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Report for Destin, Florida - Nearshore
Capt. Larry Pentel
August 21, 2007
Destin - Saltwater Fishing Report
WAHOO ! BACK TO GRAYTON
Ran my first trip back off Grayton today in 7 weeks. I'm happy to report that the Red Snappers are doing quite well and are eager to fill the box. Lots of triggers around too tho most were undersize. Our 'bonus" fish today was a wahoo. At 25# not a tournament winner but a mighty fine fish on a half day trip off the beach!! I'm glad to see the snappers still in good numbers this late in the summer-should be a good Fall.
Since my last report the Tarpon fishing went from good to fantastic to "where are they ?". 10 days ago the fishing was as good as I have ever seen it. Thurs. the 9th we jumped 6 and leadered up 2. Dosn't sound fantastic except that one we leadered was 'bout 225# and we fought it for almost 3 1/2 hours, eats up a lot of an 8 hour trip ! We also had 2 triple tails with 1 at 17# on 10# line. Friday we jumped 11 getting to pull a scale from 3 and also caught (several) BIG sharks. Saturday my folks canceled ( sorry Allan- you REALLY missed it !)but the other guides out all said the Tarpon were everywhere and hungry. Sunday Am was slow but in the early afternoon the fish turned on and we jumped 3, landing 1 before having to go in early so my folks could catch a ride. Monday we landed 1 Tarpon and the show just died- we went Triple tail fishin' in the afternoon and landed 6 with the biggest at 22# ( tagged and released 3 with one at 20#- biggest I have ever tagged !)
My last trip was Saturday and we saw fewer fish than I had seen any day all year. The wind blew up and we called it a half day at lunch-- I really think the big low pressures, even far away, really mess with the Tarpon.
The fish are still there, and in some of the best numbers I have seen. While I may not be able to take anyone (from Indian Pass) there are several great guides over there I would be happy to refer anyone to--- Awfully exiting to jump fish bigger than you are!!
The "Dead Fish"'s tally for the season was 61 jumped, 26 to the boat.- Pretty good for running 28 tarpon trips. The biggest I got to leader up was the 225# with the smallest 'bout 50#. Most fish were in the 125# class. We had several "Oh No!" fish on in the 200-300# range including one monster that jumped straight at the boat 8 times with me standing on the throttles in reverse- I told my angler on the bow that the fish was gonna try and eat him!
The scallops are still in pretty good numbers in St Joe bay- look closer to the gulf rather than in the head of the bay--- all the "usual" holes have been hit hard!. There are fewer 'tails this year than I have seen the past few years but more BIG fish than I have ever seen. Lots of fish in the 20-25# range. Remember; "bigger is better!"
capt Larry Pentel
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