Art Ring showing off 4.7 pound nugget from Hobe Sound surf!
One super duper front with huge swells and the surf fishing dynamics changed! Pretty cool 9 to 14 ft. seas blew the planks out of Juno and Lake Worth Piers. Quick attention, lowering seas and schools of varied baits appeared from somewhere north!
As the water transitioned from muddy to transparent brown, the first responders found residence (again, from somewhere north)! Big bluefish were predatorily consuming finger mullet and inanimate shiny objects that were cast anywhere close to them; jacks and ladyfish also present, chasing after glass minnows. Huge N.East swells with 3 to 4 knots of rip currents will drive migratory fish offshore, and where they land, nobody knows… Hence the referral of “somewhere north.”
Day-by-day, various local shorelines transitioned to aqua hazy Florida seas. The sea gulls spotted the coast diving amidst large schools of Spanish mackerel. The excitement rises when the spotted, silvery tasty macks provide the local pier culture anglers a wonderful holiday…
The Spanish equation completes the pompano algorithm! These fish tour together, providing safety in numbers to defend against the spinners and bull sharks as they move through the surf and inlet basins. As I qualify the weather math to figuratively decipher where and when will they hit my local favorite spots I realize the importance of sharks.
Capt. Mike Conners with a chunky Ft. Pierce pompano. Mike does great surf and estuary charters for pompano, including fly fishing.
Having a network of great responsive surf fisherman is imperative to complete the equation. Yesterday, Middle Cove and Blue Heron anglers (Fort Pierce) witnessed numerous spinners outside casting range. Pomps and macks were glittering the early sunrise. Ten fellas cast two long poles and half of those rods bent before putting the pole in the spike. A few seconds later, the lines went limp and all fish were lost. The next few hours were futile.
Annually, the coastal shark population procreates in healthy numbers. Over sustaining with 1993 shark fishing ban. As studies indicate, there are too few breeders to eat the smaller coastal sharks and maintain balance. As boring as this data is, there are grave concerns for our local and migratory populations. Commercial trip tickets for Spanish mackeral declined from 2005 from 15 million pounds to 5 years in a row 2 million pounds. Pomps from 1.2 million pounds to 200,000 pounds. One can easily blame over-fishing on the commercial industry, but the truth is, there are less commercial fisherman in lieu of pollution and they have taken various other jobs to care for their families.
Current reports solid with the pomps in the estuary and inlet basins, bar edges and bridges. At this point, an angler on foot can virtually go anywhere between Juno Beach north to Ft. Pierce and find pompano. It’s been a special time to jig/quill pomps with daily consistency. Boaters can slowly traverse the estuary and freak the silver ufo’s to saucer the river surface. Stop the engines and drift the drop-offs while jigging the proximity of the bottom. Change color combos to establish the evidentiary color combo that works.
Troy Brown at Stuart Beach on a Pompano Catcher Rig. Handsome three pounder!
The surf involves color changes and transitions. Early am fish within 100 ft of the shoreline break. Anywhere a mackerel flips will indicate the small bait locale. As the Spanish move out, cast accordingly. Blanched or live fleas will work equally as well with orange Fish Bites in any flavor. Native Salted Clams are an excellent alternative to fleas. Be prepared and bring both!
Tight Lines and Happy Thanksgiving!
Leave A Comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.