OUTDOORS

Fishing Fleet Finder for Emerald Coast

From Fort Walton Beach to Grayton Beach

Tina Harbuck
tharbuck@thedestinlog.com

With the beautiful emerald green waters of the Gulf of Mexico right out the front door, it’s no wonder Destin and the surrounding areas boast the best fishing around.

Destin harbor alone holds about 125 charters boats, state and federally permitted. And one can literally walk about a mile along the harbor and constantly be passing charter boats.

“The Destin fishing fleet is the cornerstone of our community,” said Capt. Jim Green, president of the Destin Charter Boat Association and a third-generation captain. “Being the first true tourism driven industry, it has allowed for our heritage to be ingrained in Destin’s legacy.

“Destin has produced professional fishermen that have been revered around the world. It is the dedication of our fishermen and their families that makes Destin a world class fishing destination,” added Green, who is captain of the New Florida Girl’s American Spirit.

As a matter of fact, Destin’s longest tradition, the Destin Fishing Rodeo will be celebrating its 70th year this October. The Rodeo draws thousands of anglers from all over the world to compete for cash and prizes.

“Our fleet takes great pride in continuing the heritage of the World’s Luckiest Fishing Village,” Green said.

Here’s a list of boats and captains, starting from the Marler Bridge in Destin and moving eastward:

HarborWalk Marina – 850-837-2343

Al-Le, Capt. Shawn Milligan – 417-880-9667

Anastasia, Capt. Tony Davis – 334-858-6433 or 850-837-9519

Backlash, Capt. Chris Kirby – 850-685-9368 or 850-428-2410

Bow’d Up, Capt. Brady Bowman – 850-978-5876 or 850-830-4457

Cutting Edge, Capt. Steve Regan – 850-585-8426

Destination, Capt. Stan Phillips – 850-259-3778

Destin Bay Charters, Capt. Brandon Wright – 850-974-4042 or 850-200-5842

Destin Inshore Fishing Co., Captains Kris Dew, Taylor Bankston and Blake Reynolds – 850-424-5555

Done Deal, Capt. Christian Duplantis – 850-424-5555

Finest Kind, Capt. Jason Mikel – 850-837-6800

Fish N Teem, Capt. Paul Cox – 850-978-2448

5th Day, Capt. Brandi Miles Kitchens – 850-356-4034

100 Proof, Capt. Allen Staples, Capt. Ben O’Connor – 850-259-7343

Just B Cause, Capt. Ken Bolden – 850-830-3619

Makaira, Capt. B.J. Teems – 850-374-0458

Mary Lou, Capt. Rusty Gilbert – 850-217-3474

Miss Nautica, Capt. Jimmy Miles – 850-699-8672

Phoenix, Capt. Scott Robson – 850-837-9734

Reel Legend, Capt. Chip Godwin – 850-687-7377

Screamin Drag, Capt. Brian Kelley – 850-855-1534

Semper Fish, Capt. Dennis Minnick and Capt. Andy Hollister – 850-826-2486

Special K, Capt. Kyle Lowe – 850-259-5246

Star Fire, Capt. John Giesbrecht – 850-217-1692

Sure Thing, Capt. Jason Klosterman – 850-837-2343

Swoop, Capt. Mark Tilden or Capt. Nick Price – 850-337-8250

Swoop II, Capt. Matt Wheeler or Capt. Nick Price – 850-337-8250

Wahoo, Capt. Steve Regan – 850-585-8426 or 850-259-0856

Olin Marler Charter Boats

Gulf Breeze, Capt. John Gibson – 850-837-7095

Stress Relief II, Capt. Scott Robinson – 850-368-2678

Tropical Winds, Capt. Steve Allen – 850-837-7095

Behind AJ’s Seafood and Oyster Bar

Huntress, Capt. Mike Graef – 850-685-5593

New Florida Girl’s American Spirit, Capt. Jim Green – 850-837-1293

Silver Lining, Capt. Ed Shields and Capt. Joe Quaranto – 850-259-4295 or 850-259-0625

Suzie Q, Capt. Jason Godwin – 850-837-6422

Docked east of Galati’s

Shock’n Yall, Capt. Neill Finkel – 850-259-0485 or 850-244-0114

Fishing Fleet Marina – 850-837-1995

Al-Lin, Capt. Harold Staples – 850-837-8615

Backdown 2, Capt. Gary Jarvis – 850-837-9551

Big Deal, Capt. Steve Pixley – 850-830-3024

Blue Runner II, Capt. Tommy Carter – 850-837-2777 or 850-685-0077

Destin Princess, Capt. Chris McConnell – 850-837-5088

Destiny, Capt. Dennis Kendrick – 850-837-5088

First Light, Capt. Steve Haeusler – 850-837-9195

Fish N Fool, Capt. Casey Weldon – 850-259-5037

Full Draw, Capt. Brantley Galloway – 850-543-3211

Game On, Capt. Eric Thrasher – 850-259-1962

Great Escape, Capt. Jason Rogers – 850-218-2199

High Cotton, Capt. TJ George – 850-420-5499

In Demand, Capt. David Gates – 850-259-6685

Lock N Load, Capt. Steve Brown – 850-865-7838

Lucky Lina, Capt. Steve Lathi – 850-240-4664 or 850-654-4664

Mighty Fine, Capt. Bud Miller – 850-650-1534

Miss Aegina, Capt. Steve Helton – 850-837-6496

No Alibi, Capt. Chris Schofield – 850-797-5827

Only Way, Capt. Curt Gwin – 850-582-4384

Outta Line, Capt. Trey Windes – 850-685-0075 or 850-837-2320

Reel Chill, Capt. Troy Birchfield – 850-419-4132

Reel Deal, Capt. Steve Pixley – 850-830-3024

Rewind, Capt. Reid Phillips – 850-797-7678

Sea Fix, Capt. Aaron Smith or Capt. Jason Hindman – 850-685-2963

Sea Winder, Capt. Chris Couvillion – 850-269-4611 or 850-259-9125

Silver Hook, Capt. Artie Fortner – 850-830-2471

Stelluna, Capt. Judah Barbee – 850-420-7347 or 850-585-9985

Striker, Capt. Bill Williams – 850-865-5874

Sure Lure, Capt. Don Dineen – 850-376-8399

Sweet Jody, Capt. Cliff Cox – 850-650-2500

Sweet William II, Capt. Bill Watson – 850-797-3130

Tradewinds, Capt. Larry Meyer – 850-830-4752

Twilight, Capt. Robert Hill – 850-259-9241 or 850-259-9243

Un Reel, Capt. Justin Destin – 850-259-2516

Vengeance, Capt. Nathan Putney – 850-687-4046

Windwalker II, Capt. Bernie LeFebvre – 850-837-1733

East Pass Marina

A Salt Weapon Charters – 850-898-1203

Back Country Outfitters, Capt. Chuck Bonner – 850-654-5566

Cinnsational, Capt. Chris Mitchell – 850-398-1485

Dawn Patrol, Capt. John(JT) Tenore – 850-376-1936

Dawn Patrol Too, Capt. Jordan Smith – 850-376-1936

Double Time, Capt. Tim Adams – 850-685-1932

First Shot, Capt. Mike Dates – 850-830-4129

Hiliner, Capt. Micahel King – 850-533-6882

King of Kings, Capt. Jayson Self – 850-797-5414 or 850-499-6644

Kitchen Pass, Capt. Travis Ream – 850-888-0386

Malia Ann, Capt. Zachary Wolfe – 850-417-2626

Maximus, Capt. Justin Hall – 469-853-0858

O Sea D, Capt. Jeffrey Jones – 850-255-2967

Shamrock 2, Capt. Eddie Dykes – 850-585-9962

Silver King, Capt. Mike Parker and Capt. Alex Hare – 850-837-2028

Heron Harbor

Alibi, Capt. Steve Webster - 850-687-3358

Anticipation, Capt. Anthony Dewberry – 850-650-3825

Big John, Capt. Todd Allen – 850-685-2263 or 850-837-1947

Blessed Adventure, Capt. David Dewberry – 850-650-3825

Destin Inshore Guides, Capt. Josh Calhoon and Capt. Justin Hughes – 850-502-9170

Good Times, Capt. Mark Muller – 850-650-3825

Home Grown, Capt. Preston Muller – 850-428-0118

Just Right, Capt. Brick Pirello – 850-650-3825

One of a Kind, Capt. Chris Michelson – 850-685-2066 or 850-336-1125

One More – 850-502-3550 or 850-585-4384

Pescador III, Capt. Brad Biggers – 850-865-0292

Relentless, Capt. Brant Kelly – 850-837-6541 or 850-685-4038

Seahorse, Capt. Dean Cox – 850-259-8782

Vera Maria, Capt. David Copeland – 850-650-3825

Behind Marina Café

Into The Blue, Capt. Craig Davis aka. “Groovy” - 850-420-9342

Behind Harbor Docks

Lady Em, Capt. Mike Eller – 850-259-4091

The Ship’s Chandler

Ship’s Chander Charter, Capt. Lionel James – 850-837-2262

Intracoastal Experience, Capt. LW Burroughs – 850-585-7173

Shikari, Capt. Chris Sheppard – 850-685-9349

In addition to the boats that dock right in Destin, there are other charter boats in the area.

Some can be found on Okaloosa Island near Fort Walton Beach and there is a group of small charters that launch right off the beach in Grayton Beach in Walton County.

Here’s a list of to help find that charter boat for your fishing fun.

Okaloosa Island – Behind Fudpucker’s

Adios, Capt. Matt Baxter – 850-685-9368

Amigo, Capt. Alex Kendrick – 850-685-9368

Grayton Beach – Behind the Red Bar

Dead Fish Charters, Capt. Larry Pentel – 850-685-1092

Fish On Charters, Capt. Jimbo Bishop – 850-974-4357

Fishy Booty Charters, Capt. Mark Thompson – 850-586-0807

Fish Hunter, Capt. Phil Hammond – 850-419-5937 or 850-258-8395

Grayton Girl, Capt. Jody Wesley – 850-978-5658

Megabyte, Capt. Tyler Hammond – 850-419-5937

Not A Dog Charters, Capt. Kerry Jones – 850-865-7318

Relentless, Capt. Sam Wesley – 850-685-1086

Trigger Happy, Capt. Mike Valentino – 850-685-6787

Fort Walton Beach – Behind Legendary Marine

Destin Fishing Outfitters, Capt. Zach Williams – 850-612-0949

Let’s Fish Destin, Capt. Jordan Smith – 850-240-2333

Salty Dawgz, Capt. Mike Haney – 850-463-8323

Soggy Bottoms I & II, Capt. J.J. Botelho and Capt. Bobby Beaver – 850-974-0969

Click to listen

The Fishing Report with The Ships Chandler and Tina Harbuck