Mack Attack
Capt. Larry Pentel
May 20, 2008
Destin - Saltwater Fishing Report
For the past week the King Mackerel have been ferocious. There were a couple mornings where you about had to hide the hooks and bait under the rail before you threw it over! Alas, this morning they just didn't want to chew. They are still there as we had several "short" strikes where the kings just clipped the tail off the baits but somehow managed to elude the 6 hooks back there. Kings have that on/off switch that is either one way or the other in the summer. It sure was fun this week when it was in the ON position!
A limit of Kings first thing and then off to bottom fish- the perfect half day trip!
Still lots of Snappers around and the grouper bite has been pretty good as well. If we didn't bring in a grouper or several lately it hasn't been the fishes fault. They are crafty though and we fried all the dumb ones years ago. The smart ones are all that are left and the bigger they are the smarter they are!
This crew of locals (and wannabe locals) managed to outwit a great board of fish on a 6 hour
Still a few cobias around though not really running the beach. We have been fortunate to catch several the past couple weeks that just swam up to while bottom fishing or were on the top in the same area as the boat--- yesterday we were running in (at 20 knots) and I glanced over and saw one cruising along about 4 miles offshore. I throttled down, turned the boat and climbed up the tower as fast as I could. After about 10 minutes of looking we found him, right back cruising on top. I pitched a live cig and he inhaled it. My angler did a great job of fighting him but when he came to the boat I grabbed the leader rather than gaff him and threw
'em on the cooler lid. Sure enough- about an eight inch short of the magic 33" fork length. Oh well- we'll get 'em next year when he weighs 50 lb.s!
A nice cobia is a welcome addition to an already great catch
There has also been a lot of grass floating around inshore with schooly dolphins bunched up around any big piece of trash in the weed lines. We have had a couple trips where we wore 'em out. Not only are they beautiful colors and acrobatic jumpers but they fry up pretty darn good too!
Lots of different choices. Just be ready for anything this time of year. While I'd ALWAYS rather be lucky than good a lot of luck is being prepared for your opportunities!
Only 5 weeks till Tarpon Season!!!!!-- All these fish and so little time!
Capt Larry Pentel
Destin Fishing Forecast:
just getting better all the time-
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