Shore Fishing
June 6, 2022 at 7:00 p.m.
Shore Fishing
By Kimball & Les [email protected]
Just check your thermometer and rain gauge to confirm that summer has arrived and ignore what the calendar says. Most of us still here are “year ‘rounders” so here’s a few suggestions for the inland folks arriving to enjoy our cool sea breeze and some fishing fun.
The beach is everyone’s favorite stop. Here are a few ideas we would like to share with the new guys. First, don’t mess with the turtle nests or shorebird nesting areas. They are clearly marked and well defended by laws and protective locals. Now, we can move along to personal safety issues.
The sun is not as good a friend as you might wish. While most friends get better with time, too much sun can prematurely end your life. Take it from a couple of melanoma survivors (so far), you do not want to mess with this stuff. Start with long sleeves, a big hat, and SPF 30 as minimum sun protection; go to 50 or 70 SPF for a long day. Pay special attention to the top of your feet where surf and sand quickly remove anything you might put on. We have never found a “surf proof” sunscreen product.
As you cool your toes in the surf or in a bay, always do the “stingray shuffle.” These fish will never attack but really resent being stepped on. They don’t mind being nudged from the side though and will gladly get out of your way. If you do catch one while fishing, just flip it belly up to remove the hook before release.
As you ramble, look around, not just at your feet while looking for shark’s teeth and shells. Portuguese man-o-war are occasional visitors here too. Don’t walk between these beached critters and the water. Their tentacles may stretch 6+ feet towards the water due to wave action. Also, if you find yourself where a beach ends and its necessary to bushwhack farther inland, carry sandals with you to avoid sandspurs. Sandals are also handy for broken shell areas and hot parking lots. Even dry sand can burn your feet on a sunny day.
Kayaking safety starts before the boat hits the water. Equipment like a PFD (wear it!), whistle, paddle tether, adequate footwear, sun protection, bug repellent, fluids, and snacks, a first aid kit, and of course, fishing gear need to be assembled and positioned in the kayak. You wouldn’t start off in a boat with an empty gas tank and, on a kayak, you’re the engine; take care of yourself. We see too many paddlers wearing a t-shirt, shorts, and flip flops with no other equipment aboard. Know your limits and, like a boy scout, be prepared.
Capsizing is a common fear in kayaks. We recommend flipping an empty one on a shallow flat or in a pool for practice. The difference between a sit-on and a sit-in kayak will be obvious when you try to get back aboard. Many things can cause a capsize; waves and wakes or low branches and bridges, even a big redfish, but that’s another story. If you find yourself in the water on the flats around here, just stand up. In deeper water be glad you had your PFD on. Remember to always say “yet” when you claim, “I’ve never flipped my kayak.”
Alligators, sharks, otters, snakes, manatees, and dolphins can all cause problems. Most of these animals have no interest in you or your kayak. Alligators often give freshwater paddlers a scare when they slide off the bank and dive under them. They’re just heading towards the deepest water to hide and usually, that’s right under your kayak. Gators with babies nearby and those involved in mating or those that have been fed can be dangerous. Keep your distance.
Sharks, manatees, and dolphins can be an issue. We’ve had dolphins “tail stand” next to our kayaks while eyeing a fish in our kayak we’re trying to unhook. We’ve been “bucked” by manatees on a flat when we accidently drifted over them. Sharks can be dangerous offshore, particularly when securing your catch. Be careful to keep your hands inboard while landing your fish and don’t even think of using a stringer when sharks, dolphins or gators are around.
Boat traffic can be a problem in the ICW channel and on nearby flats. Luckily, most kayak anglers enjoy fishing the shallow flats and shorelines only available to paddlers. If you do need to cross the ICW, pick a narrow spot and wait for a long gap between traffic. When it’s time to go, go fast. You might technically have the right-of-way but don’t push it! Our bright yellow kayaks show up better than the camouflage colors of many fishing kayaks. Yellow doesn’t scare the fish; pressure waves and hull slap alert fish before any color can be seen. Stealth is not a color.
Blind corners are always hazardous. It’s scary to hear the sound of a boat approaching at high speed along a mangrove shoreline where gamefish, kayak anglers, and flats skiffs can converge with disastrous results. If you find yourself in that situation, quickly tuck as far back into the trees as you can and hang on. Untangle your rods and everything else later. Be sure to communicate your concerns to the careless boater.
Getting lost is easy in a SWFL mangrove maze. Today, with GPS it’s easier to find your way back out but our low tides can leave a kayak high and dry. Explore the mangroves during a rising tide to avoid being stranded or lost. Be sure to get out of the mangroves before dark when the no-see-ums and mosquitos take over. Try to let someone know where you’re going and that you should be home by dark.
We hope these suggestions help visiting anglers in southwest Florida enjoy many productive and fun days on and off the water. Try to go “there and back again” ...safely.