Destin Harbor - Okaloosa, FL Fishing Report on 3rd Jul, 2025

Summer fishing in Destin is heating up both inshore and offshore, with anglers enjoying a wide variety of action. Clear skies, warm Gulf waters, and steady weather patterns are making for excellent fishing conditions this July.

Inshore: Speckled trout and redfish are active early in the morning and late in the evening, especially around grass flats, docks, and deeper channels. Live shrimp under popping corks and soft plastics on jig heads are producing steady bites. The redfish bite is solid around the bridges and jetties—especially on the outgoing tide. Mangrove snapper are showing up in good numbers around structure and are responding well to small pilchards and cut bait.

Nearshore & Offshore: Red snapper season is in full swing and the bite has been on fire over reefs and wrecks. Most boats are limiting out with quality fish in the 10–20 lb range. King mackerel are thick nearshore, hitting slow-trolled cigar minnows and spoons. Offshore, mahi-mahi and wahoo are being caught near floating debris and weed lines, especially beyond the 20-mile mark. Trolling with ballyhoo and high-speed lures has been effective. For those targeting bottom fish, amberjack and scamp grouper are holding on deep structure and biting jigs and live baits.

Surf & Pier: The beaches are seeing a steady run of whiting, pompano, and ladyfish. Early mornings and evenings are best, with sand fleas and shrimp getting the most bites. Spanish mackerel and bluefish are making appearances off the piers, especially when baitfish are schooling close to shore.

Tip of the Week: Beat the heat and the boat traffic by fishing at first light. Not only is it cooler, but the fish are more aggressive before the sun gets high. Keep an eye on tides and moon phases for optimal success, especially for inshore species.