Dead Fish report - Capt. Larry Pentel [Archive]

Mr. Limpet

06-29-2005, 11:08 AM

Capt. Larry Pentel

Fishing Report for:
Destin, Florida (nearshore).
Updated: June 28, 2005.

My last day in South Walton and I didn't get to run my trip. The weather, while calm; was rather wet today and I ddn' want to risk running my party into one of the predicted "scattered to numerous thunderstorms". Oh well, at least there's a few fish that got a break today!

Great last week of fishing here tho-. Yesterday we mackeral fished for a couple hours and they were hot. My anglers went 7 for 14 on the kings and a big barracuda. We had closure issues on boating 'em for a while including one BIG king in the 35-40# range. ( If you listen to the guide and do it the way he suggests it usually works better) We went on to the other thing for the balance of out 4 hours and had LOTS of big bottom bites. My anglers landed 2 and half(shark bite)nice keeper groupers, 4 snappers and a shark (not the same one). I also tied on so many leaders and hooks from them losing fish to the bottom ("if you listen to the guide....") I thought I'd run out. Lots of action.

The day before we'd run the same play but went 10 ( limited out) for 11 on the kings. The bottom catch was great also with 13 snappers and two of the biggest triggers of the year along with some grouper. That was a family trip with mom, dad and a 5 and 9 year old. Mom and dad did most of the pretty work on the kings but the 9 year old was hot on a slip lead. He got the biggest snappers,triggers and the most groupers! I'd hear his rod hit the rail, run over to help steady it ( at first I was worried 'bout keeping it in the boat)and watch him dig in. I think dad's in trouble- this kid's gonna wanta be chasing stick fish and tarpon by the time he's 12!!

While I won't miss the traffic jams or the crowded beaches while I'm gone over to Indian Pass I am kinda thinking I'm missing some stick fish. We saw another sailfish while bottom fishing this past week and got a halfhearted strike out of 'em. I've seen 2 more early at daylight while out catching bait for my charter. Capt Jody Wesley who also fishes out of Grayton said he hooked one a few days ago and got 5 jumps before he threw the hook.

I'll have lots of jumping fish in the next few weeks I'm sure. (used to be capt) Randall Jones called me today to say he saw a Tarpon at the boat ramp this morning and another one free jumping at the mud hole this afternoon while he was showing real estate. Also, he told one of his RE cients how to catch 'em and the fellow jumped one in West Pass last week. The fish are there I've just got to get over there and start launching 'em--"Houston, we have ignition !!!!

If any body is coming down next week I've still got some open days- I'm 'bout booked for the end of July but have 3 days next week- lets go Tarpon fishin'!!!!

Capt. Larry Pentel

http://cyberangler.com/reports/fl/pentel

http://www.deadfishcharters.com (http://www.deadfishcharters.com/)

Mr. Limpet

06-29-2005, 11:14 AM

E-mail Larry and let him know Mr. Limpet wants him to post pictures of my friends here so that I may inform their relatives.

captdeadfish@yahoo.com (captdeadfish@yahoo.com)

kurt

07-27-2005, 07:35 AM

Fishing Report for:
Destin, Florida (nearshore).
Updated: July 24, 2005.

Hoo Boy! what a july--the storms seem like they just keep coming!

After cleaning up and rebuilding from Dennis I finally got to start running trips at Indian Pass this past Monday. Ran a 1/2 day shark trip with a father son crew. Caught a bunch of sharks, saw a few Tarpon and even had one eat a bait ( pulled off right away). Woke up Tuesday AM to start getting serious with Tarpon to find a 4 foot swell from Emily that quickly went to 6 ft. It ran till thursday AM and scattered the fish all over.

The triple tails have been thick and have provided a great diversion while waiting for the Tarpon to gang back up. I ran a half day trip today just for 'tails and we had one pushing 20# and another right at 10#. Just one angler and he had shots at 8. ( we killed the 10# for dinner-released the big one). Thursday we went 5 for 14 on 'tails after giving up on Tarpons. Love that sight fishin'.

There was a Tarpon caught late yesterday evening by another boat( first one since the storm) and I spoke with Capt Earl Middleton around noon who said he found a big school of fish busting and feeding about 10 miles from where I was triple tail fishing early in the morning that went on for 2-3 hours, HOPEFULLY this is a sign that things are coming back to normal. I've got trips the next 6 days and most of 'em are for Tarpon. It would be great to be back puttin' 'em in the air. They showed real thick right before Dennis. If it stays hot dry and calm we should be launching 'em daily

Capt Larry Pentel

Miss Kitty

07-27-2005, 09:09 AM

kurt

08-19-2005, 07:03 AM

August 10, 2005.

As I've said before-the tarpon like it hot, dry and,calm-not exactly the weather we've been having. After getting over Dennis and then the surf from Emily the fish did what they were supposed to and ganged back up on the beach in the pogies. We had several days of "just right " and saw the show and launched some Tarpon just like it's supposed to be. Then the weather pattern changed and it rained for 8 days-. Not your summer afternoon 15 minute shower but thunderheads at all hours and some toad stranglers. I think I burned more fuel running from storms than chasing fish. Once again the Tarpon got scattered and pushed offshore. According to the weatherman this is behind us and we've got one last shot at "normal" weather. The fish are still here. There are Tarpon in West Pass even with all the fresh water pouring out from the river. I'm seeing fish scattered out offshore. Given a few days of "hot, dry and calm" the pogies will fall back to the beach and the Tarpon will follow.

Not that the fishing hasn't been fun and exiting. I ran a trip with one of my regulars and his son and nephew that had us land 3 tripletails with the largest at 20# on a good scale. The biggest he's ever caught in 30+ years of serious fishing. We also had some great shark action and had Tarpon crashing and thrashing all around the boat for 2 hours till the weather ran us in. While cleaning the 'tails my client said they had one of the best days fishin' ever it just didn't include catchin' a Tarpon. Now this fellow got 2 Tarpon to the boat each day he fished with me last year and had a "real" one spool him as well so I figured they probably had a good time---

Ran a half day with a dad and two boys who were moving from the South to Kansas ( I think thats one of those square states near Canada) This was thier last big beach trip and they went back with lots of pictures to show the kids up North what they did on vacation. Had a great shark show behind the shrimp boats first thing and took plenty of "smiling" shark pics. Then went and looked for 'tails for a couple hours and found 8. We succeded in capturing 3 of 'em and even got them in the right size order to match the anglers!

And then there's the big school of jack cravelle that hung around for a week. One of my anglers put one in the boat I called 40#. Definately the biggest jack I ever seen in all my years--

back to Grayton in about 2 weeks- I hope to add a few more tarpon scales to scrapbooks first.

Capt Larry Pentel

kurt

09-01-2005, 10:06 AM

Fishing Report for:
Destin, Florida (nearshore).
Updated: August 27, 2005.

Back in Seagrove and back looking at yet another hurricane!! Katrina now looks like she is going to give the folks in La. a headache but yesterday AM the weather gurus had her aimed here so I canceled fishing for the weekend. Oh well, I'd rather miss a day or so than a week or 2----

Came back to South Walton Monday PM and ran my first trip here Wed.. family trip, mom dad and 3 kids who had never been fishing before. I told them thier parents had failed them in educating them to wait till the oldest was 13 to go fishin'! I made converts out of all the kids with a great trip on a beautiful day. The kids 2 hook fished and mom and dad got the crash course in slip lead fishin' and Kings. The kids tallied 18 triggers, 20 vermillion snappers and lots of throwbacks while the parents got 2 red snappers, 3 spanish and three kings. The kings were impressive too- one at 'bout 15# and the pair 'round 30#. The kids (and the folks) had a great time and I'm sure that next vacation they will pester the heck out of the folks to go again- I call that job security- get those kids hooked!!

Thurs. had more job security. 2 Dads and 2 small boys with a similar catch for the little guys and the dads had a pair of groupers and a big snapper. When we hit he beach at the end of our 4 hours the kids had allready started on wanting to go again.

Yesterday (Fri)was all grown up folks that got on the boat talking grouper. Didn't want to fish for kings, just groupers-. The wind was a little blowy to go far offshore but we pulled a rabbit out of the hat and had great catch for our 4 hours. 3 Red Groupers, 3 gag Grouper, 9 Red Snapper, a nice Black Snapper and 1 just legal king ( I convinced 'em that it would be delicious if they cooked it fresh).

Just coming back after being gone for 2 months I've got to fish the tried and true first and then go look around a little till i find whats happening with the fish. Only three trips and all of 'em inshore but this is what I saw. The hurricane (Dennis) moved about half the wrecks I looked for. The fact that a bunch didn't move makes me hope the ones that did didn't go far and can be found easily. The ones I found had very few fish om 'em and almost all shorts. The good fish I found were on natural bottom. I did not find any big shows of Red snapper, at least not legal ones. A couple of big stands of 12-15" fish. We caught a LOT of short grouper on the 3 little 4 hour trips. Yesterday we probably caught 50. With all these small fish up on the beach I think there will probably be a bunch of bigger ones out a little. With Katrina predicted to kick up a huge sea even over here the fish will move again. If she does go in over 'round La. we will probably get a movement of bigger Snappers back in. Hopefully all this will get through quickly and I can go "exploring". For me one of the best things about moving around to chase fish is it keeeps it exciting, always finding something new and different almost every trip.

Capt Larry

kurt

09-15-2005, 02:52 PM

Fishing Report for:
Destin, Florida (nearshore).
Updated: September 11, 2005.

Northwest Florida in September. Just another day in paradise. The weather is great, hot but not sweltering. Clear high skies, no lines at the grocery and the beach is back to us locals, even on the weekends. Fishin' aint bad either.

There are still a few visitors around and luckily for me some folks want to fish. Ran 2 couples on a half day today from Kansas (isn't that one o' them "square states" ?)who had never been saltwater fishin' before. We did a lot of training ( no you can't yank, yes that was a bite etc. ) and they had a blast. Not the best catch of the year but they'll do a lot better next time, and as much fun as they had I know there will be one. We caught a lot of "shorts" we recycled but brought in a king, 3 red groupers, one black grouper, 4 snappers and 10 triggers .

Yesterday I ran 5 14 year olds as a birthday party. I know the b-days boys parents so I was sure to put 'em on a stand of triggers from the get go for mom's freezer. I don't think I've ever had to bait hooks that fast (or often) till they got it figured out. The triggers on that reef won't have to eat for a week! They tallied 16 triggers, a king, 3 red groupers, 2 black grouper and 13 red snappers along with dozens of throwbacks. I figuured I had done my job pretty well when I had 3 of the 5 sittin' down and wore out before our 4 hours was up. Course they were back to skim-boarding while I cleaned the fish. Wish I could recover that fast!

Katrina kicked up a big sea but didn't seem to move many fish around offshore. The flounders had just started showin' up on the beach but are now MIA after the storm. I hope they show back up. The triggers are showin' up good and should just get better for the next couple of months. There don't seem to be a lot of snapper around but there are quite a few groupers. Ran a couple of 5 hour trips where we targeted 'em a little more and had 9 nice uns along with 8 snapper on one and 6 ( 3 big blacks)with 14 snappers on another. The pompano should be showin' but haven't really appeared since the storm.

All in all we lucked out and dodged a bomb. My heart goes out to my friends and clients from the storm ravaged areas. The ones I've talked to are upbeat and planning on rebuilding. Hang in there guys- you can't fight mother nature. As long as the families ok everything else is just "stuff". We can make lots more fish pictures!

Capt Larry Pentel

tropicwatch

09-15-2005, 07:05 PM

Have not been fishing in over a month. Going through withdrawals. If I can get my Honey do's done, I will try to put a line in the water this weekend. Let you know what is biting in Panama City.

Tropicwatch (http://tropicwatch.info)

kurt

10-30-2005, 07:41 AM

Fishing Report for:
Destin, Florida (nearshore).
Updated: October 16, 2005.

I apologize for being so remiss in writing a report. The good folks at cyberangler sent me an e-mail telling me I hadn't written in a while ( which I kinda blew off). When my charter fussed at me 'cause he couldn't read a report before we went I thought I'd better write.

Ok- the first few weeks I didn't write we had a hurricane (Rita)- then it blew out of the north 30 knots for a week- then we had a red tide that made it miserable to be on the beach. So much for the bad news. The reason I haven't written lately is that it's been BEAUTIFUL and I've fished the past 10 days in a row.

North winds in the AM diminishing by lunch, slick calm on the beach, crystal clear water and lots of bait on the sandbar. just like it's supposed to be in October!!!!!

The triggerfish have moved in thick and the folks that want em have been able to limit out no problem. Day before yesterday we had 40 trigger, 11 red snapper and 2 nice Red grouper on a 4 hour!

I have been running a lot of "family" trips and the triggs make it easy for me. It may take an hour for me to teach a grown up how to catch 'em but kids get it quick- and they love to show up the parents!

The kings haven't been real thick yet this fall but we have caught a few. They had shown real well prior to Rita but seem to have been blown somewhere other than here. The snapper seem to be moving in. Every day this week it seems I check a spot that was "dead" and it's got a school of Red Snapper on it now. The big "sows" haven't hit the beach yet but I'm hopefull they show before the season closes in Nov. Right now we are throwing back at least 2 for every one we keep-luckily we are throwing back a BUNCH!

Still quite a few grouper around. Lots of throw backs but we seem to average a couple keepers even on the 4 hour trips. The black snapper are just starting to show for fall. We had 2 today along with a dozen reds, a black grouper, 12 triggers and a king on a half day. Made for a nice board of fish

Two weeks of snapper season left. Still don't know whats going to happen with groupers in State waters. The Feds are for sure shutting groupers down beyond 9 miles starting Nov. 1 till Jan.1. The state didn't see the need and the last I heard we are still going to be able to grouper fish all my usual spots. It's amazing that we have had the best show of grouper for the past 2 years that I can remember ( short of "moved" fish after a storm) and now the Feds decide they are in trouble. The advertised rational is that Red Grouper are declineing (?)so thay are shutting down all grouper-

The only logical thing they have down is lower the grouper limit in Federal waters ( when it's open) from 5 to 3 fish per person. I never understood why the grouper limit was higher than the snapper limit! This should help the grouper population from getting hammered so hard right after a big storm and they are easy pickins. Besides- if your on a all day trip with a bigger boat- 6 anglers- capt and deckhand thats still 24 groupers you can keep! 2 Dozen should be enough for anybody! Maybe we can get the state to go along with that part of the rule------

Capt Larry Pentel

Paula

10-30-2005, 06:13 PM

Are these fishing trips available between Christmas and New Years? We'll be there with 5 adults and 3 kids (ages 13, 11, and 6) and it could be fun. Thanks.

kurt

10-30-2005, 06:46 PM

Are these fishing trips available between Christmas and New Years? We'll be there with 5 adults and 3 kids (ages 13, 11, and 6) and it could be fun. Thanks.

Check out Larry's website in the first post for contact info.

Paula

10-31-2005, 06:31 AM

Thanks, Kurt, will do.

kurt

12-21-2005, 09:39 AM

Fishing Report for:
Destin, Florida (nearshore).
Updated: November 29, 2005.

It's officially winter as most of my guide and captain buddies are off thier boats and into the woods with smokesticks. I think I'm the only fishhead around that dosn't hunt deer. Ilove to eat 'em, have cleaned dozens and make some of the best jeky you've ever had but pullin' the trigger does nothing for me. I'll chase birds or squirrels with a shotgun and have a blast tho! Lucky for me I've got enough friends that shoot more than they want to clean so my freezer stays full all winter.

The other sure sign of winter is these fronts coming through so fast. I was booked up for 8 days right at Thanksgiving and had to cancel half my trips and got talked into running one we came in early on. We caught plenty of fish but when it's pouring rain and only 60 degrees even most hardcore folks will give up. Of the three anglers on the boat that day only one was fussin' bout' having to quit early. The other three days were wonderful including one of those "magic" days.

If you've read my read ramblings for a while you'll remember me mentioning a dad and 2 daughter team that have fished with me reularly for 5-6 years. The girls are now 13 and 15 and can outfish most men ( they have embarassed several of dad's buddies). I got to take them on the day after Thanksgiving. We left the beach late ( 10AM) to take advantage of a dying North wind. By 11 AM the Gulf was as slick as it gets in August without the heat or humidity. At 2:05 PM we hit the beach with the cooler full of groupers . The biggest was in the 25# range caught by the 13 year old. Now as anyone who has done it knows a 25# "beach" grouper isn't like deep water grouper fishing. These fish fight all the way to the surface, try to run up and down the reef and don't quit even when in the boat. This gal is not a tomboy either but a demure little girl who likes pink things and ponies-. She and her sister just happen to be some very "bad ***" fisherman. Our total box was 18 grouper and 6 trigger with dozens of shorts being thrown back, The 15 year old gal caught the most landing a fish almost every drop and never missing a down. Dad came in second on the head count but he missed a few downs having to rest after a few better ones and missing a few more bites than his older daughter. Probably the most grouper the boat has ever seen on a 4 hour trip. The ones we kept weren't "just legal" either but a fine grade of fish. I just love it when a plan comes together!!

Not many trips left on the books this time of the year. There will be a bunch of folks down around Christmas and New Years wanting to fish but other than that it's time to work on boats and tackle. I hope santa brings everyone what they want for christmas- me I'm fine, just want more pretty days on the water..

capt Larry Pentel

Landlocked

12-21-2005, 11:06 AM

You been recently, Kurt?

kathydwells

12-21-2005, 12:54 PM

I loved reading this fishing report Kurt. Thanks so much for posting it. It reminded me when I was little up until my teens, I used to go fishing with my dad every Saturday and usually on Sunday. We would get up before the sun and get the boat loaded up and hit the river, not to come back until sundown. I sure do miss those day's, and this report sure brought back some wonderful memories!!!!!!

kurt

12-21-2005, 01:17 PM

You been recently, Kurt?

No, but I may hit some trout this afternoon. Weather.com says it's 53 today but it feels like 75 to me.

Landlocked

12-21-2005, 01:31 PM

No, but I may hit some trout this afternoon. Weather.com says it's 53 today but it feels like 75 to me.

Love specs. Yumm!

kurt

01-16-2006, 04:25 PM

Fishing Report for:
Destin, Florida (nearshore).
Updated: January 10, 2006.

A New Year!! I rang in the begining of another year of chasing finny critters over at Indian Pass. I can gladly report that the redfish are there and hungry.

I had several days of great weather conditions and low tides letting my anglers and I toss imitation temptations in front of hundreds of fish. Had 2 days where we saw over 300 fish each day and my anglers had shots at over 100 daily. The most memorable fish was a 32" red (12#?)that was caught on a fly- dang fish fought for 20 minutes and was still spunky when released. We caught fish on traditional 12# spinning tackle and on down to ultra lites with 4# as well as flies.

Alas the weather is warm again ( 75 in Jan. !!) and the wind has swung back South so I came home to Seagrove till the next cool snap. I did trout fish 2 days over there when conditions weren't favaorable for sight fishin' with good success. Fished Appalchicola Bay one afternoon and found a school of fish eager to bite- 'bout half of 'em legal-only a couple a "good' ones tho with the biggest at 20". Spent an afternoon "up the ditch" and found lots of fish- get a bite every cast for 5 or 6 casts and then that many casts to find the school again. These were all smaller fish with one out of 7 or so being keepers

The Grayton gang only had 2 days that were fishable offshore while I was gone. The boats I talked with found their share of grouper but said they had to run around some- glad there are still some left!

Unless you can get one of these picture perfect winter days for the Gulf the best bets for the next 2 months will be reds on the flats- trouts in the holes and deep pockets ( ditches) and of course, sheepshead around any large structure.

Go get 'em !!!! Every day you miss is one you can't replace !!!!!

Capt Larry Pentel

kurt

02-21-2006, 05:02 PM

Fishing Report for:
Destin, Florida (nearshore).
Updated: February 20, 2006.

I know it's been a while since I wrote a report but it's that time of year when a good captain does boat work instead of fishinin'. A good rule of thumb is that every hour spent fishing requires 20 to 30 minutes of time spent working on eqiupment. During the summer when I'm running every day I spend about a hour a day just fixing whatever "glitch" needs it after cleaning the boat- this means that during the winter I have all that catching up to do---. By the end of this week all three boats and all those dozens of rods and reels will be ready to go again. Until the first few trips when I'm back to fixin' that daily "glitch" !!

While the weather for the past month has been pretty rough we finally got a break last weekend. On Saturday I ran a Dad and 2 eight year olds on as pretty a day as the Chamber of Commerce could have ordered. Foggy on the beach, small swell and pure glass and bright sun offshore. By 10 AM I was down to my short sleeves and wishing I had shorts on instead of jeans. The fish seemed to be enjoying the weather also. Our 4 hour trip boxed 5 nice grouper ( up to 17#) 3 redfish just under the upper slot, two triggers and couple dozen big pinks. We released a big redfish and a bunch of short groupers.

On Sunday I ran three anglers who had never been in the Gulf before but were hard core bass anglers. The day started cold and windy but I knew what was coming so we started late ( 9:45). The plan payed off as at 11:00 the wind died to nothing, the sun came out and it was another beautiful day. We did have a few issues with the " don't yank" technique, as all bass oriented folks do but we came back in with 7 nice groupers and a triggerfish. My folks were exited by how much meat they got on a half day trip. If they had gone during snapper season it would have been hard to carry the fillet bags as we threw back a bunch of good sized red snappers.

The surface water temp on the beach was 57- 61 about 4 miles offshore. There were HUGE schools of bait in 60 to 75 ft. water. Not cigar minnows or herring but smaller minnows about 2 to 3 inches long locally called silversides or anchovies. If all this bait stays in close there should be a movement of fish back inshore pretty soon. I tried a few spots in close but as usual for this time of year they were devoid of life- best fishing was from 85 ft on out, about 4 miles offshore and beyond. The fact I found the school of redfish on Sat.( in 70 ft.) is a good indication that the predators are starting in after the bait.

Only 1 month till cobia season !!!!!!!!! I had dreams about 'em this weekend and had a rod ready while bottom fishing,- just in case.

Capt Larry Pentel

kurt

03-23-2006, 10:35 PM

Fishing Report for:
Destin, Florida (nearshore).
Updated: March 21, 2006.

It must be spring! The roads are packed with cars full of kids and there are bikinis on the beach!!

The fish have noticed and are starting the yearly move inshore- it must be that first bikini in the water that makes 'em start in---. I ran trips 3 days last weekend and we did good. I was supposed to run the past 2 days also but along with spring we get these fronts moving thru that make it a little to rough to be fun.

I bottom fished my clients and have not looked for cobias yet. There have been a few caught but the run has not really started. Amidst all the rumors I only know of half a dozen actual confirmed fish. This with several dozens boat looking multiple days--. I'm going to wait till this front is over and it warms back up ( 75 now but supposed to be 40 tomorow nite!) before I run a real cobia trip.

The triggers have moved back in to the inshore reefs along with the Red snappers. We caught a pile of snappers with 3 over 10# on one of my half days this week. All have to be released untill April 15th but they still fight good and photograph well! My 3 anglers had 19 triggers and 2 Black groupers in the box when we hit the beach so nobody went hungry without the snappers.

Still quite a few Groupers around. Ran a half with a couple of "regulars and 2 buddies and came in with 8 grouper (4 red, 4 black). 'Course the regulars landed 7 of the 8 and the buddies learned a bunch about short water grouper fishin'. Just 'cause you get the bite doesn't mean you can land the fish! On my last trip we were mainly after triggers ( came in with our 40 fish limit) but also had a couple grouper. The biggest was a red about 15# that ate a little tiny piece of squid on a trigger rig! The angler had quite the battle with the big boy AND a trigger on the little penn 3/0. Another great (true) fish story to tell his buds-

Lots of big schools of small minnows on the sand bar and big schools of cigs out in 75 to 90 feet. No sign of spanish or pompano yet though. My last trip the beach water was 65.5 degrees. After this blow is over and the sun comes back out it should hit the magic 67 degrees pretty quick. I believe this is going to be one of those years when the flood gates just open up and all of a sudden one day everything is here and hungry.

I plan to be cobia fishing that day--- come join me.

Capt Larry Pentel

Beach Runner

03-23-2006, 11:24 PM

Sister and family went fishing last week at SoWal. They got some trigger, but the groupers were too small, and they had to throw them back in.

captdeadfish

03-24-2006, 06:33 AM

God made a whole lot more little ones than big ones---Still fun to catch and I'll eat a trigger over a grouper any day!- they just don't photgraph as well!

kurt

03-24-2006, 08:46 AM

God made a whole lot more little ones than big ones---Still fun to catch and I'll eat a trigger over a grouper any day!- they just don't photgraph as well!

:welcome: Captain! We've been waiting for you to show up on our forums. Thanks for letting me post your reports. Feel free to do it yo'self or add on, etc. :clap_1:

http://graytonbeach.com/041017-064.jpg

peapod1980

03-24-2006, 08:49 AM

God made a whole lot more little ones than big ones---Still fun to catch and I'll eat a trigger over a grouper any day!- they just don't photgraph as well!
Mmmmm...love me some triggerfish!

Smiling JOe

03-24-2006, 08:53 AM

:welcome: Captain! We've been waiting for you to show up on our forums. Thanks for letting me post your reports. Feel free to do it yo'self or add on, etc. :clap_1:

http://graytonbeach.com/041017-064.jpgWell, that photo above makes me want to gather a small group for a trip out to sea. Any takers?

30A Skunkape

03-24-2006, 09:07 AM

Captain Larry taught me to HATE dolphins...if you don't understand why, ask him! :funn:

Smiling JOe

03-24-2006, 09:09 AM

Captain Larry taught me to HATE dolphins...if you don't understand why, ask him! :funn:I know many fisherman who really hate Dolphins. They are bad for the fishing business. It is somewhat like having owning a bank and having thieves hang out by the front door waiting to prey on the customers. :blink:

Maybe the Captains should sell cameras, because the fishing is all over when the Dolphins come it -- you may as well start pulling in the lines and getting out the cameras for some wildlife photographic opportunities. ;-)

redfisher

03-24-2006, 11:56 AM

You wait till your kayak is between the dolphin and baitfish...Hey, the salinity in the bay seems pretty high...anybody been pullin a lot of trout out and if so where?

jdarg

03-24-2006, 12:55 PM

Speaking of dolphins- I was reading the link on the "Who Saw this Unfold in Real Life" thread, and on the same link was an article that said 20 dead dolphins have washed up on SoWal beaches lately!:idontno:

Beach Runner

03-24-2006, 01:23 PM

I just munched on the last piece of this the night before last.

Smiling JOe

03-24-2006, 01:27 PM

kurt

04-24-2006, 08:22 AM

Fishing Report for:
Destin, Florida (nearshore).
Updated: April 10, 2006.

After a slow start the cobia run is in full swing. I ran my first trip for 'em on Monday ( the 3rd)and am happy to report we saw 4, captured 1 and let another (that was a little too short) continue his travels on to La.

We ran three more trips for the brown backed crab crunchers this week and got at least one every trip. Now if I can just keep this up for the rest of the month I'd really be good-(read extremely lucky). Any way- 4 trips- all 1/2 days and 6 fish. I love to sightfish-redfish , tripletails, cobias it's all good. The best is what ever season it is NOW.

Speaking of tripletails- They usually show up with the cobia and this year is no exception. My son Will (Fried Fish Charters)who lives in St. Joe and guides over there says the Tripletails are thick. He got one each of the past 2 days while on trout trips. Says he saw 6 one trip and 8 the next- I told him my cobias weighed more----

Too rough to fish today with a front coming through. I needed a day off to catch up and do things like write this. I have fished the past 12 days and untill this week have been pounding the bottom pretty hard. We have been doing real good with the triggers and still catching quite a few groupers most days. With the cobia here it's time to give the bottom a rest untill the 15th - that's when Red Snapper open back up. With the size of some of the Snappers we have been releasing lately this opening should be exiting. Thursday I ran a bottom trip and we let 4 snappers go over 10# !! The folks got pictures and were exited .The dad and two sons had a great picture made with thier 5 groupers and dozen triggers we kept too-.

Snappers open on a Saturday this year and it also happens to be Easter weekend. The gulf is going to be VERY crowded. If you go out in your own boat please show a little consideration for all the other anglers. Don't run right up to somebaody allready fishing unless it's a big public spot. If your running to a spot and another boat is fishing in your path- give 'em a wide berth and curve around. A little courtesy can make a big difference out there- Remember-It's supposed to be fun for everyone.

capt Larry Pentel

kurt

05-21-2006, 07:14 AM

Fishing Report for:
Destin, Florida (nearshore).
Updated: May 14, 2006.

Warm days, clear water and lots of fish- It must be summer!

While the cobia season may have been a let down everything else is coming in right on schedule. The snappers have started moving further inshore and the kings are showing up thick as fleas one day and gone the next ( as they are supposed to!)There has been a lot of grass in close and you never know just what is going to be on the board when you come in.

Ran 4 folks I had never fished before on a referral last week. They got on the boat with a bunch of fly tackle so I questioned thier intent on booking a bottom trip (?) They said no, they wanted snapper and grouper but if an oppoutunity presented itself they wanted to fly fish- fair enough but asking a lot on a 4 hour! As I always say- I'd rather be lucky than good. These folks knew how to fish and we had a great box with 11 red snapps, a black, a couple lanes, 6 (count 'em, six)nice groupers, 3 kings and bunch of BB,s and trigs. With about 20 minutes left to fish I'm runnin' to another snapper spot and we hit a big weed line. A quick conference and the deciion is made to troll the line and look for mahi. We worked the line dragging live baits with no action for 15 minutes till we reached the end on a big grass island. I saw a nice tripletail at the very edge from the tower and had a flyrodder on the bow throw at him. The tail struck but missed and as I'm looking for any other targets before we run in I glanced down and saw the electric green glow of a mass of dolphins coming up from down deep. I start yelling at the flyrodders to get ready and grabbed a spinning rod to try to get 'em fired up. The short version is we came in 45 minutes late with a dozen mahi in the box. My crew caught 16 and we released the 4 smaller ones keeping the better grade. They took turns hooking up rather than have 2 on on the fly at the same time wich made for a lot of yelling by the 'observers" for the current angler to horse 'em. Even so we only broke off 1 fish ! I love it when a plan comes together!

Plenty of snappers on just about everything from rocks to wrecks that we thought dissapeared years ago. The pompano run was in full swing with the "beach boys" getting plenty of action untill this past week . The dreaded June Grass has shown up. It's not everywhere so you can drive up or down the beach and find a clear spot ( for a while) to fish but don't even try if you see any in your favorite hole. LOTS of sharks around too, always eager to relieve you of that big snapper if you take to long playng 'em to the boat. I am a firm beliver in rules and limits but I think they need to lighten up on the commercial boys a little. Whatever damage had been done to the shark population has definately been healed. With this many teeth out there we are probably going to see more attacks (on folks)this summer again. I sure don't want to kill 'em all but it would be nice to thin 'em out some!

The report from over at the "Pass" is Tripletail everywhere. My son said he saw over 30 on 2 different days just out "play fishing".- Thats 30 each day in a couple hours! Said he just threw his flyrod one day and resited the spinning rod no matter how frustrated any particular fish would get him. I can't believe nobody wants to charter over there to do that. Im hoping there are lots left when I get over there in July!

Thinking of july- if you want to Tarpon fish ( or sight fish tripletails!) give me a call. I'm only about 1/2 booked for July to jump silver rockets.

capt Larry Pentel

kurt

06-26-2006, 11:11 AM

Fishing Report for:
Destin, Florida (nearshore).
Updated: June 18, 2006.

Our string of beautiful weather days finally came to an end with tropical storm Albertro. Nothing really happened here except the surf came up for three days making it to rough to fish. It never even rained!!! I had said the day before it got rough that I wouldn't mind missin' a couple days if it would rain a day. Even the dollar weeds are gasping and turning brown.

Had a couple of real pretty days since the storm but an East wind the past 2 days that had it rough enough to "not be fun". Hope to be back on the water tommorrow.

A storm always moves fish around. Sometimes it takes our fish and sends 'em elsewhere and sometimes it gives us more fish than we seem to be able to deal with. This storm seemed to be a mixed bag. On my first trip out this week I ran a 6 hour and went where I had been finding snappers. They seemed to have left the premises and found new abodes. We ended up with a great board of fish but I covered a lot of ground and fished some really good spots that we would catch one or two fish off of and then nada. We tallied our limit of Snapper (20) a Red Grouper, 3 gag Grouper, a King, a couple Triggers, a PILE of real nice B-Liners and way too many sharks.

The next day I ran the same folks on a 5 hour. Different target species and a different area to try. Started off by hitting a "honey hole" that always makes fine snappers- I think we got 2-. Time to rethink the plan and run a few miles. I love it when a plan cames together! First off the Kings were red hot. We boxed our limit of 10 and released ( some by accident) several more along with a Bonita. The groupers were hitting so fast you about had to hide the hook to bait it. Lots of shorts but some down right fine ones too. I went through an entire 25 pack of hooks we lost so many to the bottom. We even had to release several FINE Red Groupers as we allready had our limit in the box. We hung 6 nice gags along with our limit of reds, kings, a mahi,couple triggs, 10 snappers and 2 sharks for a magazine quality picture. Plus everybody had a tale of "the big one"- had a fine (10#) snapper right up to the boat that pulled off and another fellow had "Bubba" on -twice! that pulled off both times. A BIG boy and that solid glass grouper rod bent all the way over to the water with me yellin' at 'em to wind and him yellin' that he can't! He'll just get bigger and pull harder for the next guy that hooks 'em. Those folks were talkin' 'bout coming back in the fall beofre they were even off thebeach!

Might go back and fish that same area again tommorrow------ whattaya think ?

Only 10 more days of fishin' out of Grayton for me and I'm off to the "Pass". All those tarpons we saw during cobia season heading East should be about to show up out front of St. Vincents Island any day now. And I am still hearing some great triple tail stories-- can't wait-

So many fish- so many boats- so little time--

Capt Larry Pentel

kurt

08-23-2006, 10:56 AM

Fishing Report for:
Destin, Florida (nearshore).
Updated: August 19, 2006.

Back to Grayton! Ran my first trip off the beach today after 7 weeks of chasing Tarpon at Indian Pass. My Mom, daughter and new son in law anglers were first timers and the fist couple of big grouper bites caught 'em by surprise but they came through in the end. Our 4 hour trip tallied 2 Red Grouper (one 'bout12#)6 Red Snapper 1 big Black Snapper 6 triggerfish, a shark,,a king and a mahi.
I started out trolling live baits for kings as I'd heard the mackeral bite has been hot. We found 'em pretty quick but the school I located was all small fish. We released several shorts and missed a lot of cut-offs before I changed gears and went bottom fishing.
Speaking of shorts--- The new size limit on triggerfish went into effect last month and will have a BIG impact on 'em. While the size is still 12" it is not overall as it used to be . The measure is now a "fork length" to the inside of the tail. As trigs have those long swept tails this effectively raised the size 2 to 3 inches longer. I know we threw a bunch more back today than we kept and I was having to measure 'em all. It will take a month or so to get my eyeballs calibrated to the new size.
We also threw back a lot of "just" short snappers. I started out inshore and didn't really find any bigger ones till we got past 85 feet. I'm sure this hot weather has even the snappers looking to stay a little cooler.
This years Tarpon season was a good one. Plenty of fish still around over there but I had to get back to the old stomping grounds. The biggest fish we got up to the boat was around 200# and the smallest was about 50#. It was odd this year that there were all these different year classes of fish mixed together. I kinda like seeing all the smaller ones up here- means they like it and will come back as they get bigger, A lot of years you never see a fish under 90#.
I think my final tally for the season was 23 tarpon launched for 21 days run. Pretty good unless you were on one of the days that we din't get one- you probably think it was a slow year--- The shark trips are another story- we ALWAYS get them over there. I am happy to report that it is great season on tripletail too. I ran several days of just looking for 'tails and we got 'em every time. ( now if I could only say that about Tarpon I'd be somebody!!!) Maybe next year !!!
The boys at the Gulf Coast research lab in Mississippi have started a tagging program for tripletail. I know we tagged a couple dozen on my boat this year from shorts up to 10#-12#. I can't wait to see where they get recaptured. As these are true pelagics it wouldn't surprise me to see 'em turn up on the other coast. I also am curious as to just how fast they grow----.
Booked pretty good back here in the "crowded" country so I should have an in depth report on bottom fishing next time.

Capt Larry Pentel

laurawood

08-24-2006, 10:31 AM

I am not a fisherwoman, but these reports are fascinating. You can tell he LOVES his job and fishin'! I am reading Peter Jenkins..."Along the Edge of America" and read about the tarpon. Too bad Peter didn't stay in SoWal for very long...he could have met some REAL characters and some REAL people with good character!

my father is the best fisherman i know. He can turn you into a fisherwoman real quick, women make better fishermen because they know how to follow instructions!!!!

oh and just to brag............ I caught my first triple tail this summer on the dead fish. Maybe a tarpon next year???(hint,hint)

laurawood

08-24-2006, 10:40 AM

laurawood

09-09-2006, 12:13 PM

Capt. Larry Pentel

Fishing Report for:
Destin, Florida (nearshore).
Updated: September 04, 2006.

I'ts Labor Day so I guess summer is "officially" over. Luckily for us the next 6 weeks are some of the best here in Seagrove---
The fish bite has been a little erratic. Todays board was GREAT- My 4 anglers tallied 13 Red Snapper, 4 Black Groupers, 2 spanish, a 20# King, a trigger, 4 mahi and a couple blue fish on a 4 hour. This is what we kept-- we threw back a bunch that were "just" short
Yesterday on the other hand I hit some great spots and the fish just wouldn't fire up. My 3 folks ended up with 3 Red Snappers, a Black Snapper, a Black Grouper, 2 Kings (small), 6 trigger and 2 Mahi. I ran a lot further and fished a lot harder to make that board. The Kings bit good but we caught a bunch of shorts so I gave up on that and went and bottom fished. I told my folks I'd fish 'em a little longer no charge but they wanted to go in at the end of our 4 hour- Said they had more fish than they could eat allready-- As long as everybody's happy !!!!
The bite has been on and off like that tho-- One day the kings bite great and a good grade. The next all you can get is little uns-- The snappers are kinda the same. One day they eat and the next they don't. Luckily we seem to always be able to find some species willing to cooperate. As the water starts to cool the fish will get into that fall feeding mode and it will be easy again.
One species that likes this hot weather is the Mahi. This time of year you need to have a light rod rigged with a just a hook so you can grab it quick when the green glow swimms up to the boat. While most of the fish up inshore will be "schoolies" we had 4 nice ones swim up 3 days ago and got all 4. Not big but in the 8# range- 'bout 30 inches. A wonderfull treat to have jumping on the end of 12# spinning rod----
get out there and chase 'em!!!!!
Capt Larry Pentel

Archived Fishing Reports
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Click Here (http://cyberangler.com/reports/fl/pentel/archive/) to view previous fishing reports written by Capt. Larry Pentel .

http://www.cyberangler.com/subtable_about_captain.gifhttp://www.cyberangler.com/pixel.gifhttp://www.cyberangler.com/reports/fl/pentel/pentel_h.jpg Capt. Larry Pentel was born within 300 yards of the Gulf long before anyone had heard of N.W. Florida. Growing up on the coast he has fished for almost every species available from Pensacola to Carrabelle. His long time local knowledge of fish patterns and honey-holes will help make your trip a memorable one.
Contact Info:

Dead Fish Charter and Guide Service
PMB 281 5399 E. Hwy 30-A
Seagrove Beach, FL 32459
Phone: 850-

laurawood

09-22-2006, 10:59 AM

Capt. Larry Pentel

Fishing Report for:
Destin, Florida (nearshore).
Updated: September 17, 2006.

The water temp has already dropped a few degrees in the past 2 weeks and the fish are starting to notice. The groupers seem to be biting a lot better than the last time I wrote a report and the king bite is getting more consistent also.
The species that has shown up en masse are the spanish. Tight knots of jumping 1-2# spanish have greeted me several times the past week. While I haven't chased the "schoolies" we have caught some nice "axe handles" on the fly pole while looking for kings. As much fish as I eat I still say it's hard to beat a fresh 4-5# spanish fried up crisp in hot p-nut oil. Had one last week as a matter of fact!!
While the groupers are biting better that dosn't mean you can land 'em--- Yesterdays folks had a great box of fish by 11 AM. 10 Red snappers, 3 Lanes, a Black, a couple trigs, 2 fine kings. 3 big spanish, a scamp and a black grouper. We had a 1/2 hour left to fish and they voted for a shot at a "big" bite. I ran a couple miles to a spot I knew held a few "problem fish" to give 'em thier shot. Three rods down and 2 slam down and the groupers are in the reef ( third rod missed the bite), I retie, rebait and we go again--Instant Replay!!! Anglers 0, big groupers 6- Quickest way to shut down a spot-We fished for 10 minutes more with nuthin' but small snapper bites- I told my folks those fish would just get bigger and pull harder next year. Once again I call that job security- they'll be back!
The beach is almost empty, the water is clear and the temp is back to the mid to high 80's. If you don't try to go now you might as well move to a square state- it dosn't get any better than this!!!
Capt Larry Pentel

kurt

11-08-2006, 07:33 AM

Fishing Report for:
Destin, Florida (nearshore).
Updated: October 16, 2006.

I know I haven't sat down and written for a while but the weather has been fantastic and I've been runnin' everyday. Ther is a big low preassure moving in from Texas today that will probbaly shut down the fishing for the rest of the week. With what we have been fortunate to have for the past month I really can't complain.
The water temperature just dropped below 80 on the beach this week. The past few mornings were chilly at daylight and I actually had a jacket on. 'Course I'm still in shorts and flips and the jackets gone by 10AM. The falling water temps are making the fish do their thing and fishing is staedily getting better. The Red Snappers are biting much better than they had been and seem to ganging up again. With just 2 more weeks left in the season ( and this week a wash) I think the end of the season will go out with a bang. We have had limit snapper catches the past few days on the half day trips along with other species mixed in.
Yesterdays trip was 2 folks on a half- kinda blowy and a little choppy with a NE wind. I stayed right on the beach and never went more than 2 miles offshore to stay in the lee-- Even with the weather restricions we filled the box. Stopped on a couple snapper spots and got 'em their limit of reds and a fine Black grouper. One felllow starts asking about Kings so we do that for a while and put 2 Kings, 2 big Spanish and 2 Bobos in the box. Talk of groupers again so I change gears and run to some craigy bottom where they live- Groupers 7- Anglers 0. Talk of Triggers- OK new spot- 6 triggers in the box ( coupla nice 'un's too!) One last stop on a grouper spot- Groupers 3, Anglers 0- and we are headed back to the truck to be in at noon-. I love beach launch fishin'- where else can you target so many different species on a 4 hour trip ? And the view on the beach aint bad either when we come in !
The triggers are just staring to show and haven't really ganged up yet. I imagine that the first week of Nov. will be the time to make that "freezer trip" for winter. As good to eat as all these critters are nothing tastes as good after 4 months in the freezer as a trig. If you vacuum seal 'em I swear they still taste "fresh" in Feb.Another good "freezer trip" (tip?) are the kings. They will probably be real thick after this blow. Now everybody knows that a fresh king is great but you can't freeze 'em, right ? HOWEVER, (this is trade secret from a redneck that owned a fish house for years) If you smoke up a bunch of fresh kings and then vacuum pack and freeze 'em you got something worth having. Our old trick was to put up a bunch in Nov. and then pull it out at Christmass and New Years to make salads, spreads and dip. We have had some great feasts with food everybody raved about. Most folks had no idea they were eating frozen macks--
I plan on going over to Indian Pass for a couple weeks the 1st part of Nov. to sight fish red fish and bail speckled trout. After that I'm commmitrd ( or maybe some one should have me commited !) to yet another boat project this winter . I have another 20' cat hull I plan on doing some MAJOR modifications to and hope to be done by spring to have a new boat to run next season.
I think by the time I'm done it could be a TV show- "The 6 Million Dollar Boat"- but I'm hopefull it will be even better, run faster jump, higher etc..... I guess it helps keep me out of the pool halls----
The next 6 weeks are usually the "easiest" catchin' of the year. Get off the couch and go!!!!! Even if it's just to the bridge to get a trout before work, come jan. you 'll be wishin' you had gone----
capt Larry Pentel

kurt

12-01-2006, 07:39 AM

Fishing Report for:
Destin, Florida (nearshore).
Updated: November 25, 2006.

Thanksgiving week, I was booked all week but only got the last 3 days in. The first part of the week it was blowin' 25-30 out of the North and the last 3 days it has been Chamber of Commerce weather.
Beautiful weather but only so -so catchin'. Since red snapper are closed we naturally caught some GREAT ones that we had to release. The only species that seems to around in big numbers are the Vermillion Snappers. While not near as big as reds they are excellent table fare and are great kid fish. Since this was a family week with the Holiday I had some very happy junior anglers that caught lots of fish that went to the table.
There are some triggers around but not in the numbers I'm used to this time of year. Today we had 9, yesterday we had 18. Respectable counts with everything else in the box but I'm used to being able to limit out this time of the year. The new size limits have a little to do with it, we are throwing back as many or more than we are keeping. But even so they are a lot more scattered than usual.
No amberines up in close ( within 8 miles of the beach). Usually this time of year that is my bread and butter "hard puller". Wear the anglers down and put a bunch of fish in the box. They were starting to show a few weeks ago but seem to have moved elsewear.
There are some groupers around but once again not in great numbers. We had 3 nice gags and a scamp with quite few throw backs yesterday but my folks had been before and knew the drill. Todays folks had never been before - had several shots but none made the boat. Two days ago we kept one nice gag and threw back a few shorts with several great bites missed. When they are hot everybody gets 'em. When you only get a few shots a day you have to be good ( or really lucky!)
The fish seem to be moving around with the water temp dropping a little quicker than usual this year. All my trips were 4 hours so I did not have the time to run out deep and look farther offshore. I imagine that all the trigs and amberines that were in 75 ft of water are now in 100'. I just have not had the chance to look.
I have spent most of the past 2 weeks working on the new boat. I will probably have to keep my play fishing to a minimum this winter so the new ride will be ready for march. I would much rather be fishin' than grindin' fiberglass but it looks like the grinder fits my hand again tommorrow!

Capt Larry Pentel

kurt

12-01-2006, 07:41 AM

I wanted to mention to any other amateur or pro fisherman out there that we would like to see your reports on the forum here. ;-)

Smiling JOe

12-01-2006, 06:27 PM

I wanted to mention to any other amateur or pro fisherman out there that we would like to see your reports on the forum here. ;-)

http://www.sowal.com/bb/gallery/files/2/1/6/PA300011sm_654251.jpg
...and pics.

redfisher

12-02-2006, 07:34 AM

I wanted to mention to any other amateur or pro fisherman out there that we would like to see your reports on the forum here. ;-)

I hear ya Kurt, but I'm afraid there just aren't that many...

If you want to see a tight-knit fishing community, check out this under "Saltwater" and "Fishing Reports";

www.texaskayakfisherman.com/forum

kurt

02-19-2007, 07:51 PM

Fishing Report for:
Destin, Florida (nearshore).
Updated: February 12, 2007.

I'm Back! And with a new boat too!

I have (finally) put the grinder up for the year and took the new boat out a few times this past week. The motors now have 20 hours on them and I ran my first charter on the new and improved "Dead Fish" yesterday.
Not having been fishing for a while put me behind the curve on the shakedown cruise and first trip out. We did more running than fishing but I was still surprised as to how few fish I marked on the spots we checked. We came in with a nice gag and a few whites and mingos. I worked on the boat 2 more days tweaking out the problems we found and tried again. This time we ran offshore a ways and fished deep (for me)in over 100'. We came in with a limit of amberjacks (3)releasing 7 more, 4 nice gag grouper and a pair of trigs. Two more days of tweaking and I was ready for a charter. The 2 dads and 2 boys I took had driven up from St. Marks having caught redfish there on Sat. and were exited about going after "big" fish.
We ran 10 miles offshore and stopped on an old wreck to catch bait. The boys thought that the rockfish and squirels that were fillimg up the live well were a blast and fought good but wanted something bigger. We ran another 7 miles offshore to where I had located the jacks and fullfilled all thier expectations. We landed our 5 fish limit of legal jacks ( a couple were pushing 30#) lost some big ones and threw back some "shorts". We fished our way back inshore a little and added 2 gag grouper, a big red grouper, and a pile of triggers to the box. A great board for a 6 hour trip.
Several other boats out of grayton were fishing this week also and all had the same story. There are fish to be had but you have to run to get to them. All the wrecks and natural bottom inside of 100' are pretty much devoid of life. As I am often heard to repeat "God gave 'em tails and no fences". Wether it's the water temp or the bait movement the fish are out deep right now. That may change in 10 days but the good news is I know where they are right now!
With cobia season right around the corner I am glad to be done with boat building. The new rig runs great, rides a little better than the old one and is a little faster. I increased the live well by 12 gallons and it has a little more room on the back deck. The peace of mind from having twin engines when your running 20 miles out is pretty nice too! At first glance the boat looks the same as the last one. The hull design is the same ( same mold). Most of the improvements are in the materials and in places you can't see. I look forward to writings years of reports from the newest ( and most improved ) "Dead Fish"
Go get 'em! It may be winter but the nice days are down right gorgeous and you can appreciate 'em even more !!!!
Capt Larry Pentel

kurt

02-25-2007, 08:43 AM

Fishing Report for:
Destin, Florida (nearshore).
Updated: February 24, 2007.

It's the middle of February and what can you catch? Trout are closed up inshore, Red Snapper offshore and now starting this year Grouper are closed in federal waters Feb. 15th till March 15.
Plenty of fins to chase and some pretty good dinners to take home too if you just adjust your trips a little. I went over to Indian Pass last weekend to do some work around the fish camp. Got all my chores done and went playin' on Monday. First thing out I took my son and a couple neighbors out to the oyster bars and we picked up our limit of some of the saltiest, fattest oysters of the year. A stiff North wind had blown all the water out of the bay and made oysterin' by hand super easy. With a good dinner gaurunteed we dropped the neighbors back at the ramp and my son and I went fishing.
That same low tide had run all the redfish out of the usual flats that were now high and dry. I headed to where I thought a few might have staged up waiting for more water. Before I slowed the boat down to climb up on the platform we could see a patch of muddy water of about 2 acres in the middle of an otherwise clear flat. The reds had schooled up tight and there were hudreds and hundreds of fish in all sizes just milling around waiting to be able to disperse back to thier usual haunts. While it makes it easy to hook a few fish I must admit that I prefer to find 'em scattered out a little. When they are that tight the water is all muddied up and you can't pick out a fish to throw to and watch him eat. They fight just as hard though and the one I took home for dinner sure did taste good!
Back to Seagrove to a run a couple trips in the Gulf this week. The first trip had a young angler with a rather "wounded" group of adult anglers. I had wanted to fish in close a while for the young man and then run offshore to try for amberjacks for the big guys. The plan was working good till one of the adults caught a nice gag grouper. We were up inside of state waters so he was legal to keep but if we were to run offshore we would have to throw him back. My crew quickly decided this was a good reason to not have to ride offshore and voted to stay in close on a short trip. We came in with the grouper, a trigger, a dozen vermillion snappers and a dozen Pinks. Plenty of fish for a couple good dinners. We also released quite a few Red snapper one of which was about 15#. He made a great picture and is still out there for somebody else to tangle with.
Yesterday my crew was a couple that had only been in saltwater once before, catching spanish and skipppies. We stayed up in shore most of the morning getting some triggers and pinks in the box and filling up the live well. When the Gulf slicked off I ran offshore to where the amberjacks have been living. We got 'em fired up pretty easy. Broke off 4 big ones, released 3 or 4 "shorts" and put our 3 fish limit in the box.My guys said there was no way they could fight another one so I turned it North. A great catch of fish and the trip home was as calm and pleasant a boat ride as the Gulf can give. A perfect way to end a trip.
Plenty to catch and plenty to eat. Just know the rules and fish with 'em in mind----
Capt Larry Pentel

florida girl

04-27-2007, 01:29 PM

"Capt. Larry Pentel was born within 300 yards of the Gulf long before anyone had heard of N.W. Florida. Growing up on the coast he has fished for almost every species available from Pensacola to Carrabelle. His long time local knowledge of fish patterns and honey-holes will help make your trip a memorable one."

We used to call him "Lorie" short for Laurence! His dad was a real estate broker, Pentel Realty. I remember seeing him at the Lions Club meetings with his dad, and mine.

kurt

04-27-2007, 08:25 PM

Fishing Report for:
Destin, Florida (nearshore).
Updated: April 23, 2007.

Open The Gates

After a rather slow start to this seasons annual cobia migration the flood gates have been opened. The past 5 days have had a good a show of the brown backed crab crunchers as could be asked for.
Yesterday I ran a straight cobia trip- no bottom fishing first- just looking for big un's. A good call too 'cause we had a 20 knot SE wind blowing that would have made it not just uncomfortable but about impossible to hold up on a spot. The weather was perfect for pushing our intended species to the top tho and we found 23 fish intent on swimming to the West. The first fish we saw was swimming with a wad of 8 more ! Though these fish weren't ravenous ( I worked a jig right through the school on the 1st cast wothout even a look!), we did convince the biggest fish to eat an eel and after much to do we put a 52 pounder in the box. The sightings came fast and furious after that with most being singles ready to eat a jig right away. By the time we put the boat up on the beach we had tangled with eight of 'em that were willing to play. It was ROUGH tho and the rocking boat made it hard to fight a big fish and stay on your feet. We lost one when the angler abruptly sat down in the middle of the fight and the resulting slack line gave the fish a chance to throw the hook. A glorious day tho and the three big fish I cleaned for my anglers will fill up the freezers.
The best day of the week was an all day that had us catch a limit of fine red snapper to about 8# and a 16# grouper first thing in the AM and then find 9 cobia with 6 of 'em willing to play latter in the day. We hit the beach at 1:30 in the PM with a 4 fish cobia limit from 20# to 55# and a rack of snappers.
Alas the 20 knot wind that is pushing the cobia through made me cancel todays trip. I'm hopeful we can get off the beach tommorrow but the weatherman isn't so sure. The good news is that all the fish that come through on the rough days will be back next year !!!
With LOTS of big fish being seen and caught it seems the run is really just getting going. Hopefully the fish will continue coming through well into May this year. With the water temperature still only in the high 60's we might not see the big schools of "clones" untill the first or second week of May!
If you can't get a boat, don't have $10 to go to the pier- stand on a ladder off the beach!! If throwing at a cobia dosn't get your pulse up call the coroner and reserve a slab!
Capt Larry

kurt

06-29-2007, 06:31 AM

Fishing Report for:
Destin, Florida (nearshore).
Updated: June 22, 2007.

I know I'm behind in writing but a lightning strike took out my internet connection. I believe if I ran my charter business the way MediaCom runs the cable service I would have been out of business years ago!
I have run 15 out of the last 17 days. The weather pattern has finally settled into "summertime" and we have had some beautiful days on the water. The fish are here and the bite seems to be getting better every day. The snapper are doing what they are supposed to and the kings have finally shown up to liven up the action in between bottom stops. The groupers continue to make a good showing also-- I don't know why the grouper bite is still so good but I am not going to argue-----
The bait has finally shown up on the beach in the mornings as well.The past 3 days I have had the livewell full of cigar minnows and herrings when I picked up my party. It sure makes gettin' the bigger bites easier with a tank full of wigglers !
Todays trip had 4 folks I had never fished before and was one of the few days we did not limit out on snapper. We did however catch 7 (legal) scamp grouper and several "just" shorts. I don't thing I have ever had seven scamp on a half day before! Along with the scamp were 3 kings, 13 red snapper, 2 trigger, a lane snapper, 4 mahi ( yes, they are showing up too!)2 Black grouper and 1 and a half Red grouper. The half was the head off a big one that a bull shark ate right under the boat. This annoyed my angler so much that when a smaller (100#) bull ate his snapper and got hooked he told me to put the shark in the boat 'cause he was going to grill 'em up! After a good tug o war on a 4/O I made sure the shark died of lead poisoning and threw him in the box. Like any good cajun the angler had several good shark reciepes he was sharing as I cleaned 'em!
I am booked up till I go over to the 'Pass to chase tarpon July 1st. The fish are allready there but I don't think anyone is after them yet--- I still have 4 open days in July if any one wants to chase a big Silver King.---7 days open in August for Tarpon also.
There are LOTS of small (illegal) triggers around right now. Remember that the rule is now 12" to the FORK of the tail and not overall. As good as they are to eat it's always best to stay legal. If you go and get into 'em be sure to measure- just means that there will be more (and bigger) ones this winter!

capt Larry Pentel

Smiling JOe

06-29-2007, 07:49 AM

I love to read Capt Larry's reports!

Ocean Lover

06-29-2007, 08:32 AM

I love to read Capt Larry's reports!

Same. So it's legal to induce lead poisoning?

Smiling JOe

06-29-2007, 08:51 AM

Same. So it's legal to induce lead poisoning?I don't think the lead bullet resulted in much pain and suffering for the Bull Shark, but I'm not sure on the hunting season for Bull Sharks, or if they have requirements on how you harvest your catch. Captain Larry is one of the kind of guys who follows the rules, so my guess is that shooting the shark was within the means of the law. Who knows, maybe he used a lot of lead on the sinker, weighting down the hook. :idontno: :funn:

Ocean Lover

06-29-2007, 09:24 AM

I don't think the lead bullet resulted in much pain and suffering for the Bull Shark, but I'm not sure on the hunting season for Bull Sharks, or if they have requirements on how you harvest your catch. Captain Larry is one of the kind of guys who follows the rules, so my guess is that shooting the shark was within the means of the law. Who knows, maybe he used a lot of lead on the sinker, weighting down the hook. :idontno: :funn:

My thoughts too...that would have to be one heavy sinker.:lolabove:

I woul love to go out with the Capt someday. Of course Mr OL would insist on chaperoning.:biggrin:

kurt

07-20-2007, 05:05 PM

Fishing Report for:
Destin, Florida (nearshore).
Updated: July 14, 2007.

"Houston, we have ignition !!"

The Tarpon show the past 5 days has been as good as it gets. There are LOTS of fish and they are coming in all sizes. My son, Capt William (Fried Fish Charters) leadered one up 2 days ago about 60# while the day before I pulled a scale off one 'bout 180# for my angler. Not just one or 2 year classes of fish here. Most fish are still in the 120-130# range but I have allready seen several over 200#
I took the first 4 days here at Indian Pass "off". This just means I didn't get up early and run charters- I still went fishin' for at least a couple hours every day! I love to sight fish so I chased the tripletails with pretty good success. Got 2 to the boat in the 18# class that first week. I tagged about a dozen and killed a few for the dinner table--they do eat good!.
Naturally the weather turned about when my charters started and the first couple Tarpon trips I ran the fish were not on the feed. Everybody still had fun tho catchin' sharks and tripletails.
When the fish showed back they came on fierce. We have put at least a couple fish in the air everyday lately. Now this is Tarpon fishin' so we don't get to touch everyone we hook. There is a lot that can go wrong in a fight that can last 3 or 4 hours. These big fish jump for a reason and that's to try to get free of that pesky hook. Quite often they succeed! Capt Tim Harvey (who has done real well on the 'poons this week) had one tail whip the line yesterday over an hour and half into the fight. They had allready pulled a scale from a 110# fish tho and went on to jump several more but---- after over an hour you usually figure you got 'em with anything but a Tarpon !
Some of the of the high points of the past week were the Tarpon "show" yesterday that lasted almost all morning. You could look around the boat for several hours and see dozens of fish over 100# with some part out of the water if not completely airborn! What a feeding frenzy! The other was getting a call from Capt Pete White on the radio 2 afternoons before that the Tarpon had just turned on like gangbusters and he had jumped 2 fish in the past 5 minutes. My anglers had allready boated a fish 'bout 125# earlier in the day so we had gone up the bay lookin' for 'tails. I hit it up on a plane as fast as we could go listening to Pete give me details. He got one stuck good and had to stop talkin' and drive the boat. My son had picked up and ran to where Pete was and radioed saying they had hooked immediately upon getting to the fish and had one up and jumping. After a 15 minute run that seemed like an hour we made to where they were fighting fish,pitched out baits and we hooked up right away! The 3 of us played dodge boats with lots of good views of the other guys fish jumping as well as our own. Lots of cheers every time one would sky rocket. With almost perfect timing we each leadered up our fish and got pictures made for perfect releases- all 3 fish around 125#!
Not that I want to chase 'em right now but William ran a redfish trip yesterday (in my flats boat- whats a son for if not to borrow dad's stuff) and did pretty good. The trout reports have not been that great from the guides I spoken with. A few keepers and lots of shorts.
Who wants to chase a 2# trout when you could jump a 200# Tarpon with a mile or 2 anyway!!!

Capt Larry Pentel

kurt

10-20-2007, 04:09 PM

Fishing Report for:
Destin, Florida (nearshore).
Updated: October 14, 2007.

In the 10 days since my last report I have run a trip everyday. Some days were a lot calmer than others but it was fishable!
The red tide has moved over from Panama city and now extends all the way to Pensacola. Not one solid Gulf full of bloom but spotty and at different depths. There are a few areas offshore where the fish were stacked up pretty good and are now devoid of life on the bottom. If you move a couple miles everything seems pretty normal. Hopefully these fish are swimming off and are not just lying dead on the bottom. There have not been many fish washing up on the beach here.
The King bite got pretty hot on the beach right after my last report but the red tide has moved them on. I caught bait real good the past two mornings after not having any around for few days so hopefully the kings will come back in close chasing the cigar minnows. We caught a 20# king day 'fore yesterday on a grouper bait on the bottom in 90 feet so I know they are still here.
Todays trip was a half day with 4 folks that come every year. Started out a little sloppy and ended up downright rough. On top of that we had 2 dolphins that attached themselves to us eating every big snapper we could get off the bottom. Pretty frustrating when you finally get the big bite just to feed that fish to a freeloader! My crew persevered and we came in with 14 nice Red Snappers. I hate coming in 2 short of a limit but we were all tired of battling the seas. A lot harder to hold the boat on a spot in a 20 knot breeze and a swell than when it's slick!
Still quite a few groupers around. We have been getting a lot of good ones to bite (lost 3 today and more than twice that yesterday)- as always most of 'em catch the angler unaware -expecting a snapper and not ready for a freight train that runs straight into the reef. About a week ago I ran a group of regulars that are experienced anglers on a half day. We got our 20 fish snapper limit, everybody took a turn on the grouper rod and landed a good one including a Red pushing 20# and 3 nice gags. It was getting sloppy (been a lot of that lately!) so we ran in to the beach to finish out the last hour and half trollin' and added 5 kings to the box. A fantastic box of fish for half day. I always say I'd rather be lucky than good but it does make a difference when you have some experience at both ends of the fishing line! I figure we fried all the dumb fish years ago- just the smart ones left now!
Get on out-- if you pull up to your favorite spot and don't see show just move inshore or offshore a few miles. Chances are you'll find 'em stacked up!
Capt Larry Pentel

kurt

01-30-2008, 09:10 AM

Fishing Report for:
Destin, Florida (nearshore).
Updated: January 15, 2008.

Today was a beautiful day in the middle of January. I got to take advantage of it by running a couple of regulars from New Orleans. They flew in this morning , got on the boat at 10 AM and by 3PM We were making fish pictures on the beach. It was slick calm and let me run to a few spots that I hadn't been to in a while. After a slow start we hit a couple that were packin'. The amberjack bite was strong enough that I beat my anglers into submision. They called it quits---Luckily we hit a grouper spot first.
http://cyberangler.com/photos/med/3615.jpg
The proof is in the pictures. The groupers are a great grade and a 36# cobia is a fantastic bonus fish any day!
http://cyberangler.com/photos/med/3617.jpg
Of course you have to wade though some fine Red Snappers to catch a few Groupers!Uncle says they all have to back!
I ran a little trout trip at Indian Pass on Sunday. Plenty of fish but most were short as is normal for winter. We did find a few nice ones mixed in including 3 in the 20" range. I got to look for redfish on Monday AM before having to come back to Grayton to run Tues.. Even poling the boat and casting from the platform by myself I managed to get 4 to eat. A pretty good trick in a 20 knot wind ! I was supposed to run a flyfisherman that morning but we cancelled, a good call. Trying to hit the 6 inch strike zone of a red with your line blowing back in your face would have been frustrating !
http://cyberangler.com/photos/med/3616.jpg
If you get the weather- you otta go!
Capt Larry Pentel

kurt

05-06-2008, 09:17 PM

2/5/08

It's still winter even in Florida which means the weather is unpredictable. I got to run offshore with some locals Sunday and we found the Amberjacks more than willing to play. We caught a pile, most of 'em legal size and threw back all but our limit of 1 per person. When everyone was sufficently wore out Iwent and tried a couple grouper holes. Unfortunately they were not as eager to bite as the jacks and we only landed one. A nice red though that was all this gal could pick up! We hit the beach before noon and got to enjoy one of those beautiful days that makes it all worth while.

A couple of the Jacks, We caught over a dozen-

I ran a Father son trip up the intercoastal yesterday and one of my regulars tagged along as well. We found the trout after a bit bunched up pretty good in a 12' hole at a bend in the channel. We landed around 35 but no big ones. As they are closed in Feb. it didn't matter much as the goal was get a young angler into some fish. We released all the trout along with 3 redfish that joined the action. Always great to take a kid and watch 'em figure it out. This young man had casting down QUICK but had to work through the usual timing issues of setting the hook with a lure. By the end of the trip he had it down was catching fish on artificials as well as the adults.

Another happy angler

I had run up the "ditch" about a week ago when trout were still open but we couldn't get 'em to bite very well. The ones we got were a larger grade than yesterday but we only landed 6. My 2 anglers still got to stretch thier strings tho as we found a pretty good school of reds. We managed to boat 15, releasing 'em all and just keeping trout for dinner.

The inshore fish are in the on again/off again mode this time of yesr. Just because your usual honey hole dosn't draw a sniff don't despair. With the barometer bouncing like a pinball along with the temps this time of year the bite can turn on a dime. Hit a range of spots in the areas you know there are fish. They may be in the bottom of a deep hole one day and 200 yards away on a flat the next. Same school of fish, just reacting to the rapidly changing winter weather-. Once you find an area with fish they are pretty much going to be close by there till the water warms in the spring.

Good luck and keep your tackle ready. If the weather gives you a pretty day off; run, don't walk to the nearest fishin' hole!

Capt Larry Pentel

kurt

05-06-2008, 09:18 PM

Capt. Larry Pentel
February 17, 2008
Destin - Saltwater Fishing Report
http://cyberangler.com/hrule2.jpg

We have been fortunate to have had some very pretty days for February. I have had folks wanting to take advantage of the opourtunity so we have been blasting offshore. The amberjacks are in thier usual wrecks for mid winter and are more than willing to play tug-o-war. A school of healty AJ's makes my life a lot easier. Any time I can beat down my anglers and put a few nice fish in the box at the same time I get to look good!

The beach water has warmed up about 4-5 degrees since I wrote last. Still way to cold (64) for there to be any fish up in close but spring is right around the corner. In the meantime I'll keep running a little further and fishing a little deeper.

This was right before Groupers closed in Federal waters on the 15th. A nice rack but we broke off over a dozen big groupers !

Remember-- if you make that run offshore you can't keep a grouper till March 15th!

This fellow caught a bunch of Aj's and kept his 1 limit. Told me he didn't care to keep anything else, just catch and release so I put him on the Snappers! He had a blast

Another nice thing 'bout Jack fishing-- There can be cobias mixed in! No the run hasn't started, but there will be scattered fish mixed w/the AJ's for the next couple months

This father son team had never been before. When they got on the boat I asked 'em if they wanted big fish, lottsa fish or a freezer trip. They wanted it all; on a half day! We went and did the AJ thing till they were tired and then caught pinks and trigs and released a bunch of Red Snapper and a dozen scamps. Still made it back to the beach at lunchtime.

With Trout, Red Snappers and Groupers ( federal water) all closed right now it kinda limits the options a little. Don't fret what you can't keep, plenty of fish out there for dinner. You can only eat so many anyway. AND the more you let go now the sooner the freezer is empty and you'll have to go again!

Speaking of freezer fishin'. I have heard some great reports on the sheepshead bite. I have not been yet this year but am trying to get a trip up to chase 'em. A pain to clean but boy do they taste good! So many fish, and only 2 or 3 pretty days a week in February. Don't waste a one!!!! Get out there and catch something!

Capt Larry Pentel

Dead Fish Charters

kurt

05-06-2008, 09:19 PM

Capt. Larry Pentel
March 4, 2008
Destin - Saltwater Fishing Report
http://cyberangler.com/hrule2.jpg

Trout season opened in Northwest Florida to a beautiful spring day. I took a couple out at Indian Pass to see if the fish were in a cooperative mode after all the recent rains. The tide was pouring in and the fish just happened to be in the first spot I tried. We caught about 30 or so keeping 7 and then went looking around to see if we could get some oysters. The tide had come in too much and all the good bars were under water so we went back to throwing jigs and got a repeat on the action finishing out our 15 fish limit. No big fish but lots of 'em. Every fish we caught was in the 14 1/2 to 17 inch range with most of 'em about 14 3/4. They seem to know when to stop growin'!
http://cyberangler.com/photos/watermark.php?file=3905&size=1 (http://cyberangler.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=3905&size=big&cat=2&ppuser=93)
A keeper!
http://cyberangler.com/photos/watermark.php?file=3906&size=1 (http://cyberangler.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=3906&size=big&cat=2&ppuser=93)
The fruits of opening day.
http://cyberangler.com/photos/watermark.php?file=3907&size=1 (http://cyberangler.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=3907&size=big&cat=2&ppuser=93)
we went out again the next morning (early) and picked up our oyster limit while the tide was low. Threw a few times for trout but only had a couple bites. I think the water was still a little too fresh for 'em to feed- my folks didn't want to keep any more anyway so we went back to the fish camp and had oysters for lunch!
http://cyberangler.com/photos/watermark.php?file=3904&size=1 (http://cyberangler.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=3904&size=big&cat=2&ppuser=93)
Out in the Gulf the Jacks are still doing thier thing. This was part of a fine box of fish from a week ago. We caught a couple fine grouper (one over 25#) while Jack fishing in Federal waters that had to be released along with a 17# Red Snapper. After everybody was beat down from the Amberjacks we moved up in shore and found some groupers to bite where it's legal to keep 'em along with 8 Triggers and this small shark. The trigger bite seems to finally be improving a little.
No excuses now- Trout are back open, the sheepsheads are thick at any big inshore structure- the AJ's'll hit anything that wiggles and a triggerfish fillet is one of the best things you can put in your mouth. Get out there and fish!
capt Larry Pentel

kurt

05-06-2008, 09:19 PM

Capt. Larry Pentel
March 27, 2008
Destin - Saltwater Fishing Report
http://cyberangler.com/hrule2.jpg

Sorry I haven't had a report up sooner but I did go through the effort and wrote one a week ago--- The computer ate my homework I reckon !
The weather has been very blustery the past few weeks. I'm on the hill today 'cause the weathermans' forecast of 10 to 15 with 1 to 3 foot seas turned into 15 to 20 with 3 feet of chop on top of the sea. I told the 2 Dads and 2 boys that were going to go that it was supposed to be fun ! We have had some pretty days mixed in that have produced some great fishin' trips. Some have been warm and spring like and others cold and blustery but we have managed to come in with a good box of fish everday none the less.
http://cyberangler.com/photos/watermark.php?file=4165&size=1 (http://cyberangler.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=4165&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=93)
It was blowin' 30 knots out of the NorthWest this day so my crew and I stayed right on the beach and caught a fish fry worth of Spanish and blues. These young anglers had a blast on a day that was unfishable a mile offshore!
http://cyberangler.com/photos/watermark.php?file=4114&size=1 (http://cyberangler.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=4114&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=93)
This Dad and Son crew show off some fine Groupers they tagged teamed. Dad would hook 'em up- get 'em 10 ft. up and hand off the rod. This young man also caught a bunch of Red Snappers on his own including one at 12#
http://cyberangler.com/photos/watermark.php?file=4116&size=1 (http://cyberangler.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=4116&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=93)
These 4 young men were on a Birthday Party trip. They fillied the box with Pink Snappers along with some Vermillions and Triggers and a big Red Grouper.
http://cyberangler.com/photos/watermark.php?file=4166&size=1 (http://cyberangler.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=4166&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=93)
This crew from Ohio kept talking about catching Perch in Lake Erie when we started. They decided that Snappers, Triggers and Groupers bit a lot faster and pulled a lot harder!
http://cyberangler.com/photos/watermark.php?file=4115&size=1 (http://cyberangler.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=4115&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=93)
http://cyberangler.com/photos/watermark.php?file=4117&size=1 (http://cyberangler.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=4117&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=93)
It dosn't matter that you can't keep for another couple weeks- They sure are fun to catch!
The cobia run still hasn't really started. All this cool weather has the beach water stil around 63. It is supposed to be close to 80 for an air temp for the next week so I imagine that the flood gates will open up here right soon. The Pompano have shown up and in good numbers. I went down to the beach 2 evenings right at sunset and got fish both days. Some of the "beach boys" puttin' the time in have racked 'em up. The Spanish are still hit and miss with more on the miss side. Once again this is a temperature thing and will show in force in the next week. While I have not been on the "inside" myself for the past 2 weeks the neighbors I have have talked to say the trout are slow also. The fish started to move out of the rivers and holes and then the temps fell again putting 'em into a holding pattern. They are looking for a little warmth too I think--
Put new line on if you haven't allready 'cause it's fxin' to get stretched a bunch. We are right on the start of another spring fishin' bonanza!
Capt Larry Pentel

kurt

05-06-2008, 09:20 PM

Capt. Larry Pentel
April 15, 2008
Destin - Saltwater Fishing Report
http://cyberangler.com/hrule2.jpg

Boy. it has sure been a blowy spring! We have had some great days on the water but I think I have had to cancel as many days as I have got to run. The fish don't care and will bite as long as you can hold on though!
The cobia run has been hit and miss so far this year mainly due to weather. We finally had a pretty day today and they showed up good and hungry. Today was the opening day of Red Snapper season. My crew and I went bottom fishing 1st and then fell back inshore to search for cobia. One of those days when it all came together. My anglers got a limit of Snapper in the 6 to 10# range along with 2 nice Groupers. We found a single cobia on a big turtle that charged a bait as hard as I have ever seen. After doing battle and intoducing him to a nice icy fish box we went on and found a "wad" of at least 8 more fish. We somehow managed to get all our fish to the boat without any major mishaps other than lots of exited yelling. I was wanting to hook up more fish (one stayed with the boat for a half hour while we fought the hooke ones) but with a limit in the box my folks opted to go in, take pictures and drink some celebratory beers. A wonderfull opening day.
http://cyberangler.com/photos/watermark.php?file=4420&size=1 (http://cyberangler.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=4420&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=93)
The fish box wouldn't quite shut !
Yesterdays crew was mostly novices that wanted to catch big fish more than fill the box. We were fortunate and found a big school of Jack Crevalle in the 15 to 30# range. As anybody who has tangled with 'em knows, thay are a great sport fish on spinning tackle. We stayed with the school for over 2 hours and were able to sight cast to 'em landing 12 and losing several more. Those and a few bonita gave my anglers and good workout.
http://cyberangler.com/photos/watermark.php?file=4421&size=1 (http://cyberangler.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=4421&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=93)
Is it a fish or a bulldog?
The spanish bite has been pretty ferocious. Lots of limit catches and lots of happy fishermen. I had a cobia trip last week that drew a blank after looking for a few hours so I switched gears and put out the spoons- we had a limit of mackeral (45 that day) in less than 2 hours. Some fast fishin'.
On the beach the pompano have showed in force. While I spend lots of time on the water I don't get to catch fish myself most days. In the past couple weeks I have made it back to the beach 'bout sunset 8 days after the boat and gear are cleaned and put up. Six days out of those times I have caught fish (pomps and redfish). Gotta love springtime!!!
The bite will just get better over the next few weeks. The cobia seem to finally have shown in numbers. We can keep some Snappers instead of thrown' back all the big uns and the Kings have shown up also. While there is always something to catch it dosn't get much better than the next month !!
http://cyberangler.com/photos/watermark.php?file=4422&size=1 (http://cyberangler.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=4422&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=93)
This one bit a grouper bait a couple days before the opening. Throwning him back was easy with some groupers allready in the box though!
Get up and go!!! Try as I might I can't seem to catch 'em all. I need some help!
Capt Larry Pentel

kurt

05-06-2008, 09:20 PM

Capt. Larry Pentel
April 28, 2008
Destin - Saltwater Fishing Report
http://cyberangler.com/hrule2.jpg

The weather and the fish have finally decided it's full on Spring. I have run 13 days out of the past 2 weeks and the catches have just been getting better and better right along with the weather.
Day before yesterday was a trip I won't forget anytime soon. A couple of cobia season regulars with some buddies from Louisiana that want to fill the box with bottom fish and then find a cobia or 2. We were in the middle of a snapper rally 1st thing in the morning with the bull sharks stealing most of our biggest fish. One of my crew gets a big bite and after 10 minutes is convinced he has a shark. I had watched the bite and said it sure didn't act like a shark when it hit. After a 2o minute fight with the angler wearing down and the crew wanting to cut of the "shark" the fish finally came up to the top where we could see what it was. What a fish! A huge cobia that wasn't really tired yet- just wanted to see what was ruining breakfast. My angler suddenly had a burst of second wind energy and things got chaotic with lots of yelling by the crew and me looking for the perfect shot with the gaff. All the stars lined up just right and after another 10 minutes I was able to stick the fish solidly enough to drag it (with some help !) over the rail. I was calling it 100# and was probably more exited than the angler. We went on to catch a great limit of Red Snapper, 4 Black Snapper (including 2 over 10#) a grouper, a king and then went to the beach and found a "regular cobia" sight fishing that was more than willing to co-operate. When we made it to the beach at 1PM and hung the fish she pulled the scales down to 104#. The first cobia over 100 I have ever had the pleasure to be involved with and, as I said, the fish of a lifetime!
http://cyberangler.com/photos/watermark.php?file=4592&size=1 (http://cyberangler.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=4592&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=93)
What a Fish!!
While that one was exceptionally huge the fish count was pretty average for last week!!. We had several days where we had a great catch of bottom fish and then came in to the beach to successfully catch cobia by sight fishin' 'em. It's hard to say which bite is better right now!!
http://cyberangler.com/photos/watermark.php?file=4593&size=1 (http://cyberangler.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=4593&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=93)
What a board! and it was a 4 1/2 hour trip! Back on the trailer at noon!
http://cyberangler.com/photos/watermark.php?file=4594&size=1 (http://cyberangler.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=4594&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=93)
Another "perfect" 1/2 day trip! This fellow flew over just to go fishing for the day !
Not everybody likes to cobia fish (I know, hard to understand). I ran one trip last week where they just wanted to bottom dig- We ran out a little deeper and found the groupers starvin' on several spots. We landed 4 nice ones along with our snappers and some banjo sized triggers.
http://cyberangler.com/photos/watermark.php?file=4595&size=1 (http://cyberangler.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=4595&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=93)
This one made it to the boat- we probably lost 4 to every 1 we landed this day!
And, as if it wasn't hard enough to decide what to chase already--- The kings have shown up in force! The past couple days have had HUGE schools of herring and cigar minnows all up along the beach. The toothy predators are right behind 'em sending showers of scales in the air. We have seen several (big ones) swimming right down the bar while we were looking for cobia. I've flipped a "flyline" out several times and been hit almost immediately
If all this doesn't get you excited enough to get off the couch and get out there I figure you must be a golfer!
Capt Larry Pentel

kurt

05-24-2008, 05:44 PM

Added to home page - http://SoWal.com (http://sowal.com/)

kurt

06-05-2008, 07:28 AM

Capt. Larry Pentel
May 9, 2008
Destin - Saltwater Fishing Report
http://cyberangler.com/hrule2.jpg

All the skinny kids with surfboards are out today so I get a day off to fix all that tackle and write a report. The only "bad" day of fishin' this time of year is the day the surf is too rough to launch the boat----.
The cobia run seems to have wound down. The last couple days we went and looked I did not see any. I have heard a few reports of fish being caught but the big push of fish seems to have come through. I'll keep a rod rigged with a big jig and another with a mono leader and a big live bait hook for the next few weeks still. You never know when you are going to come across that wad of a dozen just milling around. It seems like it happens to me at least once every May!
http://cyberangler.com/photos/watermark.php?file=4724&size=1 (http://cyberangler.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=4724&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=93)
These ladies had a great time catching these bottom dwellers and then got to tussle with a fine cobia. Unfortunately the angler got out horse-powered and gave out before the fish did!
All the other species are right on schedule and more than willing to play. We are catching Red Snappers darn near everywhere we fish and releasing most. The nice thing about the smaller limit is we can be a little selective and just keep a few bigger fish. I had one group last week that said they figured they came out with the same weight in snapper fillets as they would have had the limits not changed-- We just kept fish that were twice as big as the past few years!
The kings are here with a lot of the fish being a good grade. Being Kings they have that on/off switch that gets flipped fairly regularly but when it's in the on mode there are a lot of 20#-30# fish ending up in the box. We quit bottom fishin' with about 45 minutes left on a half day last week and my client said I was being optimistic to chase kings in that time -- We quickly boated 3 and missed 2 more before heading back to the trailer. He was quite pleased and took one straight from the boat to the kitchen-- said those snappers would freeze just fine and he was looking forward to fresh fried mackerel for lunch!
http://cyberangler.com/photos/watermark.php?file=4723&size=1 (http://cyberangler.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=4723&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=93)
Snappers, Groupers, Triggers and Kings. Not much time to do anything but wind!!

Another species that has shown back up are the triggers. Kind of conspicuous in their absence this winter the past week they have shown up right back on the beach. Three days ago I had a fellow run a 3 hook rig and catch 6 keepers and a bunch of shorts. Two days ago we came in with 19 keepers, about half were in the "large" grade. Yesterday we had one that was pushing 10 pounds. I was calling it a 15# snapper from the way it was fighting!! They should stick around 'till the water gets hot in July or so. A few of those tasty critters are a welcome addition to any box of fish!!
http://cyberangler.com/photos/watermark.php?file=4722&size=1 (http://cyberangler.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=4722&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=93)
Those triggers will be might tasty after marinating in hot p-nut oil! The lanes and the big vermillions sure make some great "bonus" snappers as well!
The hardtails have shown up on the beach this past week as well. While this make it WAY harder for me to have a tank full of live cigar minnows and herring in the well in the morning it should bring a push of amberjacks in close. Most years the jacks show up in force a week to 10 days after the 'tails. If there is a better bait to get an AJ to eat than a hardtail I sure haven't found it!!!
Fishing is great, the forecast is just for it to get better with more options in easy reach of the beach as the water warms. Get on out there and catch something!!
Capt Larry Pentel

kurt

06-05-2008, 07:28 AM

Capt. Larry Pentel
May 20, 2008
Destin - Saltwater Fishing Report
http://cyberangler.com/hrule2.jpg

For the past week the King Mackerel have been ferocious. There were a couple mornings where you about had to hide the hooks and bait under the rail before you threw it over! Alas, this morning they just didn't want to chew. They are still there as we had several "short" strikes where the kings just clipped the tail off the baits but somehow managed to elude the 6 hooks back there. Kings have that on/off switch that is either one way or the other in the summer. It sure was fun this week when it was in the ON position!
http://cyberangler.com/photos/watermark.php?file=4851&size=1 (http://cyberangler.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=4851&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=93)
A limit of Kings first thing and then off to bottom fish- the perfect half day trip!
Still lots of Snappers around and the grouper bite has been pretty good as well. If we didn't bring in a grouper or several lately it hasn't been the fishes fault. They are crafty though and we fried all the dumb ones years ago. The smart ones are all that are left and the bigger they are the smarter they are!
http://cyberangler.com/photos/watermark.php?file=4852&size=1 (http://cyberangler.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=4852&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=93)
This crew of locals (and wannabe locals) managed to outwit a great board of fish on a 6 hour
Still a few cobias around though not really running the beach. We have been fortunate to catch several the past couple weeks that just swam up to while bottom fishing or were on the top in the same area as the boat--- yesterday we were running in (at 20 knots) and I glanced over and saw one cruising along about 4 miles offshore. I throttled down, turned the boat and climbed up the tower as fast as I could. After about 10 minutes of looking we found him, right back cruising on top. I pitched a live cig and he inhaled it. My angler did a great job of fighting him but when he came to the boat I grabbed the leader rather than gaff him and threw
'em on the cooler lid. Sure enough- about an eight inch short of the magic 33" fork length. Oh well- we'll get 'em next year when he weighs 50 lb.s!
http://cyberangler.com/photos/watermark.php?file=4853&size=1 (http://cyberangler.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=4853&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=93)
A nice cobia is a welcome addition to an already great catch
There has also been a lot of grass floating around inshore with schooly dolphins bunched up around any big piece of trash in the weed lines. We have had a couple trips where we wore 'em out. Not only are they beautiful colors and acrobatic jumpers but they fry up pretty darn good too!
Lots of different choices. Just be ready for anything this time of year. While I'd ALWAYS rather be lucky than good a lot of luck is being prepared for your opportunities!
Only 5 weeks till Tarpon Season!!!!!-- All these fish and so little time!

Capt Larry Pentel

kurt

06-05-2008, 07:29 AM

Capt. Larry Pentel
June 1, 2008
Destin - Saltwater Fishing Report
http://cyberangler.com/hrule2.jpg

Last report my fishing forecast was "getting better all the time". I got lucky and nailed it! The end of May, beginning of June is usually one of the times when EVEYTHING bites. This past 10 days has been proof. We have been getting getting our usual assortment of bottom fish every day but the King Bite has been incredible as well and a big push of Sargasso weed has a lot of pelagics up inshore also. I think we either limited out on kings or quit fishing for 'em to chase other stuff everyday the past week!
http://cyberangler.com/photos/watermark.php?file=5009&size=1 (http://cyberangler.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=5009&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=93)
This was today's catch- limit of kings- some snapper a grouper, spanish and 2 nice dolphin- on a 4hr!
Yesterday I started out slow trolling live baits for kings and was getting frustrated when we missed the first 3 bites. The 4th pass around the bait school we hooked up and quickly realized why we were missing the strike-- we had a Sailfish up and jumping!! Not but a mile from the truck the fish put on a great acrobatic show on a spinning rod before I leadered 'em up and my folks took pics. About 5 1/2- 6 feet long and probably 40# he sure made our day.
http://cyberangler.com/photos/watermark.php?file=5010&size=1 (http://cyberangler.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=5010&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=93)
Not in this pic is the Sail we released first thing. We caught the limit Kings right after---
This group of "cajuns" said "Darn Straight" when I asked if they wanted to eat the Bull Shark that ate a grouper on the way up. So we put 'em in the boat and filleted that bad boy right up.
http://cyberangler.com/photos/watermark.php?file=5013&size=1 (http://cyberangler.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=5013&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=93)
I think they needed a bigger cooler for the fillets---The great thing about a cajun is I know they'll eat it all!
http://cyberangler.com/photos/watermark.php?file=5011&size=1 (http://cyberangler.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=5011&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=93)
This family has fished with me for years and just came back from a year in New Zealand- The 2 girls that are my "students" are capable anglers and probably caught 1/2 the fish on the board, with little help other than advice!
http://cyberangler.com/photos/watermark.php?file=5012&size=1 (http://cyberangler.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=5012&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=93)
Another group that I've fished with for 10 years or so and a fine 4 hr catch
The bite should stay good till the water gets hot or the weather changes --- at least for another week or so!
Capt Tim Harvey called me this afternoon from Indian Pass and said the Tarpons have arrived!!!!!
I'm booked here till the end of June but will be there July 1st to start launching those big silver missiles. I still have some days open in July -if you want a shot at a trophy Tarpon give me a call,
So many Fish-- Not enough hours in the Day!!!
Get off this computer and go!!!

Capt Larry Pentel

kathydwells

06-05-2008, 03:40 PM

Hey!!! There is Tim and Dominique, and Jack and Cale. Some of my Florida Vacation group!!! I knew they were in Grayton last week, and I knew Tim was going fishing!! Looks like he caught a few. :biggrin::clap:Yeah, because I will get to eat some of them next month while we are down. Thanks for the report Daddy-O!!!!

http://cyberangler.com/photos/watermark.php?file=5010&size=1 (http://cyberangler.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=5010&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=93)

kurt

06-05-2008, 04:08 PM

:cool:

kurt

06-22-2008, 10:38 AM

Capt. Larry Pentel
June 15, 2008
Destin - Saltwater Fishing Report
http://cyberangler.com/hrule2.jpg

The weather has turned to full on summer but the fishing is still as hot as the air. The King bite remains as good most days as it ever gets and there are still quite a few pelagics up in close to the beach.
I ran 2 dads and 2 boys who had never been with me before last week and we had "one of those days". Luckily it was one of those GREAT days. We had the usual assortment of bottom fish and Kings but we also landed a Wahoo 'bout 40# while King fishing. Quite the surprise as we were only 3 miles off the beach! An hour latter we were fishing for some (big) Black snapper and landed a 34# cobia, right after a pair of 12# Blacks! I think these folks will be back----
http://cyberangler.com/photos/watermark.php?file=5144&size=1 (http://cyberangler.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=5144&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=93)
One of the best and most assorted 4 hour catches of the season-
As I said- the Kings are still HOT! I love a good Mackerel rally and it's even better when I've got kids on the boat. A young teenager and a hot bite has everybody yelling and scrambling and learning how to fish real fast! Great "on the job training" when they bite as fast as you can get the bait out. Plus we can fit a LOT of catchin' in a half day!
http://cyberangler.com/photos/watermark.php?file=5145&size=1 (http://cyberangler.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=5145&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=93)
This group caught 17 kings (we released several that were not hooked bad)before going bottom fishing. The boys caught 'bout all of 'em.
http://cyberangler.com/photos/watermark.php?file=5142&size=1 (http://cyberangler.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=5142&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=93)
These folks fish with me several days every year. They said they had 22 to feed and wanted a box full for a couple fish fry's. Mission accomplished!
Still some Grouper around as well. Just smart ones though-. We lost several fines ones yesterday and a REAL one today. If you are not ready when that bite happens or you make one mistake, it's all over quick. catchin' 'em in "shallow" water is way harder than deep. My crew 2 days ago had a couple anglers that did everything just right on some good bites tho and added 4 nice Gags to an all ready great 1/2 day catch.
http://cyberangler.com/photos/watermark.php?file=5143&size=1 (http://cyberangler.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=5143&size=big&cat=500&ppuser=93)
Check out the "partial" Grouper- A bull shark almost got 'em all!
The kings will stay good till we get a different batch of water in from a weather change. The snappers will probably start to move off a little pretty soon as the water temp is up to 86 on the beach now. Probably be having to fish more in 80 feet plus 'stead of less pretty soon-. As long as we keep getting these pushes of Sargasso weed in the mahis and other offshore critters will be in on the beach for a while.
Less han 2 weeks and I'm off to chase Tarpons. As great as the fishing is here I'm looking forward to launching some fish over 200#! Not to mention tripletails. With the possible exception of sight fishing cobias tripletail fishin' gets me more excited than anything-. My son (capt William Pentel) called 2 days ago and said he had a 15# tripletail at the end of a trout trip in the bay- said capt Dan Davis went huntin''em in the Gulf and came in with 4 that were pushin' 60# total!!!!
Did I mention I'm excited?!!! Last year I had anglers land quite a few 'tails over 20#. If the "grass" keeps pushin' in the big fish should keep stackin' up over there-
I still have a few days in July including a couple 'round the 4th-. Give a call if you want to see "old Florida" at Indian Pass!
Capt Larry Pentel

kurt

07-15-2008, 01:46 PM

Capt. Larry Pentel
July 14, 2008
Apalachicola - Saltwater Fishing Report
http://cyberangler.com/hrule2.jpg

I have been here at Indian Pass for 2 weeks now and the fishing has been fantastic. The weather has had us running from the thunderbumpers a little but we haven't lost a day (or a fish) to the squalls yet--.
The Tarpon are here !! All sizes from 75# "easy" fish to the 200#+ "OH NO !! " fish. We have had a fish to the boat everyday but 2 since the 1st of the month. Both those days we had (big) Fish on but they won the battles. Remember, they jump for a reason and anything that can fight you for over an hour without tiring is trying it's best to get away!!
Yesterday we did not boat a Tarpon (had a good one on for 6 jumps but he won). My angler did however fight a tripletail for over 30 minutes that we did boat. A great trophy of a fish that weighed 26#!!!! Caught on 12# test and a light spinning rig it made the day. My angler made a great cast and did a perfect presentation. He had whipped a 115# Tarpon the day before in under 45 minutes so I knew he was up to "trophy" fishin'!
I took the 4th off and play fished with my son , capt Will. Naturally we went sight fishing for 'tails. We found 16 and boated 6 in 4 hours. He had a 15# and a 17# fish on 8# tackle and I landed a 22# fish on 12# !!!. We kept the big fish for table fare and tagged the other 5 before releasing 'em. That is the biggest 'tail I have ever got to catch myself. All the other fish over 20# I have ever hooked I had to hand off to a client. Needless to say I am very proud of that fish.
The Tarpon fishing should just get better and better as the water warms, same with the 'tails. We have not had a "banner" day with the Tarpon yet averaging 2 fish a day in the air. I can feel it coming soon though and hope to be in the middle of one of those double digit days of silver rockets over 100#.
I'm afraid I don't have access to upload pictures over here. When I get back to Seagrove in August I'll post pic's of some of the monsters. Just to show off if for no other reason !!
Give me a call and come spend the night at the fish camp. I'll put you next to some fish that'll have your heart pounding for hours!!!
Capt Larry Pentel