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Destin, Florida Fishing Charter

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Inshore Fishing

Sheepshead Fishing in Destin Florida

January 3, 2021 by Lionel James

As we wake up from our fishing winter hibernation, one of the first fish to move into their spring pattern are the Sheepshead. This time of year, Sheepshead fishing in Destin, Florida is lucrative.  These fish can be caught in our inshore bay system from the Navarre, Florida bridge all the way to the Mid Bay bridge. In the spring they move from Choctawhatchee Bay into the Gulf of Mexico to spawn. Although Sheepshead can be caught year around here in Destin, Florida, the late winter and early spring is the best time to catch them.

Whats a Sheepshead? Good question! Sheepshead can be identified by their black and silver stripes that run vertically along the body of the fish, oftentimes called a convict fish for their jailed stripped pattern. Outside of their stripes, you can easily identify one by their sheep-like teeth, which is how they earned the name “SheepsHead”.

Sheepshead Fishing in Destin Florida

You might be thinking, something that ugly couldn’t possibly be good to eat, right? Wrong! When it comes down to it, Sheepshead are one of the highest graded fish to eat, receiving an A+ . Their diet is made up of mainly crustaceans and shellfish such as oysters, crabs, and shrimp, making for a very white and flakey meat that can be prepared whichever way you like – fried, grilled, or blackened, you really can’t go wrong.

If you’re interested in catching some of these ugly (yet great tasting) creatures, how would you do so? Sheepshead can be a very difficult and tricky fish to catch, and even more so here in Destin, Florida area due the the clarity of our waters.

Sheepshead Fishing in Destin Florida

When fishing for Sheepshead throughout the Choctawatchee Bay system and the Destin pass, you’ll want to start at one of our bridges near a dock pilling, an oyster bed, and or the jetties. Typically you want to use a Carolina rig (slip sinker to a swivel to a leader to small hook). This is ideal because it keeps your rig at the bottom, close to the structure you are fishing. Sheepshead are not a very aggressive fish, so you must have a lot of patience waiting for a bite. With that patience, you also must be paying attention at all times. Their non aggressive feeding habits mean that you are feeling for any soft bump or tap (almost feels like your weight is rolling on the bottom). It is an extremely subtle bite that will probably be the biggest sheepshead you’ve ever caught. Don’t be afraid to check your bait often, with their bite being so subtle you’ll often not know that your bait has taken from you.

Now that you’ve hooked a few of these bottom feeders, your next question might be where can I have the Sheepshead cooked for me. We get it, let someone else do the dirty work so you can enjoy a tasty meal! Some of our favorite restaurants that offer the Hook n Cook specials are Dewey Destin’s or Boathouse Oyster Bar. Each one prices the cook by weight and it comes with sides cooked to order as well.

Sheepshead Fishing in Destin Florida

You can fish for Sheepshead on your own from places like the Okaloosa Island or Navarre Beach Pier, the Destin Jetties, or the Destin Bridge.  If you’re a novice fisherman and want to take the family out inshore fishing while on vacation, hiring an experienced guide is the best route. Here at Lion’s Tale Adventures we provide the fun, laughs, gear and license. Hop aboard with one of our Captains and create your own fish stories to tell.

Lion’s Tale Adventures – Whats your story” ?

Filed Under: Inshore Fishing Tagged With: Inshore Fishing, Inshore Fishing Destin, Sheepshead, Sheepshead Fishing, Spring Fishing in Destin, Winter Fishing in Destin

Monster Black Drums in Destin, Florida

February 6, 2019 by Lionel James

Ready to catch some Monster Black Drums in Destin, Florida?

In this quick clip, Captain Lionel James and Captain James Marko (of Goliath Grouper Fishing Charters in Boca Grande, Florida) team up for a day of sight fishing for monster Black Drums in Destin, Florida. What we didn’t expect to find was several schools of Black Drum containing 40 to 60 fish per school lingering around shallow sand bars! We chased several trying to get them to bite, but with the weather being warm they weren’t as hungry as we’d hoped. Putting a bait in front of them was easy, and it took a bit of chasing but we were finally able to hook into a few and they put up a good fight! Not the prettiest fish to hook but it made for an exciting yet frustrating day of fishing.

Check out a few photos from the day:

Monster Black Drums in Destin Florida

Monster Black Drums in Destin Florida

Monster Black Drums in Destin Florida

Monster Black Drums in Destin Florida

Monster Black Drums in Destin Florida

Monster Black Drums in Destin Florida
Monster Black Drums in Destin Florida
Monster Black Drums in Destin Florida

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Filed Under: Inshore Fishing Tagged With: Black Drum, Black Drum Fishing, Charter Boat, Destin Fishing, Destin Florida, Destin Florida Fishing, Fishing Charter, Gillz Gear, Inshore Fishing, Inshore Fishing Destin, Offshore Fishing, Offshore Fishing Destin