The weather and the fishing are heating up in Destin, with plenty of Amberjack, Cobia, Triggerfish, Vermillion, and the first King Mackerel of the season. Cobia, kings, and amberjack made up the bulk of the last couple days of catches. The triggers and mingo snapper are good also.
In the bay there has been a much better bite of redfish and trout but the sheepshead and spanish are slowing down.
Red snapper season has been announced for both federal and state waters. If you are renting a boat or fishing with a state licensed charter boat, you can start catching red snapper as soon as this Saturday, with red snapper season open in state waters Saturdays and Sundays starting May 7; continuously May 28 through July 10; Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in September and October, and on Labor Day. If you go past the 9-mile mark into federal waters, you will have 9 days to catch red snapper, from June 1-9 in federal waters. Those of you who are looking to go on a federally-licensed charter boat will get 46 continuous days of fishing, from June 1-July 16.
NOAA Fisheries is lengthening the gag grouper recreational season to June 1 to Dec. 31 with a size limit change from 22 inches to 24 inches, so you can catch both red snapper and grouper from June 1-July 16th on a federally licensed charter boat. Book those trips now-they will fill in fast now that the dates are out!
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