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Report for Destin, Florida - Nearshore
Capt. Larry Pentel
April 10, 2007
Destin - Saltwater Fishing Report
COLD & BLOWY
Okay, who left the freezer door open? My calendar says it's spring and the fish had started what looked like a good spring run when the weather suddenly turned back to February.
I finally got to run some cobia trips but the fish have left the beach looking for some warmer water. A week ago the beach water temp was up to 71- the magic number, and there was life everywhere. Yesterday I checked the temp on my way in from bottom fishing and it was back down to 66 ! A few days of sunshine and nornal temps will bring the fish back quick but in the mean time I'm canceling as many trips as I'm running with small craft advisories, rain and record cold temps.
I ran 3 cobia trips in a row the end of last week and we never saw a fish. The first day was because we caught 75 spanish (released 1/2 of 'em) and I spent more time running up and down the tower and dealing with them than being able to look for flatheads. The 3 kids with Dad on the trip sure had a blast tho-. Any day I can wear kids down is a good one! The next day was dark and dreary and a cobia would have had to jump in the air for us to see 'em. The spanish were still thick tho and we brought 32 in for the fryer. By Friday the water temp had started to drop and even the spanish had left the beach. We had a couple bonita and a few northern mackeral hit our spoons while we looked for non-existent cobia.
Bottom fishing is still good with more nice snapper showing up (and being released) each trip. The opening day of snapper this coming Sunday should have everyone with a great catch as long as the weather lets us go.
Speaking of letting us go- It seems there is a move afoot to make it illeagal to run charters off the beach here in Walton Co.. For all those folks who have enjoyed the ease of getting on the boat at the beach and being fishing in 10 minutes I ask you to contact our county commisioners and let them know how you feel. It would be a shame to lose one of things that makes Grayton such a special place. Would also be a shame to have to drive an hour in the car to Destin or Panama , get on the boat, and then drive another 2 hours to be back in front of Grayton to fish. A few polite words telling our elected officials how much this activity enhances a family vacation would be appreciated. They can be reached at:
Cindy Meadows [email protected]
her district includes Grayton and Seagrove
Scott Brannon [email protected]
Kenneth Pridgen [email protected]
Larry Jones [email protected]
Sarah Commander [email protected]
While I usually try to stay out of politics I would hate to lose the main reason I choose to live here. I can make more $$ running charters out of a marina but the great relationships I have built with my anglers and their families over the years make what I do a great way of life at the beach rather than a job on the water.
The sun will shine and the fish will bite this weekend!!!! Get out there!!!!!!
capt Larry Pentel
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