Fished The Destin Area The Last Week Or So

[Smalliebigs]

We went to florida for the last 9 days or so and the fishing was okay.I caught several Redfish the biggest only about 3 to 4 pounds, a Pompano that I later found out was very large, 20 inches and fat. I also had a King Mackrel off the beach hook up and run me for a bit and then just came loose??? It really is hard to get pics by yourself, I don't really have any good ones to show ya....I do have a vid from my condo's balcony of a nice Hammerhead causing drama.....I thought was cool but, it's not the best vid as it was from my iphone and from about 75 yards....look for the big black figure by the lifegaurd on the atv....he's trying to keep people from getting in the water by the shark....lol

http://youtu.be/fta8OkjOrWg

all in all it was another great trip of getting fat and tan on the beach.....and fishing from a kayak in the surf and at the East Pass

[gotmuddy]

I could see the shark easily. Why werent you fishing for him??

[dennis boatman]

I go down to the jetties near Ft. Walton ... lots of Mackaral there...and fun...be careful on the rocks...

[Stoneroller]

hammerheads don't eat very much, just a leg or an arm.

[OzarkFishman]

Smalliebigs,

What were you throwing at them???

I will be going to Gulf Shores in July and plan on throwing jigs, big cranks and a few topwater plugs.

Any suggestions are welcome.

Thanks,

OzarkFishman

[Smalliebigs]

Smalliebigs,

What were you throwing at them???

I will be going to Gulf Shores in July and plan on throwing jigs, big cranks and a few topwater plugs.

Any suggestions are welcome.

Thanks,

OzarkFishman

Ozark,

Gulf shores is killer fishing!!! just like Destin. I think it may be a little more fertile the closer you get to the Mississippi?? just my opinion thru fishing down there.

I always fish like you said any Pompano jigs or diver jigs in pink and white w/red in the last couple of years I have been catching Redfish on just a 4 inch curly tail grub in shrimpy sorta colors that you can only get down there they seem to be working better than a DOA shrimp deal for me ....in the surf...I also like to just get out there with my yak and paddle when the tides are going which can be bad times of the day and just look for birds and fish.Then thats when I throw the topwater at them....find them blowing up on some pogies and they will destroy anything you throw. most guys will throw live bait in the surf....sand fleas and shrimps....too boring for me.I either walk up or down the beach sighting fish where I can or use the yak in the tides.The Mullet could be running that time of year and the shark fishing will be off the charts.

In Gulf shores there are a few wrecks that the state of Alabama put there and they all well with in paddling distance and visual sight of the beach.Big White/Red Jigs will pull up all kinds of stuff, these wrecks provide some of the guides spots to take tourist and make a living....they always hold fish. Gulf Shores has some jetties in the Orange Beach area where the river feeds in....the fishing around those jetties when the tides are running is nuts. Also in the Ft.Morgan coast line I thought there are some jetties and piers??? hit them while the tides are running can't stress that enough. Topwater will get you your Lady's and Blues this time of year, I have never really used any cranks....it would be fun.

I have had a few fish tow me on my yak for a good distance only to get away....one was my own doing as I was too far off the coast for my liking with out gps and beeing towed out to sea by something.At first I thought it was cool and was having an "Old Man and the Sea" Ernest Hemingway moment and then pussed out big time and cut the braid shaking like a leaf.....lol

I love fishing down there, we go twice a year.I have really been catching some fish in the fall down ther the last couple of years and the beaches are desolate.Have fun and post some pics and a report please

[OzarkFishman]

I will definitely post some pics. Thanks for such a detailed response!

Sounds like I have everything I need. I just need to rent an ocean yak while I am down there and explore those wrecks.

I had a blast last summer catching blues and ladyfish (along with a few stingray). Like you, I can't stand bait fishing in the ocean.

What rod do you use to cast in the surf? Do you use a different rod for the big 2 - 4 oz red and white jigs?

Thanks again for the information.

[Smalliebigs]

I take two rods a 6 foot 6 med/hvy spinning and my regular Baitcaster 6 foot 10 med/hvy, I do use braid when down there although I don't think it's an absolute. I'm sure you know to rinse those reels off every night really good in some fresh water.....the salt is a killer.

The Blues and Ladyfish are fun....they are so acrobatic. If you ever tie into a Crevalle Jack watch out thats when you will want the braid.they will make any freshwater fish look like a puss anyday.

Gulf Shores has really some of the best fishing on the gulf coast....there is a BassPro in Destin.... I'm not sure about Gulf Shores??? but as soon as I get down there I go int there and stock up on my salwater plugs and baits. They have really cool lures you just wont find up here and some that will work up here really well.

Ozark I don't want you to think the yak thing is a must.....it's just after years of fishing the jetties and surf I started bringing some of my yaks down, which can be a pain in the butt, but, i then found out about the artificial reefs that have been sunk right off the coast.This all started making sense as I would always see outfitters with boats fishing very close to shore. Sometimes the wreck require a live Pogie to be drifted over the top to get the fish started but, once they are feeding it's on and just about anything with a little flash will work at the right depth.Oh also you probally know this but, you will need the maps that will show you the gps cordinates or general locales of those wrecks.....there is ahuge boat off of Gulf Shores, it was an old navy ship that is like a quater mile long and has developed into a huge reef. Better yet let me check tonight at home i have a map of that area wih the wrecks listed....I might be able to scan it at work and email it to you so you don't have to try to find one.

The flounder fishing can be rediculous in by the jetties and some of the protected bays where docks and channles are dredged.....you can sometimes catch them like crappie......one after another

[patfish]

Destin/SanDestin

Redfish?

Like this?

[OzarkFishman]

Smallie ... I can't thank you enough.

This year will be a little different than last year. I will have a few more mornings by myself (which I am looking forward to ... focused fishing).

One more question ... is 30 pound braid enough to cast 2 - 4 ounce jigs OR would you go with 50 - 65? I will be taking 2 Penn spinning reels. Obviously, I would never cast anything close to that big in the James or Finley where I frequent. I don't plan on throwing the big jigs the whole time, but they sure can cover to water.

Last year I had a ton of success with blues and ladyfish, but this year I am ready to step it up a little (if not the blues will be biting).

Anymore info is welcome. Let me know if you need me to PM you my email.