Everyone has heard the "embellished" version of a real fish story now and then; maybe you've even told a few yourself. If you've fished in Destin, though, you may not need to cleverly add a couple of inches to the fish you caught. They don't call it the luckiest fishing village in the world for nothing!
There are plenty of freshwater fishing opportunities near Destin, but you're looking for the big catches - the kind that only swim in salt water. Lucky for you, Destin is a part of a jutting peninsula that's surrounded by the fish-filled Gulf of Mexico! There are dozens of charters who promise to take you where the big fish hang out, but you don't even need to go that far; some of the best fishing in Destin can be done right from a local pier or the sandy shoreline. (And then you don't have to risk your camera on a boat--all the better to record that whopper!)
THE OKALOOSA ISLAND FISHING PIER
One of the best places to cast your line is off of the Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier. You don't even need to apply for a fishing license there, and it's significantly cheaper to use than getting a charter ($7 for adults, $4 for kids 6-12, and 5 and under are free). You can also bring witnesses to back up your fish stories - spectators only pay $1! Didn't bring your rod? That's okay, because rentals are just $7 (medium) and $8 (large). That's the reason that this is a favored spot of Destin locals.
What are you going to catch? Take your pick - or, rather, let the fish pick you - these are the whoppers who hang out below the pier: Pompano, Whiting, Channel Bass, Bonito, Jack Crevalle, King and Spanish Mackerel, Sail Cat, Sheepshead, Blue Runners and just plain Bluefish and Redfish.
NAVARRE BEACH
There is a solid mile of boardwalk for an afternoon of excitement, so you can be assured that fishing on Navarre Beach will be a family-friendly adventure. They've got plenty of gazebos that rent out equipment, too, so you don't have to tote your gear around all day. The prices vary, but all of them are under $20 for a full set of fishing equipment. Fishing off the beach is free, but you do need a license (it's only $5 for a temporary, 10-day card).
The same fish that frolic under the Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier stay around Navarre Beach, so there are plenty of opportunities for a land-bound fisherman who doesn't want to spring for a deep-sea charter.
Destin fishing doesn't require reservations or a lot of cash - since they've got some of the fullest waters in the state, your chances to catch a massive trophy fish are better than at most places. At the very least, you'll get a new story about the one that got away.
This tidbit of real travel advice was brought to you by Angie Papple
It was a sparkling, crisp, Spring day, and we went to the Destin pier. No rod, no reel, just a lone piece of string and a slice of Velveeta. It was there we saw him: the 300-foot Marlin. He was an adversary, to be sure, but no match for the Zonder team. Afterward, we went to our sweet, sweet beach home, rented from Zonder.com. We used the luxurious kitchen to prepare the feast--PB& J all around. (We are fishermen, not chefs, you know!)