Fast Fishin' in the Slow Season
Capt. Larry Pentel
February 22, 2009
Destin - Saltwater Fishing Report
The middle of February, traditionally the coldest, slowest part of a fisherman's year. While the "good" weather days aren't as frequent as they will be soon the fishing remains way beyond "good".
The weather patterns this time of year usually give about a 6 hour window of clear sky , no wind and a slick calm Gulf between fronts. When that window comes late in the day , or at night I always feel cheated! It all came together perfectly 2 days ago and I was able to run a few locals out far enough to wear 'em down on the Jacks. The day started out cold with a howlin' North wind. I keep up with the weather as best as I can and felt that by mid day everything would be perfect. I launched the boat about 10;30 and the wind started laying down around 11 AM. My folks came down to the beach at 11:30 and by quarter to 12 we were blasting offshore at 22 knots on a gulf that resembled a lake. A quick trip out 10 miles to fill the livewell with a wigglers (they also caught a HUGE trigger!) and another run to the Jacks. By a a little after 1PM all three of my anglers were holding on with doubled over rods.
Hooked Up and Hangin' On !
Now I love to light tackle fish some days but a 6/0 with the drag beat down and a big school of starvin' Amberjacks will keep the adrenaline flowin' and get rid of the worst winter fishin' blues faster than any other cure around! We battled with the jacks until we were out of live bait keeping 2 just over the 30" to the fork limit. I asked my folks how they were holding up and they wanted more! We eased over a 1/2 mile to a little piece of bottom and filled up the live well again and headed back to the Jack wreck. Now experience and common sense would say that the bite should have been slower on the 2nd go around---- It started out that way but all of a sudden the size of the fish jumped up and I'm throwin' back fish a good deal larger than what bit the first go 'round ! We stayed with the school releasing all but 1 more for the box along with a fine Red Snapper around 14#. I counted 23 of the powerhouses that my folks got up for me to release - not counting all the ones that released themselves!
A couple of those "non- existent" Red Snapper that seem to be everywhere.
We went on and caught a few more triggers and released a nice Gag Grouper before running in and hitting the trailer right at 5. We never saw another boat all day! A perfect winter day on the Gulf. There are plenty to be had if you time the weather!
Future Fried Fish Sandwiches!
The Sheepsheads are staring to show up inshore and the redfish bite has not really seemed to have slowed much all winter. Trout re-open in a week and there will be a lot more folks running the Bays and Bayous to take advantage of the inshore fishes starting to get on the spring bite. I'm in the middle of wrapping a few cobia rods but should be able to find a little time to join 'em !
Don't forget to slow down as go by that pond or lake you pass everyday- the Bass are starting the spring thing as well. I talked with a buddy who had a big 'un eat a weightless worm in one of the 30A lakes the last warm sunny afternoon-
Good Luck and Go Fishin' !
Capt. Larry Pentel
Destin Fishing Forecast:
Put new line on your reels and sharpen your hooks. If you get a pretty aftrenoon off be ready for it all start !
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