Had a great time although it was another trip when I heard “you should have been here last week . . . they were really biting.” But one can not control the weather or the fish. So when one finally gets there you can either figure out what is possible or waste time and energy trying to catch something that is not around. What I do whenever I arrive on the pier is observe, looking for clues as to what is going on. Generally a warm and friendly community of people is formed around a mutual love of the Gulf and fishing. There are old timers and tourists and every thing in between who, for the most part are eager to talk and help and share information. As I walk out on to the pier I look at the surf for water clarity, baitfish, currents, etc. I look for bent rods or other activity that may be going on. I try to determine what kind of bait and tackle is being used as smiles and friendly greetings are exchanged with those who have already staked out a place.
Before daylight is the best time to arrive hoping that the fish will be hungry for a big breakfast. The action of the waves creates troughs and dunes both in and out of the surf. As the water rushes up the dunes it creates what we see as the surf. The fish see something different. As the water crashes over the sand it can stir up small and large creatures living there that they feed on. The fish swim along the channels seeking food. As you walk further out on the pier ver deeper water the terrain changes along with the fish and what they are looking for. This is a picture of low tide. The water was more or less still and was smooth as glass.
There are artificial reefs built out at the end where the water is around 25-30 feet deep. The water’s depth, the lay of the land, even the physical structure of the pier attracts and holds fish as well as people, all trying to do their thing. The pier is over five football fields long so there is room for lots of change from one end to the other.
Shallow water can hold big fish. Saw at least twenty of these and their cousins. I saw large schools of Tarpon migrating back toward Florida, some Dolphins, some huge Red Snapper (out of season), and some Jelly Fish. We were rigged up to catch Mackerel and Bull Redfish but the Mackerel were slow and the Reds were playing somewhere else. Once the sun got up good there was nothing really going on. It was still good to be there and I had only just begun to work on my sunburn but I wanted to catch some fish. So I began to think about how it might be done. I remembered the Jellyfish and started watching them. After a while I began to notice flashes of silver and light brown swimming underneath them. So I knew something was hungry, Spadefish or Angelfish. They are omnivores and will eat lots of different things. They swim in smaller schools and feed together. Pretty much everybody on the pier was rigged to catch something bigger and more sexy but I wanted some action. So I put up the larger tackle and used a tiny float and hook baited with shrimp.
Changing my mindset paid off and while it took 5-6 hours I filled up the ice chest with fish. Sometimes life does not allow for ones initial vision or hopes to manifest and we can be sitting on the pier wishing and wasting our time and energy casting for something that is not around. While there is something to be said for just being out there and casting, if you want something in the cooler you may have to adjust your thinking and fish for what is biting.
They are actually fairly mild and excellent tasting fish. I cleaned them and grilled them using olive oil and cajun seasoning. I made a sauce by frying some bacon and deglazing the pan with white wine. then added a pint of half and half, a stick of butter, the juice and zest of a lemon, and Italian Parsley for color. I reduced it and served it over the fish with wild rice, some good bread, and a salad. It made a tasty supper.
My oldest and I went back the next day and proceeded to catch more Spadefish while others fished for what was not biting. We made a couple of new friends who were also interested in catching fish. We showed them what we were doing and helped them fill their cooler. It was great fun!
But even if what you are after is not biting and you don’t want to alter your goals there is still something to be said for just getting out there and casting. Nothing like watching the sun set over the Gulf. Be Groovy!
How amazing! It looks like you had a very peaceful adventure! Have fun! 🙂
Hey friend. It was nice to get away. And the supper was good. I’m glad you stopped by.
Really excellent writing… nice job. I love your words and how they connect with what is happening in my heart at the moment. I am afraid I am fishing for what is not there. I think it may be time for me to move on from my current relationship, as much as I don’t want to but sitting and hoping isn’t going to change what I catch… thank you for this great work, truly amazing. and the fish were nice too! Your dinner sounds wonderful! yum 🙂 much light and peace to you. Michelle
Thank you for being here. I want you to search on my blog for one called silly boy. I would that you receive it as meant for you even though you may not be a boy. Most of what I write is me talking to myself. If you listen to this one take it as me also talking to and encouraging you. Blessings. There are reasons for your dissatisfaction. It calls you toward a place where you may one day rest.
Ah. Takes me back, that cooler filled with flat swimmers. Ours were fluke, summer flounder, and the bay was Mystic. Thanks for stirring up the memories.
Oh, that beach looks gorgeous. I can’t remember when I last set foot on the sand, of an ocean beach. Too many years, I’ll tell you that. I was in my thirties and was on the Atlantic Coast, and stayed in a motel on the beach. I managed to see Dolphins playing off shore one morning! It was glorious.
There is nothing like the ocean, except for the mountains, and forests. Still, that picture of the ending sand looked SO inviting! And I love the sound of the surf. It’s so peaceful.
I’m glad you had a wonderful time! I wish you could have had longer, for yourself. But, as you say, in Spring. Something to which to look forward.
I know this summer past, we’d planned a trek out to New England (right next door to our state), and would have been hanging out in a mall fishing village in Cape Ann, just north of Cape Cod. Perhaps next year, as you say!
As ever, thank you for bringing those moments to us, here!
You were missed.
Y ou are one of my favorite humans. You know that?
Thank you. The feeling is mutual.
Hoping these your Autumn days are filled with new discoveries!
I learned how to tear down a rebuild a deck better than it was.
I think I could handle that scenario. Your life looks like a fairy tale to me.
No fairytale sugar. But there are wonderful moments
Nothing like fresh fish!! Your sunset resembles my sunrise!! ☀️ sounds like a wonderful time away!!!!
It was nice. I love the water.
I’m with you!!!
Wow!! That is some haul of fish! You are a master! Not only the hook in poetry but also in life! I think I could handle that sunshine too! Still groovy this end – best wishes – Opher
One day we should all gather and cook and eat and laugh and talk long into the night.
Beautiful sunset pictures… Sigh… Could live there. So glad you had a good time. It sounds like it was really good soul food for you, dude. Hope the chill lasts for awhile.
Morning. I hated coming home. But it was wonderful to get a way for a bit. Think we will go again in the spring before school gets out.