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Random Quote: A home on land; You save up for one half of your life, only to find out once you get one that it's in the wrong neighborhood!
I have a meeting in Niceville this Thursday, and will be staying the night in Destin. Was wondering if there was any available fishing from shore or anything to do after the meeting? Pompano or mackeral possibly. I planned on bringing a couple of light spinning rods and some jigs.
This isn't fishing related, but I'd recommend some food, drink and the scenery at AJ's (downtown Destin).* It's right on the pass ... prime location overlooking the harbor and the charter boat fleet.
Come to think of it, you can get on a 4-hr charter for about $50, but they*do not bring in very impressive catches compared to what we see in Venice, LA.*
Pompano are in the surf. Locate a cut in the sand bar and fish the jigs or get some sand fleas from Half-Hitch B&T in Destin. Also, the Spanish are hot at the pier. They use a bubble rig, which you can buy at Wal Mart or the pier and be there at sun up. Best seafood on the Gulf Coast is at Nicometos in Niceville. AJs is a good spot as is the Destin Boat House. You can walk between the two.
From the subject line, I was thinking, You're Kidding! But I do understand you just want to make the best use of your time.
Last time I checked, Dusky was in South Florida, but Cape Horn is in the area.
I prefer Harbor Docks to AJs, but that's just me.
You might detour over to Florida Sportsman web site forum and check Panhandle fishing info for pompano and spanish availability. Then hightail it back over here! You don't want to spend too much time on other boating and fishing sites.
Don't forget to budget an hour or so to wander around Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World in Destin. It's at the south landing of the mid-bay bridge, about 15 minutes east of Destin Harbor. A good tackle shop closer to the harbor is Half Hitch Tackle -- great selection and helpful staff.
I don't do much surf or shore fishing, but there are plenty of folks who do. Bring a travel rod and minimum tackle, then find some natives on the beach or at the jetties and ask them for some tips. This is a friendly part of the country, you're sure to get plenty of advice.
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2000 WC 266 SF w/Merc Opti 200s
I agree with the idea of hanging out at AJ's about 5:00p and watching the charter boats come in and unload. The crews are usually happy to talk and the customers usually can't quit talking. Nice place to grab a beer and walk and talk. Destin in the off season (not June-August) is just awesome. I certainly haven't seen all of Florida by any stretch but so far Destin is my favorite.
__________________ At least when Texans retire to Florida we don't wear black socks with our sandals!
I just spent a week with the kids in destin for their spring break. The water was 65 degrees and the offshore fishing was slow. One day the surf was loaded with baitfish and spanish mackeral. I also saw schools of blues each day. The day we went offshore the mackeral were in the harbor by fishermans warf.
The guy that does the daily Cobia report on 98.1FM said he saw 12 and caught 8 yesterday. Next week should be a good push. If you are inerested I recommend a good charter for you.
I'd recomend Guiseppi's in Niceville for seafood. The west jetty at Destin East Pass should be good for fishing from shore (park at the west end of the Destin bridge on hwy 98). The cobia are coming through and it is possible to catch them from the pier, but not recommended with "light spinning gear". Silver spoon with a light wire leader should be good for blues and spanish.
Whatever you do, Do Not Eat at the Lucky Snapper! I bet there is better tasting stuff coming out of my dog's butt than they serve there.
Wow, you got some really good answers and a couple of surprising ones. Best places to eat where well covered (except I think Harbor docks is very good for supper). Fishing is great most of the time from the Jetties and spanish should be running, get out towards the far end and you should do good, try a yellow jig with silver spinner. keep it moving. Niceville has several good resturants including Nickameto's and Guseppi's(sp) for lunch, a real special place is the Boat House also in Niceville and on the water. Hope you have a great trip and welcome to the area.
I'd say AJs.. You can drink, look at the boats, & watch the hot chicks shake it. Trust me, lots of hot chicks to be seen at AJs. Always a live band playing too (at least the several times I've been there).
Thanks for all the great replies. I have to have a public meeting at the Niceville Highschool at 6:00, so I am hoping it will be done around 8:00. With the daylight savings I might have a little time to hit the macks before it gets dark. AJ's seems to get the popular vote, and since all I am doing on Friday is driving back to Tampa, I could probably have a good time .
I haven't done a taste test between Lucky Snapper and anything to do with a dog, but the food was awful when I was there. They exist only because of the constant influx of tourists caught unaware. I don't think a local would be seen in there.
According to my recent, in depth research on oyster sandwiches in the Destin restaurants, AJ's gets the nod and the scenery is nice as well. I didn't do any fishing but the jetties looked interesting for the shore bound angler.
What to do in Destin? 
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you have performed a taste test between the two?
