Report for Destin, Florida - Nearshore

Capt. Larry Pentel
May 4, 2003
Destin - Saltwater Fishing Report

I got back from Indian Pass 5 days ago and got to fish out of Grayton everyday since. Fishing has been real good and it's great to get back in the sadddle again

Thursday I ran a half day and was fortunate enough to catch a dozen live cigs before I picked up my charter. We started out Snapper fishing but when the first smoker king hit the fly pole we had to change gears. Our 12 baits landed 6 kings totaling 125# with 2 pushing 30#. The other 6 got eaten but hooks pulled, short strikes etc. When the live bait ran out we went back to snapper fishin' and caught 8- one went 15# tho.The best part was almost every king "skyrocketed" on the bait. A great welcome home party ! Friday had a 1/2 day trip with 4 Black and 1 Red Grouper along with some red snappers but no sign of Kings.

Sat. my 3 folks had booked a 8 hour but the weather ran us in early at 5 hours. The folks were happy tho with 5 big Black grouper to 23#, 9 red snapper, a black and a pile of triggers. The groupers they missed could have filled another cooler.

Todays trip had 3 kids and 2 dads. As usual one of the kids outfished both dads. They seem to do just what you tell 'em and when it works they remember. Our box tallied 21 red snapper, 1 black grouper and 10 triggers. It's great to run out nails to hang fish on a 4 hour- even better when you have 3 boys reliving every bite and fight for Mom.

I've had great trips but been having to hit a bunch of spots to get 'em. There are great "shows" on most of the bottom spots but the bite is non-existent on some. The bottom machine doesn't lie and all the big red dots up in the water are big snaps. They are going to turn on ( probably on the next weather change) and it's going to be ugly on the cleaning table!

I'm back out of Grayton till the end of June and then back to the Pass. This time it will be to run Tarpon trips tho as the Campground is doing just fine. While my usual day as a a capt. lasts 10 to 12 hours from the time I ice up the boat in the AM till i'm done scrubbin'it down at night it sure is good to be back!

capt. Larry Pentel

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