Early April Fishing Report

Second week of April and fishing in Destin and along the Gulf Coast is in full swing. I’m getting great reports of Pompano all along the beaches, as well as in the pass on a slack tide. I personally have been capitalizing on the Spanish Mackerel bite all around the pass. My clients and I been catching them while trolling spoons, throwing jigs, as well as on shrimp under a popping cork.

Bull Reds have been solid around the pass and Destin Bridge. The outgoing tide seems to be better than incoming, but we’re still catching them on an incoming too. The Sheepshead just don’t seem to want to cooperate. We’re all catching them, but not in any great numbers or consistency.

Mangrove snappers have come more inshore, and we’re catching them around the bridges, jetties, and deep water docks. Nothing of great size, but keepers that are fun to catch.

Sharks are becoming more prevalent every day, and a few Cobia have been spotted and caught on the beaches. I haven’t caught one yet, but the King Mackerel are trying to show up, and they all seem to be of decent size.

The nearshore bottom bite has been consistent. Vermillion and Mangrove snappers abound, and I’ve been picking up keeper Scamps here and there. Also, Lane Snappers are continuing to make more of a showing than years past, and always add a nice touch of color to the cooler.

I caught a permit in the harbor this week, so that was interesting as well as exciting for all involved.

Tight line and happy fishing!

-Captain Si Nelson