(11-18-2012 08:10 AM)OldTimer Wrote:  Hey,

I hope this article of mine helps a few anglers that might be heading south this winter to enjoy the great surf fishing available there.

I've tried to put some key basic info into it to...............



Cheers,

OldTimer

(11-18-2012 10:20 AM)MuskieBait Wrote:  Good stuff OT! I often read that it's hard to find sand fleas on the Florida Coast. Any tips on finding them more easily? Finding sand fleas (aka sand crabs) in California is not a problem at all once you know what to look for.

How's the pompano bite at the end of December...or mid-March?

(11-18-2012 03:29 PM)OldTimer Wrote:  Yes - these wee crabs are sometimes a mystery to me. I've caught enough one day...... and just a day later - in exactly the same area found none at all. My mom had them figured out - she'd always out-catch me - but she never shared the secret.

I've usually caught more on the low end of a rising tide just where the fine sand sorta intersects the coarser wee gravel and fine shell fragments. Never had much luck if the tide got real high. Also noticed that there were more in the deeper troughs or swales the beach might have along its edge.

When my son was young he could spend hours (while I fished) catching them using a small wide scoop garden shovel and old plastic pasta collander. Was quite a hoot watching that show.......smile. If he caught a bunch he'd run up and down the shore offering them to other fisherman.... made me smile, and we did meet a lot of interesting people from all over the world.

My dad tried boiling then freezing some once - made them tougher but didnt work that great at all (no fish). Fresh is best.

**

That whole period from November to March can have decent Pompano fishing. I used to go at least twice a year - once in late November, once in the LATE spring, and occassionally at March break.They're not monsters here - but fun and yummy. If you get down towards, or at, Sebastion Inlet they can go up to 4 pounds.

Key thing I've found with Pompano is that you need clearer waters. They scatter deep after a storm or big blow churns everthing up. Best fishing follows a few days of calm, or off shore breezes, changing to a nice onshore wind, or just slightly down the beach from the north.

Regards,

OldTimer

(11-19-2012 09:30 AM)OldTimer Wrote:  I think perhaps my father may have "over boiled" the sand fleas. I mentioned the process as an option. I have had several others tell me of their success with them. Maybe your friends "parboiling" process is the key - do you know how long they were in the boiling water?

Sounds like an exciting adventure - I'm sure you'll have a blast. I’ll look forward to your reports.

Don't forget that if you get blown off the beach by high winds along the coast - the day can sometimes be saved by fishing the calmer/warmer inland saltwater lagoons, estuaries, causeways and landings for seatrout, etc.

OT