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 AS SEEN IN THE JAN/FEB 2007 ISSUE
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.
1) Bounce a sabiki rig along the
interior rocks of any South Florida inlet
throughout the spring and summer months, keeping a safe distance from the edge,
of course, and threadfin herring and scaled sardines will usually provide you
with all the snapper and snook bait you could ask for. Don’t overlook the tips
of the jetties either. Powerful currents flushing seawater around the corners suck
baitfish in and out of the cut where they make easy prey for skilled sabikiers’.
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!
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