AS SEEN IN THE WINTER 2004 ISSUE 

Sure, we all live for those days when we can spend a full 8- to 10 hours out on the water, regardless if its milling around a maze of uninhabited mangrove islands in search of ambushed snook or braving high seas in our quest for an encounter with a high jumping, blue water pelagic. Either way, any length of time engulfed in our passion is the fuel that feeds our soul, a therapy of sorts.

Family obligations and full time careers restrict the affl icted from spending every minute of our free time fi shing, or doing something related to fi shing. Hmm, wouldnt that be something! To fi ll in the gaps every angler needs a quick fi x every now and then. What better way to fi ll the void then by shooting down to the beach at dawn for a couple hours of early morning surf fi shing. Feeling the breeze in your face and landing a few nice fi sh on light tackle is a great way to start any day. Follow me here for a minute. If my memory serves me right, as the winter progresses the marine forecast will continue to sound something like this; Monday morning through Friday. 5- to 10 knot NW winds with 2- to 3 ft. seas. Friday night through Sunday night. Small Craft Advisory! 20- to 25 knot NE winds with 7- to 9 ft. seas. Already faced with everyday challenges and now frustrating weather, most fi shermen come down with a case of cabin fever. Its like an epidemic. Suddenly we all need to get out there and fi sh.

The weather forecast may be a bit extreme to head out in search of that holiday grouper dinner, though its the perfect setting for a full on bluefi sh blitz. Strong winds and a sudden drop in air temperature light the surf on fi re! Its like the Fish Gods above just fl ick a switch. You know, the same Fish Gods you pray to when youre looking for that one more bite. A strong cold front will magically turn a long stretch of barren beach into a mile long feeding frenzy. The combination of strong onshore winds coupled with the colder air trigger huge movements of baitfi sh. All of this bait will be heading south while closely hugging the shoreline for safety. Little do the baitfi sh know, ravenous packs of 2- to 4 lb. bluefi sh are on to their trick, and hot on their tails. In an attempt to escape the wrath, battered bait moves even further up the shoreline, presenting an awesome opportunity for surf casters. There are literally hundreds of miles of sandy white (public) beaches on Floridas east coast where everyone can get in on the action. An early morning surf fi shing expedition requires very little preparation and very little tackle. You can count on a trip to the beach refreshing your memory on why it is that you live in South Florida in the fi rst place.

Surf fi shing provides a release from everyday stresses. Its an avenue to connect with beautiful surroundings. A pair of board shorts, a sweat shirt, sunglasses and rod in hand. No boat, nothing else at all to worry about. Standing knee deep in the warm Atlantic waters with waves crashing in your face is like going one-on-one with Mother Nature. Surf fi shing is an incredible experience for guys, gals and children of all ages. Spending time at the beach catching bluefi sh with your kids is an experience they will never forget. Dont you remember your fi rst time?

Tackle requirements include nothing more than a medium action spinning outfi t loaded with 20 lb. PowerPro. Braid is an excellent choice because the lines thin diameter helps hurl lures well past the breakers, something that isnt as easy as it sounds with a steady 20 knot wind honking in your face. The extra abrasion resistance also comes in handy. Your line will continuously come in contact with abrasive sand and straight mono may eventually wear. The surf is a harsh environment, the absolute worst for all your tackle. Combined, saltwater and sand will get into and erode everything. After every single surf trip, thoroughly wash all of your equipment.

Add a 3 ft. length of 30 lb. fl uorocarbon leader to the end of the PowerPro and tie on your favorite jig, plug or spoon. I would recommend a spoon for those new to the sport. The extra weight of a two ounce spoon permits much further casts than a 4” plastic swimming plug or soft grub would. From the Space Coast to the Florida Keys there are many species that are commonly landed from the sandy white beaches. Pompano, snook, Spanish mackerel, tarpon, redfi sh, jacks, and even sharks, but its the bluefi sh that are the most reliable. Bluefi sh are aggressive, fi ght hard, and will never give up! Pound for pound there is no denying they rank in the top ten. There are really no big secrets for successful bluefi shing.

The whole surf fi shing gig goes something like this: Rig yourself a rod, grab a couple lures and some extra leader material. Hi-Catch sells convenient spools of fl uorocarbon that easily fi t in a pocket. Bring one a long. If things go your way, youll need it. Lose an hour of sleep tomorrow morning and head down to your local beach at dawn. With the breathtaking sunrise the entire experience will be rewarding before you even wet a line. Scan up and down the shoreline for signs of life. Look for birds or any other types of suspicious activity. If you dont see any obvious signs of fi sh, then look for irregularities in the patterns of incoming waves. Submerged sand dunes and troughs create underwater cuts that both bait and fi sh use as roadways when traveling up and down the beach.

Blind casting is another option. Slowly walk as you continue to cast. Youll be much more likely to run into fi sh then if your feet were fi rmly planted in the sand. Once you locate some activity, and you will, try and determine what direction the fi sh are moving in. Obviously walk with the action.

Though you wont run into many slammers on the beach (bluefi sh exceeding 10 lbs.) even a small tailor blue will put up one heck of a fi ght, especially on medium light tackle. Once youre hooked up, take your time and enjoy the fi ght. As the battle comes to an end, horsing the hooked bluefi sh out of the turbulent waves and up on the beach is a great way of popping em off. Rather, gently slide your fi sh up the sand with the assistance of a set of incoming waves. Be careful. Blues are notorious for angrily snapping at anglers extremities. Theyre said to be one of only a few species that will intentionally seek revenge, and with a muscular mouth full of razor sharp dentures, they can infl ict an excruciating bite!

Once beached, fi rmly grab the fi sh behind the peck fi ns and dislodge the hook with a pair of pliers, holding on tight the entire time. You would be surprised how strong even a small bluefi sh really is. If youre intending on releasing your quarry, gently release the fi sh back into the wash and watch him gracefully swim away while never admitting defeat. There! Youve just experienced an entire bluefi sh battle from beginning to end. On any given morning an incoming tide will greatly increase your odds, thus enhancing your overall surf fi shing experience, but go when you can go. There is year round action to be had on Floridas east coast beaches, but its the hot winter-time bluefi sh bite that just cant be missed. For visiting anglers escaping northeast blizzards, a full on beach bluefi sh blitz is as close to home as youll ever get!

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