Many of our Ocean Reef guests visit Destin and the Emerald Coast to experience our dazzling sugar-white beaches, championship golf courses, world-class shopping venues, and fabulous restaurants. However, many others arrive at the world's luckiest fishing village to experience the thrill of catching the abundance of fresh fish that has made this part of the Emerald Coast famous. In fact, Destin's initial claim to fame came from the thriving commercial fishing industry that was started by the town's founding fathers way back in the late 1800s. Tourists and other adventurers began to arrive here for deep sea and bay fishing back in the 1920s before electricity was even established. Oh, how the industry has grown since then!

Today, Destin has the largest private fishing charter fleet in the entire Gulf of Mexico. Although many specialize in deep-sea fishing excursions, some concentrate their expertise on the abundant catch that is located in the Choctawhatchee Bay. After all, our little paradise here is between three to five miles off the mainland – and although it is technically a peninsula, you can't get here without crossing a bridge! In that sense, Destin and Miramar Beach are like being on a special off-shore island literally miles from the inland coast. Besides shrimp and crab, Choctawhatchee Bay is known for providing bountiful catches of Redfish, Speckled Trout, Flounder, Spanish Mackerel, Sheepshead, and Black Drum Fish.

Many native fish anglers have been harvesting this bounty for generations. And they want to share the joy of fishing with all of our Emerald Coast visitors. Destin Inshore Guides provides incredible fishing experiences for vacationers, so they too can enjoy a catch in the world's luckiest fishing village.

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Destin Fishing Museum

The Destin History and Fishing Museum weaves an intricate tale of how fishing has sculpted the character and prosperity of our community. As you step into the museum, you are greeted with a nostalgic ambiance reminiscent of the early 1900s. A replicated kitchen from this era, complete with oil lamps, washboards ...

The team at Destin Inshore Guides is made up of experienced, native fishermen who grew up on these waters. They've been navigating the water so long that they're basically fish themselves! Captain Josh Calhoon's love of fishing began when he was just six years old, and has been fishing in and around Destin for over twenty years now. He's even started teaching his young daughter to fish, who is quickly becoming just as fish-savvy as her father. Raised in Destin, Captain Kyle also loves to fish, and guiding inshore charters has allowed him to pursue fishing as a passionate career. Finally, Destin native Captain Si Nelson has been a professional fishing guide for nearly two decades, and he excitedly shares his love of fishing and the outdoors with everyone he meets. These three guides form the foundation of an incredible guiding organization that guarantees memorable fishing trips for everyone!

Destin Inshore Guides features a variety of different fishing trips, including inshore bay fishing, nearshore Gulf fishing, fly fishing, kids fishing, shark fishing, and even fishing at night. The guides take aspiring fishermen and fisherwomen out on their boats for a truly exhilarating and unique experience. Choose between a half-day, whole day, or even nighttime adventure! Although the company supports catch and release fishing, participants are welcome to keep any catch that falls within regulation. After a day on the water, you're sure to walk (or swim!) away with incredible memories that last a lifetime. Show off your impressive catches to friends and family back home, and encourage them to come with you the next time you visit.

Destin Inshore Guides welcomes you, your family, and friends aboard their charter boats for the time of your life. To book your fishing trip, contact Destin Inshore Guides at 850-502-9170.

Did you know? Ocean Reef Resorts guests receive discounted fishing trips through the Reef Rewards program! As a guest with Ocean Reef, you will receive 10% off the hourly guiding rate.

Whether you come down to Destin for inshore fishing, deep-sea fishing, the beautiful beaches, championship golf, or power shopping, remember that Ocean Reef Resorts has a wide choice of private Destin vacation rentals custom ready for you and yours. As always, it is our great pleasure to serve you. In the meantime, Happy Angling!