Time to load up the Yeti Cooler full with Flounder and Sheepshead
Posted by Capt LW
The Cooler Water Temps Have Made The Fish Get On The Move In and Around the Destin Inshore!
Flounder: The Flounder bite has been exceptional with the cooler water temps. As a Destin Inshore Charter Fishing Guide, I look for at least two good cold fronts to push through the area in November, before I begin to target these fine eating flat fish. The cold fronts send the signal to the flounder that it’s time to move out of the bay. This is absolutely the best time of the year, to get your limit of 10 Flounder per angler. Baits of choice include live finger mullet and bull minnows. My preference for rigging these live baits is either Carolina Rig with a short 8 – 10 inch leader, or a half ounce jig head directly hooked to the live offering. With the Carolina Rig, make sure to allow the flounder enough time to grab your bait and turn it around in his gullet before setting the hook.
Sheepshead: The Sheepshead bite has turned on very nicely and as with Destin Inshore Fishing during this time of year, the movement of a couple of cold fronts typically signal these striped bait stealers to make their move toward the Mid-Bay Bridge and Destin Pass area. Baits of choice for these convict fish are live shrimp, fiddler crabs, and raw oyster. A Carolina or Texas rig will serve to help you claim your limit of 15 Sheepshead per angler.
Speckled Trout: The Speckled Trout bite has finally started to slow up a little, however, that simply means you must first take advantage of the sunrise or evening bite. You must also be willing to follow them to their deeper water wintertime hangouts, such as 15 foot plus water depths in muddy bottom bayous and creeks/rivers that feed the bay. Live baits such as live shrimp, finger mullet and pinfish will get the job done. The trout will become a little less active, so be sure to present your baits in a very slow manner. Artificial offerings like lead head jigs with a curly tail grub should be allowed to free fall to the bottom and slowly retrieved. As a Destin Inshore Charter Fishing Guide my first choice for artificial is the curly tail grub in Chartreuse color. The great thing about cold weather trout fishing, is that typically when you locate them, they will be in large groups, so be ready for the frenzy!
Redfish: The Reds have maintained their bite consistency throughout the Destin Inshore Bay and Flats. The slot reds have seemed to hold their positions on the Destin Inshore Bay Flats, with several Bull Reds being caught on those same Destin Inshore Flats. However, if Bull Reds are whatcha want, you just can’t beat the Destin Bridge and Destin Pass on an outgoing tide, for Bull reds in the 10 – 40 pound range. The slot redfish are eating the same live baits as the trout, and on some of my Destin Inshore Bay and Flats Charter Fishing trips my clients have knocked down some respectable redfish on Topwater lures.
Capt LW’s Destin Inshore Charter Fishing
Guide Tip of the Month
While fishing with my clients for sheepshead, I like to call them in by ringing the dinner bell! Ringing the dinner bell is simply bringing a scraper or flat shovel to chum’em up by scraping the barnacles and oysters the sheepshead like to eat, off of the bridge/dock pylons. When you scrape the pylons, the sheepshead smell the fresh scrapings, and come a running to your area to eat. Once you get them eating, they will recklessly eat your bait without taking anytime to carefully examine it, and at this point just set that hook!
Until Next Month,
C’Mon, Let’s Go Catch’em Up!
Capt LW
Gator-Sized Destin Inshore Speckled Trout and Tournament Grade Redfish
Posted by Capt LW
The Destin Inshore Fishing has been Phenomenal!
Speckled Trout: The trout bite seems to extend well into the day and the only adjustment needed to prolong your fishing day is to go to the deeper water adjacent to the shallow water Destin Inshore Bay Flats. Baits of choice for these trout are live finger mullet, pinfish and a shrimp under a popping cork. As a Destin Inshore Charter Fishing Guide my first choice for artificial is a topwater offering such as a Top Dog, Skitterwalk or Heddon. On my recent Destin Inshore Guided Fishing Charters, my biggest dilemma is that my clients catch numerous fish in excess of the one fish over the 20 inch quota imposed by the FWC. However, that’s a problem my clients are gladly willing to deal with.
Redfish: The Reds have maintained their bite consistency throughout the Destin Inshore Bay and Flats. The slot reds have seemed to hold their positions on the Destin Inshore Bay Flats, with several Bull Reds being caught on those same Destin Inshore Flats. However, if Bull Reds are your fancy, you just can’t beat the Destin Bridge and Destin Pass on an outgoing tide, for Bull reds in the 10 – 40 pound range. The slot redfish are eating the same live baits as the trout, and on some of my Destin Inshore Bay and Flats Charter Fishing trips my clients have knocked down some respectable redfish on Topwater lures.
Flounder: The Flounder bite has been pretty decent in the bay. As a Destin Inshore Fishing Guide, I look for the most snag ridden areas to hunt for these tasty flat fish. Baits of choice include live finger mullet and bull minnows. My preference for rigging these live baits is either Carolina Rig with a short 8 – 10 inch leader, or a half ounce jig head directly hooked to the live offering. With the Carolina Rig, make sure to allow the flounder enough time to grab your bait and turn it around in his gullet before setting the hook.
NOTE: THE DESTIN INSHORE FLOUNDER AND SHEEPSHEAD MIGRATION WILL BEGIN IN LATE OCTOBER AND CONTINUE THROUGH MARCH. CATCHING MULTIPLE LIMITS OF THESE GREAT EATING FISH, WILL BE A REALISTIC CATCH EXPECTATION! LOOK FOR MY TIPS AND TRICKS TO CATCHING YOUR LIMIT IN MY UPCOMING NOVEMBER 2013 DESTIN INSHORE BAY AND FLATS FISHING REPORT.
Capt LW’s Destin Inshore Charter Fishing
Guide Tip of the Month
While fishing with my clients, I prefer to use live bait. I utilize live bait for my clients, because the live bait typically does all the work. Live bait create pulses and flashes that predator fish key in on, when they are cruising the Destin Inshore Bay and Flats. When the predator fish see your live bait struggling it sends a signal to the predator fish that there is an easy meal waiting. By nature, some of the bigger predator fish are just lazy, and if they can capitalize on an easy meal, they will crush it!
Until Next Month,
C’Mon, Let’s Go Catch’em Up!
Capt LW
Gator-Sized Destin Inshore Speckled Trout and Tournament Grade Redfish
Posted by Capt LW
With the cooler morning temperatures, the fish have started to bite quite well.
Speckled Trout: The crack of dawn and late evening is when you want to start your Destin Inshore Fishing assault on the Speckled Trout. Live baits such as shrimp, pin fish, finger mullet and pogies are baits that will get the job done. Artificial offerings such as the DOA Deadly Assassin under a popping cork with a gold flake shrimp; MirroDine XL, and my Destin Inshore Charter Fishing Guide personal favorite, Rapala Skitterwalk Topwater bait. Most of the trout seem to be in the 17 to 22 inch range. But on most of my Destin Inshore Fishing Charter trips, we have caught some trout in excess of 26 inches.
Redfish: The redfish bite continues to be good all throughout the day, Baits of choice for the redfish in and around the Destin Inshore Fishing area are the same as for the speckled trout. In addition, the redfish have really taken well to knocking down the Topwater Baits, producing some impressive blow ups above the waters surface. Be sure to fish the shallow Destin Inshore Flats in early morning hours, and then move to deeper water structure throughout the middle of the day.
Flounder: The flounder bite has also been really good. Baits of choice for flounder are bull minnows and finger mullet. As a Destin Inshore Charter Fishing Guide, I like to either setup an 8 inch Carolina rig or attach my live bait directly to a half ounce jig head.
Capt LW’s Destin Inshore Charter Fishing Guide Tip of the Month
As a Destin Inshore Charter Fishing Guide, I depend heavily on tidal movements to determine my fishing strategy. Tides serve to bring small bait fish to the awaiting bigger fish like a conveyor belt. The bigger fish can handle the tide movement a lot better than the smaller bait fish who struggle to swim in the moving tide. This allows the bigger fish an opportunity to eat an easy meal.
Until Next Month,
C’mon, Let’s Go Catch’em Up!
Capt LW
Nice catches of Redfish, Speckled Trout, Black Snapper and Flounder
Posted by Capt LW
With August here already, Destin Inshore Bay and Flats Fishing has continued to produce some nice catches of Redfish, Speckled Trout, Black Snapper and Flounder!
Redfish: The redfish bite has been very good with the destin pass being a great place to target these redfish. Look for tide movements because this will typically help congregate these redfish and prompt them to bite. Baits of choice are live croakers, pinfish and large finger mullet. As a Destin Inshore Charter Fishing Guide, clients on my recent trips caught anywhere from 6 thru 20 of these hard fighting redfish.
Speckled Trout: The trout bite is pretty good as well, with the best time being at the crack of dawn and late evening. When the water heats up the trout seek refuge in the deeper waters off the grass flats. Baits of choice are live shrimp, finger mullet, croakers and menhaden.
Flounder: The flatties have shown up in the Destin Bay and Flats. As a Destin Inshore Fishing Guide, my clients have actually caught these Destin Inshore Flounder while fishing for back country reds and trout. Baits of choice, are the same as for the Destin Reds and Trout. Any of these baits Carolina or knocker rigged will get the job done.
Black Snapper: The Destin Inshore Black Snapper are still consistently biting well. As a Destin Inshore Bay and Flats Charter fishing guide, I have watched my clients literally catch several of these fish and never want to leave. Baits of choice are live shrimp and small pilchards. Look for structure such as bridge and dock pilings in about 5+ feet of water. Be sure to keep those lines tight because these black snapper strike quickly.
Capt LW’s Destin Inshore Charter Fishing Guide Tip of the Month
As a Destin Inshore Charter Fishing Guide, I typically rig up several fishing rods in anticipation of the days catch. With that stated, I also would advise anyone to have a pitch line ready with stouter tackle. During the summer it is a common occurrence to have schools of Jack Crevalle and Tarpon show up on the grass flats while you are fishing for trout and reds. If you have that pitch rod on the ready, you’re sure to be ready for the long drag screaming fights these large fish will produce.
Until next month,
C’mon and let’s go catch’em up!
Capt LW
The Destin Inshore Bay and Flats have been on fire!
Posted by Capt LW
As a Destin Inshore Fishing Guide, I have been able to catch both limits of redfish and speckled trout on numerous Destin inshore fishing charter trips:
Redfish: The reds have been ready and willing to bite. Look for them on the shallow water flats congregating in the deeper holes, in and around the 2 foot deep grass flats. Don’t forget to fish the reds tight to pilings and other submerged structure. Baits of choice include live pin fish, pogies, croakers and shrimp. On several recent ICX Destin Inshore Bay and Flats charter fishing trips, my clients caught their limits pretty quickly and kept fishing to catch and release 10 – 15 more reds, ultimately leaving fishing spots with the redfish still biting!
Speckled Trout: Getting out to your fishing spots early or late afternoon are keys to Speckled Trout success. The Destin Inshore Bay Flats have held these trout in there usual grass flat haunts. Look for the Swiss Cheese bottoms and of course it doesn’t hurt to see bait schools being exploded on by hungry trout. Preferred bait choices are small live pin fish, croaker, pogies and shrimp. Artificial offerings include the DOA shrimp under a popping cork and Topwater lures such as the Rapala Skitterwalk.
Black Snapper: The Black Snapper bite has been very reliable and consistent. Clients on my ICX Destin Inshore Charter Fishing Trips have typically landed up to 20 per trip. Bait of choice is live shrimp. These snapper are very leader shy, so some fluorocarbon leader is recommended.
Capt LW’s Destin Inshore Bay and Flats Charter Fishing Guide Tip of the Month:
When searching for visual cues to the presence of Destin Inshore Bay and Flats sport fish such as Redfish and Speckled Trout, my Destin Inshore Charter Fishing Guide instinct prompts me to look for large schools of mullet. Reds and Trout actually follow schools of mullet in search of smaller baits to eat. When the mullet, who are actually vegetarians, move about the Destin Inshore grass flats, small fish and crabs jump out of the grass and the redfish and trout quickly snatch up a quick meal courtesy of the large moving schools of mullet. As a Destin Inshore Charter Fishing Guide, I instruct my clients to cast right in the middle of the mullet schools, and hold on tight, because Mr Redfish and Ms Trout are coming to dinner!
Until next month, GO Catch’em Up!
Capt LW
The Destin Nearshore Gulf has been on fire!
Posted by Capt LW
Destin Red Snapper fishing has been very consistent. As a Destin Charter Fishing Guide my clients have consistently landed limits of big red snapper topping 20 pounds! Great baits are live cigar minnows or the preferred bait of Destin Charter Fishing Guides, dead cigar minnows.
The King Mackerel bite is also very good! Just out the Destin Pass and around the sea buoy has produced reliable numbers of kings. The large bait schools are also a great place to look for Kings. As a Destin Charter Fishing Guide, I look for the broken bottom to target the Smoker Kings.
On July 1, Gag Grouper opened and as of this writing the ICX Destin Charter Fishing Boat has not done any grouper charters. However that didn’t stop us from catching them and releasing. Fish broken bottom both natural and artificial with a live pin fish, and be ready for the thump and reel hard to pull these bottom dwellers out of their holes!
Last but not least, the Silver King, Tarpon will be traveling down our beaches for their mid summer migration. Have a 8 – 12 inch mullet on the ready either free-lined or under a cork and be positioned in between the first and second sandbars during the morning. Only thing now is be ready to bow to the king when he makes his acrobatic leaps!
Capt LW’s Destin Nearshore Gulf Tip of the Month:
King Mackerel love live cigar minnows, however when the live cigar minnows are running scared and you can’t catchem, a frozen cigar minnow will get it done. You can troll it just like a live one, and if a duster is what you like, that works well with frozen cigs too!
Until next Destin Nearshore Gulf Fishing Report,
Go Catch’em Up!
Capt LW
Red Snapper season is in full swing and ICX clients are catching them
Posted by Capt LW
Capt LW’s Destin Nearshore Gulf Charter Fishing Guide Tip of the Month: Red Snapper season is in full swing and ICX clients are catching them! As a Destin Inshore Bay and Flats Charter Fishing Guide as well as a Destin Nearshore Gulf Charter Fishing Guide it gives me great pleasure to combine my Destin Inshore Bay Charter Fishing Trips with my Destin Nearshore Gulf Charter Fishing Trips. Why? Because as a Destin Charter Fishing Guide, we are able to combine great Destin Inshore Charter Fishing Trips and Destin Nearshore Gulf Charter Fishing Trips year-round upon client request! However during this time of the year, Red Snapper Season opens, and I can have my clients experience Destin Inshore Fishing catching limits of redfish, speckled trout and flounder the first half of the morning, and then shift gears, take a quick run for some great Destin Nearshore Gulf Fishing, catching in season Red Snapper in the 8 – 20 pound range on light tackle just minutes out the Destin Pass! All this while filling their ice chests with some tasty inshore redfish, trout, flounder and Destin Nearshore Gulf Red Snapper filets and be back to their Destin Resorts by lunchtime. And on July 1, you can add Gag Grouper to your ICX Destin Inshore Bay Guided Charter Fishing and Nearshore Gulf Guided Charter Fishing eXperience.
Their are typically year-round opportunities to target any given resident species of fish in and around the Destin Nearshore Gulf. Remember, just because a particular Destin Nearshore Gulf species may not be in season, it doesn’t prevent a client from practicing catch and release of the out of season species. If you have a question about what’s in season, please don’t hesitate to contact Capt LW at (850) 585-7173 or fill out the contact form on the Book a Trip page on www.destinfishing-icx.com.
Red Snapper: The Red Snapper bite is very good! We have gotten our Red Snapper limits on every ICX Destin Nearshore Gulf Charter Fishing trip. They are holding on the Destin Nearshore Gulf Fishing areas like the Bridge Rubble directly south of the Destin Pass and the Pole Spot area southwest of the Destin Pass. Destin Charter Fishing Guides seem to differ in their bait of choice, I prefer frozen cigar minnows. Simple and as easy as an angler can get! Even a Top Destin Charter Fishing Guide can’t deny the power and versatility of a frozen cigar minnow in his or her arsenal of baits.
King Mackerel: The big “Smoker King Mackerel,” have pushed in very close to the Destin Nearshore Gulf beaches. There are a lot of fish in the 15 – 30 pound range being landed. Try trolling a big live cigar minnow or Threadfin Herring about 2 – 4 knots on top or down riggered about 20 feet down. Also we catch plenty of nice King Mackerel on our ICX Destin Nearshore Gulf Guided Charter Fishing Trips, by simply hanging a free lined live bait out the back of the boat while targeting Red Snapper, Grouper and Amberjack within a mile or so of the beaches!
Amberjack: There are huge schools of these hard fighting fish being landed very close to the beach. They are very willing to take any live white bait or an artificial lure such as Topwater plug or Suspending type lure. These fish will fight you from start to finish, so make sure you drink your coffee or energy drink before you come aboard for an ICX Destin Nearshore Gulf Guided Charter Fishing Trip : )
Go Catch’em Up!
Top Destin Inshore Bay Flats artificial fishing baits
Posted by Capt LW
Speckled Trout: Crack of dawn and late afternoon bite are excellent! Live shrimp, finger mullet, very small pin fish and croaker are all great bait choices for the Destin Inshore Bay and Flats. Top Destin Inshore Bay Flats artificial fishing baits: Rapala Skitterwalk, Mirrorlure Top Dog and MirroDine XL.
Redfish: All day long is the best bet for those 18 – 27 inch slot reds on the Destin Inshore Bay Flats. As a Destin Inshore Charter Fishing Guide, I make it my business to know where these redfish like to be all throughout the day, because if you’re able to locate them, you can usually get them to eat anytime of the day. The best live baits are the same as for the Speckled Trout. Go to artificial bait choices are the Berkley Gulp shrimp, Jerk Bait and Gold Spoon. Fish docks in excess of 3 feet, and it doesn’t hurt to fish the ones that have an adjacent grass flat nearby. Flounder: The Destin Inshore Bay and Flats flounder fishing has picked up quite well with the flounder fully returning from the Destin Nearshore Gulf to their usual haunts in and around the Destin Inshore Bay and Flats. Early on the Destin Bay Grass Flats have been holding fish. Also try docks and other pilings. The more broken up and snag ridden structure, the better for the flatties. Both high and low moving tides are good. Bull minnows and finger mullet carolina or knocker rigged, along with any curly tail grub, usually get the job done.
Capt LW’s Destin Inshore Fishing Charter Guide Tip of the Month:
As a Destin Inshore Charter Fishing Guide, I make it my business to know where redfish schools like to be all throughout the day. Unlike certain Destin Inshore Bay and Flats sport fish, if you’re able to locate a school of redfish, no matter the time of day, you can usually get them to eat a bait. So do your scouting ahead of time, because those schools of redfish typically hold to the same general area for a week before moving on.
GO CATCH’EM UP!
Destin Near Shore Gulf Fishing in May
Posted by Capt LW
Fishing the Destin Near Shore Gulf continues to be productive. Strong Easterly Winds have been great for the Destin Cobia migration, however cloudy skies have been greatly reducing the required visibility to see the great fish. During a recent IntraCoastal Experience Destin Charter Fishing trip, my clients Matt and Rob reeled in two respectable Cobia (See Picture), on what would be considered not an ideal day to be Cobia Fishing. But Matt and Rob had a great “Can Do” attitude, and made the absolute most of this challenging day of Cobia fishing on the Destin Near Shore Gulf. Entering May, the Destin Cobia Run will start to slow down, but with that stated, don’t forget to visit the Destin Near Shore Gulf wrecks. It is very common for these Cobia to stage up on these wrecks near the end of the Destin Cobia migration.
The Destin Near Shore Gulf continues to heat up with King Mackerel now arriving to compete with the Spanish Mackerel for the numerous schools of bait now actively showing up in and around the Destin Near Shore Gulf and Destin Inshore Fishing areas within the Bay and Flats. My clients Maurice, his wife and father-in-law, experienced a great Destin Inshore Fishing trip and caught several nice Spanish Mackerel up to 4 pounds while fishing on the Destin Inshore Flats. Break out the Gotcha Plugs and Diamond Jigs for the Spanish Mackerel and a live large Cigar Minnow, Pogie (Menhaden) or Threadfin, will get it done with the King Mackerel. Trolling works for both the Spanish and King Mackerel, but free-lining a bait works too.
The Destin Near Shore Gulf is is alive and just gets better as the warmer weather arrives. I’ve been knocking on doors, to make sure the Red Snapper are home and let me tell you they are there. I’ve seen several Red Snapper in the 8 – 20 pound range, just waiting for a bait to be thrown in the water. At ICX we like to catch them on topwater, and to see these big snapper come up to eat your bait is truly a sight to see. Along with the Red Snapper, schools of amberjack have shown up as well. Red Snapper season kicks off June 1 through July 14. If you’re interested in taking advantage of great Destin Nearshore Gulf Fishing with Destin Charter Fishing Guide Capt LW of IntraCoastal eXperience Guided Fishing Charters, give me a call for the latest fishing report and reserve a fishing adventure for you and your group.
The Destin Inshore Bay and Flats Redfish Bite is ON!
Posted by Capt LW
The Destin Inshore Bay and Flats fishing has arrived in a big way. The redfish bite has bite has turned on really nice on the Destin Inshore Bay and Flats. The reds are around the deeper water docks in excess of 5 feet but are also on the Destin Inshore Bay and Flats. Also if you’re seeing mullet in this same environment, it’s a sure bet that the redfish are lying underneath them. Live baits of choice for these redfish have been live shrimp, pinfish and finger mullet. On the artificial side of things, Jerk Baits have been slaying the reds in the greater Destin Inshore Fishing area. On a recent Destin Inshore Fishing Trip, my client Ray just had his way with the Redfish, hooking and landing a total of 6 really nice Redfish and 3 Speckled Trout (See Picture). I am very proud to report that my little guy cast to and landed his first legal redfish, all by himself (See Picture). He’s pretty much taken advantage of the great Destin Inshore Bay and Flats fishing and can now add this legal slot redfish to his resume of Speckled Trout, Flounder, Sheepshead and Catfish. Can’t wait to have him as a tournament partner one day.
Nice Rack of 22 through 24 inch Redfish along with Speckled Trout.
Speckled Trout have fully turned on around the Destin Inshore Bay Flats. During early spring, I prefer to throw artificial bait imitations of the surrounding fingerlings that these trout are gorging themselves on. Mirrodine’s in your favorite color seem to elicit quick strikes from these hungry trout. I’ve also caught several nice trout with Topwater lures, which happens to be my personal favorite way to catch fish on the Destin Inshore Bay and Flats. Destin Inshore fishing with topwater lures is an early morning or late evening affair. Also if you like live bait, you can’t go wrong with live shrimp, either free-lined or as my clients seem to favor, under a popping cork. Either method will get you positive results.
As a Destin Inshore Charter Fishing Guide, I tend to be very picky with my live shrimp, and I look for bait shops that keep their live shrimp in natural saltwater. These type of shrimp are very hardy and tend to live much longer, even living in excess of two weeks in a simple aerated live well at my residence. An added bonus, is you can introduce Bay or Gulf natural saltwater on these shrimp without it placing them in shock. The Salty Bass Bait and Tackle store is one of the local area bait shops, that sells and maintains their live shrimp utilizing natural Gulf saltwater. No need to risk the bait shop running out on you or spending too much of your hard earned dollars buying new shrimp when you can keep the extra ones alive for your next trip. If you’re interested in taking advantage of great Destin Inshore Bay and Flats Fishing with IntraCoastal eXperience Guided Fishing Charters, give us a call for the latest report and reserve a fishing adventure for you and your group.
Flounder: The Flounder bite has been exceptional with the cooler water temps. As a Destin Inshore Charter Fishing Guide, I look for at least two good cold fronts to push through the area in November, before I begin to target these fine eating flat fish. The cold fronts send the signal to the flounder that it’s time to move out of the bay. This is absolutely the best time of the year, to get your limit of 10 Flounder per angler. Baits of choice include live finger mullet and bull minnows. My preference for rigging these live baits is either Carolina Rig with a short 8 – 10 inch leader, or a half ounce jig head directly hooked to the live offering. With the Carolina Rig, make sure to allow the flounder enough time to grab your bait and turn it around in his gullet before setting the hook.
Sheepshead: The Sheepshead bite has turned on very nicely and as with Destin Inshore Fishing during this time of year, the movement of a couple of cold fronts typically signal these striped bait stealers to make their move toward the Mid-Bay Bridge and Destin Pass area. Baits of choice for these convict fish are live shrimp, fiddler crabs, and raw oyster. A Carolina or Texas rig will serve to help you claim your limit of 15 Sheepshead per angler.
Speckled Trout: The Speckled Trout bite has finally started to slow up a little, however, that simply means you must first take advantage of the sunrise or evening bite. You must also be willing to follow them to their deeper water wintertime hangouts, such as 15 foot plus water depths in muddy bottom bayous and creeks/rivers that feed the bay. Live baits such as live shrimp, finger mullet and pinfish will get the job done. The trout will become a little less active, so be sure to present your baits in a very slow manner. Artificial offerings like lead head jigs with a curly tail grub should be allowed to free fall to the bottom and slowly retrieved. As a Destin Inshore Charter Fishing Guide my first choice for artificial is the curly tail grub in Chartreuse color. The great thing about cold weather trout fishing, is that typically when you locate them, they will be in large groups, so be ready for the frenzy!
Redfish: The Reds have maintained their bite consistency throughout the Destin Inshore Bay and Flats. The slot reds have seemed to hold their positions on the Destin Inshore Bay Flats, with several Bull Reds being caught on those same Destin Inshore Flats. However, if Bull Reds are whatcha want, you just can’t beat the Destin Bridge and Destin Pass on an outgoing tide, for Bull reds in the 10 – 40 pound range. The slot redfish are eating the same live baits as the trout, and on some of my Destin Inshore Bay and Flats Charter Fishing trips my clients have knocked down some respectable redfish on Topwater lures.
Flounder: The Flounder bite has been pretty decent in the bay. As a Destin Inshore Fishing Guide, I look for the most snag ridden areas to hunt for these tasty flat fish. Baits of choice include live finger mullet and bull minnows. My preference for rigging these live baits is either Carolina Rig with a short 8 – 10 inch leader, or a half ounce jig head directly hooked to the live offering. With the Carolina Rig, make sure to allow the flounder enough time to grab your bait and turn it around in his gullet before setting the hook.
As a Destin Inshore Charter Fishing Guide, I typically rig up several fishing rods in anticipation of the days catch. With that stated, I also would advise anyone to have a pitch line ready with stouter tackle. During the summer it is a common occurrence to have schools of Jack Crevalle and Tarpon show up on the grass flats while you are fishing for trout and reds. If you have that pitch rod on the ready, you’re sure to be ready for the long drag screaming fights these large fish will produce.
All this while filling their ice chests with some tasty inshore redfish, trout, flounder and Destin Nearshore Gulf Red Snapper filets and be back to their Destin Resorts by lunchtime. And on July 1, you can add Gag Grouper to your ICX Destin Inshore Bay Guided Charter Fishing and Nearshore Gulf Guided Charter Fishing eXperience.
Destin Charter Fishing Guides seem to differ in their bait of choice, I prefer frozen cigar minnows. Simple and as easy as an angler can get! Even a Top Destin Charter Fishing Guide can’t deny the power and versatility of a frozen cigar minnow in his or her arsenal of baits.
They are very willing to take any live white bait or an artificial lure such as Topwater plug or Suspending type lure. These fish will fight you from start to finish, so make sure you drink your coffee or energy drink before you come aboard for an ICX Destin Nearshore Gulf Guided Charter Fishing Trip : )
Speckled Trout: Crack of dawn and late afternoon bite are excellent! Live shrimp, finger mullet, very small pin fish and croaker are all great bait choices for the Destin Inshore Bay and Flats. Top Destin Inshore Bay Flats artificial fishing baits: Rapala Skitterwalk, Mirrorlure Top Dog and MirroDine XL.
Flounder: The Destin Inshore Bay and Flats flounder fishing has picked up quite well with the flounder fully returning from the Destin Nearshore Gulf to their usual haunts in and around the Destin Inshore Bay and Flats. Early on the Destin Bay Grass Flats have been holding fish. Also try docks and other pilings. The more broken up and snag ridden structure, the better for the flatties. Both high and low moving tides are good. Bull minnows and finger mullet carolina or knocker rigged, along with any curly tail grub, usually get the job done.
The Destin Near Shore Gulf continues to heat up with King Mackerel now arriving to compete with the Spanish Mackerel for the numerous schools of bait now actively showing up in and around the Destin Near Shore Gulf and Destin Inshore Fishing areas within the Bay and Flats. My clients Maurice, his wife and father-in-law, experienced a great Destin Inshore Fishing trip and caught several nice Spanish Mackerel up to 4 pounds while fishing on the Destin Inshore Flats. Break out the Gotcha Plugs and Diamond Jigs for the Spanish Mackerel and a live large Cigar Minnow, Pogie (Menhaden) or Threadfin, will get it done with the King Mackerel. Trolling works for both the Spanish and King Mackerel, but free-lining a bait works too.
The Destin Near Shore Gulf is is alive and just gets better as the warmer weather arrives. I’ve been knocking on doors, to make sure the Red Snapper are home and let me tell you they are there. I’ve seen several Red Snapper in the 8 – 20 pound range, just waiting for a bait to be thrown in the water. At ICX we like to catch them on topwater, and to see these big snapper come up to eat your bait is truly a sight to see. Along with the Red Snapper, schools of amberjack have shown up as well. Red Snapper season kicks off June 1 through July 14. If you’re interested in taking advantage of great Destin Nearshore Gulf Fishing with Destin Charter Fishing Guide Capt LW of IntraCoastal eXperience Guided Fishing Charters, give me a call for the latest fishing report and reserve a fishing adventure for you and your group.
