What to Wear or Bring on a Destin Charter Fishing Trip
What to Wear or Bring on a Destin Charter Fishing Trip
Summer Fishing
Charter Fishing out of Destin, Florida in the summertime requires no specialized clothing for the most part, usually just shorts, a lightweight shirt, flip flops or shoes and maybe a hat and sunglasses. Most anglers wear some combination or all of the above and that is great for hot, sunny and clear sky weather. However here in Destin our fishing season generally runs from early March through October or November, so our weather conditions are always changing, even in the warm months of summer. Being prepared for the weather and sea conditions clothing-wise will add much comfort to your fishing excursion and overall enjoyment.
Spring Fishing
In spring such as March through April, the weather can be quite chilly in the morning, often with fog, which will cool you even further so a light rain jacket that is windproof goes a very long way in keeping you comfortable on the water. Layering a micro fleece garment or sweatshirt underneath if needed for warmth is a GREAT way to combat the wet and cold. You may wish to have long pants or even “wind pants” if the weather is rainy or the temperature is chilly. The fish sure don’t mind the cold, but even I don’t like being cold out in the Gulf of Mexico, so I always check the weather for temperatures, especially in the spring. Destin can be in the 40’s or 50’s when we leave the dock, and can warm up to the 60’s and 70’s by noon time! I often am bundled up in the morning and shed layers as the sun warms up as the day progresses.
A Lightweight Waterproof and Wind-Proof Jacket Does Wonders
Again, a lightweight waterproof and wind-proof jacket does wonders at those times. I even recommend to bring one in the heat of summer if there are rain showers around. During the summer the rain is usually short-lived in Florida, but a chance of rain is usually a daily occurrence! Keeping your core warm and dry is the goal here in springtime. We have room inside the console of the boat to store outer layers as we shed them, better to have and not need than to wish for one later!
Shoes, Flip Flops, Sunblock and Sunglasses
Footwear is a matter of preference, I wear flip flops, as most people do, but athletic shoes or sandals are fine too, please no work boots or soles that mark. (Hard soled shoes are slippery on a boat deck as well)
As the years have removed most of my hair, I wear 50 SPF sunblock applied right out of the shower and that way it doesn’t feel greasy, along with a visor and polarized sunglasses. Spray sunscreen is great on the beach, but not on a charter boat. The sprays stain fiberglass and some upholstery yellow, and the over-spray causes the deck and handholds like tower legs to become slippery, something we definitely do not want! Lotions are best, but if you bring spray, please apply it while on the dock before we leave on charter. Most small boat operators will appreciate that.
If you are not used to wearing sunglasses but decide to bring and wear them, put a retainer on them, I can’t tell you how many pairs are at the bottom of the Gulf but it is a LOT!!!
To summarize, check the weather and dress appropriately, give Capt. Tim a call if in doubt. A rain jacket/windblock is always a good bet!
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So for example Red Snapper season in Federal waters will begin on June 1st and end in July for around a 60 day season in 2019, whereas the State of Florida Red Snapper season is slated to begin on June 11 and end on July 12, a season of 32 days, with “a possible fall reopening if quota is available”.
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