Our overnight trip to Destin, Florida

badcuda · #1 07-02-03, 09:54 AM

We returned from Florida last night and had a great fishing trip. We fished aboard the New Florida Girl. Captain Jim Westbrook was away on family business, so Captain Billy Perry took us out. He was a great Captain and put us on the fish. He is also out of Destin and has been taking people fishing for many years. I can't wait until October when we return for another overnight trip. We fished waters in the 200-300 foot range. The highlight for me was a 50 pound Cobia, or "Ling" as they call them in the Florida Panhandle. Of all the fish I have ever caught (and some much larger), this one fought the hardest. It took two men with two gaffs to land him. I have the utmost respect for them, both as a big game fish and table fare. They are excellent eating. Besides my fish, our top Red Snapper was a 15 pounder. Best Groupers were in the 36-39 lb range, with several 35 to 40 lb Almaco Jacks (Rock Salmon), 15 to 20 lb Amberjacks, lots of Scamp, Mingo and King Mackerel. Several nice Sharks were released including a 7' Hammerhead. One of the uncommon fish (for the Panhandle region) we caught was a 3 pound Yellowtail Snapper, which is rare this far north. We fished as deep as 300 feet, and you should try reeling in a big fish at that depth..lol. You won't forget it. Hope everyone made some good finds over the weekend. The enclosed pic was taken on top of a 150 quart cooler. My fish measured 54 inches long. Good fishing, badcuda

anglerbill · #2 07-02-03, 10:38 AM

Nice Cobia!!!!!!!! Look like you had good gaff men. No holes in the meat!!!!!!!!!!

Captn C · #3 07-02-03, 10:48 AM

Nice fish BC.

Seems ling alway save a little extra for gaff time. The 50lber we caught last year was spent by the time I stuck him with the gaff, that rarely ever happens.

snapper · #4 07-03-03, 05:02 PM

I was with BC on that 2 day trip and had a ball. I was lucky enought to get that 15+ red snapper and didn't have the luck of getting a good grouper. The best one that I got was a 5# scamp which was OK by me. I love those scamp.

There were alot of good fish caught on this trip and the seas were calm for a change.

While Jim Westbrook/ captian and owner of the boat was away for personial reasons. He had Capt. Billy Perry take us out and he did a hell of a job holding that boat over a fishing spot. Half of the deck hands were great and the other half need replacing. Just my opinion. I had no problems though. Since I work night shift then I was up all night tuesday night and drove down Wednesday morning after work. When I got there then I loaded my gear and got a bite to eat. I got to bed at midnight and was up at daylight on the way out. Needless to say. I was a tired fisherman when we anchored at dark that night. My last drop after we anchored was with a 2 hook rig and I caught a 15# King off of the bottom. That was a good sign of things to come. I was only using mono leaders then and it bite the hook only and didn't cut me off. After that, I went into the galley for the fish fry/ supper that we were fed and it was a great meal. After the good food, I went back out and tried bottom fishing on the 190 ft. shelf that capt. Billy anchored us on. I only caught Ming/beliners and white snappers. I then give it up for the night and went to bed in a life boat on the roof. It was a clear night with alot of stars and a good breeze blowing. I slept in until daylight and missed alot of good fishing during the night. I missed the 25 Kings caught and BC's Cobia. What did wake me up was the 30# amberjack caught at daylight right under where I was sleeping in that life boat on the top of the boat. I am a hard sleeper but that comotion under me and seeing that pole gaff raise up over the side gaffing that Amberjack work me up. While we had a great trip, I still think that last Octobers trip was better by a slight margen. I am looking forward to this Octobers trip. That if is Dave or BC want's to go through the heartbreaks of putting it own. If anyone is interested in going to Destin Florida for a good 2 day offshore trip this Oct. Then drop Bad Cuda a line. You want regret it. Snapper