Lots of Fish, Few Anglers
Capt. Larry Pentel
November 17, 2008
Destin - Saltwater Fishing Report
I guess it's officially winter. The beaches are empty and this last front has got it cold early this morning. Not many folks around wanting to go fishing this week but that's not 'cause there's nothing to catch!
I ran several trips before this front came through and we had plenty of bites to keep everybody going. One of my regulars brought his buddies and we spent 4 hours trying to catch fish for the box in between throwing back Red Snappers. As the photo below shows they did a pretty good job. The guys had a bet on biggest fish but my client threw in a curve- sharks don't count and if you catch a shark it kicks out your biggest fish. Guess who was Way ahead until they caught the little shark on the board ?
The shark "ate up" a $40 bet!
These folks had never been off the beach before and didn't know what to expect. They were worried about catching enough fish to feed 10 folks. After the first 2 stops they were talking about not keeping everything 'cause it was more fish than they could deal with ! While all 3 of 'em caught fish and had fun the Gal figured it out quick and was way excited to be getting bites (and fish )non-stop. I believe she'd have gone everyday for a week!
Nothing'll stretch your string like a Jack!
The bait has left the beach so I poked around a little before I ran my last couple trips. When you are used to being up and on the water at daylight it's hard to change. What I found was the flounders are here! I stopped on a couple little spots in close and ran down strip baits on jig heads. I got flounders (and a couple triggers) everywhere I tried. What got me started was a big show of bait. I ran a sabiki rig and didn't get a thing- tried tipping the bottom couple jigs with squid in case it was bigger baits. After a couple minutes still no bait but I caught a flatfish ! I changed over to the jig head and away we went! The week before Thanksgiving in normally a slow one for charters with next week being a trip everyday. If it's pretty for a a few days like the weatherman is predicting I may have to make a flounder day this week-.
Plenty to do off season- rebuild the trailer,and about 2 dozen reels, build a few rods, gel- coat the deck etc. In between going fishing a little myself and getting in on some great bites in uncrowded waters!
capt Larry Pentel
Destin Fishing Forecast:
Lots of fish- Few boats!
Target Species:
jacks, triggers, Groupers, redfish, trout, flounder
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