Shore Fishing
March 5, 2021 at 5:02 p.m.
Shore Fishing
By Kimball & Les [email protected]
We always enjoy walking on the beach from the Stump Pass Beach State Park parking area south to the pass itself. Sometimes the fishing is great and other times not so much. Each time is unique due to the changing, constantly moving sands. Storms change things around quickly but even without storms, the slow flow of beach sand to the south keeps things in motion. For shell seekers and shark tooth hunters, every tide exposes new treasures. If you live right on the beach, this shifting sand is a serious issue, particularly with rising sea levels. For anglers, the way troughs and bars affect flows and shoreline currents remains basically constant as the beach evolves. But understand that the spot where you caught whiting or flounder last week may have shifted south or north and needs to be found again.
Too many anglers walk down to the wet sand and cast as far as they can directly west into the Gulf. We see them with heavy weights, wire leaders and big hooks just struggling to “land” their terminal tackle. We watch these anglers feeding pinfish without any hook ups. All of this happening while the kid up the beach is catching whiting, pompano and flounder using light freshwater tackle and a baggie of frozen shrimp. Why?
Most folks have heard the saying “location, location, location” as it applies to business. Location is also important to beach fishing. While a distant view only shows the beach to be where water meets sand, a closer look can show you where to find fish. Casting out as far as possible is not usually the best plan. A heroic cast puts your bait on the first bar where mostly lizard fish and catfish roam. The trough between the shore and that first bar is often less than 40 feet wide but will hold most of the fish. Shoreline sand fleas (mole crabs) and coquina clams make up the base of the food chain for beach fish. Many of your target fish are scent feeders that can find your bait in turbulent water. Species like mackerel or pompano are primarily sight feeders and will usually show up in clearer water.
Look for places where high tide pools drain into the gulf. Also notice if these spots are associated with breaks in that first bar. Spots like this bring goodies into the trough and can create a channel through the bar where fish come and go. If the tide is low it may be possible to wade out to that first bar and cast towards the second bar. If you find yourself in that position, cast to the near edge of that bar, not on top of it.
Stump Pass has changed since our last visit and seems to change each time we walk the beach. A tidal pool has appeared in the center of the large sandy area where shore birds rest. Folks wanting to soak in some warm water should check out this shallow pool near the end of a high tide. The main channel in the pass has moved south for boaters but swings north to give shore anglers access to deep water where this tidal pool drains.
Getting live shrimp 1.1 miles down to the pass can be an aerobic experience if you carry a bait bucket and air pump. Alternatively, soak a small towel in salt water and wring it out. Next, put your live shrimp on the towel and roll them up before they flip away. Then wrap the shrimp and towel in an ice mat and put the whole assembly into a large zip lock. Your shrimp will stay frisky and alive for several hours without hauling water and a pump.
Well, these are a few ideas with a description of the current state of the evolving Stump Pass shoreline. Lots of time and money have been spent trying to slow coastal changes but the power of the sea is relentless. So, always expect to find the beach constantly evolving, it’s a work in progress. Don’t fight these changes just go with the flow to find the fish.
Kimball and Les Beery, authors of Angler’s Guide to Shore and KAYAK Fishing Southwest Florida, contribute these excerpts from both Waterproof books to promote the excellent fishing available in the Englewood area. They are available locally at Old Florida Gallery on West Dearborn, and Cook’s Sportland in Venice. Or visit www.anglerpocketguides.com.