The crowds have thinned after Labor Day and the Destin fleet is fishing a full fall pattern. King mackerel are on the bait outside East Pass, the first bull reds of the season have shown along the beach, and the bottom boats are on vermilion snapper, triggerfish, and grouper on the reefs and wrecks. The bay is producing trout and slot reds at first light, and the flounder are starting to move toward the pass.
What’s Hitting
What’s hitting this week: king mackerel on the nearshore bait schools and the wrecks in 40 to 90 feet, with Spanish mackerel thick around East Pass and the Okaloosa Island pier. Bull redfish are showing along the beach and at the pass in the mornings, the front edge of the fall run. On the bottom, vermilion snapper, triggerfish, and scamp are producing on the public reefs and the natural bottom; check the current status of the red snapper and gag grouper seasons before targeting them. In Choctawhatchee Bay, speckled trout and slot reds are on the grass early, and flounder are showing around the pass and the bridge pilings.
Where to Find Them
Kings on the bait outside East Pass and on the nearshore wrecks and the Destin bridge rubble. Spanish at the pass and the pier. Bull reds along the beach from the pass east to Miramar Beach and at the jetties. Bottom fishing on the Destin and Okaloosa public reefs in 60 to 120 feet. Trout and reds on the grass flats of Choctawhatchee Bay near the Mid-Bay Bridge and the mouth of the bayous.
Tides & Conditions
Gulf temps are in the mid-80s and the bay is a touch warmer. Outgoing tides at the pass are best for kings, Spanish, and the bull reds. Seas have been light most mornings, allowing easy runs to the reefs, with storms building by afternoon. Peak hurricane season in the Gulf — check the tropical outlook every morning.
Tackle & Tactics
Kings take a slow-trolled live cigar minnow or menhaden on a stinger rig with light wire, or a large spoon behind a planer. Spanish take a Gotcha plug or a small spoon. Bull reds want a chunk of cut mullet or a live menhaden on a fish-finder rig with a 5/0 circle hook. Bottom fish take a cut bait or a jig on 60-pound leader. Trout and slot reds take a soft plastic on a jig head or a live shrimp under a cork.
Local Intel This Week
Public ramps: the Destin city ramp at Clement Taylor Park, the Joe’s Bayou ramp, the Legion Park ramp on the Okaloosa side, and the Fort Walton Beach Liza Jackson Park ramp. Fish are concentrating outside the pass on the bait and on the reefs for bottom fish. Bull reds are over the slot and must be released — check current FWC regulations for redfish and both state and federal seasons for snapper and grouper before keeping any fish.
This Week’s Tip
Kings on the nearshore bait are usually deeper than the Spanish. If the Spanish are up top, drop a live bait on a downrigger or a heavy planer 20 to 30 feet down and troll slowly around the edge of the bait school for the kings.
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