Vendors and Divers Wanted The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is excited to announce the 7th Annual Lionfish Removal and Awareness Festival, May 15-16, at AJ’s Seafood and Oyster Bar and HarborWalk Village. Come out and celebrate the fight against invasive lionfish with the FWC and Destin–Fort Walton...
By Cali Hlavac, To Do in Destin By this time in the season, most of us anglers have a severe case of cabin fever. We’re constantly checking the weather apps on our phones, seeing which days will be warm enough with low winds to try and get out on the...
Mark your calendar for Thursday, March 4th, 2021, for the Coastal Conservation Association Emerald Coast Banquet and Auction, from 6-9:30 p.m. at The Island Hotel. Corporate tables include 10 dinners, 10 CCA One-Year Memberships, table gifts, and a framed featured artist print. The 2021 Banquet will feature local donations,...
Eating U.S. seafood is good for your health, our economy and working waterfront communities Fish and shellfish are a great source of lean protein. They’re also rich in nutrients and omega-3 fatty acids that play a key role in heart, immune system and brain health. In fact, the latest Dietary...

No Boat? No Problem!

By Cali Hlavac, To Do in Destin In our lucky little fishing village, it may be perceived that a boat is necessary to catch certain kinds of fish, or a multitude of fish. However, without access to a boat, there are still some great fishing spots anglers can take advantage...
By Cali Hlavac, To Do in Destin As one of the few female captains to run our waters here in Destin, Captain Gabrielle Barnes broke into a male dominated industry and followed her dreams to pursue a career in fishing. As a Fort Walton Beach local, her father introduced her to...
By Cali Hlavac, To Do in Destin Last year at this time, as it began to get cooler, we noticed different species of fish migrate into our Gulf waters – specifically Flounder and Sheepshead. That’s good for us since the cooler weather means the fish will school up in one...
Recreational fishing is important, both culturally and economically, to our coastal communities around the Gulf. NOAA’s latest Gulf of Mexico Saltwater Recreational Fisheries report shows 2.6 million Gulf anglers took 58.6 million fishing trips in the Gulf, spending $13.5 billion on trips and durable goods in 2017 alone. As such,...
The City of Destin will host its 22nd Annual Pinfish Classic on Saturday, Nov. 7, at the weigh-in on the dock behind AJ’s Restaurant, located at 116 Harbor Blvd. The catch and release event is open to children ages 14 and under. Due to COVID-19 we are taking extra precautions...
By Cali Hlavac, To Do In Destin The year 2020 has felt like a lifetime, but we are finally on the home stretch! Fall is officially here and with that comes our beloved Destin Fishing Rodeo! 2020 will be the 72nd Annual Fishing Rodeo in Destin, and like all the...