Load up at the inlet- year-round.

Load up at the inlet- year-round.

It’s no secret that nearly all passes attract and hold baitfish. None more so than the ones that feature jagged, rocky formations known as jetties. Couple this sort of eco-friendly coastal structure with the oxygen-rich rushing water constantly flooding and ebbing, and it is easy to see why inlets provide ideal habitat for a long list of baitfish species. The most popular and arguably the most effective include pinfish, pilchards, runners, gogs, mullet, and threadfins- and the list goes on. With only a small investment in time and effort, anglers of all skill levels can capture these prime offerings for later use when targeting favorite game fish- completely free of charge.

2) Look closely at the sandy shoals built up where jetty meets beach. Here, migrating schools of mullet heading south for the winter often congregate in huge numbers. On occasion, the baitfish are concentrated directly in the corner wash. Careful maneuvering here is a must. Practice your cast net throwing.

3) Wrecks or piles of submerged debris adjacent to any inlet are also baitfish magnets. Pinfish, a favored grouper bait, are notorious for hanging tight to the submerged debris and are often eager to provide dedicated baitfishermen with a handsome reward for their efforts.

4) Buoy markers leading into an inlet are notorious for holding ravenous packs of ‘fast baits’ including blue-runners, speedos, and goggle-eyes- all worth their weight in silver when seeking sailfish and dolphin. By anchoring nearby the slope and dangling a chum bag, you can quickly attract the attention you are looking for.

Finally, don’t overlook the wintertime run of jumbo shrimp which will surely be moving in and out with the tides. Under the light of the moon, these critters can be picked off the surface with the use of a spotlight and long-handled dip net. The crustaceans are like candy for giant tarpon lurking in the same passes.

Essential Bait-Catching Gear:

-Multiple hook sabiki rigs in various sizes- four of each.

-An assortment of teardrop sinkers.

-¼”, 3/8”, ½”, and 1” cast-nets.

-Two dehookers

-Long-handled dip nets for scooping shrimp

Warning- don’t be a hazard to navigation!

-Inlets are navigable waterways which boaters cannot impede access to. Do not under any circumstances anchor directly in the marked passageway where your vessel may become a hazard to safe navigation. Many well-traveled inlets are patrolled by marine officers and are completely off-limits to any baitfishing activity, so know the deal before you go!