Tarpon — the “Silver King” — is the ultimate light-tackle target along the Destin and Fort Walton Beach beaches. Every summer, massive schools of 80-to-200-pound tarpon migrate the Emerald Coast, rolling and feeding in plain sight just off the sand. Hooking one is a bucket-list experience; landing one is an all-out battle that can last two hours.
Our Destin tarpon charters fish the beaches and passes, looking for rolling fish and staging schools. We slow-troll or drift live baits — threadfin herring, mullet, or crabs — right into the path of the school. The strike is unmistakable: the line comes tight, the tarpon shakes its head, and then launches six feet into the air.
When to Fish
May through July is prime. Fish show up along the Destin beaches as water temps climb into the 80s, staying until the schools push east.
What to Expect
Catch-and-release only in Florida — but the memory of a 150-pound fish jumping at eye level is worth every minute. Our inshore charter boats are rigged for the fight.
Summer
Seasonal
Calm Mornings & Live Bait
Perfect for redfish, speckled trout, and more in the calm waters of the Choctawhatchee Bay.
Rates Per Boat
Includes up to 4 passengers
Extra Passengers $50
Includes Gear + License
Questions about tarpon fishing in Destin
Seasons, technique and what you can keep, plus which bay fishing trip to book.
When do tarpon show up in Destin?
May through July is prime, as the water climbs into the eighties. They roam the beaches until the schools push east.
Can you keep a tarpon in Florida?
No. Tarpon are catch and release in Florida. What you take home is the photograph of a fish that can weigh 150 pounds jumping at eye level.
What kind of trip do I book for tarpon?
An inshore trip in the season, with the boat rigged for heavier line. It is a hunting trip rather than a numbers trip, so book it for the experience.