GHOST CRAB

As the coldest weather of the year approaches, you can bet it’ll bring GREAT fishing for the beaches along the Space Coast!

Pompano season has been awesome this year, and we should continue to catch these fish well into late April. So don’t worry, there’s still plenty of time to go out and try and catch these wave runners from the surf before they head further south or into the intercostal for late summer months.

Right now in central Brevard County, the best times to fish have been right at first light, late evening or the hour before, of and after high tide. These time periods have been consistently producing quality fish. My go-to bait this season has been a tie between FishBites in Sandflea and clam scent as well as blanched fleas! As for the large Permit, I prefer to use Speckled crabs for bait of choice! (Calico Crab, is another name) looks similar to a blue crab but are red in color with white spots – usually bait stealers). Use just the legs or the knuckle of the crab for bait — that’s all you need to use! I usually catch a trophy Pompano or stud Permit by using this technique. Sometimes I’ll throw a couple sand fleas in front of a ghost crab hole and patiently wait for one to crawl out and feed! Then I throw a rag over the crab and quickly grab it before going back into his hole or getting pinched! It can be a fun game of cat and mouse, but if the bite is slow, the rewards may sometimes blow your mind!

SPECKLED CRAB

If your bait and tackle store is out of sand fleas or you just can’t get any on the beach, or maybe you used up all your blanched ones already, here’s another great tip. Instead of shrimp or clam, try using fiddler crabs! Fiddler crabs are GREAT bait to use in the surf to catch anything from Permit, Pompano, redfish, drum, and BIG sheepshead! So remember, if the bait shop is out of fleas ask for fiddler crabs or just go catch some yourself! It’s a lot of fun and even the kids can do it!

I look forward to seeing you out on the beach! Remember if you’re interested in booking a one on one charter with me targeting Pompano and want to learn more about surf fishing, you can reach me at (321) 271-1061. Remember, KITS 12 & UNDER fish for FREE, so bring the whole family out and let’s catch some fish!