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Report for Destin, Florida - Nearshore
Capt. Larry Pentel
January 3, 2003
Destin - Saltwater Fishing Report
The past 10 days have been like summer time! Maybe not as warm but there have been lots of folks wanting to go fishing. As always I've been more than happy to be the guy driving the boat.
The weather hasn't been to bad but most of my trips have been inshore at the anglers request. I have primarily been fishin' up the intercoastal waterway for redfish and trout.
The action has been as varied as the weather. The worst trip had 2 anglers catch 5 trout in 4 hours. The best was probably 50+ ( I lost count) in the same amount of time. Same area, same lures just 2 days apart.The most fun (for me) tho was a "kids" trip. Two dads and 3 boys about 7-10. We caught a few small trout and one good 'un then ran into a school of rat reds. I think we boated 'bout 15, kept 3 but had LOTS of bites. Pulled hooks, tangles and broke off fish ( I retied 18 hooks 0n ) kept me hoppin' as hard and fast as I could for over an hour. The best part was the boys never lost interest while the bite was on. They will definately go fishin' again the next time Dad asks.
I haven't had to avoid the Gulf completely. Saturday and Sunday had slick calm days and more kids on the boat. The difference was the Dads were repeats and wanted bigger fish. Sat.'s 4 hour trip had a 12 year old gal catch her 1st groupers including one @18#. Her Dad beat her out by just a a pound or so to save face.They had some fine vermillion snappers, triggers and two more gag groupers added to the box. Sundays 4 hr. had my most competive Father /Daughter duo along with some friends. The wager was who ever got the biggest fish was called "kingfish" around the house for the next week. My 12 year old protege was all over dad for most of the trip with a Black snapper about 8# and a grouper a little bigger while dad farmed several BIG groupers. He finally pulled ahead on the last bite with a 12# Snapper and a grouper that matched. We finished off with 4 gag groupers, 2 red groupers, the Black Snappers, and 2 dozen triggers. On both trips we threw back lots of Red snappers including one at 12#+ that one kid got with no adult help.
Back in the gulf tommorow (Sat.) for what is probably the last trip on the old "Dead Fish". I don't have anything on the books for the next 2 weeks and my new boat will have all the tower welding done by Monday. Thats right, new boat. My carolina skiff hull has been a great beach launch boat but leaves a little to be desired in the comfort catagory. The "new" Dead Fish is a 20 ft. twin vee cat with a 115 4stroke yamaha. Bigger tower, more deck space yada yada. It should run faster, jump higher etc.. and all with less pounding and spray on the passengers. Come check it out.
Capt. Larry Pentel
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