Destin, Florida is known as the worlds luckiest fishing village.  However what most people don't realize is that Destin, Florida has a great year around fishery, both in the gulf and in the bay.  The biggest factor we face fishing through the winter is the weather.  Every year is different with our weather, but this year we have been fortunate enough to have great weather.  We have been blessed to have several great days a week to fish between the fronts pushing through.  The key to getting out fishing when visiting Destin in the winter is having a few flexible days to allow us to pick the best day possible with the weather forecast. 

If you ever do get a chance to fish Destin, Florida in the winter you will be able to see the true beauty of our waterways.  Most days we see very few other boaters on the water unlike the spring and summer chaos with pontoon rentals, jet skits, and dolphin cruise boats.  This make it a great time to fish with less boat traffic and less fishing pressure.  While bay fishing there is a variety of species we target including Redfish, Sheepshead, White trout, Speckled trout, Black Drum, and Flounder.  With water temperature being lower the fish move around a lot slower so we do have to be more patient and wait a little longer for bites.  Our main focus is usually redfish and sheepshead in deeper water around structure.  Sheepshead are hard fighting fish on light tackle and are very tasty.  When conditions are right, redfish can be targeted on the shallow flats of the choctawhatchee bay.  When targeting redfish on the flats in the winter we switch over to the sight fishing technique.   We prowl the shallow flats searching for redfish in the shallows, sometimes they are singled out and other times you can see schools of 30-40 fish.  

When venturing out in the gulf in the winter months, there is always plenty to catch but a several species are closed season for harvesting.  Right now red snappers, triggerfish, and amberjacks are all closed.  Even though snappers are out of season, with cooler water temps near shore makes ideal conditions for snappers to move back in from the deep.  Its the perfect time to target quality sized snappers on light tackle for some great catch and release action with some awesome photos.  Our main target in the gulf in the winter months is flounder.  In the late fall flounders migrate from the deep and also out our bay to near shore wrecks in the gulf.  Flounders on near shore wrecks are targeted species from late October to early March.  Flounders are hands down one of the best eating saltwater species, making some awesome dinners after a day of fishing.  

Here at Destin Inshore Guides we are always ready to fish year around.  We fish throughout the entire off season on our off time as well to keep up with fish patterns.  If you plan on visiting Destin, Florida this winter give us a call and we would love to get your group out on the water. 

Two common species known to be caught Gulf fishing out of Destin, Florida are the Gray Triggerfish and Amberjacks.  Trigger fish season for 2019 was set for March 1st til May 31st and reopen August 1st and open till December 31st.  Amberjack season opened up on May 1st and was supposed to stay open through the entire month of May.   However the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation threw a monkey wrench into those plans.  Below is the article found at myfwc.com following their May meeting. 

At its May meeting near Tallahassee, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved early season closures for recreationally-caught greater amberjack and gray triggerfish in Gulf state waters.
The greater amberjack and gray triggerfish recreational closures are consistent with recent federal actions.
Greater amberjack will close May 3 to recreational harvest in Gulf state waters and will remain closed in both Gulf state and federal waters through July 31, reopening for the fall Aug. 1 through Oct. 31 season. 
Gray triggerfish will close to recreational harvest May 11 in Gulf state and federal waters and will remain closed until the federal season reopens.

We look forward to targeting amberjacks in August and will continue feeding the triggerfish for them to grow for the 2020 season. 

Sheepsheads are known for their vertical black strips against their white or grayish background, and mouth full of human like teeth.  Sheepsheads in the Destin, Florida area average around 4-5lbs range and can be caught as big as 11-12lbs during peak migration.  The Sheepshead is a species that can be found in Destin, Florida year around, but are mainly targeted from late October to early April.  

Like other species in the Choctawhatchee bay surrounding Destin, Florida the sheepsheads move from the bays to the gulf to spawn.  From late February to late March is the prime time of sheepsheads' migration pattern and is the peak time anglers target them in the Destin, Florida surrounding areas.  As they prepare to move out to the gulf to spawn, they feed a lot causing them to be easy targets, unlike the rest of the year.  

Sheepsheads are one of the trickiest fish to hook, as they have a light bite are very smart.  When targeting sheepshead you want to use as light of gear as possible.  The most common way to rig up is using a carolina rig with a light  fluorocarbon leader, small hook, and the lightest weight you can use depending on how strong the current is.  Sheepshead feed on a variety of crustaceans and shellfish making live shrimp, live fiddler crabs, and oysters common bait choices.  

As for fishing tactics for sheepshead fishing, it is fairly basic.  You want to have your weight on the bottom close to the structure you are fishing and wait patiently for the bite.  When waiting for the bite hold your pole as still as possible and watch for the slightest bump of the rod tip.  Sheepshead have one of the softest bites and the slightest bump can possibly one of the biggest sheepsheads you have ever caught.  Always remember if you have a bait down for awhile be sure to reel up and check your bait as many times they will rob you without leaving any evidence of being there.   

When targeting sheepsheads, they can typically be located around bridge pilings, jetties, oyster beds, and docks pilings throughout the choctawhatchee bay.  As they make their move to the gulf as they spawn they can also be caught along the beaches while surf fishing.

Although sheepsheads are known as one of the toughest fish to clean with their large rib bones and tough scales and are often overlooked when it comes to table fare, they are actually one of the best tasting fish caught in the bay.  They have a great taste to their meat due to the primary diet being crustaceans.  Being a white flaky fish there is no wrong way of cooking it, blackened, grilled, or fried are all great choices.   

 If visiting the Destin, Florida area during the winter months or early spring sheepsheads are often one of the main targeted species on Destin Inshore Bay charters with Destin Inshore Guides.  If you are visiting Destin on vacation and don't have any experience or gear, hiring a guide for the day is the best route.  On all of our charters everything is provided except for food and drinks, making it an easy fishing adventure with an experienced captain, giving you the best chance of catching fish while of vacation.  Email or call us today to reserve your next family fishing adventure in Destin, Florida.