Fay gives way to ‘perfect day’

While those in South Florida were hunkering down and waiting Monday for Tropical Storm Fay, the Destin charter boats were bringing in some good catches.
How did that happen?
Fay didn’t bother us.
The word I was getting from boat captains on Monday was the Gulf of Mexico was “gorgeous,” “nice and smooth” and just a “perfect day.”
Capt. John Tenore on the Dawn Patrol came in just before noon with about 20 head of black snapper that he caught in the bay.
Alabama anglers on the Back Atcha with Capt. Tres Peerson had a big day.
“It was one of those days that nothing could go wrong,” Peerson said. “They’re were a few swells but it was nice.”
Capt. Peerson and his group hauled in a couple of 20-pound grouper, red snapper, black snapper, amberine and mackerel.
Dallas anglers on the Fish-N-Fool with Capt. Aaron Smith came in from a four-hour trip with a nice rack of red snapper.
Capt. Smith, who is now running the boat for Capt. Mike Eller who took over the Lady ‘Em, said it was “nice and smooth.”
Texas anglers on the Seascape with Capt. Ricky Hayles filled the boards with red snapper, grouper and two fat triggerfish.
The group from Georgia on the Inshore Angler with Capt. Nicky Harvell brought in a good catch of black snapper and a couple of redfish — all caught at the bridge and near the jetties.
Tennessee anglers on the Silver King with Capt. Mike Parker filled the board with red snapper and mingo. Capt. Parker said they also had a couple of good grouper bites.
Anglers on the Sure Thing with Capt. Tom Walker brought in a smorgasbord. They had red snapper, black snapper, flounder, scamp and mackerel on the racks.
Georgia anglers on the Huntress with Capt. Mike Graef backed in with four big black snapper, a limit of red snapper, mingo and triggerfish.
“It was gorgeous out ... a perfect day for fishing,” Graef said.
Hopefully Monday wasn’t the only “perfect day” we’ll have for fishing.
See you at the docks.