Report for Destin, Florida - Nearshore

Capt. Larry Pentel
July 22, 2003
Destin - Saltwater Fishing Report

Sorry to be off line for so long but I've been at Indian Pass with no computer.

July started out with too much bad weather to keep any fisherman happy. I cancelled my first week of Tarpon trips due to lack of fish from the high surf. The redfish in the back country were biting well so at least we had interesting diversions and good half day trips.

The Tarpon have shown back up and the fish seem to be getting thicker everyday. If the weather will cooperate and stay callm for the rest of the summer August looks to be a banner month.

We only got to fish a little bit this AM untill the weather (lightning) ran us off the water. Saw LOTS of fish tho. Only two boats Tarpon fishing yesterday ( I had a Bay trip) they both reported lots of feeding fish but did not manage to land any.The day before my party got one to the boat we estimated at #145 after a 2 hour battle. The trip prior to that my angler landed one around #80 after just 10 minutes. The fastest I've ever seen a 'poon to the boat. I reckon they are just like folks and some of 'em are lazy, the fish sure jumped nice tho.

Lots of sharks behind the shrimp boats in the AM and lots of (big) spanish for the 1/2 day trips. Yesterday we had 'em 4 to 5 pounds. I haven't got a triple tail over #15 yet this year but I'm lookin' hard. I have an open day next week and if the suns out I think I'll try to catch a triple tail with my fly rod- thats one I haven't done yet.

Capt. larry Pentel

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