Report for Destin, Florida - Nearshore

Capt. Larry Pentel
March 14, 2004
Destin - Saltwater Fishing Report

Never mind the robins, we put the first cobia of the year in the boat today so it's officially spring!!

I had a dad and his 9 year old son on a half day and we were about 3 miles out doing a little bottom fishing. At 21# he isn't the biggest flathead out there but one of the most looked forward to. Dad even let his son help wind him to the boat. On the next stop the 9 year old landed a grouper in the 16# range that gave him bragging rights on the beach that he caught BOTH of the biggest fish in the box!

The water has warmed about 4 degrees and that seems to be enought to get things going. The first cobia was caught out of Destin 2 days ago and I heard of another that got pulled off today. If the weather stays like this (75 degree days) the flood gates should open right on time. After not seeing any snappers on the beach for the past 3 months we even found quite a few of those today( all released). I don't know if the warmer water moved 'em in or they just warmed up enough to start feeding. At any rate it's 62 on the beach and climbing.

I ran several trips at Indian Pass this past week and the warmer water has the trout started over there as well. On Thursday we sight fished redfish for a couple of hours( LOTS of shots but a little strong on angler error) and put one fine one in the boat. Went on to trout fsh for a couple of hours and caught 40-50 specks. Kept our 15 and released the rest. No big ones but another guide over there had got into some fine ones 2 days previous. Sight fishing the reds will about be over but that just means it's topwater time.

What to do on my off days, sight fish cobia, topwater the inside or chase AJ's offshore ? Too many choices!!!!!!

Capt. Larry Pentel

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