Since my last report we have had a lot of blowy weather and a few down right chilly mornings. The hard west wind that blew for the past 10 days put a damper on the Cobia fishing but I did hear of a couple caught today (the 1st calm day in a while).
Topsail Hill Preserve State Park on the western end of Scenic 30A should be at the top of your must do list. No visit to South Walton is complete without seeing our masterpiece of a park, where wild coastal forest and serene dune lakes meet the glorious Gulf.
The Cobia run is in full swing. After a couple of slow years this year is turning into a pretty good season. It's big game fishin' so there are still a few days when it doesn't all come together, but those days are way fewer than the days it works this year! The Kings have also started to show up along with a few Cigar Minnows and I saw the first big school of Jacks (Crevalle) this morning that I have seen this year.
While the word is used all the time, the yell of "FISH" from a tower is enough to get any angler's heart going. I am happy (shoot, way excited) to report that the Cobia run has finally kicked in full bore here in SoWal.
I have been able to run a few Cobia trips this past week and the numbers of fish have increased every day. Today is probably going to be the first banner day of the run but I was supposed to bottom fish, and with 5' waves breaking on the sand bar, safety dictates I stay on the hill and write a fishing report.
I have been hard at it - baiting lots of hooks and cleaning lots of fish. Plenty of Spring Break folks at the beach and I have done my best to get a bunch of 'em to eat (really) fresh seafood while they are here.
My trips for the past ten days or so have been running on an almost regular schedule. Catch a few baits, catch a pile of Jacks, run a couple miles, catch a pile of Vermilion Snappers, run in and clean fish as fast as I can for an hour and a half. As always on the Gulf we have had a few very exciting "surprise" catches this past week as well.
The Grayton Beach Kids Fishing Tournament is so much fun - for kids and parents. It's a joy to see the kids so excited. There's nothing like seeing a kid hook their first fish. The South Walton Chapter of the Coastal Conservation Association has the 7th annual edition set for April 13 from 8 a.m. to noon.
Man, lottsa folks in town here in SoWal for Spring Break. While I usually take families this time of year, I have run a few trips with college folks who have had a big time.
The past two weeks have brought the annual change to the beach here in South Walton. Most of our winter snowbirds have moved back up north and the crowds of younger spring breakers have arrived. Luckily for me there are all kinds of folks that love to fish!
I got to run offshore today and it was just like the title says - easy fishing. One of those calm, clear, comfortable, "I can't believe it's February" days!
The fish cooperated nicely. We caught a bunch of wigglers, ran to a Jack spot and caught big AJ's 'til my folks were tired, keeping our four fish limit. I even got to catch a Jack on a jig after a couple of my anglers were wore down.
He can never get enough! I think he landed six big Jacks, releasing five.
First Ever Stand-up Paddle Board Division; New Weigh Station in Pensacola
The Cobia World Championship Tournament is adding a new twist for 2013. The tournament is Cobia fishing's premier tournament and has taken place at Destin's Harbor Docks Restaurant for over 20 years. This year's tourney has partnered with Bote Boards to introduce the first ever Stand-up Paddle Board Division (SUP). The angler who lands the largest Cobia on a paddle board during the tournament will be awarded a new BOTE Board donated by the Destin store.
