Surf fishing can be a nice break from a vacation

Ever go on vacation and come back more tired and stressed out than when you left? Sometimes taking the family to Disney World and all the other theme parks in Florida can really wear on you. My son is grown today and the treks through the parks are fond yet tiresome memories. Our vacations now focus more on rest, relaxation, and the one activity I never get too much of: FISHING.

A few years ago while staying near Daytona, Fla., I noticed an older man fishing the beach next to our hotel. Being curious and maybe a bit envious, I went down to see how he was doing.

For those unfamiliar with surf fishing, it basically is saltwater fishing done on tidal beaches using heavy sinkers and baited hooks thrown into the surf to rest on the ocean floor. Being one of our earliest methods of fishing, surfcasting still remains popular during the summer months on many Maine beaches. Anglers line the waters in areas such as Higgins Beach in Scarborough, Popham Beach, and Old Orchard Beach, in anticipation of catching striped bass and bluefish along with an array of other species.

As I stood there and chatted with him, my mind was taking inventory of his fishing gear and bait. Being from inland Maine, I hadn’t had much exposure to surf fishing and was really quite intrigued. I chatted with him for an hour or better and watched in amazement as he pulled in one fish after another.

Each time he would land a fish, I would say, “What the heck is that?” He’d take the time to identify the species of fish and tell me a little about them.

“That’s a pompano, tastiest fish around, in my opinion,” he said of the next victim on his rod. “These sell for $12.95 per pound in the fish markets. This two-pounder will make some good fillets in the baking pan,” he said with a proud tone in his voice.

That sounded good to me and got me thinking about lunch, but first I had some information to gather.

His catches that morning included bluefish, whiting, sea trout, catfish and a small hammerhead shark. He released everything except the pompano, which I’ve got a feeling was a steady diet for his meals at home. Watching him was a real treat, but having a pole in my hand would be even better….

The other thing that one couldn’t help notice about this gentleman of 70 or better was his way with the ladies. They all knew him and spoke to him each time they would pass by on their daily walks up and down the beach. “Hi, Fred!” “Good morning, Fred!” “How’s the fishing, Fred?” It seemed ol’ Fred knew every gal in Daytona and they all enjoyed flirting with him. I guess there’s something sexy about a guy on the beach with his fishing rod and smelly bait.

It didn’t take me long to head to the nearest tackle shop. I purchased a 12-foot saltwater rod, a PVC rod holder, and a large open-faced reel, all for under $35. Next came some 20-pound monofilament line, several triangular sinkers, and some large hooks. Before leaving, I purchased a license for $5 and a supply of shrimp and sand fleas for bait.

Fred had told me earlier that the best bait to use for pompano was sand fleas. Although many kinds of bait are used such as cut bait, clams, live shiners, and shrimp, fleas are their prime feed source in the surf. Ranging in size from a half inch to the diameter of a quarter, these creatures that live in the sand beneath the ocean floor are not what you might find on your cat or dog. Their semi-hard shell resembles that of a beetle but they differ by being pearl colored, having crab-like legs, and a “digger” located on their backside used for burrowing quickly in the sand. With two or three applied to each hook, they became a strange-looking but effective tool for surf fishing.

The following day I headed to the beach with rod in hand and bait in the other with a new sense of vacation excitement. Like clockwork, Pompano Fred had arrived that morning one hour before the 11 o’clock high tide. I hollered against the roar of the breaking waves, “How’s the fishing so far?” “Great!” he replied. “This could be a banner day!”

I quickly got my hooks baited and gave them a strong heave into the surf about 40 yards from him. God, it felt good to be open-water fishing again. It had only been two days since I was freezing my butt off drilling holes through ice back in Maine and fishing for salmon. Now all I had on was a T-shirt and cutoff shorts with the waves lapping against my knee caps. It didn’t get any better than this!

Like every day, Fred had his usual flock of ladies cheering him on as he waded chest high in the warm ocean tide. He always went out that far to get that extra distance on his cast, which his admirers would gobble up. Fred was indeed the king of the pompanos.

We fished together that warm sunny day well into late afternoon. Besides getting as red as a lobster back home, our success that day was better than expected. We both caught two or three pompano which became supper that night and also landed some nice bluefish, whiting, and catfish.

Finally I had found something to do on vacation that was truly relaxing and didn’t tap into my vacation money too much. Each year I return to Florida to find Pompano Fred in the same spot on the beach. I guess when you find a good thing, you stick with it. If you’re one of the lucky ones heading south this winter, maybe surf fishing is the vacation you’ve been dreaming of.

Happy fishin’.

John Gonya, a master Maine guide, operates Penobscot Guide Service from late May to late September. He can be reached at 207-989-8806 or by e-mail at Penobbyman@cs.com