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Report for Destin, Florida - Nearshore
Capt. Larry Pentel
September 18, 2000
Destin - Saltwater Fishing Report
OFFSHORE
As I'm writing this hurricane Gordon is stirring this part of this gulf. While nobody likes a hurricane an awful lot of bottom fisherman like the effects a storm to our East usually produce. The best grouper fishing I have ever seen has come after hurricanes. It is not unusual for the shore bound angler to be able to limit out on gag grouper at the jetties right after a storm. We'll just have to wait and see if "gordon" moves any fish inshore for us.
Snapper fishing has remained strong. I ran two four hour bottom trips last week and we had our limit on both of 'em. One trip we caught our fish too fast and I was afraid we would spend the the last half of the trip chasing tigger after we had our snappers. Once again my crew was in the right place at the right time and our first fly pole out hooked a 30# king. After much ado we got him in the box and I looked over to see we had been visited by a huge school of Dolphin. We came back in with 24 Snapper, 32 dolphin, the big King and 4 Triggers. After all the spinning rod fish we didn't have time to chase triggers!
The King bite is still sporadic. One day the whole fleet limits out in the morning but you can't buy a bite in the PM, then the next day it's just a pick. The big schools of fish still haven't shown up from Louisiana. Maybe next week.
INSHORE
I ran a couple of Bay trips this week and was still unable to find any concentration of specks. We caught a few fish but nothing to get excited about. The Black Snapper fishing on the other hand has been incredible. I took a couple the other day who caught 25 in less than 2 hours and probably missed or broke off as many. ( We only kept 7, enough for several good dinners.) There have also been some big redfish under the bridges but all have been wayyy over the 27" limit. You about have to use cobia tackle to keep 'em out of the pilings. All the fish we've hooked on trout tackle have not made it to the boat. A few awfully exciting fights tho with me chasing the fish around the bridge and my angler on the bow. One of these days we are going to get one over 30# on six pound test, just a matter of odds.
The Tarpon fishing is probably over for the year. With Gordon dumping LOTS of rain in Apalachicola Bay along with a storm surge the fish will more than likely ride the outward flush back South. Try to book Tarpon trips early for next year, the best time is the end of June through August. There are usually fish to catch from the first week of June through the middle of Sept.
Remember, check the jetties early next week when the Gulf calms!!!!!!!
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