My favorite vacations to Destin, Florida have always included fishing. Since I’ve been a young boy, my family has made deep-sea fishing the focal point of our vacations. It also wouldn’t be unusual to rent fishing poles and walk out on the Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier and drop a line. Early morning and dusk are the best times to go to the fishing pier (www.okalooslaislandpier.net) to see what everyone else catches. I’ve only caught small fish, but the fun part is feeding the pelicans and herons. They always hang around for a free snack. And it’s not unusual to see dolphin, sting ray, turtles and osprey. But what is most exciting is to see large Tuna, Amberjack and Cobia being hauled up to the deck of the pier by the serious fishermen. We’ve also fished for Red fish in the Choctawhatchee Bay. The bay connects to the Gulf of Mexico at the East Pass by Highway 98. It’s very similar to fishing fresh water for Bass and Catfish. Catching a red is very exciting. They are very strong and fight hard. It’s not unusual to have them jump several feet out of the water as you reel… Continue Reading

To really dive in to the Okaloosa Island culture, get out on the water. There are numerous ways to do this, but there are a few special places within walking distance or a short drive from Destin West. From the emerald bay to the glossy ocean, countless opportunities await to get out on the water; these range from kayaks and paddleboards to wave runners and boats. If you’re on the bay side, True Blue Pontoon Rentals and Island Watersports Company are just a walk down the steps, or a seven minute walk across the bridge from the beach side. With True Blue and Island Watersports, renting a pontoon, wave runner, paddle board, or kayak is made easy. Both have various packages, ranging from one hour to a full day on the water, so you can fit any activity in. With just a five minute drive down Miracle Strip Parkway, Power Up Watersports has much more to offer: banana boat rides, dolphin tours, private firework and sunset cruises, and, of course, boats and waverunners. Both places offer numerous opportunities to get out on the beautiful emerald bay. … Continue Reading