Fishin' Between the Freezes
Capt. Larry Pentel
January 11, 2010
Destin - Saltwater Fishing Report
Boy has it been cold! I guess my trip to Maine was training for this winter here in sunny (but frigid) Florida! It has been below freezing every night for a week now. Pretty much unheard of to stay cold this long-- where is that global warming I keep hearing about ?
I got to run both days the first weekend of the year. Saturday had it pretty breezy but not too rough up in close. We stayed within 3 miles of the beach and caught lots of snappers, a few redfish, a bunch of pinks and some flounders. We lucked out and had one redfish that was even small enough to keep! I'm afraid my camera had issues so no pics --.My folks had some good dinner material though!
Sunday the wind laid down and it was flat calm by mid day. We caught a tankfull of live baits and blasted offshore about 18 miles to look for Amberjacks. Didn't have to look hard, the first baits all got slammed right away with a couple fine AJ's making it to the surface. We warred with the jacks for a while, keeping the 3 we were allowed in the 25 to 30# range, releasing a bunch and breaking off a few giant ones. Made a couple more stops on the way home. The first one had us put 8 amberines in the box and the second was packing Triggers. We got to keep 8 big Trigs and a few good vermilion snappers to go with our amberjacks. The box was full----
Today was (finally) calm enough to get out again and I had high hopes of blasting back to the Jacks with a bunch of locals. After a few issues from cold temps, a frozen (literally ) control line and livewell we were on our way. We caught a great tank of livebaits up in 70ft of water and started to run offshore. We only made it about 7 miles when the starboard engine started acting up. I pulled the cowling and saw water squirting everywhere. Seems the cold temps had burst a cooling line. I shut it down and we stared to putt in on 1 engine, stopping at the first reef I knew of on the way. Everybody had a grouper bite but I was the only angler to put one in the box. Okay- not a loss, a pretty day and we all get dinner. I started back to the truck (slow go on 1 motor) and realized we would be passing pretty close to where the Redfish had been hangin'.
Lucy, They're Home!
Obviously it was a good guess- We got 13 of the big Bulls to the boat and lost a pile more. I think we had 4 in the 30 to 40 # range. Maybe not the 100# of Jack fillet for the freezer we wanted but a fun catch to save a breakdown day.
Been fishin' for 55 years and he said this was the biggest red he ever caught!
Until he caught this one that was 10# bigger!
Back at the house the engine was a quick easy repair on dry land with the right tools. Gotta love 2 motors!
I'll get back after the Jacks (and groupers!) in a few days again. Groupers will be closed here in the Gulf for all of Feb and March so if the freezer is empty you need to get 'em in the next few weeks---. The big Reds will be in the Gulf pretty much till the cobias show. Great fun and hoot to get to play with ! Just remember that you have to vent 'em before release so they can fight again-
Capt Larry Pentel
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