Greater amberjack fishing out of Destin centers on named reefs and wrecks in 60 to 138 ft of water, with most of them in 110 to 138 ft about 15 to 25 miles off Destin Pass. This page lists months, run distances, headings and site figures to help you choose where to look. The wider picture is in the greater amberjack fishing in the Gulf of Mexico and the Gulf of Mexico region guide.
When greater amberjack are around Destin
Destin fishing by season on charterfishingdestin.com lists bottom fishing in every season. FishingBooker’s Destin guide marks May and August through October. Both are charter-industry listings, so treat them as local guidance rather than a measured season.
What the two listings say
- charterfishingdestin.com: bottom fishing in every season.
- FishingBooker’s Destin guide: May and August through October.
Where boats run from East Pass
Every distance and heading here is measured from Destin Pass, the East Pass entrance. The Destin port guide covers ramps and pass navigation.
Each distance is given in the unit its source uses. Conch Reef is in nautical miles from Destin Pass; all other runs are in statute miles on magnetic headings.
Distances and headings from Destin Pass
| Site | Depth | Distance (unit) | Heading |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conch Reef complex | 110 ft | about 15.2 nm | 151 deg from Destin Pass |
| Army Tanks 10-14 | 115 ft | about 16.6 to 18.0 sm | 154 to 158 deg magnetic |
| Monica Lee Tugboat | 117 ft | about 17.2 sm | 152 deg magnetic |
| Culvert Reef A-F | 138 ft | about 20.3 to 25.1 sm | 152 to 160 deg magnetic |
| Baskins Barge | 135 ft | about 21.8 sm | 156 deg magnetic |
| Prewitt Tugboat | 135 ft | about 24.6 sm | 152 deg magnetic |
The 15 to 18 mile band and the 20 to 25 mile band
The first band holds Conch Reef, Army Tanks and Monica Lee in 110 to 117 ft. The outer band holds Culvert Reef, Baskins Barge and Prewitt in 135 to 138 ft, all on headings of 152 to 160 deg magnetic.
Reefs and wrecks that hold them
These are artificial reefs and wrecks: tugboats, a barge, culverts, tanks and a cluster of vessels. Chart layers are not for navigation.
- Depth range: 60 to 138 ft across the named sites.
- Run range: about 15.2 nm to about 25.1 sm from Destin Pass.
- Structure types: tugboats, a barge, tanks, culverts and a vessel cluster.
The Boatyard
The Boatyard is M/V Miss JoAnn in 119 ft with 40 ft of relief, placed beside M/V Dylan and M/V Brannon. It is listed as amberjack habitat. More on the Miss JoAnn wreck is available separately.
Conch Reef complex
Conch Reef complex sits in 110 ft, about 15.2 nm at 151 deg from Destin Pass. It is the shallowest and closest of the listed deep sites.
Army Tanks 10-14
Army Tanks 10-14 sit in 115 ft, about 16.6 to 18.0 sm at 154 to 158 deg magnetic. The ranges cover several numbered tanks.
Monica Lee Tugboat
Monica Lee Tugboat sits in 117 ft, about 17.2 sm at 152 deg magnetic.
Baskins Barge
Baskins Barge sits in 135 ft, about 21.8 sm at 156 deg magnetic.
Prewitt Tugboat
Prewitt Tugboat sits in 135 ft, about 24.6 sm at 152 deg magnetic. It is the farthest single wreck listed.
Culvert Reef A-F
Culvert Reef A-F sits in 138 ft, about 20.3 to 25.1 sm at 152 to 160 deg magnetic. It is the deepest listed site, spread across lettered sites A to F.
Miss Louise (OK-100)
Miss Louise is a tugboat at Okaloosa County site OK-100, in 60 ft. It is 95 ft long with a 23 ft beam, and it is the shallowest named site on this list.
How they are fished here
Greater amberjack fishing out of Destin is bottom fishing on reefs and wrecks, mostly in 110 to 138 ft, with The Boatyard at about 119 ft. For biology and tactics, see the greater amberjack guide.
- Method: bottom fishing on reefs and wrecks.
- Typical depth: about 119 ft at The Boatyard.
- Where it applies: every named site in the table above.
The same reefs and wrecks are bottom-fished for other reef fish, covered in the reef fish guides.
Who fishes them out of Destin
Three local charters list greater amberjack:
- Charter Boat Into the Blue: 46 ft boat, Captain Nino Bright.
- Finest Kind: 53 ft G&S sportfisher, Capt. Jason Mikel.
- Sweet Jody Family Adventures: multi-passenger headboat.
FAQ: greater amberjack fishing out of Destin
How far do boats run for greater amberjack from Destin?
It is about 15.2 nm to Conch Reef and out to about 25.1 sm for Culvert Reef. Conch Reef is given in nautical miles; every other site is in statute miles.
What depth are the amberjack grounds?
The Boatyard is in about 119 ft. The listed deep sites run 110 to 138 ft, and Miss Louise sits in 60 ft.
What months are listed for amberjack out of Destin?
charterfishingdestin.com lists bottom fishing in every season. FishingBooker’s Destin guide marks May and August through October.
Which Destin charters list greater amberjack?
Charter Boat Into the Blue (46 ft boat, Captain Nino Bright), Finest Kind (53 ft G&S sportfisher, Capt. Jason Mikel) and Sweet Jody Family Adventures (multi-passenger headboat).
Where do you check tides for Destin Pass?
Use NOAA tide station 8729511 (Destin, East Pass).
