Destin Fishing Report 8-24-25
This week was overall the best stretch of weather this year, yes there were a few mornings we had a few grumbles and thunderstorms, but you could fish around them. For the most part, seas were very manageable and winds light other than around outflow boundaries from thunderstorms. We can only hope this trend continues for a while!
Tuesday September 2nd we will be hosting the Blackfin Tuna seminar at Legendary Marine at 6pm. The seminar is free so come out and learn how to catch these delicious and exciting fish during the fall run.
Offshore Trolling
Very good numbers of wahoo this week around the southwest edge, nipple, 131 hole, and steps. While not true blue water in this area, it is at least blended blue and its holding bait.
The fads are still in blended green water and holding mostly small mahi. In the same area that the wahoo are in this is where to target the fall white marlin as they congregate there. The best water remains near the squiggles and Lloyds ridge.
Nearshore Trolling
Sailfish were the highlight here! So much so that Rick from the shop caught two small ones from his kayak this week off Grayton beach less than two miles from shore!
The spanish were quite good trolling along the west beach just off the sand bar. Lots of small mahi holding on any floating debri you find.
Pier Fishing
Several good spanish runs in the mornings on bubble rigs and Got-cha lures.
Adin from the shop caught a nice tarpon Friday just before dark out of a school of about 20 fish floating down the sand bar.
There has been a few kings and they spotted a couple sailfish.
Bottom Fishing
Vermillion snapper were quite good. For me, vermillion are one of my favorite eating fish, much better than red snapper. I am always amazed how well these fish reproduce and bite, they are one of the few species open all year and never seem to quit biting.
Triggers remained plentiful and good numbers of keepers in state waters which is a bonus. While targeting these, set up a chum line and you can get black snapper and an occasional cobia.
Surf Fishing
It seems the June grass was not quite as bad this week leading to a few extra pompano catches, some spanish, and bluefish.
At night there are plenty of sharks!
Bay Fishing
Target Black Snapper around the jetties, bridges docks, and coast guard station with live shrimp.
Catch some live cigar minnows on sabiki rigs around the Destin bridge and drop them on the bottom there for some action on bull reds.
Lastly, fish the grass flats early morning or late afternoon with topwater lures or live shrimp under a popping cork for trout and keeper reds.
I have not heard of any spanish but as many as there are right out of the pass and at the pier I would not be surprised if you trolled the Destin, Shalimar or Cinco bridge you may catch a nice mess of them!
