Surf Fishing Central Florida Atlantic Coast

[MuskieBait]

(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

Thanks OT. Hopefully Michael and I can put that info to good use.

Interesting. My friend gave us some parboiled sand crabs to try in San Diego and they worked alright. Different fish, different preference I guess.

Hey, if we have room for one more, would you like to join us? We are planning a mix of freshwater fishing (Margate. Miami and Tamiami) and saltwater fishing (Keys, Central Coast, maybe even Tampa area). Our goal is to try to catch as many species as possible (any surprise there? ). We're planning a 9-10 day trip, staying at my uncle's and cousin's house, and camping in the Keys. It should be fairly cheap (We're aiming for under $600 per person budget).

We're planning to go with my sister and her boyfriend. We would like to go the week after Christmas weather permitting. March Break is our second option, but if my sister secures a full time job though, she may not be able to go. We may have an open spot for one or two for March Break if that's the case.