Report for Destin, Florida - Nearshore

Capt. Larry Pentel
November 1, 2007
Destin - Saltwater Fishing Report

Yesterday was the last day of Red Snapper season for the year and only the second calm day since my last report. In the past 17 days I have only been able to run 5 trips. I had to cancel the other 12 days due to high winds and/or rough seas. The weather man is now predicting beautiful weather in the Gulf for the next week to 10 days. I'm off to Indian Pass this morning to sightfish redfish for the next 10 days--- oh well- the other beach launch guides will get to go a bunch.

The red tide is long over (whew!) While it seems like it affected more species of fish at different depths in the water column this year it wasn't as bad as the past few occurances and didn't kill as many fish. I stopped yesterday on a couple spots in close (60') that 10 days ago were empty. They now have fish on 'em again. I got the same report from Capt Kerry Jones out in 85'. Everything seems to be back to normal (pretty quickly in the big picture). The kings have not shown back up in close yet but with the cigar minnows on the second bar and pretty weather I'm confident they too will return. They predators always follow the bait !!!

Yesterdays trip was a couple that fish with me every year this time to put snappers in the freezer. We got our limit and were able to be a little picky releasing some legal fish in good health to save the slot for a bigger one. The tactic paid off as we came in with about half our fish in the 5# to 10# range. It was probably the best snapper bite I have had in a month. They also left some BIG fish on a couple spots to get even bigger next season. I'm gussing we have a movement of fish come in----.

Sunday (28th) I ran a couple that while the husband had fished with me several times it was the first time I had taken the wife. She said she hadn't fished in years and wasn't sure if it would be fun. The first stop we caught a couple short snappers and then she landed a keeper while her husband caught a trigger. She allowed that she would much rather catch trigger than snappers as that was her favorite to eat. Not a problem- I aim to please. I swapped out rods and we went triggerin'. At the end of 4 hours we had 5 snappers and 18 (nice)triggers. We probably threw another 25-30 triggers back that were just short. The best part was she said she'd be back! Seems the trigger have started showing also.

I'm off- the trucks packed and I've got to rig up from deep water to skinny water to start poling folks around tommorow. The current weather should make for some fine sight fishing too!!

The weather is perfect, the beaches are empty, the water is gin clear and the tourists are gone-- What are you doing playing on the computer? Get out there and catch someting!!!!!!

Capt Larry Pentel

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