Fishing

By Cali Hlavac, To Do In Destin If you’ve wandered around any dock inside the Destin Harbor, you might have looked down to see some very large fish swimming below and wondering what kind they were. Often referred to as the “Big Ugly” by fishermen around the area, these monster...

The Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County (CAA) in partnership with the South Walton Artificial Reef Association (SWARA) join two of South Walton’s most cherished resources, the arts and the Gulf of Mexico, with the Underwater Museum of Art (UMA). Named by TIME Magazine as one of 100 of...

This is the time of year for migrating manatees! So, slow down and look out for them. As water temperatures cool, manatees naturally migrate to warmer waters, generally warmer than 68 degrees to survive the winter. So, in the fall they travel to Florida springs, power plant discharges and...

By Lori Leath Smith Each year for the past 35 years, Destin boat owners have made the holidays a little bit bigger and brighter by adorning their vessels, large and small, with as many lights and decorations as possible; then cruising in, all in a gleaming row, through the historic...

By Cali Hvlac As colder temps roll in, we are starting to notice different species of fish migrate into our Gulf waters – specifically Flounder and Sheepshead. The cooler weather means the fish will school up in one area, making them easier to catch once you track them down. Flounder and...

Handle fish as little as possible and only with wet hands. This reduces the removal of fish slime, which protects the fish from infection and aids in swimming. Match tackle to the targeted fish to land it quickly and minimize stress on the fish. Large species such as sharks, billfish...

By Mary Anne Windes If I had to put my finger on the “one thing” that makes Destin so popular, it would be the quick access to deep water for deep sea fishing in the Gulf of Mexico. Typically, Mom loves the shopping, the kids love the beach, Dad wants...

By Cali Hvalac, To Do In Destin 2021 marks the 73rd Annual Fishing Rodeo in “The World’s Luckiest Village” and with it comes the return of many events that were canceled in the previous year, prompting community excitement. Since its inception in 1948, the Destin Fishing Rodeo has expanded into one...

Weigh-Ins are everyday behind A.J.’s from 10 am - 7 pm. Destin Fishing Rodeo September Events Meet Miss Destin (Thursday, Sept. 16) Thursday, September 16, 2021, at 6:00 pm, Harbor Docks will host an Introduction party for Miss Kailey Sparks, Miss Destin 2021. Captains, Crew, Anglers and volunteers are invited to this...

By Cali Hvalac, To Do In Destin It’s been a lifelong dream of Captain Lionel James to have his own TV show. Since he can remember, he would watch fishing shows on TV and aspire to have his own someday. The dream is finally coming true as the first episode...