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“Pounding Surf Fish”
By Terry Lacoss
“The conditions are perfect today for surf fishing”, expert surf fishing angler Larry Finch explained. “The wind is blowing from the Northeast which allows for big breaking waves along the beaches of Amelia Island, which are my favorite surf fishing waters.”
Larry was soon walking along the shallow surf looking for beds of sand fleas, which the expert angler regards as his favorite surf fishing bait.
“If you look hard enough you will see several close ripples in the surf, which are created by the sand flea’s antenna, Larry said. “I also look for several periwinkle shells along the surf which is a good indication that sand fleas are present and plenty of fish as well just beyond the breakers.”
It wasn’t long before Larry located a bed of sand fleas and was soon digging them up with his toes and feet as a falling surf evacuated them from their hiding spot into Finch’s special net. Larry prefers to gather close to a gallon of sand fleas before he sets out his long surf fishing rods.
“I prefer to fish with the roe laden female sand fleas as the roe is extremely attractive to whiting and pompano,” Larry said. “However, I always have on hand ultra-fresh shrimp, clams and blue crabs as well, which are also excellent surf fishing baits.”
Larry Finch beach fishes with four surf rods which are made by custom made by “Mud Hole” and have a medium light action for long casts and to also detect light strikes. Finch’s fishing reels are Penn International TRQ filled with fifteen-pound monofilament fishing line. Larry’s double rig pompano rig includes fifteen-pound mono leader rigged with 2/0 Eagle Claw circle hooks.
Finch’s real secret in making phenomenal surf fishing catches is locating area of Amelia Island beaches where there are plenty of fish. With this said, many beach fishermen just simply walk down to the beach and begin fishing. Larry Finch explores the beaches with his four-wheel drive truck, finds the best spots, then sets out his surf fishing gear.
“What I typically look for are areas of the surf where there is a second bar,” Finch said. “In these areas of the surf there is a deep slough between the first breaker and the second breaker, the second breaker makes for an ideal ambush point where a variety of surf species will be feeding.”
Like most saltwater fishing, ninety percent of the fish are in one small area. Larry Finch has acquired the skills in locating these “Sweet Spots” along the beaches of Amelia Island while employing the right tackle and baits too. Finch also offers guided beach fishing trips as well, call (904)220-6260.
Mitch and Patty Fields were recently targeting king mackerel along the beaches of Amelia Island when a big fish struck one of their live menhaden baits.
“I thought it was probably a large shark,” Mitch Fields said. “However, before the works barely had time to escape my mouth a huge tarpon came leaping from the water some 150-yards off from the stern of our fishing boat! I began to clear all the remaining fishing rods as that tarpon began “Greyhounding” toward Bermuda at a very fast clip. Fortunately, all the running and jumping tired that big tarpon out and I was soon able to secure the shock leader after a twenty-minute fight.”
Mitch’s and Patty’s tarpon soon broke the small kingfish hook right at boat side but was ruled a catch and release when the shock leader was secured.
