What’s up everyone! Welcome back to the channel. Today, we’re at Navarre Beach for a few hours of fishing. The fishing spot is a pretty basic sandbar with a slow drop-off and deeper water behind it. I’m using pompano rigs with sand fleas and fish pies as bait. Within minutes of casting my line, I catch a pompano, but it’s a keeper size and I decide to release it. I continue fishing with different bait setups and catch more pompano. There’s a storm rolling in, but I hope it doesn’t affect our fishing. I caught three pompano quickly, but then didn’t catch anything else for about an hour, so I decided to relocate. To move spots, I simply wrap the sinker around the base of my reel without removing the bait from my Pompano rig. At the second spot, which is just another basic sandbar, I instantly get a bite and catch a fish. The bite is slow, so I stagger my rods at different distances past the sandbar. I lose a fish, but then catch a good one soon after moving to a different spot. I decide to try one more spot before winding down, as I couldn’t find any sand fleas where I was currently fishing. At the new spot, I land another fish and mention that the fish are loving the green shrimp fish bite bait. I cast one rod further out and catch a pompano that is probably the biggest of the day. All the pompano caught were at least 10 yards past the sandbar or further. I had success with moving spots when the bite slowed down and recommend doing the same.
Understanding the Fishing Spot
Table of Contents
Navarre Beach is a popular location for surf fishing, and it’s important to understand the characteristics of this particular fishing spot. The beach features a sandbar with a slow drop-off into deeper water. This configuration creates an ideal habitat for pompano, a type of fish commonly targeted by surf anglers.
Getting Started with Surf Fishing
To get started with surf fishing at Navarre Beach, you’ll need some essential materials and equipment. This includes pompano rigs, which are specifically designed to target pompano. Sand fleas and fish pies are popular bait options for attracting these fish. Setting up the pompano rigs with the bait involves attaching the sand fleas and fish pies to the hooks on the rigs.
The First Catch of the Day
Within just a few minutes of casting the line, the angler in the video manages to catch a pompano. This first catch is a keeper size, meaning it meets the legal size requirements for keeping the fish. However, the angler decides to release this pompano because it’s on the smaller side. This shows a respect for the regulations and a desire to practice responsible fishing.
Changing Bait Setups
In an effort to experiment and find the most effective bait setup, the angler tries different combinations of bait. They continue to catch more pompano by using new baits, which suggests that the fish are responding positively to these changes. This adaptability and willingness to try different approaches are key qualities in effective surf fishing.
Weather Conditions
Weather conditions can greatly impact the fishing experience. Before the storm arrives, the angler is hopeful that it won’t affect their fishing. However, as the storm starts rolling in, it becomes apparent that it may have an impact. It’s important for anglers to stay aware of the weather conditions and adjust their strategies accordingly.
Success Rate
Initially, the angler experiences success in catching pompano. However, there is a lull period where they don’t catch anything for about an hour. In response to this slow period, the decision is made to relocate to a different spot. This strategic decision highlights the importance of adaptability and willingness to change locations when the bite slows down.
Relocating Spots with the Same Rigs
When deciding to move to a different spot, the angler utilizes a technique that allows them to do so without removing the bait from their pompano rigs. They simply wrap the sinker around the base of the reel and cast it back out at the new spot. This method saves time and effort, allowing for a quick relocation without having to re-rig the lines.
Staggering the Rods
To maximize the chances of catching pompano, the angler employs a strategy known as staggering the rods. This involves placing the rods at different distances beyond the sandbar. By doing so, the angler covers more zones and increases their chances of attracting pompano. This technique proves successful in increasing the catch rate.
Changing Spots Again and Final Catch
After some time at the second spot, the angler decides to try one more spot before winding down for the day. This decision is driven by the fact that they couldn’t find any sand fleas where they were currently fishing. At the third spot, the angler uses green shrimp fish bite bait, which proves to be effective in attracting pompano. In fact, this spot yields the biggest pompano of the day for the angler, further highlighting the importance of flexibility and trying out different locations and baits.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the fishing experience at Navarre Beach proves to be successful due to the angler’s adaptability and strategic decision-making. By understanding the characteristics of the fishing spot, utilizing the right equipment, experimenting with different bait setups, and adjusting to changing weather conditions, the angler is able to catch multiple pompano. Key takeaways from this fishing experience include the importance of flexibility and the willingness to try different locations and baits. With these qualities, surf fishing at Navarre Beach can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience.