Not only do golf courses offer some of the best fishing in Florida, but they also boast some of the most unusual fishing sights anglers can encounter. I once fished a Panhandle Florida golf course that tracked along a lengthy stretch of the Gulf of Mexico.
Fishing on a golf course is allowed and legal only if you first get permission from the course management or greenskeeper. Golf courses are private property and subject to trespassing laws. Fishing without verbal or written permission is definitely not recommended.
Here are the top spots for surf fishing in Destin-Fort Walton Beach:Okaloosa Island. Over in Fort Walton Beach, Okaloosa Island has seven parks with five beach access. ... John Beasley Park. ... The Jetties and East Pass. ... Gulf Islands National Seashore.
Nice Catch There's a beautiful undersea world waiting for you here. Go freshwater catch and release fishing at resort lakes, go surf fishing at the beach, or fish at the property piers, where you can keep your catch.
Pack A Rod Play golf until you get to a hole with some water on it, slice your ball into all of the golf course ponds, and “fish” it out. This can only buy you enough time for a few casts, but it is guaranteed to work. Also, if you ever slice into the water by accident, you always have fishing as an excuse!
Many golf courses use their ponds as water retention devices that the irrigation system pulls from nightly. If it weren't for the ponds, the water bill of a single golf course could easily cost hundreds of thousands of dollars over the course of 12 short months.
We want all anglers to experience the luck of fishing in our very own “World's Luckiest Fishing Village,” but we require that you are properly licensed before doing so! Florida fishing licenses are required for all residents between 16 and 64 years of age.
The short answer is Yes. Both residents and non-residents need to have a license in order to surf fish in Florida. The general saltwater fishing license is paid, but residents can obtain a free shore-only license that they can use only for shore fishing.
Fish can be caught right off the surf in the beaches surrounding Destin, Fort Walton Beach, and Miramar Beach. Many of the fish we see in the surf are migratory, and come and go just like the tides, although there are many species that are available all year long.
If you are 16 years or older and you intend to hunt or fish, even if you just catch and release. You are required to have a Florida hunting, freshwater fishing or saltwater fishing licenses. That being said, there are a few exceptions to these rules.
The Destin Jetties and the beautiful Emerald Coast Shoreline are two of the most popular places to fish in Destin. Florida residents can purchase a Resident Recreational Saltwater Shoreline Fishing License at no cost.
Anywhere throughout these two counties, if you can find a canal, you're likely to find peacock bass. Our top choices are the C-103 Canal, Black Creek Canal, and Snapper Creek Canal. They run through neighborhoods, by stores, and close to all interstate highways, so you're always sure to find one that works for you.
Fort Walton Beach Golf Club. Within Fort Walton Beach Golf Club is two beautiful courses: the Pines and the Oaks. Pines mainly consisted of tall pine trees and the Oaks is full of multiple hazards that are lined with oaks.
All together, Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort has 4 courses: Raven Golf Club, Baytowne Golf Club, The Links Golf Club, and the private Burnt Pine Club. The resort stretches from the beach to the bay in Sandestin. All 4 courses are unique in their own way.
Seascape is known for the decor . Nearly all their holes have a feature of water as well as tall pine trees and rolling hills. The stunning views are hard to miss at Seascape Golf Resort. Seascape was designed by Joe Lee, a famous golf course architect. He designed the course to offer a challenge to players of all skill levels. Seascape is one of the few golf courses that offer players nine holes if they don't want to do 18.
Burnt Pine is the most expensive costing anywhere from $115 to $159 to play 18. Raven Golf Club ranges from $84 to $134 throughout the year. Baytowne Golf Club is at the least $64 and peaks around $99 in the summer.
Kelly Plantation Golf Course. Ranked No.1 on GolfAdvisor.com, Kelly Plantation is one of the more known courses in Destin. The course is built on the former site of a turpentine plantation owned by Mattie and Coleman Kelly. The architects of this course designed it in a matter to express the beauty all 18 holes have.
Emerald Bay Golf Club. Emerald Bay Golf Club is located along the Choctawhatchee Bay. Newly renovated in 2014, the clubhouse now consists of a restaurant with outside seating as well as a bar. During renovations, they also opened up a brand new golf pro shop!
Seminole has very wide fairways with water on 4 of the 9 holes. The Choctaw course is known for its length since there are only two par threes. Following your game, relax at their bar and grill with views of the course or visit their golf pro shop.
There are 4 semi-private courses in Destin and 1 public course.
Indian Bayou Golf course was built in 1978 and was designed by Earl Stone. It calls itself the ‘hidden gem of Destin.’
Destin is the most popular destination for tourists on the Emerald Coast. And it’s no wonder why.
Emerald Bay Golf Club is the only community golf facility in Destin.
Kelly Plantation Golf Club is one of the most prestigious golf courses in the region.
The course is located along the shores of the picturesque Choctawhatchee Bay with water features coming into play at 12 of the 18 holes.
To add charm to these already pristine surroundings are 11 lakes that dot the fairways with the largest one encircling holes 9 and 18.
Here are the things to know about when it comes to Destin’s fishing regulations:
You can only get gamefish in freshwater bodies using a pole and line or rod and reel. As for nongame fish, there are restrictions though the regulations are a bit lenient.
Trout, Redfish, Flounder, and Mullet are a few species you may find yourself catching here. Norriego Point is a great place to find baitfish along with redfish, trout and jacks. The East and West Pass Jetties are an extremely popular fishing spot as they are walkable out into the water.
Piers provide structure in the water and can often hold and attract all types of sea life. There are seven piers within 50 miles of Destin, the closest being the Okaloosa Island Pier. The Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier is 1262 feet long and also has a bait shop located on-site. The pier is open 5 am to 9 pm. in Mid October through mid March. Mid March through October it is open 24 hours. If you are going to fish it is $7.00 for adults, $6.00 for 65+ and $4.00 for children 6-12. Kids 5 and under are free.
The Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier is 1262 feet long and also has a bait shop located on-site. The pier is open 5 am to 9 pm. in Mid October through mid March. Mid March through October it is open 24 hours. If you are going to fish it is $7.00 for adults, $6.00 for 65+ and $4.00 for children 6-12.
Check out the fishing license options and costs below as of 2019. Resident Annual: $17.00 Resident Five-Year: $79.00 Non-Resident Annual: $47.00 Non-Resident 3-Day: $17.00 Non-Resident 7-Day: $30.00
Common species are Pompano, Redfish, Whiting, Black Drum, Spanish, Blue Runners, Sharks, Sheepshead, Bonita & Lady Fish. Fish will bite throughout the entire day, but it is common to have the most success during tide changes, and early mornings or nights.
This really common for a few reasons, one being, you do not need a boat. The most common times of the year for surf fishing is March-November. You can surf fish in the winter is well, but will most likely have your best luck when the water is warmer.
Kayak fishing is a popular activity in Destin. For the most part, kayak fishing is relatively affordable. You actually book kayak fishing trips, on which you will have a guide and a rental kayak. If you own your own kayak, you can also take it out on the beach or popular fishing spots in the bay.
The best way to be sure is simply to ask ! TripShock’s knowledgeable and helpful staff knows the ins and outs when it comes to fishing in Destin, and can help find the charter that’s perfect for you and your group!
The Destin Jetties are a magnificent, man-made, rock structure located in Destin’s East Pass. The Destin Jetties and the beautiful Emerald Coast Shoreline are two of the most popular places to fish in Destin.
Get your Florida Fishing License in advance via one of these three options:
The Coast Guard actively patrols the waters surrounding Destin - image from nps.gov
Crab, Shrimp, and Shellfish, oh my! With so many species of scrumptious crustaceans to catch, it is recommended to have a Recreational Saltwater Fishing License and a Recreational Freshwater Fishing License. With bays and bayous full of brackish water, there is always the chance you may catch a freshwater species, even when in saltwater.
A Saltwater Fishing License covers the harvest of saltwater species that live in places like the Gulf of Mexico
Luckily, with the cost of fishing licenses starting at $17.00, this essential fishing purchase is not one to break the bank! There are options available for residents and non-residents alike, offering a variety of options to accommodate your needs. Below are the rates for Florida Saltwater and Freshwater Fishing Licenses:
Bottom fishing is a common fishing technique used to catch fish that are found near the sea floor , like Snapper. These trips range from 4 hours to 12 hours, and beyond, making Snapper the perfect fish to target for first timers and experienced anglers alike.
Cobia is a delicacy on the Emerald Coast, and is considered a prize in the recreational and commercial fishing world. Not only is this species popular in the Destin area, but the largest one recorded was caught in Destin weighing in at 130 pounds! Needless to say, reeling in one these colossal Cobias should definitely be on the top of your bucket list!
One of the best things about catching your fish and eating it too is that once you’re at the docks, and your fish has been filleted, you don’t even have to fire up the grill (unless you want to)! Many of the restaurants at the harbor, for a fee, will cook your catch for you. Those restaurants include:
Fishing for a dolphinfish does not mean fishing for Flipper and friends! Dolphinfish is just another name for Mahi Mahi, which is quite possibly one of the most fun fish to catch in Destin! Even though catching a Mahi will require at minimum an 8-10 hour trip, it is worth the wait! These colorful creatures are absolutely stunning when pulled out of the water, and make for a delicious main course.