Report for Destin, Florida - Nearshore

Capt. Larry Pentel
December 10, 2007
Destin - Saltwater Fishing Report

December 10th and it feels like Sep.- I think it'll make 80 degrees today! I love Florida!

I just came back from Indian Pass working on the fish camp over there. I got to fsh a few days but most of the past week I wore my painting hat instead of the guide hat. The trout are still there and haven't moved to the deep holes yet. As always the moving water mkes 'em bite and it is tough to get 'em going at low tide. I ran a redfish trip last week that we finished off with trout. We hit a couple holes in the bay and only had a few bites the first hour. The tide started coming in good and I went back to the first place we started at and my two anglers caught 11 in less than half an hour. Watch those tide charts!

On the first part of that trip I poled around up in the skinny water chasing reds. The fish are there and I was kind of surprised how many we saw given the conditions we had. Dead low tide and a strong East wind with all the "good" spots muddy. I went way up in the back of some tight place to find the clear water. We probably got shots at over 50 fish- the numbers we spooked in the muddy water getting up in there were WAY higher- like I said- the fish are here. I'm about done painting and I think I get to take myself fishing next week !!!! I love to sight fish-Look out reds!

The last few Gulf trips I ran were the end of Nov. and first of Dec.. Still lots of scamps around and a few Black grouper as well. I ran a 5 hour with 4 locals- 2 guys and 2 gals. One fellow has a Gulf boat and fishes himself quite a bit and the other fellow bays fishes regularly so I had experienced anglers. We came in with 10 triggers, 13 scamps and 8 black groupers, 6 of the groupers were in the 15# range. Quite a catch! I'm pretty sure that is the most scamps I have ever caught on a half day beach trip It wasn't that the bite was red hot so much as we didn't miss that many good bites. One of the gals put the first 2 or 3 keepers in the box (scamps)while the other 3 folks were getting blanked so the day started out with some good natured ribbing. The other gal got her first (legal) grouper so I got to make a big deal about it looking a little short and acting like I was throwin' it back- it was a little to big for me to get away with the gag tho!

While the Gulf may be calm and the weather wonderful this is my slow season till Christmas week. Everybody have a great holiday season and I'll write a report in January. I hope Santa brings you what you want- me, I think I'll ask for a weatherman thats accurate! If you're gonna wish- wish big!

Use that vacation time wisely- take a kid fishin' !

Capt Larry Pentel

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