Guide to Fishing in Destin
Guide
to Fishing in Destin
Want
to go fishing during your Destin vacation? Here are tips you should know before
you go.
Know before you go.
Be
sure to check the flag and surf conditions before you go. Whether on a boat or
shore fishing, it is important to plan for the weather and potential rough
surf. It is also important to be aware of what fish are in season, which are
catch and release, how many you can keep etc. Click the link to the Catch/Release/what’s in Season section below to get a
downloadable pdf.
Who
needs a fishing license?
A saltwater fishing license is required for
fisherman ages 16 to 64, those whom are exempt from a fishing license include
those taking charter fishing boats, permanently disabled residents and members
of the military who are home temporarily.
Florida
residents can purchase a license for either one or five years. If you are a
non-resident you can either purchase a fishing license for three days, seven
days or one year and will pay more than residents.
Costs
of License (From FWC):
Saltwater
Fishing License
= Resident Annual: $17.00
= Resident
Five-Year: $79.00
= Non-Resident
Annual: $47.00
= Non-Resident
3-Day: $17.00
= Non-Resident
7-Day: $30.00
Saltwater Shoreline
Only
= Resident Annual
Saltwater Shoreline License: No-Cost
= Non-Resident would have
to purchase a general fishing license
Saltwater Fishing
Permits
(These are required, in addition to a saltwater fishing license, including
shoreline fishing, when taking or attempting to take one of these fish)
= Snook
o
Annual
$10
o
Five-Year
(Residents Only) $50
= Spiny Lobster
o
Annual
$5
o
Five-Year
(Residents Only) $25
= Tarpon Tags
o
Annual $51.50 (Available at tax collector's offices only)
o
For
more information read about Tarpons
You
can purchase these licenses at:
= Walmart’s Sporting Goods Section
= Half Hitch Tackle
= Call FWC at either 888-HUNT-FLORIDA(486-8356) or 888-FISH-FLORIDA(347-4356)
= Online at
https://www.gooutdoorsflorida.com/
= Or download the free
app by searching FWC in the App Store or Google Play
License-free
Fishing Days
Ever wanted to try ocean fishing but never wanted to pay the money for a license or permit, well you’re in luck. The state of Florida offers three different times during the year for those wanting to experience fishing, take their children, or for avid fisherman to introduce a friend or family member to fishing without having to purchase a license for them. On these special days, the fishing license requirement is waived for all recreational anglers, including both residents and non-residents.
License-free saltwater days
= First consecutive Saturday
and Sunday in June
= First Saturday in September
= Saturday following
Thanksgiving
What
does this license allow me to fish?
The
Florida saltwater fishing license allows fisherman to catch various species of
fish as well as marine life such as crabs and clams, located in the coastal
waters of the state. But if you are wanting to catch a Snook, Spiny Lobster or
Tarpon you must purchase a permit on top of your fishing license.
Catch & Release/What’s in Season:
Click
the link bellow to view a pdf, courtesy of Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, for what fish are in season and the regulations that come with catching them.
https://myfwc.com/media/20441/quickchart.pdf
Proper
Fishing Gear:
I know it’s hard to believe but when fishing on the Gulf there a certain type of fishing gear that will help you fish with ease. Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has done a great job by creating a checklist of things you’ll need when going Saltwater fishing. (https://myfwc.com/media/1366/saltwater-fishing-checklist.pdf)
Proper Hooks:
Circle
hooks are 90% more likely to hook fish in the mouth which reduced internal
harm, decreases dehooking time and lessens your chance of having to leave the
hook in the fish. Another perk of these hooks is that they are used best with
natural bait (alive or dead). When choosing hooks be sure that they are
non-stainless steel hooks, so in the rare case you have to leave the hook in
the fish they will rust and deteriorate sooner than a stainless steel or
nickel-plated hooks. They are also less toxic.
Fishing Line:
It is
important to properly dispose of all fishing line. After line gets tangled, it
is important to place it in a trash bag and return to shore. Fishing line is
the number one culprit of sea turtle deaths and entangles many marine animals
and birds. In addition, many stores sell biodegradable line.
Resources:
A great fishing app that I have recently discovered is Fishbrain. The app not only shows you what others are catching around you but it also tells you what kind of bait they were using, how they caught it, what type of fish it was and how they were casting. You can choose to receive push notifications if you’d like otherwise you can just pop in and check whenever you’d like.
For
checking surf conditions I go to: https://magicseaweed.com/Destin-Surf-Report/851/
And
for current flag conditions: https://www.destinvacation.com/beach-safety/
Ready to book your next Destin vacation? View our collection of Destin vacation rentals online or call one of our friendly vacation specialists 1-800-225-7652.
See
you @ the beach!