Surf & Pier – March Fishing Report

When our water warms back into the low 60’s, GO FISHING! The larger whiting will be back, just like they’ve done every cold winter. As a bonus, the largest pompano seem to handle the colder water better, so they show up first. This time of year, you will catch more fish with clams. The sand fleas are almost nonexistent, because they have buried themselves deep into the sand. Your best bet is to buy the largest clams you can find from a seafood dealer. They are called chowder or Quahog clams. The largest ones will give you three or four baits from each one.  Only use a piece about the size of your thumb nail. This will most closely represent their natural food, which are Donax, aka Coquina, aka periwinkle clams. These are the small, approximately one-inch long clams you find on the beach. If you cannot find fresh, there are always frozen or salted ones in the bait stores.

When it comes to rigging you cannot beat the double dropper, aka pompano rig. When you buy them, they usually come with 2/0 circle hooks. Whether you buy them or make them yourself, you will catch more whiting if you downsize your hooks to either 1/0, #1, or #2.

Another fun technique of surf fishing is floating live shrimp. You will have your best luck on calm days with light winds. These days will allow you to cast into deeper water, and it is a lot easier to see the cork go under. The two set-ups I use, are the standard “trout float” with a ¾ ounce sinker below it, or a weighted popping cork. Occasionally, a bluefish or Spanish mackerel will actually grab the popping cork.

I am pleased to announce the 16th annual Florida Surf Casters Open Tournament. This is a whiting and pompano, family friendly contest. The date is May 16th, 2020. There are several ways to get info and register. The website is floridasurfcasters.com. The Facebook page is “Florida Surf Casters Open to the Public Tournament”. Don‘t miss out on the fun!