The Atlantic Ocean is home to over 1,000 different fish and the most common ones captured number over 100 varieties. All of them can be found in Destin, Florida, "The World's Luckiest Fishing Village."

What is your fishing style? Inshore, offshore, deep sea, freshwater, saltwater, or do you want to do them all? Destin can give you every opportunity to find the prize fish story to take home. The best months of fishing season is from April to October, but some awesome catches can be had any time, as you can see from the list below:

Fishing timelines:
Year-round: Grouper, Amberjack, Redfish, Mingo Snapper, White Snapper, Blacksnapper and Trigger.
April to October: Redsnapper, King Mackral, Marlin, Sailfish, Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, Tuna, Shark and Speckled Trout.
March to June: Spanish Mackral and Cobia
June to September: Tarpon
March to November : Bonito

So are you ready to reel in the trophy (or main course)?  First, make sure and check with local laws about fishing licenses.  Some areas (like piers) do not require them, but temporary licenses are available at $5 for 10-days.

If you don't want to tote around all your own equipment from home there are many places with equipment rentals. A full set of gear can run $20 or just the rods around $7.  Bait and equipment rental shops abound, so find one close to your home base so you don't have to haul  that rod and reel so far. (You are on vacation, remember!) You can also check www.halfhitch.com for Destin fishing forecasts and advice about bait and tackle.  

If you want to try your hand at competition fishing, you'll be thrilled to know that Destin is full of festivals, competitions, and parties for every level of angler.  The entire month of October is the Fishing Rodeo. For 51 years fisherman from all walks of life compete in 30 different categories for over $100,000 in prizes. All saltwater game is eligible so there is an equal chance for all.  For spring fishing, the Cobia tournament runs from March through April, 2008 at the Dockside Harbourwalk Marina. All Dockside activities are free, and the public encouraged to attend. Entry fees are $450 with a purse of $37,000. (Nice return!)  In the summer, The Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic is held in June.  The trophies include cash prizes for the heaviest blue marlin, dolphin, tuna and wahoo. 

If the competition is giving you anxiety attacks (again, you are ON VACATION!) in fall, 2008 The Seafood Festival will be held in October at the Morgan Sports Complex. Entry is $5 a day or a weekend pass is available for $10. Live Entertainment, great food and lots of vendors to explore will ease your  competitive spirit.  Plus the inevitable swag that comes from festivals is always nice!

If you want to just max and relax with a beverage and a fishing line, there are lots of options for you in Destin.  There are 12 public beach access points in Destin to reach the surf. (Check with beach officials on fishing regulation for their stretch of sand.)  Pier fishing is best at the 1200 foot Okaloose Pier near Fort Walton Beach  It is lighted for night fishing and has restrooms available. The cost is $6.50 per person and the tarpon fishing is the biggest challenge. There are also plenty of bridges in Destin to drop a line. The Destin Bridge is 3,000 feet and great for anglers.

For the ultimate fishing party, a Destin fishing charter is easily found to fit any desire or budget. Vessels from 6 passengers to 100 party anglers are available, some for as little at $25  a day!

On the (pretty good) chance that you catch your limit the first day, Destin is also home to the History and Fishing Museum revealing the evolution of fishing in the area from earliest Indian inhabitants to seine nets and eventually to the modern fleet. Take the time for some fishing fact finding at 108 Stahlman Avenue. They are open Tuesday thru Saturday from 10am to 4pm and admission is $5 adult, $3 kids 5-12 and a $1 discount for seniors or military.

What are you waiting for?  Go catch that whopper!

This tidbit of real travel advice was brought to you by Kellea Croft.

Every serious fisherman's dream is to reel in that giant Marlin, mount it, and put it on the wall over your bed.  Sadly, that is not the dream of every serious fisherman's wife.  BUT--in Destin you can both be happy in a gorgeous vacation home close to the pier, surf, or designer boutique.  And, who knows?  You may give her such a great vacation that she will allow you to hang that trophy in the garage!