The best time to go fishing is when you can get away
Robert Traver
Getting Away
In July 2020, after three months of quarantine, we needed a break (little did we know that this was just the beginning of what would be a full year of “needing a break”).
My parents were able to rent a secluded, older beach house on the far end of Gulf Shores, Alabama for a week of socially distanced fun. My plan involved one thing…surf fishing.
My dad and I hadn’t seriously surf fished together since I was in college when we took a family trip down to Port Aransas, Texas. That trip only yielded some hardhead catfish…not exactly a roaring success.
Since getting married and having kids, it was tough to devote the time and energy required for a successful trip while juggling three kids under 5. This would be the first year the kids were old enough for me to actually devote the needed time for success.
Growing up we spent nearly every trip to the beach in the surf or canals of North and South Carolina fishing for spot, whiting, sand sharks, or whatever else we might find. All the trips blur together to the point I can’t distinguish one trip from the other, but all my memories of those trips are special.
This trip the locale and target species would be different, we would be on the Emerald Coat targeting Pompano and Spanish Mackerel, but still hoped to create some special memories.
Trip of a Lifetime
When we arrived, we found ourselves nearly alone on the beach. Between leisurely playing with the kids and enjoying family, we fished the surf with dropper rigs and jigs on light tackle as we wished.
By the time the trip was over, we had tallied:
- 6 Spanish Mackerel
- 3 Pompano
- 1 Blue
- 1 Blue Runner
- 6 Lady Fish
- 4 Remora
If it was edible, we ate it. The pompano we grilled whole…everything else we turned to “fish bites”, small chucks of fried fish we dipped in cocktail sauce. Supplemented with shrimp and hush puppies from a local seafood restaurant, we had a feast. Best trip to the beach we’ve had in years.
How We Caught’em
Catching Pompano
When it comes to catching pompano, I have a tried and true, traditional approach that consists of a hand-tied leader with two dropper loops, two homemade float hooks and sand fleas (if I can find them) or sand flea Fish Bites (different than the one’s we eat).
I use a homemade board spaced to my liking to tie my double-dropper rigs, using 20lb Berkley’s Big Game monofilament.
My float hooks, learned from a surf fisherman down in Florida (311pope), consist of:
- Comal Tackle Peg Floats (yellow/white)
- Glass Orange Bead to simulate sand flea roe
- 2/0 Kahle Hook
DIY Making Pompano Hooks:
Ever want to make your own pompano float hooks? Learn How
Depending on the surf, I’m using a 3 – 4 oz pyramid sinker. Cast one into each cut, and let them soak.
Catching Blues and Spanish Mackerel
Targeting Spanish Mackerel was a first for me on this trip. Fortunately, my brother has a place on the Carolina coast and has been honing his skills over the last few years and was willing to pass on some knowledge.
Unlike targeting pompano, which involves soaking and waiting, targeting Spanish Mackerel is a more active endeavor.
We use light spinning gear to burn jigs and spoons just below the surface in hopes or drawing a reaction strike.
The spoons are 3/4 – 1oz Kastmaster Gold Spoons on a small, matte black, barrel swivel. The mainline is braid and 18-24in, 20-30lb fluorocarbon is used for the leader to fool the sharp-eyed Spanish.
The jigs are 3/4oz – 1oz and natural in color. The leader is the same to avoid wind knots in the braid.
How We Cooked’em
Our preparations are fairly simple and summarized below:
Preparing the Pompano
Pompano is among the best testing fish in the gulf. You don’t have to do much to let the ingredients shine. We simply score the flesh, salt and squeeze a little lemon, then grill over charcoal until the skin pulls away.
Preparing the Fish Bites
Everything else we caught we filleted and sliced into small strips (similar in size to clam strips).
Simply get the fish fry of your choice or make your own and pan fry them until done. I’m partial to dipping in cocktail sauce.
