Report for Destin, Florida - Nearshore

Capt. Larry Pentel
November 1, 2005
Destin - Saltwater Fishing Report

November 1st and it's a great day to write a report- overcast and drizzly. The last 2 weeks have been pretty nice with the exception of the swell from Wilma. Kinda bouncy in the AM with a NE wind and then real pretty by lunch.

The snappers showed just enough to give us a good seasons end rally. I've got the last batch of ceviche' for the next 6 months in the fridge right now ( guess whats for dinner ). There are still LOTS of grouper around and we get to keep cathin' em! The state decided to not go along with the Feds and groupers are legal up to 9 miles out. As the majority of my trips are within 5 miles we still get to bring in a box o' grouper dinners.

Sat. I ran a regular and his friends- we started out fishing for snappers ( end of the season I thought thats why they picked the date) and had about a dozen in the box when I was asked to change gears and go grouper fishin'. This fellow is one of the luckiest you have ever met- 2 hours left on a halfday and he and his crew put 9 Groupers in the box- threw back probably 3 dozen and lost 6 real ones! One fellow ( who had only been once before) was fishing for triggers with tiny hooks and baits and caught a 12# Red Grouper! We brought in a full box that held 14 Red Snapper, 2 Black Snapper,the 9 groupers and 13 triggers! Course this is the same fellow who (with his wife)got 2 tarpon to the boat over 100# before lunch and the next year had his 12 year old stepson get a 150# silver king -on a day when 2 dozen other boats around us couldn't even jump one. Been twice and has 3 over a cenrury to the boat! He once told me his first time out deer hunting he got a 10 point Buck just over 200#! Luckily for the state he dosn't buy lottery tickets--

One more trip here this week and then I'm off to the "Pass" to run a few redfish and trout trips. I've heard good reports on the trout- they have been ballin' up the shrimp and easy to find under the birds. No redfish reports from over at Indian Pass but I don't think anyone has really been sight fishin' 'em. A regular "flats" boat can't really get up where we put the big jon boats. I just hope this rain is short lived and doesn't muudy up the water. I look forward to sight fishing just about anything !

My son ( who now has his license and is starting to run trips) just called and said they got a 30# red this AM in St. Andrews before the rain statrted- said they boated 7 over 20# yesterday- he's living in St Joe and inside fishes that area 'bout all the time. Luckily for me his boat can't quite get onto my favorite flats---

Capt. Larry Pentel

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