3 in a Row, Time to Go

No boats, just Florida East Coast Surf Fishing. Canaveral National Seashore, Mosquito Lagoon, Florida. 

The surf was pretty rough yesterday at Patrick Air Base 2nd Light and at Canaveral National Seashore. We ended up throwing in Mosquito Lagoon.

It wound up being a beautiful day with most of the weather blowing inland.

Fiddler Crab Heaven out here at Mosquito Lagoon!

 Florida East Coast Surf Fishing Home

Why I Prefer to Use Circle Hooks

Why I Prefer to Use Circle Hooks


The use of circle hooks is also recommended by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. My FWC states that circle hooks are 90% more likely to hook fish in the mouth, reducing harm to the fish on a catch and release.

Circle hooks are easier to dislodge than J hooks. If a fish "swallows the hook" with a J, removing it can be seriously detrimental to a fishes release. Often, it is better to cut the line close and leave the hook to work out over time if damage to the fish on removal is severe or it takes too long and causes distress.

Circle and J hooks are for use with live and cut bait. The favorite thing I like about the circle hook is they set themselves. You never have to set the hook. It makes Florida East Coast Surf Fishing easier.

Circle hook sizes go from 1/0 on up, depending on what your fishing for. You even have a choice of colors like Chrome, Red, Black, or Gold. A plethora of sizes, colors, brands, styles, manufacturers for you to choose from. I normally use 1-2/0 for Whiting, Redfish, and Pompano but use 3-4/0 for larger species like shark.

Find out more at Fishing Tackle and Gear to Help Released Fish Survive MyFWC

Florida East Coast Surf Fishing

Smallest Pompano I Ever Caught Florida East Coast Surf Fishing

August 2019 Florida State Regulation Updates Pompano

August 2019 Florida State Regulation Updates Pompano

Permit, Florida Pompano

Special Permit Zone

The minimum size Florida Pompano to keep is 11". There is a daily bag limit of 6 per fisher. The season is open all year. Catching on a hook and line, cast or seine net.

The numbers for inside the Special Permit Zone are different. The minimum size Florida Pompano to keep is 22". There is a daily bag limit of 1 per fisher. The season is open August 1-March 31. In State waters, catching on a hook and line and in Federal waters, hook and line and spear fishing.

As listed on MyFWC, "The Special Permit Zone includes state and federal waters south of Cape Florida in the Atlantic and south of Cape Sable in the Gulf. State waters are from shore to 9 nautical miles in the Gulf and from shore to 3 nautical miles in the Atlantic."

If you need information on the Pompano Endorsement Zone, Visit MyFWC.

Regulation changes are to set for January 1, 2020 on the Shortfin Mako. The Commission approved an increase of the recreational minimum size limit to 83". Commercial harvest in State waters is banned.

Wikipedia Photo

No boats, just Florida East Coast Surf Fishing

Where to fish? What's biting?

Where to fish? What's biting?

While all species can be caught year-round surf fishing Florida's east coast, some are more prevalent seasonally depending on who you ask. The person surf fishing right next to you might be catching one species and you (just a ways down the shore) might not catch any of those. Bait and gear choice play a role in surf fishing, but throwing where the fish are is luck of the draw. And what was biting today, may not be biting tomorrow.

Google Maps Haulover Canal

Canaveral National Seashore has a lot of surf fishing areas to cover. Miles of beach with seperate numbered parking areas. Avoid area 12 in Brevard County if you have a family (known as the clothes optional section). 90.1 miles between Titusville and New Smyrna Beach, Florida with endless days of Florida fishing adventure to be had at Canaveral National Seashore. Anytime there is a rocket on the launchpad KSC, these areas are closed. Generally, Haulover Canal is still accessible while Canaveral National Seashore is closed for launches.

Canaveral National Seashore Alerts lists closures and other relevant alerts. Check before you travel.

This year so far (2019), I've been catching Blue's (I don't recommend sticking your fingers in their mouth:), Snook (Closed until Aug 31,2019, Opens September 1, 2019-December 15, 2019), Whiting, Pompano, Margate, Sail Catfish, Saltwater Catfish, Croaker, Spots (same family as Croaker), Shark, Ray, Redfish, Black Drum, Sea Trout, Sheepshead. Location matters, fish gotta swim.

Check out the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Recreational Regulations or get your Shark Permit by taking the course shore-based shark fishing at My FWC SharkCourse

Margate fish photo Wikipedia

No boats, just Florida East Coast Surf Fishing

Pompano Rig vs Carolina Rig, Weights, Bait, and Leader Lines

Both the Pompano Rig and Carolina Rig are efficient fish catchers. 

Photo from Pinterest Saltwater Pompano Fishing Rig

Pompano rig is either double or single drop with many sizes and styles. Drop loop links will very, is it closer to your leader line or the weight bottom? I prefer a longer drop from around 12-16 inches from the weight. My second drop is another 12-16 inches from my first. My second drop will always be higher in the water column. The reason I prefer the longer drop loop is that when the fish bites the hook, it takes longer for the fish to feel the resistance of the weight. For Florida East Coast Surf Fishing I prefer a 12 ft. rod. The reason I prefer a 12 ft. rod on Pompano Rig, is it brings my angle elevations higher.

Photo from Ultimate Fishing Site

The advantages of a Carolina Rig are the bait and line can move without resistance of the weight. The disadvantages include getting more catfish bites if you are not fishing for that species. If you are, it is an advantage.


Weight, Leader Line, and Hook Choices

I prefer pyramid weights over sputniks. Pyramid weights from 2-4 ounces are a good casting weight for all species. The lighter the weight, the less resistance the fish will feel. Heavy currents need more weight.

Leader line of choice 20lb fluorocarbon with 1-2/0 circle hooks for Pompano Rigs.
Carolina Rigs a 2-6/0 circle hook depending on what species I am fishing for. Sharks: 50lb leader line, large cut bait, 4-6/0 circle hook; Redfish: 20lb leader line, shrimp, mullet, or crab cut or live bait, 2-4/0 circle hook; Snook: 20lb minimum fluorocarbon, live bait mullet, whiting, croaker, 2-4/0 circle hook.

I like my Carolina and Pompano Rig leader line to a be a minimum of 3ft with 20lb fluorocarbon.

No boats, just Florida East Coast Surf Fishing.