Guide:

About Your Trip

Water Type

Deep Sea

Skill Levels

Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Weather

You won’t lose your deposit if the trip is canceled due to weather.

About Your Trip

This trip starts at the docks in the Harborwalk Village of Destin. Upon arrival you will meet with your captain or one of our associates. If your charter begins at 6am (7am off-season) that is when your charter boat will set off from the docks.

Your charter service starts with a cruise through the Destin Harbor and out into the Destin Pass. After reaching the end of the Destin Pass we will set up to begin catching our Live Bait. This usually takes 30 mins (give or take) to catch enough Live Bait to fish with during your fishing trip. After we have enough Live Bait we head out into the Gulf of Mexico to begin catching reef or pelagic fish. It all depends on how the fish are biting that day but we will either stay in one area for the rest of your trip or we will move to another fishing spot.

Great Bottom Fishing for,
Red Snapper, Vermillion Snappers, Mangrove Snappers, Lane Snappers, White Snappers, Triggerfish, Groupers, and Amberjacks. *Reef fish are seasonal to keep, but we always go for the good eating ones!

Tolling for Pelagic Species such,
as King Mackerel, Spanish Mackerel, Mahi Mahi, Blackfin Tuna, Wahoo, and Bonito Tuna.

Also, a great Shark Fishing 🦈 charter!

After a few hours of fishing (depending on your hourly trip) we will then head back to the docks. This will usually be a 2 hour ride back (depending on your hourly trip) to the harbor. During this time you and your friends can crack open a cold one or relax on the quick trip back to the docks.

Immediately after arriving at the docks your captain and crew will clean all your fish for you so you can take your catch with you. You have the option to give your fresh caught fish to most (if not all) restaurants on the Harbor. They will cook up your fish with one of their restaurant dishes for you. You can’t beat this! This is a perfect way to top off the evening from a great time on the water!

This boat is Federally Permitted.
*Please Note, 8 Hour and 10 Hour charters depart at 6:00am only. You can choose 6 hours at 6:00am or 1pm.

Amenities

Water Type

Deep Sea

Skill Levels

Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Tackle

All rods, reels, and tackle are included.

Fish Cleaning

This guide will clean your catch for you.

Beer

Feel free to enjoy responsibly, but please no glass.

Music

You can play your own bluetooth music.

Boat Restroom

This boat has a restroom.

Air Conditioning

This boat has air conditioning.

Live Bait

Live bait is included for this trip.

Weather

You won’t lose your deposit if the trip is canceled due to weather.

Federal Permit

This boat is federally permitted to go deep offshore.

Kid Friendly

This trip can cater to kids.

Flexible Cancelation

This trip can be canceled for a refund up to 14 days before the trip.

Disability Friendly

This trip is not suited for those with disabilities.

Lunch

Please provide your own food / snacks.

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Pricing Matrix

	8 Hours	10 Hours	12 Hours
1 Person	$2,800.00	$3,500.00	$4,200.00
2 People	$2,800.00	$3,500.00	$4,200.00
3 People	$2,800.00	$3,500.00	$4,200.00
4 People	$2,800.00	$3,500.00	$4,200.00
5 People	$2,800.00	$3,500.00	$4,200.00
6 People	$2,800.00	$3,500.00	$4,200.00
7 People (Second Boat)	$5,600.00	$7,000.00	$8,400.00
8 People (Second Boat)	$5,600.00	$7,000.00	$8,400.00
9 People (Second Boat)	$5,600.00	$7,000.00	$8,400.00
10 People (Second Boat)	$5,600.00	$7,000.00	$8,400.00
11 People (Second Boat)	$5,600.00	$7,000.00	$8,400.00
12 People (Second Boat)	$5,600.00	$7,000.00	$8,400.00

Pay $500 as a deposit today, with the balance due on the day of the trip.

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Book your trip with confidence — We only work with the best local guides that know where to put you on fish.

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You're in good hands

Book your trip with confidence — We only work with the best local guides that know where to put you on fish.

About Your Guide

Certified Damn Good Guides offer 10/10 trips. Guides earn this badge through quality reviews, quick and responsive communication, and low cancellation rates.

Christian D.

Certified Damn Good Guide

Certified Damn Good Guides offer 10/10 trips. Guides earn this badge through quality reviews, quick and responsive communication, and low cancellation rates.

Outfitter 31 years of exp.

Laid-back

Instructional

Talkative

Quality

Beginner Oriented

Adventurous

About Your Guide

Christian D.

Certified Damn Good Guide

Outfitter 31 years of exp.

I was born Dec ‘79 in Houma, LA (Sportsman’s Paradise).

I grew up always saltwater fishing in Cocodrie, LA and the surrounding areas until I came to Destin in 1991 at the age of 11 for the summer months.

Once I graduated high school in 1998, I moved to Destin full time. In 1999 I received my first captain’s license (100 ton Master) working on the Sea Blaster in Destin, FL.

In 2001 I bought a 40 passenger boat to take people snorkeling and dolphin sightings along the Emerald Coast. After the strong hurricane season in 2005, I donated that boat to the Destin Fishing and History Museum (where the wheelhouse still sits at the front door).

Now it’s 2008 and our company was founded with one bay boat. We then grew to 4 total boats providing inshore, offshore and bay fishing for all our customers.

The 52' Hatteras Sportfisher has federal permits for fishing offshore outside of state waters. Fishing in federal waters has places spots that have less pressure on the stock (fish).

The 31' Cape Horn will get you to the fishing holes fast with the twin 350hp engines!

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Rapid Fire Guide Q & A

What’s the biggest fish you’ve caught?

Blue Marlin 700+/- (catch & release) on the “Pair a Dice” out of Destin. It took years trolling the Spur and the Squiggles, spending multiple nights 60-75 miles out. But it finally paid off and i have a great video!

If you were cooking for all your friends what would you cook?

Getting all of the crew together with our families to having a Fish fry, with a side white bean & rice and a sack of oysters!

Rapid Fire Guide Q & A

What’s the biggest fish you’ve caught?

If you were cooking for all your friends what would you cook?

Getting all of the crew together with our families to having a Fish fry, with a side white bean & rice and a sack of oysters!

What’s your favorite band?

Morgan Wallen and the Dave Matthews Band

What’s your favorite movie?

Bond, James Bond (all of them since was a little boy)

What’s your favorite sports team?

New Orleans Saints and SEC teams

What’s your drink of choice?

Coffee, lots of coffee!

What was your last halloween costume?

Pirates of the Caribbean I was Capt. Jack Sparrow and my 10 year old son was Will Turner.

What do you want for Christmas this year?

Spending time with my family. But if Santa is good this year, I want to take the family snow skiing out West.

How did you get started guiding?

Professionally March 2008

What makes you different from other guides?

"I have built a good team who loves their job, loves pleasing their customers and cannot go without producing results for their customers. This business takes teamwork and a single captain can not take credit for all the hard work." C. Duplantis

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Start Location & Lodging Options

Destin, Florida

About Your Boat

Boat Type: Sportfisher
Boat Manufacturer: Hatteras
Year Built: 1984
Boat Length: 52'

About Your Boat

Boat Type: Sportfisher
Boat Manufacturer: Hatteras
Year Built: 1984
Boat Length: 52'
Engine Manufacturer: Detroit Diesel 8v92TI-6
Total Horsepower: 1350
Number of Engines: 2
Additional Amenities: This fishing trip uses the 52C' Hatteras Sportfishing Convertible and has been recently refitted to current Offshore Sportfishing Yacht Standards. This 52' Sportfishing Yacht is Captained by Rusty, and he gets you fishing very comfortably, with the newest Dual Simrad Navigation/Chartplotter/Sounder, w/ Radar systems. Enjoy resting in salon with 4.6 Tons of Heating & Air Conditioning, listening to SirusXM radio played on Sony Home Entertainment Surround Sound System, or watch the 55’ LCD TV w/Directv (also connected). A new interior, including granite countertops in the Galley (kitchen) with sink, microwave and full utensils. Two separate, full baths downstairs with 2 bunk rooms and master suite. The salon (living area) offers one full sized sofa and separate sectional sofa allows for easy napping between fishing holes for your party. She has been updated & retrofitted to keep the "“Classic Hatteras”" feel with the main goal of, fishing in mind! This boat is Federally Permitted.

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Trip Details & Amenities

Water Type

Deep Sea

Skill Levels

Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Tackle

All rods, reels, and tackle are included.

Fish Cleaning

This guide will clean your catch for you.

Beer

Feel free to enjoy responsibly, but please no glass.

Music

You can play your own bluetooth music.

Boat Restroom

This boat has a restroom.

Air Conditioning

This boat has air conditioning.

Live Bait

Live bait is included for this trip.

Weather

You won’t lose your deposit if the trip is canceled due to weather.

Federal Permit

This boat is federally permitted to go deep offshore.

Kid Friendly

This trip can cater to kids.

Flexible Cancelation

This trip can be canceled for a refund up to 14 days before the trip.

Disability Friendly

This trip is not suited for those with disabilities.

Lunch

Please provide your own food / snacks.

Target Species

Color-coded seasonality below is based on .

View Full Species Seasonality Chart »

Get it while it's HOT!
This species is in play.
You might get lucky (as long as things are in-season).
Couldn't tell ya! (no data)

Techniques

Bottom Fishing
Cut Bait Fishing
Heavy Tackle Fishing
Light Tackle Fishing
Live Bait Fishing
Trolling

Everything Else to Know

What to Bring:

A Great Attitude that you’re about to make awesome memories on your adventure!
Cooler (or use one of ours), Personal Drinks, Small Lunch and Afternoon Snack for Full Days. Towels are nice to clean up,
Sunscreen (lotion only, please no spray), Hat, Beach Attire, & Camera, and Cash gratuity for the Captain/Crew.

What is Included:

52' Hatteras Sportfishing Yacht, U.S. Coast Guard Captain, "Capt. Rusty Gilbert" w/ 40 yrs experience offshore fishing in Destin, FL! Insurance, Safety Equipment per the U.S. Coast Guard UPV, Charter Boat Fishing License per the State of Florida, F.W.C. up to 6 passengers. Federal Reef and Pelagic Permit per NOAA/National Marine Fisheries up to 6 passengers. We only use the Newest PENN & Shimano Fishing Tackle (Rods and Reels). We also give you a Tutorial how to land "“The Big One”" from the Mates, "Shag" or "Ernie" (with 40 yrs experience)! Frozen Bait (you have to catch the live bait)! Terminal Tackle; ie. Hooks, Leads, Fluorocarbon Leader Material, Swivels and Lures. More Tips and Tricks from the Pro's! Fish Ice and Drink Ice in our coolers. Then, Fish Cleaning at Harborwalk Village at our boat slip.

You're all set! You don't need to buy a license for this trip.

This trip is managed by an outfitter. Christian will be your point of contact and you will go out with one of their guides.

We use a cashless autopay system. We'll send you a boarding pass, and on the day of the trip, your guide will scan your boarding pass to automatically transfer the remaining balance. The only cash needed is to tip your guide (we recommend 20%).

Cancel for free up to 14 days before the trip and receive credit back to your account. Cancelling within 14 of the trip will forfeit your deposit to the guide. Day-of cancellations and no-shows will be charged the full balance of the trip to their card.

In the event of inclement weather you'll be covered by out 100% Weather Guarantee and will not lose your deposit.

Reviews

4.7

based on 3 reviews

Kaley

Verified Review

October 20

Great time, thank you!

Kaley

Verified Review

October 20

Great time, thank you!

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Trip: Half Day Adventure

Melvin

Verified Review

May 30

The trip was as great and met my gosls

Melvin

Verified Review

May 30

The trip was as great and met my gosls

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Trip: Half Day Adventure

Response from Christian:

Thank you Melvin! We work hard on every charter and have long days preparing for every charter.

Response from Christian:

Thank you Melvin! We work hard on every charter and have long days preparing for every charter.

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Keith

Verified Review

April 5

Phenomenal trip! Cap’t Christian was ever the professional. We went out with Cap’n Andrew and he was awesome. We were on fish all day and even better, he helped the young one fish all day. I highly recommend this outfit and will definitely book again. PS….the boat is awesome as all get out.

Keith

Verified Review

April 5

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Trip: Half Day - 31’ Cape Horn

Response from Christian:

Thank you for the kind words, and it takes a great team! Also, please come back for the Red Snapper season in June & July!

Response from Christian:

Thank you for the kind words, and it takes a great team! Also, please come back for the Red Snapper season in June & July!

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First Time Booking with Us?

Captain Experiences is home to 1,600+ quality, vetted fishing and hunting guides across the US and beyond. Our mission is to Unlock the Outdoors by making it quick and easy to book the trip of a lifetime every time with our Damn Good Guides.

We vet our guides and only partner with the best of the best. Our guides do their very best to keep you safe, show you a great time, and send you home with a memorable experience shared with family and friends.

Once you've paid your deposit at checkout, we'll send you a QR Code boarding pass. Just show your guide your boarding pass on the day of the trip, they'll scan it, the remaining balance will transfer automatically, and you'll be all set to get out there. Just make sure you bring a cash tip for the guide!

In the event of inclement weather, our guides will check the conditions and make the final call on whether its safe to go on the trip. If they decide the trip needs to be postponed, we'll work closely with you to reschedule or provide a credit for the full deposit, which can be applied to any of our trips in the US and beyond.

Each trip's price is determined by the guide and reflects all associated costs. A significant factor in pricing is often the type of boat and the corresponding fuel expenses. Additional costs may include leases, marina or slip fees, bait, and the expenses involved in providing and maintaining the necessary gear for your trip.

After booking your trip, we'll connect you directly with your guide to discuss additional details. In the meantime, our team is here to answer any questions via email, text, or phone.