Destin, Florida 7/10 - 7/18

[texasbasser]

Well we finally arrived in Destin, Florida on the 20th to windy conditions. Took a walk along the pier and the wind had turned on the king bite. Later, we launched our boat and took it to the boat slip we had at our condo. The next day we fished, up at 4 am everyday.

First day was very windy and rough, but kings were everywhere. Got 4 in the boat in an hour before a storm came in. Only kept 1, because we forgot the gaff.


Next day is alot calmer. Not much kings around, but about 8:00 I see a small manta ray peacefully swimming along. Of course, I edge over to it and cast a freelined cigar minnow just to the side of it in hopes of a cobia and a cobia hits! Not as big as I wanted but still a cobia nontheless.

Manta ray in bottom right corner.



A few days go by as well as a few kings and small sharks... fishing has seen its better days. Then the last day there are sharks everywhere. Most were freejumping. I got 5 to the boat and then dad hooked one that he fought for two and a half hours. It was a 7 foot bull (could be wrong) caught on a Penn 7500 with 20 pound ANDE backcountry. This thing would not quit. We got a good release on him, right above the hook.


I had more pics of the vacation but in one of the storms we had hit our camera got wet and didnt take anymore. But this mainly covers the best of it. It was a great trip and cant wait for next time!


TB

[Jim80]

good pics man looks like ya had a blast .

[brushhog]

Thanks for sharing... I'm guessing you chartered with someone down there??

[Fishnngolfn]

Nice pics. Too bad that the camera got wet and you weren't able to take any more pics. I hope that it was able to dry out and it still works.

[texasbasser]

Originally Posted by brushhog

Thanks for sharing... I'm guessing you chartered with someone down there??

Nope, that was our own boat.

TB

[brushhog]

I'm sorry, you referred to it as your boat in your post... I should have seen that. Thanks again for the pictures. That must be a pretty good haul from where you are, you trailer it all the way there? You must of sold a vital organ for gas

[texasbasser]

Originally Posted by brushhog

I'm sorry, you referred to it as your boat in your post... I should have seen that. Thanks again for the pictures. That must be a pretty good haul from where you are, you trailer it all the way there? You must of sold a vital organ for gas

haha, pretty much. We were getting about 8 MPG which was about $600 in gas, Ford Expedition.

TB

[Jim80]

Originally Posted by texasbasser

haha, pretty much. We were getting about 8 MPG which was about $600 in gas, Ford Expedition.

TB

god as i read that i could hear my wallet weeping that had to hurt

[Christopherkeene9]

Nice report there texas!!! Tip on the king's gaff less, especially ones in that size range is just to wrap the leader/line around your hand and gently yank 'em in them boat, should be pretty easy in your bayboat and its low freeboard.

Be lucky at 8mpg, we get 7 with ours and then 1.2 - 1.4 on the water!

[texasbasser]

Originally Posted by Christopherkeene9

Nice report there texas!!! Tip on the king's gaff less, especially ones in that size range is just to wrap the leader/line around your hand and gently yank 'em in them boat, should be pretty easy in your bayboat and its low freeboard.

Be lucky at 8mpg, we get 7 with ours and then 1.2 - 1.4 on the water!

Yeah, thats what we did with the smaller kings, but we had a few 20+ that snapped the line or wire when lifted and a bit more dangerous.

Thanks,
TB