Gov. Scott dines in Destin, dashes after promoting local fishing and seafood at Lucky Snapper (PHOTOS)

Taking a break from his two-day whirlwind tour across the Panhandle, Rick Scott stopped in Destin Wednesday to sample some of the Gulf’s bounty with city and county officials at the Lucky Snapper on Destin harbor.

“The fish here was great today and I look forward to coming back when I have some more time,” said Scott, Florida’s newest and 45^th governor.

To view more photos from the lunch, click here.

Scott’s office billed the tour as an opportunity “to showcase the region’s beautiful beaches, great seafood and encourage people from all over the world to visit and do business in the Sunshine State.”

The governor spent Tuesday in Panama City, participating in various meetings and taking some time to hit the high seas, catching more than his fair share of fish. Wednesday started out in Seaside with a series of meetings and interviews with media statewide. He then made his way to Destin for lunch.

Mayor Sam Seevers told The Log that she was looking forward to Scott’s visit before he arrived.

“He is there to support the fishing industry and eat seafood,” she said. “He is here to show the rest of the world that seafood in Destin is safe to eat, and despite everything you keep hearing, it’s safe to eat and he is going to take that position.”

As for what she thought the governor could do to help Destin, the mayor said just being here was a start.

“We need him to keep the message coming that tourism is alive and our beaches are beautiful,” she said.

Wisconsin residents Judy and Sherm Martin were in Destin for vacation and made a special trip to the harbor front restaurant to get a glimpse of Florida’s governor. The couple first came to Destin 21 years ago, and have been coming back ever since.

“We just love it here,” said Judy. “We read that he (Scott) was going to be here, so we wanted to come out and have our kids see the governor of Florida.”

Over a lunch that included fresh cobia, collard greens, black-eyed peas and cole slaw, Scott told local officials that while traveling the Panhandle, they “have gotten their message out,” and that people along the way hadn’t been talking much about the oil spill or the tough economic times from last year.

After lunch, the governor took a few minutes to speak to the throng of media that had been perched inside the restaurant.

When The Log asked Scott for his thoughts on Destin and its seafood, he said it was “really good and the view was great.”

As for the bigger picture and his goals for the state moving forward, Scott said it’s important to stress that the bookings for hotels are up and that the beaches are spotless.

“The fishing is good and the seafood tastes good,” he said before being whisked back to his car for his next stop. “The goal is to make sure that we do everything we can to let people know that.”