Shore Fishing (Jetties, Piers, Surf)

Destin offers numerous shore fishing opportunities such as beaches, piers, jetties and parks.  You have so many options so take a look below to learn more about Destin’s best shore fishing spots.

Pier Fishing

Pier fishing is a popular activity for both locals and visitors in the Destin, Florida area.  With several piers in the area, anglers enjoy a variety of fishing opportunities just steps away from the beach.

Popular Fish Species

Flounger, Grouper, Ladyfish, Mangrove Snapper, Redfish, Sheepshead

These are some of the popular fish that anglers routinely catch from the piers in the Destin area.

Flounder

Flounder are often caught in sandy areas around the pier.

Grouper

Access to deeper waters gives anglers a better shot at targeting some grouper, especially gag grouper.

Mangrove Snapper

These fish are common in the area and can be found near the pilings along the fishing pier.

Sheepshead

Sheepshead are commonly caught around the pier pilings, especially from winter through the early spring months.

Migratory Fish

Bluefish, Cobia, King Mackerel, Pompano, Spanish Mackerel, Tarpon

There are some of the common migratory fish that you will find in the Destin area as they migrate through in the spring through fall months.

King Mackerel

Anglers have a more realistic shot to catch some King mackerel by targeting the deeper waters off the piers that extend further out in the Gulf.

Pompano

These fish can be found running the beaches in good numbers during the spring and fall months.  At times, many pompano can be caught from the piers.

Spanish Mackerel

They are common during the warmer months and are usually willing to hit a lure, so they are a fun fish to catch from the piers.

Tarpon

Migratory tarpon can sometimes be found near the piers as they migrate through the area.

Baytowne Wharf Fishing Pier

Fishing is available for resort guests and visitors to the Village of Baytowne Wharf at the Pier.  The pier is located at the end of Hammerhead’s Bar and Grille.

https://www.baytownewharf.com/

Navarre Beach Fishing Pier

The Navarre Beach Fishing Pier is situated on Navarre Beach, between Destin and Pensacola.  The Pier is over 1,500 feet long and 30 feet above the water.  It provides access to deeper waters where various fish species are found.  This is a popular spot for people to visit whether they choose to fish or just take in the sights.  Access to deeper water gives anglers a lot more options for targeting a variety of fish species as well as some very large fish.

https://www.santarosa.fl.gov/248/Navarre-Beach-Pier

Clement Taylor Park

Situated on the shore of Choctawhatchee Bay, Clement Taylor Park covers a little more than 3.5 acres.  There is a small pier here as well as other amentities such as a waterfront gazebo, pavilion, beach swim area, playground and picnic area.  This park provides access to accessible fishing spots along the water’s edge making it a convenient location for both shore fishing and launching small boats or kayaks.  Sea trout, redfish and flounder are common in the area waters.

https://www.cityofdestin.com/Facilities/Facility/Details/5

The Island Pier

The Island Pier, formerly known as the Okaloosa Island Pier, is a large concrete pier that stretches more than 1,200 feet out into the Gulf of Mexico.  Located in Okaloosa Island, Florida, this pier offer stunning views with the white sand beaches and beautiful green waters of the Emerald Coast.  You may see a variety of wildlife here such as dolphins, pelicans, sea turtles, a variety of birds and more.  Anglers fish for a variety of fish off the pier.

Official Website:  https://www.theislandpier.com/

Jetty Fishing

The jetties are located at the entrance of Destin Harbor where it meets the Gulf of Mexico.  They are very popular among boaters, anglers and divers.  Getting to the jetties is not easy from shore, so most people experience the jetties by boat.  However, you can walk to them if you’re up for a 20 to 45 minute walk depending on which jetty you plan to visit.

The jetties consist of a series of large rocks, which help create ideal habitats for a variety of saltwater fish.  There are excellent fishing opportunities here due to the structure and habitat combined with the constant flow of water from the tidal changes.  Some of the common species of fish that are caught here are listed below.

Destin East Jetty

The east jetty is the easiest to get to and the shortest walk (20 to 30 minutes).

Destin West Jetty

The west jetty is the longest jetty and takes the most time to get to the end (45 minutes to an hour walk).

Popular Fish Species

Flounger, Grouper, Ladyfish, Mangrove Snapper, Redfish, Sheepshead

These fish are fairly common among anglers who fish the jetties throughout the year.

Flounder

Flounder are often caught in sandy areas near the jetty, especially during the summer months.

Grouper

While grouper are usually found farther away from shore, it is not uncommon for anglers to catch some grouper around the jetties, especially gag grouper.

Mangrove Snapper

These fish are common in the area and can be found near the structures of the jetty.

Sheepshead

Sheepshead are commonly caught around the jetty pilings and rocks, especially from winter through the early spring months.

Migratory Fish

Bluefish, Cobia, Pompano, Spanish Mackerel, Tarpon

There are some of the common migratory fish that you will find in the Destin area as they migrate through in the spring through fall months.

Pompano

These fish can be found along the sandy areas adjacent to the jetties and they are known for being excellent table fare.  These fish run through this area in good numbers during the spring and fall months.

Spanish Mackerel

They are common during the warmer months and are usually willing to hit a lure, so they can be fun to catch.

Tarpon

Migratory tarpon can sometimes be found near the jetty, especially from late spring through summer and into the early fall months as they migrate through the area.

Surf Fishing Destin’s Beaches

Due to all the beach access along Destin’s beautiful beaches, this area is very popular among anglers who enjoy surf fishing.  Throughout the year, anglers catch a variety of different species from the surf.

Popular Fish Species

Flounger, Grouper, Ladyfish, Mangrove Snapper, Redfish, Sheepshead

These fish are fairly common among anglers who fish the jetties throughout the year.

Bluefish

Bluefish are often caught during the summer months and at times, they can provide some exciting action from the surf.

Flounder

Flounder are often caught from the surf.  Live minnows will usually catch a lot more flounder than dead baits or artificial lures.

Pompano

Highly sought after for their excellent taste, pompano are often found in the surf as they migrate through this area during the spring and fall.

Redfish

They can be found in the surf and along the sandy bottoms, especially around sandbars and structure.

Sharks

Various species of sharks, including blacktip and bonnethead sharks, can be encountered in the surf, especially during warmer months.

Sheepshead

These fish are often caught around structures but can also be targeted in the surf. They’re known for their distinctive stripes and tasty flesh.

Spanish Mackerel

Known for their spirited fight and delicious meat, Spanish mackerel are plentiful in warmer months and can often be caught from the surf.  They are very hit or miss.  One day, you may see dozens of them moving through the area and the next day, they are gone.  If you hit it right though, these fish can be a lot of fun to catch while surf fishing.

Tarpon

Tarpon are less common, but some anglers do target them and catch them from the beaches as they migrate through this area.  The summer and early fall are the better months to find these fish migrating through Destin.

Whiting

Whiting are abundant and can be caught using shrimp or sand fleas.  They are one of the most common fish caught from the beach.

James Lee Beach

James Lee Park Beach is a public beach that is located on the border of Miramar and Destin.  This beach is known for its white sand and clear waters.

June White Decker Park

June White Decker Park is a beach park in Destin, Florida.  The park is a small trail that is located on land above the beach.  This park provides beach access with public restrooms and bike racks.  There is a paid parking lot here, but it fills fast during the busy season.

Henderson Beach State Park

Henderson Beach State Park is a Florida state park located near Destin, Florida.  The park features a mile long beach, nature trails, picnic areas, playgrounds, camping and more.

Snorkle Beach / Norriego Point

Norriego Point is a popular snorkeling spot in Destin, Florida.  This is a 9 acre park that is located at the end of Holiday Isle.  There are shallow tide pools and beach areas that are ideal for people of all ages.

Princess Beach

Princess Beach is a large, white sand beach located on Santa Rosa Island in Destin, Florida.  It is a nice beach that usually is less crowded than the other beaches in the area.

Eglin Beach Park

Eglin Beach Park is a private beach in Destin, Florida that’s open to all Department of Defense (DoD) personnel and their guests.  The park is located on Okaloosa Island, just west of the Destin Bridge.

Eglin AFB Beach Park – North Side

Eglin AFB Beach Park – North Side is located in Destin, Florida.  It’s a private beach that’s reserved for military and Department of Defense visitors, veterans, and federal employees. The park has four large pavilions, a central deck area, and two sets of restrooms with showers.

O’Steen Public Beach Access

O’Steen Public Beach in Destin, Florida is located on Gulf Shore Drive, just before Norriego Point.  The beach is accessed through a sandy walkway.  It is a long walk, but worth it if you are capable of doing long walks.

John Beasley Park

John C. Beasley Park is a public beach area on Okaloosa Island in Florida.  The park is next to the Emerald Coast Visitor Center and is nestled between Destin and Fort Walton Beach.

Wayside Park, Okaloosa Island

Wayside Park is a 40-acre beach park on Okaloosa Island in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. This park features 3 miles of white sand beaches, a 1,200 foot plus fishing pier and a large boardwalk.

Okaloosa Island Beach Access Four, Jerry Melvin Beachwalk

This beach is known for its white sand and clear blue waters.  You will find parking, bathrooms, showers, covered pavilions and more.