Each year Winter drags on and warmer days seem so far away. Deer season has long past and turkey season is still months from opening. Trying to fill that gap and need for outdoor activity, fishing in Florida has absolutely stolen my heart. The beach scene itself offers activities or relaxation for the entire family which frees up some much needed therapy for myself. The drive may be long and through the night, but as with anything in life, the more difficult something is the payout is generally much higher.

*Heading South for some sunshine is a sure fire way to break up the winter doldrums. While you’re there you might as well throw some fishing into the mix to round out the trip.*

Loving the inshore scene chasing tarpon, redfish, speckled trout, snook, and some miscellaneous bonus fish, a half day guided trip was booked for three generations of Stafford’s. This meant that my dad would be accompanying my son and I onto the salt water for the first time ever. If you’ve never been saltwater fishing, don’t be fooled into believing its all deep sea bottom fishing or giant marlin excursions. Inshore fishing isn’t much different than what you’re already used too. For the most part you use a live minnow and cast into cover on the shore line or around docks. The water may only be a foot or two deep and you don’t have to motor out for hours to get to good spots. Most importantly for some, the seas are sheltered and very mild in most cases so you don’t have to worry about getting sea sick.

Taking a note from last year’s experience, angling during this year’s trip would also include some DIY shore or surf fishing. By simply throwing a few of my regular rods and reels in the truck along with a small tackle bag, fishing would not be limited to one trip out with a captain. This would turn any day into a fishing day. Albeit I wouldn’t be as rigged up as some of the other beach going fishermen, I’d still have a chance at reeling something in.

The typical setup for surf fishing is pretty simple. Rod, reel, and some sort of rod holder so you can keep an eye on the tip and line. You could tell which guys fished more often than me but in general it’s pretty easy to get into the game. The biggest thing I would change is getting a longer and more beefy rod.

Once arriving with the family and recovering from the drive, surf fishing would be first on the agenda. Not being an expert in the methods of beach fisherman, the first order of business was heading to a local bait shop. Walking in and admitting my ignorance, the fine gentleman behind the counter got me set up with frozen shrimp, sand fleas, and made sure I didn’t forget the Fishin Strips along with some really big weights. The surf is relentless at bringing your bait right back to you. Initially tying a two hook set on with the weight at the bottom, it was time to see how things would go. While this worked, after my line got broke off once I went to my usual catfish set up with an egg sinker and single hook, similar to what I use back home. On a subsequent trip to the bait shop I learned you can buy pre-made setups, pompano rigs, that work much better. Always look for ways to improve!

*Using a pre-tied pompano rig you had two hoods ready to go. Just add your choice sinker to the bottom and there is no telling what you might catch!*

There wasn’t much science behind my actions. Cast and wait, check bait, repeat. Not having any idea what to expect I wandered over to a fellow fisherman who looked as if this wasn’t his first rodeo. Confirming my bait and set up was similar to his, I asked what I should expect to catch that would make for good table fair. He suggested pompano and bluefish were quite tasty so walking away I checked the Florida regs for size and limits. Over the course of the week many hours were spent watching clouds go by and the rod tip bounce in the surf. My efforts were fruitful, reeling in several of what we called “hardheads” in Texas (saltwater catfish). One pompano did take the bait which was very exciting being it was the first I had ever caught. Unfortunately for me but lucky for him, he was under the legal limit so it was back into the ocean for him. The highlight of the many days spent on the beach was when lady luck allotted me a flounder. Quite unexpected, this was also a first for me and this time it was legal, by a half inch. The Florida surf would not be sending me home empty handed. The only change I will make next time is to grab a longer and heavier rod. My lightweight rods moved too much as the waves crashed making it extremely difficult to differentiate between a wave and a bite. The added length will also keep my line well above beach goers heads as they pass by.

*My first target fish of the trip, a pompano that didn’t meet the legal limit. It was exciting though to actually succeed in bringing a desirable species to beach all on my own.*

The real draw though was a scheduled fishing charter a few days into the trip. As previously mentioned it was an inshore trip with both my son and dad. Optimistically, I hoped the bite would be often and the action intense. After rolling south from Cape Canaveral, we pulled into a small marina in Indian Harbor Beach. There wasn’t much activity going on so there was ample parking, nearby dock space, modern restroom, and most importantly, our waiting captain. Hoping aboard, my dad was a bit apprehensive as I believe this may have been his first fishing charter. Cole on the other hand, hopped right into the boat and made himself at home. I greeted Captain Ryan and it wasn’t long before we were on our way. Having had previous communications with the Captain, I made it clear that all I cared about was the other two in the party having a good time. I can tend to myself and help, but above all, keep them fishing and into the action as much as possible.

It was obvious watching the Captain throw out the cast net this wasn’t his first rodeo. If you’ve never tried it though, it’s quite a talent to get the net out and open over your target. Some things are best left to the professionals!

One of the things that I appreciate about fishing charters is when we get to be a part of some of the steps that go into a successful day on the water. Today we would watch and assist with catching our bait for the morning. There was a very specific spot that Captain Ryan motored too in a very narrow strip of water. I don’t recall what made this place so special but after staring at his fish finder intently while maneuvering for 5 minutes or so, he jumped to the front of the boat and threw out a cast net. There was something about this spot because along the bank there were a couple of kids with waders doing the same thing. As the Captain pulled the net back in it came to life like a disco ball with glittering bait fish frantically flopping. Not wanting to be left out of the action my son jumped right in collecting future offerings for whatever may bite. After artful casting of the net was repeated a few times until our bait well was full and we were ready to fish.

*Not wanting to be left out my son jumped right in to help wrangle our bait for the day into the live well.*

We navigated what looked like small rivers lined with houses and boat docks. Often trees lined the shore and hung over the water. It certainly did not look like anything my dad was expecting. The water was calm and he was starting to relax and enjoy the ride. The Captain started putting our recently acquired baitfish on a single hook and casting in various locations. He gave easy direction on what my son and dad needed to do and eventually handed me a baited line. Slowly we snaked our way upstream cordially waving to other captains while sight fishing for Tarpon. We reached the end of the road upon coming up to a concrete dam with a steady stream of water flowing over the top. Casts were thrown up against the wall as if we were bass fishing. With no luck up to this point in time we weren’t sure what we were doing wrong. Then without warning, the first strike and hook set of the day! Immediately handing the the rod to my 8 year old son, he fought the behemoth to the boat. We were on the board and checked the first snook of the day off the list.

*After much anticipation we hooked out first snook of the day. My son proudly poses with the insurance we wouldn’t be skunked for the day.*

Meandering our way back downstream the waterway widened and we set up just left of a dock tucked into a small cove. The bank was steep and choked with brush. If there was a honey hole around, this was it. Immediately snook and trout began hammering our bait. We couldn’t keep ‘em off the line. The Captain kept casting dad and Cole up into the trees and they kept catching fish. With my proximity to the dock I worked it’s piers and landed my fair share of fish. The highlight being the one that got away, a tarpon that launched itself completely out of the water before spitting out the hook and returning to the sea. The most memorable fish of the trip was from my father. We didn’t know it at the time but he had hooked into a sizeable jack crevalle. All we knew was it was stripping line and when it wasn’t he couldn’t make up any ground. It didn’t help that we had two other fish get on before we could get all the lines in. The jack literally started circling the boat and watching dad labor with the fish while smiling the whole time was worth the trip to Florida. Cole and I rooted him on as we curiously watched to see what he had on the other end. As the fish encroached upon the boat the captain readied with the net. Boating the fish had nerves on edge as each time the Captain would reach with the net, the jack still had some steam left. Fortunately the fish was eventually netted and our small party cheered with excitement for my dad.

*Following a long battle with an initially unknown competitor, my dad finally fought the fish close enough the Captain was able to get it into the net.*

*My father posing with the toughest catch of the day and the first “jack” I’ve witnessed being boated.*

Wanting to bring some fish home for the freezer we headed to a third spot where we anticipated finding some medium size speckled trout that would be perfect for the skillet. It was a bigger water area with long shorelines to fish. Weaving in and out of docks, fishing along the bank the bite once again didn’t disappoint. We managed to boat the couple trout we wanted and my son was able to get his first redfish in the boat.

*We didn’t come across many of the hard fighting redfish many target but my son kept his line tight and managed to land this one for a nice trophy shot.*

The thing I dread the most about fishing in Florida is heading back to the marina. Listening to the prior and next generation of Stafford recap their day and brag on the size of their fishes brought the pure enjoyment I was looking for on this trip. If you plan to venture south for Spring break this year, be sure to put fishing on your agenda, whether it be inshore, surf, or deep sea!

Sea Sickness Not Required

Wing Men

The Ole Stick and String