Fishing in Destin this Spring

Destin has earned the reputation as the “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village.” As such, Destin has annual calendar events and festivals that celebrate this revered sport.  

Stinky's Annual Pompano Fishing Tournament

From March 31 through May 5, anglers may enter the annual Pompano Fishing Tournament and compete for bragging rights and prizes. Hosting by Stinky's Bait Shack on Hwy 30A, this beloved local tournament kicks off on March 30th at Stinky's Bait Shack & Restaurant in Santa Rosa Beach. Learn more here. 

Cobia Fishing Tournament

From now through May 18, daily tournaments (6 a.m. – 7 p.m.) are held at the Okaloosa Island Pier. Register your catch with Pier Shack ($25 Cobia; $20 King Mackerel; $20 Pompano) and earn the title of biggest catch! 
From now through April 30, HarborWalk Marina hosts the Annual Destin Cobia Tournament. The tournament provides anglers with a great fishing experience and an excellent payout.

Lionfish Tournament and Removal & Awareness Festival

The Emerald Coast Open Annual Lionfish Tournament takes place through May 15. Followed by Lionfish Removal & Awareness Festival held along the Destin Harbor on May 18th and 19th. The spearfishing tournament is a great way to keep the local lionfish population down and ensure that our marine eco-system stays healthy. The festival is full of fun local events that provide education about the species and local restaurants offer lots of different preparations of Lionfish as a tasty delicacy. Learn more at destinfwb.com. 

Attend or Participate in a Destin Fishing Tournament

Interested in attending or participating in a spring Destin fishing tournament or the annual Destin Fishing Rodeo held in the fall? Start planning now. Whether you sign up for a tournament or just want to try your luck fishing from shore, the Okaloosa pier or offshore on a chartered fishing excursion with one of many skilled captains in the harbor, you'll want to find the perfect home-away-from-home for your fishing adventure. Each of our Destin Vacation Rentals includes a fully-stocked kitchen where you can cook up your fresh catch right within your beach home or condo. Check out our collection of Destin vacation rentals, including large beach homes, Gulf-front Destin condos, and cozy villas and townhomes online or call one of our friendly, local vacation specialists at 1-800-225-7652 for assistance. Remember to always book direct with Newman-Dailey for our best rate guarantee

See you @ the beach to hook your next big catch!

*Updated 3/11/24

Published by Tracy Louthain
Wednesday, March 19, 2014