AMERICA'S BEST SALTWATER FISHING

The Friendliest Fishing Village

Editor's Note: If you're dreaming of the clean smell of salt water, the sight of cobalt-blue waves crashing against a boat's white hull and becoming white lacy foam on a slick calm sea, and big fish changing colors as they come from the deep water to the surface, then plan a trip to some of the finest salt-water fishing in the nation. Although the Atlantic and Pacific coasts have the most miles of shoreline, the Upper Gulf Coast and Florida's east Atlantic coast offer some of the best saltwater fishing in the world. Let's look at destinations that can produce the reality of your saltwater fishing dreams.

Destin, Florida, always has homed plenty of grouper and snapper. Because this section of Florida has a vast expanse of hard bottom close to shore, you can fish for and catch numbers of big grouper and smaller grouper that weigh from 10- to 20-pounds each. Destin has an outstanding charter fleet, and the captains and deckhands there have caught snapper and grouper as long, if not longer, than any anglers at any other port on the Gulf of Mexico. You'll also enjoy the area's sugar-white beaches, quality accommodations and delicious cuisine.

When visiting Destin, I fished with Captain Jason Mikel on the "Backlash." Once I got on the boat, I explained that I wanted to catch a snapper that would weigh more than 10 pounds, a grouper of at least 20 pounds and an amberjack weighing over 30 pounds. Mikel smiled and asked, "So, John, what do you want to do the rest of the day?" After we laughed, he explained, "we'll go get the grouper first, then the snapper and finally the amberjack." By 12:00 noon, we'd accomplished our mission and had three amberjack, six snapper and four grouper on-board in the weight categories I'd requested. Mikel sarcastically inquired, "Now what do you want to do with the rest of the day?" To catch plenty of really-big grouper, head to Destin.

To learn more about the region, phone the Destin Chamber of Commerce (850) 837-6241, or visit their Web site at www.destinchamber.com. Contact Captain Mike Parker for charter-boat information at www.destincharterboats.com, or phone (877) 827-7667.

TOMORROW: NIGHT LIFE AND BILLFISH