Destin, Florida

[Capt. Ahab]

What opportunities are there for beach/shore/jetty/wading fishing in and around Destin Florida? I'm going to be there in early March for my first spring break in 6 years. I appreciate any help yall can offer.

[Salmo trutta]

Early March? That's an early spring break. Still winter time. I remember in WVU we had that spring break and Panama City was the place. Crazy partying but it never got over 60 degrees, mostly low 50's that week. Water was muddy from all the wind. But that time of year I've heard the Cobia action can be incredible. It's a sight casting, crows nest paradise if you can get on a boat. Just off the beach. Piers will probably have the action too. That and spanish macks blitz the beach then too. I did quite a bit of research about the place well after college. It was more like an excuse to tell the wife it was a fishing trip and to do a little partying. But the fishing can be epic there. better in the summer. Tarpon cruise the beach there as well as any famous destination. Giants too. Never put together a trip besides the couple in college which were all drinking trips. Been meaning to go back.

[Water_boy]

Check the weekly reports at Half Hitch Tackle and go see them when you get in town to stock up. Fly fishing will be difficult early in the season but not impossible, late March is when things normally pick up but if the weather is good you might get lucky. There's not much shore access in the back bays but that's where you would find trout and reds on the warmer sunny days. On the beach it's mostly pompano and Spanish macks which might hit a fly, the jetty's along the inlet have good access and they can pop anywhere along the beach. Last time I was there I fished the new Dan Russell pier a few times and saw a good variety of action, off the deep end I saw one decent Cobia a King Mackerel and a bunch of Spanish macks. Closer to the shore you can sight cast to sheepshead and the pompano run up and down the surf with a few Spanish mixed in. One day I drove down to the Panama City inlet, maybe it was just the day but we did much better there and ended up with a pile of Spanish macks, bluefish, sheepshead, and redfish from the jetty. Pompano jigs and gotcha plugs for the macks will cover about 90% of what you'll need and for bait it's mostly live shrimp so bring a bubbler.

If you have any specific questions let me know.