Hand Cove
30.45°N · 86.59°W
Species
Now 69 · 10 AM CDT
14-Day Forecast
Data from: ECMWF + GFS + BlueCaster24-Hour Conditions
All times CDT
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Why this score
Current regulations
In effect nowWhat you can keep at this spot today
- Daily limit
- 8 per day
- Possession
- Not published
- Size
- Minimum 12"
- Gear
- Legal gear: hook and line, cast net, seine, spear or gig. Illegal: multiple hooks used with live or dead natural bait; snatching prohibited.
- Annual quota
- Not published
- Other
- Minimum size 12 in total length. Vessel limit 50 per trip during March and April. State regulations extend into federal waters. Special regulations apply in Biscayne National Park (not applicable to this area).
Source: FWC · Florida Gulf State Waters: Panhandle Region · synced today
Seasonality
52-week view · today highlightedWhen Sheepshead is best at this spot
SPOT PROFILE
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About Hand Cove
Hand Cove is a protected bay pocket near Destin, Florida, with a sand bottom running 5 to 15 feet deep and sheltered water. Sheepshead lead the winter action from January through March, when bottom fishing with fiddler crabs, live shrimp, or sand fleas works well over the sandy floor. Spotted Seatrout peak in March–April and again in October–November, and drifting with popping cork rigs or paddle tail swimbaits covers the cove's shallower stretches efficiently. Red Drum move through from September to November and respond to sight casting with gold spoons or soft plastic jerkbaits in the clear, inner water. Spanish Mackerel run from March through October, Gray Snapper and Common Snook round out the mix, and anglers troll small spoons or cast metal jigs to breaking fish when mackerel push bait across the surface.
Hand Cove is one of the spots we track around Destin. More spots in Destin · All of Florida.
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