The barrows of Pelican Bay

By: Rod Smith

Most mornings find the south breakwater of the Fort Pierce Inlet busy with anglers of all ages, size, race, color, creed and yes—sex. Their prey is predominantly bluefish, mackerel and sand perch; although the occasional pompano may be seen flopping around in its death throes beneath the smiles of both lucky angler and jealous onlookers.

Fort Pierce anglers dress casually and to suit the weather; shorts and tees on warm mornings and sweats and hoodies when Mother Nature is foul of mood. Almost all anglers wear ball caps; again, of all sizes, types, colours and logos. They share the jetty with the inevitable tourists gawking at the fancy boats coming and going from the Fort Pierce and Pelican Bay marinas located mere minutes upstream. As anglers, they also carry the tools of their trade—rods, reels, bait, tackle boxes, coolers, and even the odd lawn chair. Lacking clerks, secretaries, executive assistants or bellhops, anglers carry their own accoutrements in their own way. Some travel light, some not so light. For the not crowd, necessity has very obviously become the mother of invention, for just as each angler enjoys their own dress and deportment, so too does each enjoy his or her unique basket, bucket or barrow. Here are a few examples.

First, let’s examine the Basic Set-up of tackle box and bucket. Snagging one of the limited benches along the jetty is, of course, on a first come, first served basis. So, just as the early bird gets the worm, the early angler gets to mark-out his or her turf. In this example the angler has left room for a neighbour; however, this is not always the case as neighbour to a angler is synonymous with competitor. Some anglers spread out tackle, bait and bucket along their bench to guarantee lots of legroom and, more importantly, lots of casting space. While one presumes there is still honour among thieves such does not always appear to be the case among anglers.

Next we see an upgrade to the Converted Shopping Cart with lengths of white PVC piping attached vertically for rod storage. This one appears to be an executive model—note the four-wheel-drive! Many anglers carry more than one rod and some drag along as many as six or eight. One must presume that it’s a case of different rods for different fish, or perhaps just in case one or more rods are lost to the ocean bottom. Sometimes, an angler will get a bite and reel in not a fish but rather someone else’s lost rod—yes, it does happen! Snagging something on the bottom also happens and an inexperienced angler can easily lose a rod while trying to jiggle it free. Fishing for small fish with a fifty-pound test line is an excellent way to lose a rod—including hook, line and sinker—as the line (and rod) suddenly snaps back towards the snagged hook.

A step-up from the converted grocery cart is the always adaptable Red Rocket Special. Looks like the handle has been extended on this cart—

one has to guess that the owner is more than seven or eight years old. Once again we see white PVC pipes used to advantage. Note too the knobby tires for negotiating cement, sand and pebbles. As already recognized, many of these homemade barrows are quite innovative. Take the blue and orange Spread-tacular for example. Nothing new here with the milk crate, bucket and PVC rod holder; but check out the wheels and frame—

that’s right, it’s an old lawn spreader designed for seed, granulated-lime or fertilizer! The giveaway is the central spreader mechanism now hanging below the basket with no real purpose anymore. But let’s move along to the some of the superstars of angler-barrows.

The following Gadzook’illa might just be a store-bought item, but it’s still quite impressive. Once again, note the multiple rod holders, coolers and tackle boxes. It seems like there’s a place for everything in this wonder-wagon. One has to wonder if the cooler is for fish or for beverages! This model truly is for the discerning angler.

And finally, the Cadillac of Fort Pierce Angler-Barrows—the one and only PVC-a-thingy! Wow, just when you thought you’d seen it all, this short, little wiry guy shows up with a modern marvel of innovation and invention. Remember, just one guy, yet storage for almost a dozen rods & reels—not to mention lots of space for the catch-of-the-day. There’s even space for a lawn chair. Now that is a angler-barrow on steroids!

Take a stroll some morning down your local breakwater, wharf or jetty and see some of these wonders for yourself. If you’re an angler, what type of barrow do you have? Maybe this article will tempt you to upgrade to the next generation of super-angler-barrows.

Rod Smith is a seasonal visitor to The Treasure Coast who hails from New Brunswick, Canada. In 2007, he retired from a thirty-five year career in Canadian law enforcement. Ironically, Rod is not an avid angler; but he does enjoy golf, tennis, reading, writing and—of course—winters under the Floridian sun! Rod’s an inquisitive fellow who also enjoys learning about new things and, as a carryover from his previous occupation, “people-watching.” Rod credits the PSL Morningside Library Writers’ Group with helping him fine-tune his writing skills. Rod recently published a book of short, humorous police stories—Police Pranks and Misdemeanors—under the nom de plume of “Wyatt Holmes.”

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