Things to Do - Fishing | Destin, FL

Season closes today

Destin boat captains face slow fall because of new state, federal fishing calendars

Tina Harbuck, Florida Freedom Newspapers

DESTIN, FL — It was good while it lasted.     Today, however, is the last day to keep a red snapper.     “It’s been as good as it ever gets,” captain Tommy Browning said earlier this week after... Full story

Fly fishing seminars

DESTIN, FL - The Orvis Company in Grand Boulevard offers free fly fishing casting technique seminars each Sunday at 10 a.m. Store manager Jason Siler works with participates to demonstrate casting techniques, test rods, and swap tips with other... Full story

Eighty-pound kid hooks his weight in shark

Jennifer Rich, Florida Freedom Newspapers

DESTIN, FL - In a couple of weeks, 11-year-old Misha Shtapov is going to have a gleaming new pair of shark jaws on the shelf in his bedroom after a trip out of Destin on the Hired Gun with Capt. Bill Waitzman.     The 80-pound boy... Full story

A new fee to fish

Tom McLaughlin, Florida Freedom Newspapers

GULF COAST, FL - Florida’s landlubber anglers soon must pay for the privilege of wetting a line. Come Aug. 1, state residents who fish from the shore or from bridges, docks and piers will be required to ante up $9 for a shoreline fishing... Full story

A $17,315 fish: Destin captain does it again with monster swordfish

Tina Harbuck, Florida Freedom Newspapers

DESTIN, FL - It was a “lifetimer” of a fish. That’s how Destin Capt. Tommy Braden described the immense swordfish he and his crew hauled in aboard Keith Howard’s Moveable Feast to take top honors in the Destin Swordfish... Full story

Anglers catch 442-lb 'monster swordfish' in Destin waters

Mona Moore, Florida Freedom Newspapers

DESTIN, FL - Tommy Braden tried something new at the Destin Swordfish Shootout. The yacht captain took advantage of the new tournament’s rules that allowed fishing lines to hit the water Friday at noon. By the time Braden, his mate and the... Full story

Summer is prime time for mackerel

Tina Harbuck, Florida Freedom Newspapers

DESTIN, FL - If you're looking to catch a king mackerel, now is the time. "It usually starts in June and is good through September," Matt McLeod told the more than 50 people gathered at Hooters for the Emerald Coast Saltwater Seminar Series.... Full story

Legendary Marine Swordfish Tournament

DESTIN, FL - Legendary Marine presents the 1st Annual Swordfish Shootout Benefiting Choctawhatchee High School's Football Program on July 9-11. The event kick's off Thursday, July 9 at 6:30 p.m. with a Captain's Party on the Emerald Grande... Full story

Whopper of a wahoo

Tina Harbuck, Florida Freedom Newspapers

DESTIN, FL - After 30 minutes of pulling and reeling, Tim Bible of Tennessee had a 60-pound wahoo on board the Un Reel Thursday afternoon. "It made a couple of really hard pulls," Bible said. Capt. Harold Loeffler of the Un Reel said it made a... Full story

Scorching heat brings out the 'monster' fish

Tina Harbuck, Florida Freedom Newspapers

DESTIN, FL - As the sun was bearing down Monday, reaching temperatures of 99 degrees, anglers were bearing down on the fish. Sierra Lagore of Illinois was one of those anglers who bore down on a big barracuda. "It's by far the biggest fish I've... Full story

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