Blowin Again !
Capt. Larry Pentel
May 20, 2009
Destin - Saltwater Fishing Report
After a over a week of great fishing weather it's back to blowing. The King Mackerel bite had been red hot since my last report until this North wind started on Monday.
We have been starting out the day by slow trolling live baits for Kings with great success. For about ten days we limited out everyday fairly easily in 2 hours or less. Not only does this make for some fast and exciting fishing but still leaves some time to bottom fish even on a four hour trip. A rack of kings is great, it's even better with a few "bonus" fish.
I started the other day and made a pass around a spot the Kings had been voracious at the day before- not a nibble. Okay , troll around again, this time we had a double bite but with a pair of Mahi in the air!. We landed one, pulling the hook on the other. Never did get a king on that spot but found 'em hot a 1/2 mile away. Good to have lots of spots !
A nice mahi for a bonus!
While there may be 6 folks in this picture only three of 'em were on my boat. When the fish rack's full everybody wants in the pic! I love a good Mackerel Rally!
Everyone wants to share in the Glory!
I talk a lot about "bonus" fish and being lucky. My motto has always been "I'd rather be lucky than good any day!" We got lucky once again last week. While in the middle of a great King bite I was holding the gaff waiting for a king to get within striking range when a big brown shape swims up looking to see what all the commotion was about. I went into overdrive and yelling mode quick, told my angler to leave the king at least 10 feet from the boat, grabbed the spinning rod I keep ready for just things and hooked a live cig up, flipped it right in front of the (big) cobia just to watch him glide right by it intent on the king. I reeled it up, slapped the bait down with a big splash this time and got his attention quick. Fish on !!!! I handed the rod of and told the angler to just hang on while we dealt with the king that was still going crazy by the boat. After a lot of excitement and carrying on we boated a fine cobia. Then went on to limit out with Kings and even find some groupers that were willing to play.
Hard to beat for a 1/2 day trip !
Like I said - This 20 ( now 30) knot Norther shut the Kings down. Monday we had one ,along with a grouper, some pinks , a trigger and a few other assorted bottom feeders. Yesterdays trip I knew we would have to stay in close where in the lee of this howlin' wind I could hold the boat up and not beat my folks up too bad. Tried the kings first again and only got one in 40 minutes. Bottom fishin' up in close can be a lot of releasin' when you can't keep snappers. Once again lady luck was with us though and we found another big cobia ready to give his all to the cause! My poor angler just about gave out but persevered to have braggin' rights for another glory fish, the 12# Black Snapper we got made the keeper board look even better.
Not much in quantity but great quality !
I canceled today's trip after going out and trying to catch bait this AM. It's blowin' a steady 30 knots with gusts to Gale force. As much as I hate not getting paid I couldn't subject folks on vacation to what was sure to be a wet rough ride that wouldn't be fun. This low pressure system will probably hang around a few days keeping everybody on the hill. Oh well, it was great to get a long run of pretty weather and I managed to break lots of tackle and equipment that needs fixin' anyhow!
Get yours ready 'cause when it lays down the bite should wide open!
Capt Larry Pentel
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