Red snapper days winding down
Since June 1, the red snapper fishing has been great out of Destin with charter boats bringing in their fair share — two per angler.
For the recreational boats fishing in state waters, from shore to nine nautical miles, their season started June 11 and shut down July 12.
However, for the federally permitted charter boats, their last day to land a red snapper is next Thursday, Aug. 1.
On Monday, several of the charters went out and brought in some good catches of snapper, but they are starting to dwindle down.
Word is on the shorter trips, on the in-close spots, the snapper have been beaten down. Not to say the snapper is not still around, but boats may have to go a little bit further out to find them. Remember, red snapper have to be 16 inches to keep.
Capt. Steve Hauesler on the First Light didn’t have any problems finding the red snapper on Monday. His group of anglers from Virginia, Minnesota and Tennessee reeled in their red snapper, along with a few mingo and bonito.
Texas anglers on the Huntress with Capt. Mike Graef found a big snapper, a 20-plus pounder, plus more snapper, mingo and amberine. Word is the big snapper was the first of the day.
Missouri anglers on the Suzie Q with Capt. Casey Godwin got their limit of red snapper, plus they reeled in a few mingo and white snapper on Monday.
Capt. Kyle Lowe and his group from South Carolina on the Special K found the red snapper and a few mingo.
Tennessee anglers on the Destination with Capt. Stan Phillips got their red snapper and one black snapper on Monday.
Georgia anglers on the Bow’d Up with Capt. Brady Bowman found some big ones on Monday. They had big grouper, a couple of big red snapper, and a barracuda on the racks.
Kansas anglers on the Mighty Fine with Capt. Bud Miller brought in a good catch of red snapper, not quite their limit, plus a black snapper and a few mingo.
Capt. Ken Bolden on the Just-B-Cause and his fishermen from Louisiana pulled in a great catch of red snapper to go along with their grouper and small Almaco Jack.
Anglers on the Al-Lin with Capt. Harold Staples pulled in a good catch of red snapper, mingo and bonito.
Fishing regulars from Louisville, Kentucky, on the Silver King with Capt. Alex Hare pulled in a big catch. They had their limit of red snapper, a grouper, black snapper and mingo.
Anglers on the Malia Ann with Capt. Zach Wolfe got in on a mahi mahi rally. Usually where there is one, there is more and they loaded up on them.
Capt. Kevin Price on the Cheshire brought in a good catch of mingo on a short trip.
Fishing is good. Although red snapper is kind of the signature catch for this area, and the season is coming to a close soon, there is still plenty of other fish in the sea.
See you at the docks.
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