While fall is a spectacular surf fishing season for Florida, gamefish tend to be scarce in the winter. Surf conditions are a major reason. Swells, seaweed and choppy water make it tough to keep a bait out in the water.
The metabolic rates of fish, along with their appetites, also decline as the water gets colder.
One of Florida’s most iconic surf fish, however, is heavily targeted throughout the winter. The Florida pompano, a classic state seafood dish, moves seasonally based on temperature.
After arriving in fall along with the bluefish and mackerel, pompano are present well into the spring but can be caught in the surf year-round.
While considered more prevalent in north-central Florida, pompano schools off South Florida beaches arrive in abundant numbers in the winter, especially after cold fronts.
When water temperatures dip into the 50-60 F range pompano migrate further south, inhabiting waters from the coast of Palm Beach County down to the Keys.
Although pompano movement can be tough to predict, fishing tactics are fairly consistent and simple. They feed on crustaceans and mollusks, particularly sand fleas, which can be caught in the surf using a sand flea rake. Shrimp, squid and small crabs may work as well.
Weighted pompano rigs sold at bait stores are an easy way to catch pompano in rougher surf.
Even when the waves are mild pompano are caught most easily by weighing a sand flea down on the bottom, with a light rig (4 to 8-lb. test) and small hooks. Florida pompano commonly range from 1 to 4 pounds.
Some fishermen like to position multiple pompano rods along the beach in homemade rod holders built from PVC pipes.
Sharks are caught in the winter using similar tactics with cut bait. However, as opposed to light rigs, heavy line (30 to 100-lb. test), stiff rods and wire leaders are essential in targeting big-game like sharks.
As mentioned in the previous surf fishing post, catch regulations are widely enforced along Florida’s beaches. It is imperative to review local FWC fishing regulations before going out to fish. The regulations are available digitally here: http://www.eregulations.com/florida/fishing/saltwater/pageFlip/
Shark fishing is outright banned on certain Florida beaches. But where it’s permitted it is important to treat sharks with care because many species are prohibited from harvest. It is also important, obviously, to be cautious when handling sharks due to the danger posed by their sharp teeth and rough skin.
Different fishermen employ various strategies when targeting sharks off the beach, however, I find that they all share one common aspect—a sizable bait suspended in the water column or sitting on the sandy bottom.
Large, frozen bait such as mullet works well for sharks. But live or fresh dead fish tend to tantalize the predators the most. Nurse sharks feed on any type of dead bait resting on the bottom, like shrimp or crabs.
Sharks are always around even though you don’t usually see their fins in the water. They feed nocturnally and are probably most prevalent at dusk.
Patience is the most important virtue in shark fishing. Often you just need to sit and wait for your reel to scream.
To get bait far enough off the beach a long surf rod is often used to hurl it as far as possible. Other strategies include carrying bait on a kayak or swimming out with your bait (highly discouraged).
Shark are easiest to catch when large migrations swim north up the coast in March and April. These schools have been well covered in the media in recent years and look spectacular from an aerial perspective.
I find the winter a great time to shark fish because few other fish are prevalent in the “cold” Florida months. Sharks also prefer rough, cloudy surf, which are typical conditions in the winter.
Nurse shark caught in the surf using a sardine as bait. Photo by Steve Plamann.
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