John Detmer
a pompano rig and clam.
Summer time surf fishing requires anglers to apply a number of tactical changes and presentations to their surf fishing. The July Summer Doldrums will again be with us this year with flat ocean conditions and light westerly winds. Added to the angler’s woes is that the heat index will skyrocket and crabs will eat the baits of the hooks.
Not interested in salting baits and the effort that goes into that then here’s the answer. The product is called “Fishbites” and continues to get outstanding reviews from the local surf anglers because the baits work when others won’t. The baits stay on the hooks longer and do a very good job of catching whiting, sheepshead, pompano and drum. Fishbites is also used extensively by river fisherman to tip their trout touts and gigs.
The Fishbites product I use comes in a package of two 12 inch strips so I can cut off as much or as little as needed or in pre-cut pieces(Fish’n Strips)that the river anglers like. They have several different scents, clam, shrimp, crab and sand flea in colors that include red, chartreuse and pink. Finally, the product needs no refrigeration and can stay in you tackle bucket until needed.
Tip: “The Redfish Sandwich” is used when fish won’t bite and/or the crabs are eating your baits of the hook before you can get the rod in the rod holder after the cast.
The sandwich is deployed as follows:
First hook a small piece of clam scented Fishbites on your hook follow that with a fresh piece of clam and finish it off with another piece of Fishbites. It’s that simple and it works, keeps the clam in place and scents the water just like you were chumming you own bait. Even if small fish/crabs eat off the fresh clam the Fishbites continues to draw fish to you hooks because of it’s strong scent and it being harder to tear off your hooks than the clam. Many anglers fish Fishbites exclusively and report great success.
John Detmer
Owner/Operator of J&H Surf Fishing the Space Coast
321-777-5554 or email
jandhsurffishing1@att.net
www.jandhsurffishing.com