopping at O'Steen access, keep going until you reach Norriego Point Beach Access. From here you can either fish the pass side or harbor side. The entire point is great for fishing in my experience. On the Pass side, you can see and cast to redfish, spanish, blues, ladyfish, and baitfish. There are also small grouper and grunts in the seawall rocks. On the harbor side, you can seasonally find flounder, jacks, blues, spanish, trout, redfish. Walk the shoreline so you'll be sure to hit a hole of fish. Recently there was an article in our newspaper with a fisherman who had caught Permit in the harbor!

These are only 5 of the best inshore fishing spots of Destin. This area is a really popular place to wet a line and the fishing spot availabilities are extensive. If you're a local new to fishing or just a visitor wanting to try for a tug, Destin is sure to provide you with some fun fishing! Don't forget to check the solunar tables and tide tables at Florida-Offshore.com before you go!