Report for Destin, Florida - Nearshore

Capt. Larry Pentel
March 3, 2002
Destin - Saltwater Fishing Report

It's March and everyones thoughts are turning to cobia season. On a sunny day in the next couple of weeks the first cobia of 2002 will be caught just off the sandbar. For the next 6 weeks every pretty day ( and a lot of nasty ones) will have folks straining thier eyes from the top of boat towers for a shot at a "slob". The weather the last couple of years put a lot of the migration offshore of us. The pattern this year seems to be more normal and it is looking like a great season is coming. I've got new drag washers and line on all my big spinning reels all ready and am rarin' to go. My "book" is starting to fill up with dates for folks who claim they want a big one more than me ( not likely). Sight fishing redfish on the flats during the winter is always fun but I'm ready for sight casting to 50-100# ling.

Back at the present the wind is blowin' and the surf up. I had to cancel folks that wanted to Gulf fish this weekend but did get to run a couple of trips last weekend. I had 3 folks who hadn't got to fish for a while just excited about being on the water for 4 hours. We had a respectable box full of triggers and 3 black groupers to show for thier efforts when we came in. They also released 5 Red Snappers in the 8 to 12# range and a dozen "regulars". Sunday I ran a 4 hour with 4 folks who just wanted to glory fish. Big baits only, no 2 hook gear. We fished hard and caught 6 grouper to 17# ( and a 15# snapper) but didn't have the results I was expecting. The moon was full that night and the bite was less than ferocious. Everybody did hook a real one though that either broke off or got into the rocks. A good time must have been had 'cause they booked another trip for this month.

Capt. Larry Pentel

More Fishing Reports:

• All Reports by Capt. Larry Pentel
• Destin Fishing Reports
• Panhandle and Big Bend (Suwannee to Pensacola) Reports
• Florida Fishing Reports
• Browse All Fishing Reports