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Destin Fishing Report 5-11-26
Half Hitch Custom Rods- Built to Catch Fish
We designed these rods to catch fish, plain and simple. After two years of prototyping, testing, and dialing in actions and build specs, we’re excited to release four brand-new models built for serious Gulf Coast anglers.
BT78ML Solid Glass
Our go-to rod for traditional bottom fishing. Built with the forgiving power of solid glass, this rod shines when targeting snapper, grouper, triggerfish, and other reef species.
BTBL64ML-2
A blade-only rod designed for use with a bent butt or adjustable butt. Sensitive enough to detect subtle bites from triggerfish, vermilion snapper, and red snapper, but with the backbone to battle jacks and grouper.
Recommended Setup:
• Shimano Talica 16II / 25II
• Shimano Speedmaster 16II / 25II
• 65 to 80 lb braid
• 60 lb topshot
BTBL58M-2
Another blade-only model made for heavy-duty offshore work. This is the rod for anglers targeting big grouper, amberjack, and deep drop species.
Recommended Setup:
• Shimano 25II class reels
• Most electric reels
• 80 to 100 lb braid
• 60 to 80 lb topshot
SP66 Spinning Rod
What we call the “Peanut Rod.” Incredibly fun and insanely versatile thanks to its solid glass construction.
Use it for:
✔ Sabiki bait catching
✔ Tossing jigs for chicken mahi and bonita
✔ Stinger rigs for king mackerel
✔ Chumming for black snapper
Recommended Setup:
• Shimano Stradic 3000 or 4000
• 20 to 30 lb braid
Built by fishermen. Tested on the water. Ready for battle.
Come by Half Hitch Tackle and check them out in person. These rods weren’t built in a catalog. They were built offshore, under load, with fish on the line.
Now for the Fishing Report!
Bay Fishing
Troll the pass, Destin Bridge, then the Cinco and Shalimar bridges using straw rigs, spoons, and small Yo-Zuri lures.
Take live shrimp and fish under a popping cork along the grass flats for redfish and trout.
Fishing dock lights at night has been producing large trout on live shrimp and pinfish.
Surf Fishing
Even with less-than-ideal conditions, anglers still found good catches of pompano using:
• Fresh shrimp
• Sand fleas
• FishBites
• Ghost shrimp
Yeti Products
Focus on the Fight. We'll Handle the Ice.
When you’re miles offshore, the last thing you should worry about is your gear, which is why we built the Tundra® to keep ice for days and the Rambler® to keep your drinks perfectly insulated. Dependable, durable, and ready for any conditions, it’s the fishing partner that never complains and never quits.
Pier Fishing
Pompano and Spanish mackerel are making up the bulk of the action. There is plenty of bait around, so the king bite should improve soon. A few jack crevalle were also caught this week.
Best Baits/Lures:
• Gotcha plugs and spoons for Spanish
• Jigs and sand fleas for pompano
• Yo-Zuri Mag Speed lures for kings and jacks
Bottom Fishing
Most catches have been vermilion snapper, triggerfish, and red grouper, along with a few black snapper and lane snapper.
Rough seas kept most anglers from reaching the scamp and yellowedge grounds.
Best Baits:
• Squid
• Cut bonita
• Frozen cigar minnows
Nearshore Trolling and FADs
Finally, a few kings are showing up, but the best action has been mahi around the FADs. Spanish mackerel are still biting around the pass and along the sandbars. A couple of cobia were caught this week as well.
Offshore Trolling and Offshore FADs
Very few reports due to the weather, but the reports we did hear included:
• Small mahi
• A bluefin tuna or two
Hopefully the weather settles down soon so everyone can get back offshore. Red snapper season is getting close, so now is the time to get your tackle ready.
