When blackfin are off Destin
Blackfin tuna fishing out of Destin is a June to August trolling fishery over reef, wreck and barge structure, with boats running anywhere from 6 to 80 miles out. The summer window is short, and it is the only season this page covers. Every ground below is measured from Destin Pass (East Pass), so depths, distances and bearings can be plotted before you leave the dock.
The species guide covers how blackfin feed and move. The Gulf-wide picture is in the regional guide (see also the Gulf of Mexico fishing guide).
The summer window
charterfishingdestin.com lists blackfin in its June to August summer chart. Boats target them on structure well south of the pass, in the same water as the rest of the trolling catch. Plan the trip inside those three months.
Running out of East Pass
Bearings and distances on this page are from Destin Pass (East Pass). Bearings are in degrees magnetic, and distances are in statute miles unless noted. Ramps, the pass and the rest of the port are on our Destin port page, where the same structure is plotted.
How far boats run
Catching Memories names blackfin among waters 6 to 80 miles out. The named structure in the next section sits about 15 to 25 miles from the pass, so compare that with your own range before you commit to a ground.
Tides and conditions
NOAA tide station 8729511 (Destin, East Pass) is the official tide reference. Before the run, read wind speed, wave height and period from the official marine forecast, and plan around those three numbers.
Grounds and structure off Destin
Conch Reef is given in nautical miles, as published. The rest are statute miles on magnetic bearings. Chart positions here are not for navigation.
| Name | Type | Depth (ft) | Distance and bearing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conch Reef complex | reef complex | 110 | about 15.2 nm at 151° from Destin Pass |
| Army Tanks 10-14 | reef | 115 | about 16.6-18.0 sm at 154-158° magnetic |
| Monica Lee Tugboat | tugboat | 117 | about 17.2 sm at 152° magnetic |
| Culvert Reef A-F | reef | 138 | about 20.3-25.1 sm at 152-160° magnetic |
| Baskins Barge | barge | 135 | about 21.8 sm at 156° magnetic |
| Prewitt Tugboat | tugboat | 135 | about 24.6 sm at 152° magnetic |
| The Boatyard (M/V Miss JoAnn, with M/V Dylan and M/V Brannon) | wreck complex | 119 (40 ft relief) | |
| Miss Louise (Okaloosa County site OK-100) | tugboat | 60 |
South of the pass on 151 to 160 degrees
Most of the named structure sits on bearings from 151 to 160 degrees magnetic, in 110 to 138 ft. Monica Lee and Prewitt share the 152 degree line, at 17.2 and 24.6 sm. Baskins and Prewitt both sit in 135 ft, and Culvert Reef is the deepest of the group at 138 ft.
The Boatyard and Miss Louise
The Boatyard is M/V Miss JoAnn placed beside M/V Dylan and M/V Brannon, in 119 ft with 40 ft of relief. Miss Louise is a tugboat at Okaloosa County site OK-100, in 60 ft. She is 95 ft long with a 23 ft beam.
How blackfin are fished from Destin
Destin boats troll for blackfin, and the spread pulls in more than one species. Expect a mixed box rather than a single-species day:
- Blackfin tuna
- King mackerel
- Spanish mackerel
- Mahi-mahi
- Occasional wahoo
Trolling and the mixed catch
A Destin charter answer on tripshock.com describes trolling for blackfin alongside king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, mahi-mahi and occasional wahoo.
Who fishes for them here
Catching Memories Charters lists blackfin tuna. It is the operator on the Destin fleet named for this fishery.
FAQ: blackfin tuna out of Destin
When are blackfin tuna off Destin?
For blackfin tuna fishing out of Destin, plan for June to August. That is the window charterfishingdestin.com lists on its summer chart.
How far do boats run for blackfin out of Destin?
Catching Memories names waters 6 to 80 miles out. The named structure on this page sits about 15 to 25 miles from Destin Pass.
What depth is Culvert Reef?
Culvert Reef A-F is in 138 ft. It sits about 20.3 to 25.1 sm out on 152 to 160 degrees magnetic from Destin Pass.
Do Destin charters target blackfin?
Catching Memories Charters lists blackfin tuna. Destin charters troll for them alongside king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, mahi-mahi and occasional wahoo.
Where do I check tides at East Pass?
Use NOAA tide station 8729511 (Destin, East Pass). Get wind, wave height and period from the official marine forecast.
Where can I read about other tuna or other ports?
Our tuna fishing guides cover other species and ports.
