Kings in the Panhandle!
The kingfish are officially in full migration in the Florida Panhandle. Fished last 3 weeks out there in Ft. Walton Beach and Destin areas. Most days I was able to limit out on kings. Most in the 8-12lb class, and biggest overall was 27 lbs, but it was good action early until about 1pm most every day. In Ft. Walton, I fished the Okaloosa Island Pier with all the local pier rats and still managed 8 kings during my stay there. All caught on 20lb P-Line Blue, 32lb single strand wire, #2 bronze treble, and frozen Cigar Minnows. Out of Destin, I chartered the boat "Backdown 2", and ended up with 14 kings in 4 hours with a 7 man crew. These were all caught within a mile of the beach, and all caught slow trolling standard double treble king rigs with live threadfin on downriggers, 6lb ball at 30ft. The spanish have been coming in close to the beach on occassion, but the kings are thick right now. If anyone has the chance, now is the time! Get a good East / Southeast wind, clear water, and you're set.
Thanks for the report! We would be there right now as we have been doing for the last 10 years, but its a little early for tarponso we are pushing back the dates. Gonna head down to Destin on July 7-14th to fish Okaloosa Island Pier. Water is always beautiful down there!
tb
We did see a few tarpon on a day when the water got a lil dirty. There was a strong east wind and it was stirring up the water quite a bit. Lots of blacktip sharks were hooked up, as well as 2 tarpon. They were all broken off at the base of the pier. We continued to see tarpon off and on, but they were too far off to throw to, even with spoons. We also saw about a 9ft hammerhead that same day. Something about dirty water gets those sharks and tarpon closer inshore to feed.
Wonder if the hammerhead was looking for a tarpon dinner? I have lost countless kings to those 'cudas that hang around under the octagon.
tb
Lost 3 kings to Flipper while I was there. I freespooled 4 others and they managed to outrun the dolphins, and I later brought them in and gaffed them, but the other 3 werent so lucky and flipper caught them, and all I brought in was a head. Then I looked like the jerk up there feeding the dolphins, and after the free meal, they dont tend to leave the area very quickly.
Only lost a jack crevelle to a flipper a few years ago, nothing since then. Dont know why, but I have have hardly any problems with them unlike others at the pier. Was there alot of bait in the area?
tb
You by any chance talking about a trevally (ulua?). I know they are sometimes called crevelle, and are in the jack family!
Fishing is a lifestyle.....Don't ever forget that!
Jack Crevelle
http://www.primofish.com/fishcatches...k_Crevalle.jpg
Very hard fighters and great on light spinning tackle. BTW that guy isnt me
tb
Hey TB, if youre looking for an "up to date" account of the fishing at the Island Pier...see below, they update it every afternoon:
pier ramblings
Yea, already do AZ... must of been a awesome day today, over 100 king caught?? WOW!
tb
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