Report for Destin, Florida - Nearshore

Capt. Larry Pentel
December 24, 2005
Destin - Saltwater Fishing Report

Merry Christmas !!

I hope everyone gets just what they wanted for the holidays. I'm typing this Christams eve day and I'm just hoping for a better year of weather than last year! No more big storms please Santa!

I haven't run many charters this past month but have got to fish myself quite a bit (yay!)The Gulf Fishery Council in thier infinite wisdom(?)has opened the commercial snapper fishery up for the whole month of December. The 2 good things about this are I get to catch fish myself and it gives a little income in a slow time for charters. I have had a blast. Been running out of Destin 15 to 30 miles ( got to leave the stuff in the back yard alone)and catching a good mess of snappers to sell and triggers for the freezer. Can't sell a trigger- not only would it be a sacrilege for someone to eat one that didn't catch it I think my family would mutiny if it didn't go in one of thier freezers.

While I have been catching mainly "regulars" I have caught a few fish of size, landing one snapper in the 18# class and breaking off ( yes it happens to everybody) several other big 'uns.

Speaking of big fish-- Ran a half day charter last week chasing groupers and one of my 3 anglers landed a 20#+ Snapper. We made pictures and released her ( red snappers are cloed recreationly ). I haven't got to see the pictures yet but what a fish. My folks landed 9 nice Gag Grouper that we kept ( grouper are open for recreation but have been closed commercially for almost 3 months) and 21 Triggers. A fine rack of fish for the "slow" season. If you get a chance to go you need to- there are only so many pretty days in the winter and the fish are here all year unlike the crowds. It's great to be the only boat on the water.

I have not been over to Indian Pass for a while but plan on spending the 1st week or so of Jan. there. I have not heard a redfish report from anyone sightfishing them but I know capt. Tim Harvey has been cathin' 'em good in the traditional manner on his trips. Have heard some great reports on trout from the hot water canal over in P.C. but nothing from the "ditch" between choctawhatchee and west Bay. My son has still been catchin' trout in St. Joe- I never seem to to do well there once it's cold unless I go up the intercoastal but he is still catchin' in the bay-. If you are over that way look him up- Fried Fish Charters-

Have a great New Year. I hope it's filled with beautiful days on the water, fantastic sunsets and (true) tales of giant fish!

Capt. Larry Pentel

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