After a two month closure, amberjack and triggerfish are back on the catch list and on the racks along Destin harbor.
"It's nice to finally put a big fish on the board," said Capt. Chris Schofield of the No Alibi.
He and his anglers from Mississippi pulled in four amberjack, their limit, along with a few mingo.
Anglers are allowed one amberjack each and the fish must be at least 30 inches long.
"We caught all four on the same spot," Schofield said. They were using threadfins for bait.
Capt. Nick Hunter on the Extasea and his group from Texas landed a pair of amberjack, triggerfish and some huge mingo. Capt. Hunter said they also caught and released a couple of shark, one at about 80 pounds and the other at 150. (Just a note or reminder, next week is Shark Week, and I'm sure someone will bring one to the docks before the week is over).
Capt. Jim Green on the party boat New Florida Girl's American Spirit came in with a red grouper, a half dozen triggerfish and a pile of mingo and white snapper.
Triggerfish have to be at least 14 inches to keep and anglers can only bag two each.
And that's exactly what Katelyn Wilson of Texas did while fishing on the Blue Runner II with Capt. Tommy Carter — she landed two triggerfish. The group from Texas also pulled in amberjack, mingo and white snapper.
Capt. Casey Weldon and his group on the Fish-N-Fool did a little trolling for king mackerel, plus bottom fishing for mingo and white snapper.
Tennessee and Missouri anglers on the Big John with Capt. Todd Allen filled the racks with seven amberjack, black snapper, grouper, two triggerfish, mingo and white snapper.
"It's good to be able to keep something," Capt. Allen said.
Anglers on the Sunrise with Capt. Kelly Windes came in with a grouper and a load of king mackerel.
Capt. Bill Williams and his folks on the Miss Hazel had three amberjack on the board.
Texas anglers on the First Light with Capt. Steve Haeusler had a huge catch. They reeled in nine amberjack (each about 30-pounds), four grouper, scamp, blackfin tuna and a Spanish mackerel.
Standing next to the huge fish on the First Light rack, four young anglers on the Windwalker II with Capt. Bernie LeFebvre were just as proud of their 2-pound Spanish mackerel as they held them up for photos sporting huge grins. LeFebvre said they caught the Spanish right out front trolling straw rigs.
Atlanta anglers on the Sure Lure with Capt. Don Dineen hauled in four amberjack, four triggerfish, scamp, mingo and white snapper.
Capt. Chip Godwin on the JustinTime and his crew reeled in eight amberjack and a few grouper.
Indiana anglers on the Al-Lin with Capt. Harold Staples brought in a mix of amberjack, triggerfish, mingo, black snapper and grouper.