Famous fruitful waters are internationally recognized. The offshore shelf dips straight from Destin's East Pass to 100-foot (30m) depths within 10 miles (16km) -- the speediest deep-water access on the Gulf.

Up to four times more than most destinations, 20 species of edible game fish are always in seasonal runs.

Destin harbors more than 140 vessels from party boats to private charters. All offer deep sea, inshore and bottom fishing for as little as $25 a half-day. Free fish cleaning for the day's catch provided by many charters.
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More billfish are caught each year off the coast of Destin * Fort Walton Beach * Okaloosa Island than all other Gulf ports combined. Offshore trolling begins only 27 miles (43km) out. Prime months run April-October for sailfish, white marlin, blue marlin, dolphin and wahoo.

Year-round concentrations lure red snapper, grouper, warsaw, amberjack, scamp and triggerfish.

The elusive cobia begins running in March. Lasting through November, subsequent runs include Spanish mackerel, bluefish, king mackerel, tarpon and blackfin tuna.

1,200-foot (360m) Okaloosa Pier is lighted for night fishing and known to shelter 100-pound (45kg) tarpons. Casting from finger jetties, sandy shores and the 3,000-foot (900m) Destin Bridge Catwalk hooks speckled trout, white snapper and redfish.

Catch sheepshead, white trout, channel bass, croaker, sailcat, bluefish and buckets of blue crab all year.

Some of the best fishing is found in Blackwater, Shoal and Yellow rivers -- teeming with bass, bream and catfish.

An array of stocked ponds, such as the 350-acre (140ha) Hurricane Lake in Blackwater River State Park, are filled with channel catfish, large-mouth bass, bluegill and shellcracker.