A Fishing-and-Eating Guide

A Fishing-and-Eating Guide
Table of Contents
There’s Magic in These Waters
5
Fly Fishing28
The Rise of Our Gulf-to-Table Culture
6
Surf Fishing28
The World’s Luckiest Fishing Village 9
Crabbing28
Fresh from the Water to the Platter: the Gulf-to-Table Experience
10
Fish Trax ™11
Shrimping29
Scalloping29
Gulf Fish Flavor Profiles
13-15
Fishing with Kids:
Catching Big Ones with Your Little Ones
30
You Catch It, We’ll Clean It
16
Hooking Up with a Fishing Charter
31
The Lure of Fishing on the Emerald Coast
18-19
BYOB (Bring Your Own Boat)
32
Deep Sea Fishing
22-23
Fishing License Info33
Bay Fishing24
Know Your Fish34-43
Angling from the Destin Jetties
26
The Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier
27
Fish, Food and Fun:
Annual Events and Festivals
44
FAQs45-47
If you’re like
me, you’ll find
it impossible
to visit this
beautiful and
productive
fishery without
returning again
and again and
again.
There’s magic
in these waters
The emerald-green water along the
Heart of Florida’s Emerald Coast is not
only beautiful, it’s full of adventure.
These legendary waters lure those
who love to fish, those who love fresh
seafood and those who can’t get enough
of either. Whether you plan on picking
up a rod and reel – or just a fork – you
can’t help but catch the excitement.
Bill Dance, host of Bill Dance Outdoors
4
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5
The rise of our
Gulf-to-Table culture
For decades, the Emerald Coast has
been home to Florida’s largest fishing
fleet. At any given time, there are
more than 20 kinds of edible fish to be
caught in these waters. The charter
fleet, comprised of more than 140
vessels, brings in thousands of pounds
of fish daily. Their catch has inspired
the chefs behind the area’s unique
Gulf-to-Table cuisine – and it inspires
thousands of visitors to the Emerald
Coast every year.
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7
The World’s luckiest
Fishing Village
Destin has been known for decades as
the “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village”
because its position on the Gulf
of Mexico places it closest to the
100-Fathom Curve. Here, the sea shelf
drops abruptly to depths as low as 600
feet, where you can find deep-sea species
like red snapper, grouper, amberjack,
king mackerel, sailfish and blue marlin.
And more billfish are caught on this
stretch of coastline than in all other
Gulf ports combined.
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9
Fish Trax ™
Fresh From the Water to
the Platter: the Gulf-to-Table
Experience
10
Fried, grilled, blackened or bronzed –
nothing beats the taste of fresh fish
caught off the Emerald Coast. Here,
there isn’t just one catch of the day –
there are several. On any given day, you
can have your choice of fleet-fresh sea
trout, grouper, swordfish, red snapper,
flounder, wahoo, scamp, triggerfish and
cobia. And, of course, shrimp, oysters,
crab and scallops are always readily
available. Don’t even try to save room
for dessert.
Many restaurants on the Emerald
Coast participate in the Fish TraxTM
program. When you order fish for your
entrée, it comes with a QR code you
can scan to discover who caught your
fish, where it was caught and what
time it was caught. For an up-to-date
listing of participating Fish TraxTM
restaurants on the Emerald Coast, visit
EmeraldCoasting.com/gulf-to-table/.
11
Gulf Fish Flavor Profiles
Amberjack
A light and flaky fish with an
extremely delicate, light-salmon flavor.
Fish, to taste
right, must
swim three
times – in water,
in butter, and in
wine.
Proverb
12
Black Drum This fish has a mild,
sweet flavor and nice, firm meat. There’s
nothing like a large, moist flake of black
drum on the end of your fork.
Bonito A delicate yet rich-flavored fish.
You don’t need to get too fancy with bonito.
It tastes great with light seasonings.
Cobia Sweet and rich in flavor, cobia
has firm, white, steak-like flesh, perfectly
suited to sashimi.
Flounder
A lean, flaky fish with a mild,
sweet flavor and delicate texture.
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Grouper White and lean with a very mild
yet unique flavor; some say grouper tastes
like a cross between bass and halibut.
Pompano The pearly white meat of the
pompano is firm but finely flaked, with a
sweet, mild flavor.
Scamp
The sweetest of the grouper
family, scamp produces white, flaky fillets
and has a light to medium taste.
Sheepshead
This juicy fish’s diet consists
mostly of shellfish, so it tends to have a
sweet, surprisingly light, shellfish flavor.
Red Snapper This lean, moist fish has
a firm texture and a distinctive sweet,
nutty flavor. Don’t leave the Emerald Coast
without ordering the red snapper.
14
Spanish Mackerel Rich, sweet and intense,
these fish have dark meat and are one of the
tastiest of the mackerel family.
Swordfish
Known as “the steak of the
sea,” swordfish is rich and juicy with a
slightly sweet taste.
Triggerfish
While several species from
this family are notoriously ill-tempered, the
grey triggerfish’s white flesh and vaguely
sweet flavor leaves diners in a great mood.
Tuna This beautiful fish is prized
around the world for its full flavor and
firm, lean meat. What’s more, it’s rich in
heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids.
Wahoo This mild, sweet-flavored fish
has a firm texture and large, circular
flakes when cooked. Grilled wahoo has
been compared to chicken and veal.
15
You Catch It, We’ll Cook It.
What could be more thrilling than
having a big fish on the end of your line?
Having that same fish on the end of
your fork! Many restaurants along the
Emerald Coast will take your cleaned
fish, prepare it for you any way you like
it, and serve it up with your favorite
sides. You can drop your catch off at the
restaurant earlier in the day or have
it taken to the kitchen while you make
your way to your table. For a listing of
restaurants that will cook your catch,
visit EmeraldCoasting.com/gulf-to-table/.
Fresh fish pops.
There’s nothing like
the nice, vibrant
flavor of something
that just came out
of the water.
Chef Kevin Wynn
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17
Growing up in
Destin, you either
fished, deck-handed
or worked in a
seafood restaurant.
The Gulf was in
our blood.
David Krebs, Aerial Seafoods
The Lure of Fishing on
the Emerald Coast
Vacationers don’t just come to the Emerald
Coast for the sugar-white sand and the
emerald-green waters. They come to catch
red snapper, white trout and blue marlin.
18
From the depths of the breathtaking
Gulf of Mexico to the sleepy bayous,
beautiful lakes and pristine waters of
the Choctawhatchee Bay, there is an
abundance of fish to be caught here
year-round.
19
Deep Sea Fishing
22
At just ten miles from 100-foot depths,
East Pass in Destin offers the speediest
access to the Gulf of Mexico. That
means less time wishing and more time
fishing. Anglers here can choose from
Inshore Gulf Fishing in state waters and
Offshore Gulf Fishing in federal waters.
Offshore Gulf Fishing starts nine
miles offshore. Here, in depths between
100 and 300 feet, you can fill your ice
chest with amberjack, grouper, snapper,
scamp, king mackerel, triggerfish, bonito,
shark, wahoo, mahi-mahi, sailfish, marlin
and tuna.
Near Shore Gulf Fishing in waters
between 50 and 100 feet deep is very
popular, because you can be a part of the
beach scene while you fish. With light
tackle, you can pull in red, white and
black snapper; king mackerel; grouper;
triggerfish; shark; and bonito.
Destin offers four times more types of
fish per season than any other Florida
destination, with the exception of Key
West, an exhausting 14 hours away.
6
23
Bay Fishing
This estuary teems with fresh
and saltwater species. Here
you’ll find an abundance of redfish,
speckled trout, sheepshead,
Spanish mackerel, flounder,
ladyfish, bluefish, black snapper
and pompano. The Choctawhatchee
Bay system offers seemingly
endless bayous, creeks and rivers
to explore. By the way, around
these parts, bay fishing is any
fishing done in the Choctawhatchee
Bay, Destin Harbor, East Pass,
and inlets and bayous.
If we’re going to
serve fish, it’s
going to be fresh,
wild-caught,
Gulf of Mexico
fish, or we’re
going to serve
cheeseburgers.
Captain Gary Jarvis, Back Down 2
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25
Angling from the Destin Jetties
Amazing fishing can be had from the
twin jetties that guard the East Pass
channel from the Gulf of Mexico. To get
to the end of the jetties, you need to step
from one car-sized boulder to the next,
with no smooth walkway to navigate.
Most anglers will tell you it’s worth
it. With the daily tidal changes, the
jetties are the perfect spot for catching
bluefish, flounder, grouper, king and
Spanish mackerel, redfish, sheepshead,
trout and many kinds of bait fish.
Visit FishingDestinGuide.com for more
information.
6
26
The Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier
You don’t need to go on a charter to
catch the big ones. Tarpon as large as
100 pounds have been reeled in from the
1,262-foot-long Okaloosa Island Fishing
Pier, which juts almost a quarter mile
out into the Gulf. Rental tackle, bait and
snacks can be purchased here, and even
if you don’t fish, you’ll find the pier is a
great place to watch the action and get a
better feel for the area’s vibrant Gulf-toTable culture. Another great place to fish
without a boat is from the catwalk of the
3,000-foot Destin Bridge over East Pass.
You can pick up gear, bait and fishing
licenses at Destin Harbor.
27
Fly Fishing Dreaming about some time
alone with just your rod, your flies and
your thoughts? The secluded grass flats
and coastal dune lakes of the Emerald
Coast have called to fly fishermen for
decades. Whether you go with a guide
or head out on your own, you’ll have the
time of your life here.
Surf Fishing
The shallow sandy
beaches and clear water along the
Emerald Coast lend themselves to
surf fishing. And down here, the
sweet-tasting pompano is the fish of
choice. Most adults run between 12
and 18 inches long and weigh about three
pounds. But watch out: They can pull as
hard as fish twice their size.
Crabbing
Crab adventures are also
available on the Emerald Coast. Charters
will take you to the crabbing grounds,
teach you how to pull up the traps, dump
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your catch, sort the size limits and check
for egg-bearing females to throw back.
Then, you’ll learn how to rebait the traps
for the next lucky crabbers.
Shrimping There is nothing in this
world sweeter than fresh shrimp
from the Emerald Coast. Recreational
shrimpers can catch up to five gallons,
heads on, per day. For information on
seasons, nets, trap guidelines and other
regulations, visit MyFWC.com.
Scalloping
On the Emerald Coast,
you’ll find some of the best recreational
scalloping in the world. For a dinner of
sweet-tasting bay scallops, all you need
is a mask & snorkel and a fishing license.
Scalloping is a great way to stay cool on
a hot day, and scalloping from a kayak
is quite popular with a landing (or dip)
net. Open harvest season for bay scallops
runs from July through September.
29
Fishing with Kids: Catching Big
Hooking Up with a
Catch some memories with your kids
this year on the water. Many charter
captains will take the time to explain
the gear and different kinds of fish to
your kids. And instead of a minimum
of four hours, these charters allow
for shorter trips in the calm waters of
Destin Harbor or Choctawhatchee Bay.
Before you head out, make sure yours is
a kid-friendly charter.
Whether you’re an avid angler or still
have questions about how to bait a
hook, our experienced guides are here
to ensure a stress-free, memorable
experience. Your charter will supply the
rod and reel, cold storage for the fish and
your fishing license. You’ll need to bring
sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat and a towel.
Another great plus is they’ll clean your
catch for you right on the dock. From
there, you can take it back to your condo
or to a local restaurant for preparation, or
you can have it packaged, frozen and sent
home. For a complete list of charters, visit
DestinLog.com or HookedOnDestin.com.
Ones with Your Little Ones
4
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Fishing Charter
31
Fishing License Info
Florida Fishing Licenses
Florida fishing licenses are required for
all residents between 16 and 64 years of
age. Please consult with a local licensing
agent for more details on license fees
and regulations for Florida residents
and visitors.
BYOB (Bring Your Own Boat)
Boating magazine named the Emerald
Coast one of the “10 Best Places to Live
& Boat.” Even if you don’t live here
year-round, you’ll find it’s a great place
to bring your own boat when you visit.
There are several marinas and ramps
in the area – most offer supply and bait
shops where you can purchase your
fishing license. For complete listings,
visit EmeraldCoasting.com/gulf-to-table/.
32
Freshwater and saltwater fishing
information: 1-888-FISH-FLORIDA or
MyFWC.com/fishing
Instant licenses (online):
MyFWC.com/fishing
33
Know Your
Fish
Below are the stars of some of the
Emerald Coast’s most famous fish
stories. More detailed descriptions
and tips for catching Emerald Coast
fish can be found at MyFWC.com.
WHAT’S
BITING
SIZE
HABITAT
Blackfin
Tuna
Up to 3.25 feet
and 42 pounds
Nearshore and
offshore
WHAT’S
BITING
SIZE
HABITAT
Almaco
Jack
Common at
35 inches but
sometimes reach
63 inches and
132 pounds
Offshore
Blacktip
Shark
Up to
8.25 feet
Principally
pelagic, but often
comes inshore
Between 5-30
pounds but can
be as large as
90 pounds
Bay fish mostly
caught either on
the bottom or
within a couple
feet of the bottom
Blue Marlin
Common to 11
feet and can
exceed 2,000
pounds
Offshore
Common at
40 pounds but
can exceed
100 pounds
Mostly offshore
but young black
grouper may be
found inshore in
shallow water
Blue Runner
Common less
than 1 pound
and 11 inches
Young found
offshore, adults
mostly nearshore
Black
Drum
Black
Grouper
WHAT’S
BITING
SIZE
HABITAT
WHAT’S
BITING
SIZE
HABITAT
Bluefish
Common
at 1 to 3
pounds
Inshore in
spring and
summer,
offshore in fall
and winter
Dolphin
Common at
30 pounds
Offshore
Bonnethead
Shark
Common at
3 to 4 feet
Inshore in
bays and
estuaries
Florida
Pompano
Usually
less than 3
pounds
Inshore and
nearshore
Cobia
Common at
30 pounds
Inshore and
nearshore
Gag
Grouper
Up to 25
pounds
Adults found
offshore over
rocks and reefs,
juveniles found
inshore in sea
grass beds
Crevalle
Jack
Common at 3
to 5 pounds
Inshore and
in open sea
Grey
Triggerfish
Common at 17
inches and less
than 5 pounds
Hardbottom,
reefs, ledges
WHAT’S
BITING
SIZE
HABITAT
WHAT’S
BITING
SIZE
HABITAT
Greater
Amberjack
Common at
40 pounds
Offshore and
nearshore
Lesser
Amberjack
Usually under
10 pounds
Nearshore
and offshore
Gulf
Flounder
Common at
2 pounds
Bottom
dwelling bay
fish, sometimes
caught on rocky
reefs nearshore
Little
Tunny
(Bonito)
Up to 3.25 feet
and 26 pounds
but usually
much smaller
Common
offshore, but
also found in
bays and over
reefs
King
Mackerel
Common at
20 pounds
Nearshore and
offshore
Pigfish
Up to
15 inches
Bays and
banks
Usually less
than 8 inches
Sea grass beds,
bridges, piers,
marker pilings,
and around
natural and
artificial reefs
Lane
Snapper
Usually under
1 pound
Nearshore
and offshore
Pinfish
WHAT’S
BITING
SIZE
HABITAT
WHAT’S
BITING
SIZE
HABITAT
Red
Grouper
Common at
15 pounds
Nearshore
and offshore
Sand
Seatrout
Common
to 1 foot
Bays, coastal
grassy areas
and shallow
banks
Red
Porgy
Up to 3 feet
Deeper part
of continental
shelf, young
can be found
in shallower
water
Scamp
Common
at 1 foot
Offshore
Red
Snapper
Common at
20-35 pounds
or more
Offshore
Sheepshead
Common at
1-2 pounds
(inshore)
and 8 pounds
(offshore)
Inshore and
offshore
Sailfish
Common
to 7 feet
Sport fish
found offshore
Shortfin
Mako Shark
Common at
6-8 feet and
200-300
pounds
Offshore
sport fish
often seen
near the
surface
WHAT’S
BITING
SIZE
HABITAT
WHAT’S
BITING
SIZE
HABITAT
Spanish
Mackerel
Common
less than 2
pounds and
20 inches
Offshore
from spring
through
summer
Wahoo
Common at
83 inches
and 183
pounds
Offshore
Gulf Stream/
bluewater
Spotted
Seatrout
Adults
reach 19-25
inches and
3-17 pounds
Inshore and
nearshore
Warsaw
Grouper
Up to 6 feet
and 580
pounds
Deep rocky
ledges and sea
mounts, young
sometimes
caught inshore
Swordfish
Common at
48 pounds
but can
reach over
200 pounds
Sport fish
found
offshore
White
Marlin
Common
to 8 feet
Bluewater
sport fish
caught
offshore
Vermilion
Snapper
Common at
less than 2
pounds but
can reach 6
pounds and
24 inches
Offshore
over rocky
reefs
Yellowfin
Tuna
Up to 82
inches and
367 pounds
Offshore
mostly
bluewater, in
or near the
Gulf Stream
Fish, Food and Fun:
Annual Events and Festivals
Every year, the Emerald Coast hosts
events for people who love seafood and/or
fishing. Check out this list and find out more
at EmeraldCoasting.com/gulf-to-table/.
• Emerald Coast Boat Show, January
• The Ships Chandler Sheepshead Shootout,
February
• Cobia World Championships, March-May
• Bluewater Bay Marina Cobia Tournament,
April
• Hog’s Breath Café Cobia Shootout, April
• The Crab Cruncher Classic, April
• Pin Fish Classic, May
• Billy Bowlegs Pirate Festival, June
• Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic, June
• AJ’s Annual King Mackerel Classic, September
• Kids King Mackerel Fishing Day, September
• Destin Fishing Rodeo, All of October
• Destin Seafood Festival, October
44
FAQs
Q : W hat’s the best time of year to fish
on the Emerald Coast?
A: You can fish year-round on the
Emerald Coast. For specific
information about what’s biting
and when, visit GulfCouncil.org.
Q : Is there spearfishing on the
Emerald Coast?
A: Absolutely. The five most common
fish for spearfishermen are snapper,
grouper, cobia, amberjack and
flounder. Pompano and red snapper
are off-limits to spearfishermen.
Q : Is there a way to have my catch
frozen and shipped home?
A: Yes. Local companies use a vacuum-
seal machine to package your fillets
in serving sizes appropriate for your
family. Then they’ll label the packages
with the fish type and freeze them.
When they’re certain the packages
are frozen rock solid, they transport
them to the local UPS store.
45
Q : Will any restaurant cook my catch?
A: Many restaurants on the Emerald
Coast will be happy to provide this
service for you. For a list of “you catch
it, we’ll cook it” restaurants, visit
EmeraldCoasting.com/gulf-to-table/.
Q : Is it true that you don’t need a
Florida fishing license if you hire
a charter?
A: With most charter services, your
fishing license is part of the charter
fee, and your captain will have
already taken care of it.
You’ve caught the perfect woman,
now catch the perfect fish.
Q : W hat about girlfriend getaways?
A: Women love to fish, so don’t rule this
out. Or you might want to go down to
Destin Harbor and rent a party boat
for a girl’s night out at sea.
How we fish today influences the
quality of fishing we will experience
tomorrow. Find out more about Florida’s
conservation efforts at MyFWC.com.
Q : If I hire a charter, can I bring my
own equipment?
A: Yes, but your equipment must be
approved by the captain.
Q : Do people have bachelor parties on
charter boats?
A: Many find a day at sea is a perfect
way to say good-bye to bachelorhood.
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