Captain Ryan Reed Badlands Spring Summer Offshore

Destin Fishing Charter with Captain Ryan Reed

Captain Ryan Reed and the Badlands Charters crew know the Emerald Coast waters like the back of their hands, and they're ready to put you on fish from April through August when Destin's fishing scene is absolutely on fire. Whether you've got four hours to squeeze in some action or want to go all-out with a 14-hour offshore adventure, these trips are built for everyone from first-timers to seasoned anglers who live for the fight. With crystal-clear waters, perfect weather, and fish moving in massive numbers during spring and summer, there's no better time or place to wet a line on Florida's Gulf Coast.

What to Expect on the Water

Your day starts at the Destin Harbor, where Captain Ryan will have everything rigged and ready before you even step aboard. The beauty of these flexible trip lengths is that you can fish inshore for four to six hours targeting species in the shallows and structures, move to nearshore reefs for eight to ten-hour trips, or head way out into the deep blue for those epic 12 to 14-hour offshore adventures that serious anglers dream about. The boat holds up to four guests comfortably, which means you're not fighting for rail space or dealing with crowded conditions that can kill the vibe on bigger charter boats. Captain Ryan reads the conditions daily and adjusts the plan accordingly – if the weather's perfect and fish are biting offshore, that's where you'll go. If conditions call for staying closer to shore, he knows exactly which structures and reefs will produce the most action.

Techniques & Top Spots

Depending on your trip length and target species, Captain Ryan employs a variety of proven techniques that consistently put fish in the boat. For inshore and nearshore fishing, expect to work with live bait around structure, drift fishing over reefs, and bottom fishing in productive spots that only locals know about. The shorter trips often focus on species like Red Snapper, Grouper, and various bottom dwellers that hang around the artificial reefs and natural structure within 20 miles of shore. When you book those longer offshore adventures, the game changes completely – you're talking about trolling for big pelagics, live baiting for monster fish, and working depths where the really impressive species live. The Badlands Charters boat is equipped with top-tier electronics, quality tackle, and all the gear needed to handle whatever decides to bite. Captain Ryan provides rods, reels, tackle, bait, and ice, so you just need to bring yourself, snacks, drinks, and plenty of sunscreen for those long days under the Florida sun.

Top Catches This Season

Red Snapper are the crown jewel of Destin fishing during this April through August window, and these fish are absolutely legendary for good reason. They hang around structure in 60 to 200 feet of water, and when you hook into a decent-sized snapper – we're talking 15 to 25 pounds – they'll test every bit of your drag system and fighting technique. These fish are smart, strong, and they know every trick in the book for getting back to their rocky homes. The season timing is perfect because Red Snapper are most active during warmer months, feeding heavily and putting up the kind of fights that make your arms burn and your heart race. What makes them even more special is the eating – there's simply no better table fare in the Gulf of Mexico.

Grouper fishing during these months is another world-class opportunity that keeps anglers coming back year after year. Gag Grouper, Red Grouper, and occasionally massive Goliath Grouper call the deeper structures home, and these fish are pure muscle wrapped in an attitude. A 20-pound Grouper will fight like it weighs twice that, using every ledge and cave to try to break you off. They're ambush predators that sit tight to structure, so the fishing requires precise boat positioning and quick reflexes once you feel that distinctive thump on the bottom. The reward is worth every second of the fight – Grouper are incredible on the table and provide some of the most satisfying fishing you'll find in the Gulf.

For those longer offshore trips, Mahi-Mahi become a serious possibility, especially during late spring and summer months when they follow the weed lines and current breaks. These fish are pure excitement – they jump, they're fast, they're beautiful, and they travel in schools, which means when you find one, you often find several. King Mackerel also make regular appearances on the longer trips, and these speedsters will test your reflexes and your equipment with blistering runs that can strip line faster than you'd believe possible. Cobia are another offshore favorite during this season, often found around floating debris or following rays in the shallows, and they're known for being curious enough to come check out the boat, giving you shots at some impressive fish.

Time to Book Your Spot

This April through August season is when Destin fishing reaches its absolute peak, combining perfect weather conditions with the most active fish movements of the year. Captain Ryan Reed has built his reputation on consistently putting clients on fish while maintaining the highest standards of safety and professionalism on the water. Whether you're planning a family trip where the kids can experience the magic of their first big fish, or you're a group of experienced anglers looking to tangle with some serious Gulf Coast gamefish, these flexible trip options let you customize the perfect day on the water. The four-person limit ensures personalized attention and plenty of room to fish comfortably, while the range of trip lengths means you can fit a fishing adventure into almost any schedule or budget. Don't wait too long to secure your dates – prime season booking fills up fast, and the best fishing days of the year won't wait around forever.