Report for Destin, Florida - Nearshore

Capt. Larry Pentel
October 4, 2007
Destin - Saltwater Fishing Report

NE 15-20 and Gusty

Thats been the forcast for a lot of the past 2 weeks. The nice thing about a NE wind is it's still nice right up on the beach off Grayton. Just don't try to get 10 miles offshore. The last part of that forecast is usually " seas 4 to 6 feet". The further offshore you get the more you believe they got it right!

Ran 2 folks this morning on a half day that had a big sea running but the wind laid down (finally)and the gulf was actually pretty nice by 10 AM. We got our limit of snapper pretty easy along with a nice gag and a scamp. I asked if they wanted to keep bottom fishin' or troll and they opted to troll. We added a big spanish and 2 Kings to the box releasing another king and missing a couple more. Not red hot King fishin' but enough bites to keep you interested.

Yesterday I ran a half 7 am to 11 am just trolling. Came in with 6 kings and 2 Spanish About normal for a half- BUT- I couldn't King fish for 2 of our 4 hours. Ran into a school of mahi up in close that put on quite the show. Not Big offshore Bulls but a lot bigger than grasshopper schoolies. They pulled lots of drag on the mackeral tackle and jumped like nobody's business. Ended up with 15 in the box and probably lost that many more.

There have been reports of a red tide bloom and the associated fish kill from some of the Pananma city boats. I have not seen any dead fish off Grayton or the "muddy" looking water from the algea bloom. The worst seems to have been at the end of last week. Hopefully this hard NE wind has brocken it up and blown it offshore. Fishing is pretty good and just getting better- I'd hate to see a big fish kill when everything is bunching up.

I went down to the beach to watch the sunset the other evening and pitched out a couple fleas. Caught a Pompano and a skippie and jumped off another Pompano. This in the last 20 minutes 'fore sunset. I was all fired up and went down 3 days latter an hour and a half before sunset-- never had a bite! Oh well, they are starting to show up anyway. I have heard similar reports from other more dedicated shore bound anglers. The Pomps are showing- just not thick yet. The beach water still shows over 80 degrees on my transducer. The pomps (and the Kings) should get thick when it drops another few degrees.

Less than a month till the end of snapper season- get out there and fill the freezer while you can! I am having fresh Red Snapper ceviche' this evening for my appetizer-- not just 'cause I love it but I know I'll be missing it in February!

capt Larry Pentel

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