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mlane
Administrator
USA
86 Posts |
 Posted - 07/14/2003 : 1:06:58 PM
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Leon Brown Atlanta, GA USA
All you guys dissin' Destin:
I agree 100 percent that our fishing can't hold a candle to South Louisiana. That's why I make several trips a year to the beautiful metropolitan area of Venice -- either by water or road. I normally catch more fish in one trip to Venice than I catch in Florida in a whole season (thanks a great deal to the help of Mike Frenette). I have often thought about leaving my boat at Cypress Cove or Venice Marina and driving the extra 3-1/2 hours it takes to get there from Atlanta over driving to Destin for my fishing "fix".
But then I come to the realization that I'm not in this game alone. I have a wife and three teenage kids who find Venice slightly less than the ideal vacation Mecca. Not that your beaches are not nice, mind you, but the consistancy of the sand is just a little stickier than what we are used to. Also, the state bird of Louisiana (mosquito) is a little more troublesome that the gulls that hang around on our side of the Gulf. Consequently, when I come to Venice, I come with other hard-core fishermen, and leave the family at home. There in lies the problem.
By having a house in Destin, I get to go fishing anytime I say "Let's go to the beach this weekend." The fact that I'm gone to sea for a couple of days is hardly noticed by the family left behind to "endure" the hardships of languishing on sugar-white beaches in gin-clear water, surrounded by a couple of hundred fine resturants and watering holes. And on the days we're weathered in, there's a lot more diversion in Destin than hanging in the c***pit of my boat waiting for the weather to clear, which is what I do in Venice when weathered (fogged?) in.
Life is a trade off, and this is a trade that I have learned to accept. And besides, we still manage to release a few billfish every season and boat enough tuna to keep it interesting. And sometimes the dolphin and wahoo fishing can be nothing short of fantastic, albiet not as consistant as yours.
As to the guy who asked for a report on the Spur, 131 Hole and Nipple, one word describes the whole area -- green! As of last week, the nearest blue water to Destin was South of the Double Nipple, over 120 miles from the pass. It will turn around before fall, but August will most likely be dead, unless you are willing to make a long run south.
But then, you could always take your boat over to Venice! |
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2106 Posts |
Posted - 07/14/2003 : 3:26:49 PM
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I like Orange Beach AL for some of the same reasons as Leon likes Destin. My stepson (at 6y.o.) is a little young for offshore, and of my 2 daughters, only one is a fisherman, and my wife doesn't care much for the 10 hour offshore trip. She'd rather catch trout and reds in the marsh. I like to go offshore, and Zeke's has boats that you can book one or more spots, and they will fill a boat up. You get to fish for a reasonable fee, meet new folks who fish all over the country, and the wife and kids get a free day or two at the beach. Then Zeke's has the best Margarita after the trip!!! I've not caught any giant snapper, but have always gone home with a bunch of fish and a satisfied feeling. If Venice could ever get a fleet like Zeke's has, where you can go on a 10 hour charter on a 35-45' sportfisherman, most of which have air conditioned salons, for $125.00 plus fish cleaning and deckhand tip, I would consider a charter there. The way I and my friends who would go with me to split a trip work, we can never get a whole crew together.
Wil Schober |
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ed mcintyre
Administrator
USA
6850 Posts |
Posted - 07/15/2003 : 1:44:49 PM
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well i've fished both, i'll never forget the first sail i billed in off palm beach in 67, nor the grander i lost as wireman off islamorada in 68' i did not start fishing the panhandle until the 80's. but i still remeber the south florida fishing and the quick trips to bimini. wait until you see sailfish herding chicken dolphin toward the A1A bridges in the keys, they work like wolves attackin without mercy, cobia by the hundreds around the bridges some only inches long. or diving in john penekamp national park which in the winter time is the breeding ground for the atlantic barracuda, where you will see them from 6 inches to 6 feet long, but that was along time ago. all of that was before the small center consoles. now the limits on fish in florida are ridiculous but neccesary. 1 redfish under i believe 26in, none over. 5 specks. no i'll stick to la for now. i saw an ad for a house trailer and lot in key west, $200,000. i would love to have a warm place to fish in the winter, but not at those prices. so i'll just stick to cocodrie and free food at laperouse on friday night.ed
we did not inherit these great resourses from our forefathers, we are merely borrowing them from our children |
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1 Posts |
Posted - 07/20/2003 : 1:56:51 PM
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I agree 100%. The fishing doesn't compare, nor does the grief that I get when I go fishing in Destin compared to Venice.
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wanna
Advanced Member
USA
1118 Posts |
Posted - 07/20/2003 : 2:20:45 PM
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On the other hand (are different fingers). I keep reading about these guys in South Fla who catch Tarpon and other pelagic species near shore. They only have to run 1/4 mile from the launch to catch them. That beats all Hell out of 30 mile run from Venice which is 3 hours from everywhere.
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1 Posts |
Posted - 07/28/2003 : 7:03:25 PM
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I have fished in Florida many of times and while the fishing is great the captains suck. I have fished Destin,mexico beach, panama city, and clearwater beach. I have caught my share of gags and aj's but they keep a very close tab on just how many fish you will catch. They are VERY greedy with their fish. Now for my next year trip i was planning on making it in Venice or grande Isle. Could anyone give me a few tips on how to have an enjoyable trip. Also are the mosquitos really that bad?
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453 Posts |
Posted - 07/29/2003 : 1:25:13 PM
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The skeeters are not really that bad but if you are scared of being carried off in the night and sucked until you look kinda prunish....come down in the Oct-Feb timeframe.
If not, bring DEET
"See the Marsh, Smell the Marsh, Feel the Marsh, BE the Marsh" |
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11 Posts |
Posted - 07/31/2003 : 10:26:00 AM
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I agree, fishing out of Venice is great compared to Destin or Orange Beach. But if I am going for a weekend to get away from it all (with my daughter or girlfriend), I would much rather lay on the beach, drink beer and maybe a 4 hour fishing tour (charter). But if I want to do serious fishing, I am headed to Venice for the big ones.
Rather B Boating
The only good sketer is a dead sketer.
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