Somewhere Over the Rainbow, There are Fish Frying

The ocean did not exactly roll out the welcome mat for our recent surf-fishing trip to Melbourne Beach. We had rough, post-storm conditions, dirty water, and a bite that was slower than usual. Live sand fleas were hard to come by, too.

Other than that, everything was perfect. Fortunately, we had good company. My wife and our two boys joined me, along with Captain Crush and his “partner in crush,” Dorian. We brought self-tied pompano rigs from the mayor of Crush City himself, a couple of scented artificial bait options, and hopes of catching enough whiting and pompano for dinner.

We accomplished that last part. It took some patience, but the trip ended with fresh fish in the frying pan. Given the conditions, I will take that!

Fishing the Beach We Had

There is the beach you picture while getting ready, and then there is the beach you actually find when you arrive. On this outing, the second one featured a rough ocean and dirty water.

The fishing was slower than usual, but the bite seemed to improve as the incoming tide progressed through the late afternoon and into the evening. That was the clearest pattern we noticed. I would not turn one afternoon into a declaration that incoming water always produces the best surf fishing. What mattered was recognizing what was happening during our trip. As the tide came in, the fishing became more encouraging.

Simple Rigs and a Bait Adjustment

We used self-tied pompano rigs with fluorocarbon leaders by Captain Crush. In rough conditions, a few practical questions matter. Is the rig holding where you want it? Are the knots sound? Is the bait still attached after the cast and soak?

You do not need to turn surf fishing into an engineering degree, but you do need a dependable presentation. The bait situation required some flexibility. With live sand fleas difficult to find, we stuck to Fishbites E-Z Crab and Fish Gum Sand Fleasicle, both in orange-and-white presentations.

We fished both products by themselves. There was no shrimp or live sand flea underneath the artificial bait. That is an important detail. These were our actual baits, and they produced the pompano and whiting catches as stand alone baits.

Don’t Be Afraid to Strip

Scented artificial bait strips offer a convenient alternative when natural bait is scarce. They are easy to pack, can be portioned to fit a hook, and give you something to fish without first having to locate live bait.

Their job in the surf involves more than attracting a fish. They also have to survive the cast and remain useful while waves, current, and smaller fish work on the presentation. Fishbites explains that its cut baits use a water-soluble gel that releases infused flavor and scent as it dissolves. In its Longer Lasting formula, an embedded mesh or cloth binder helps keep the bait attached.

The E-Z format comes in ribbons that you cut into smaller portions. It differs from Fish’n Strips, which come as precut wedges. That distinction is useful when shopping: similar bait concepts, different formats.

Fish Gum’s Sand Fleasicle is an orange-and-white strip presentation. The company describes its bait as combining scents associated with several prey items, including crab, sand fleas, shrimp, and clams. We also used a color called Atomic Yabby. For our trip, the practical point was straightforward: we had two options available when live sand fleas were hard to obtain, and we caught fish using them alone.

Keep the Hook Exposed

With cut-to-size bait, resist the urge to build a buffet on every hook. A compact piece that fits the hook is a sensible starting point. Keep the point exposed and leave room in the hook gap. More bait does not automatically mean more fish, especially if the extra material interferes with hooking one.

Check the bait when you retrieve the rig. Something remaining on the hook does not necessarily mean it is ready for another cast. With mesh-backed Fishbites, the scented gel can eventually dissolve and leave the mesh behind. At that point, replace the bait and dispose of the spent remnant.

Fishbites offers Fast Acting and Longer Lasting formulas across its cut-bait lineup. The manufacturer generally favors Fast Acting for colder water and Longer Lasting for greater durability in warmer conditions. Check the package you are buying rather than assuming every strip has the same construction or breakdown rate.

Also…a pair of scissors is a useful tool to keep on hand, both for cutting portions and clearing stubborn remnants.

Two Useful Options, No Champions Crowned

Before writing this report, I also reviewed a separate video comparing Fishbites and Fish Gum. That angler paired each product with shrimp and tried to keep the rigs and casting distances similar.

His recorded catch tally favored the Fishbites presentation, but the handling differences were just as interesting. He found Fish Gum easier to remove and reposition while rebaiting. The mesh-backed Fishbites held firmly, although clearing it from the hook took more effort.

Those were his observations from his outing. Our trip used both products alone, and I did not keep a bait-by-bait scorecard. I cannot tell you that one brand won our afternoon, and a small sample from another angler does not settle the question either. Both deserve consideration as options to keep available.

The useful comparison is practical. Which bait gets bites under the conditions you are fishing? Which survives the cast? Which remains useful after a soak? Those questions can help you decide what to put on the next hook.

A family trip with a good ending

Having my wife and our boys along gave the outing something beyond a catch tally. We spent time together on the beach with Captain Crush and Dorian, worked through less-than-ideal conditions, and brought home a meal.

I do not remember the exact number of fish. I do remember that we had a delicious platter of fried fish to chomp on once we got back to their pad. Captain Crush and Dorian had just moved into a new house, so kitchen supplies were limited. We kept the preparation simple: an almond-flour coating, no extra seasonings, and into the frying pan.

We wanted to enjoy the flavor of the fish. We did. It was extremely tasty. After all the decisions that go into catching a fish, there is something satisfying about letting the finished meal stay simple.

This was not a nonstop-action surf trip. The water was dirty, the ocean was rough, and live sand fleas were difficult to find. But the incoming tide brought a better bite, our self-tied rigs and artificial baits got the job done, and the day ended with family, friends, and fresh fish.

Sometimes the ocean makes you work for supper. This time, supper was worth the effort. One thing that can put you ahead of the game before it starts on your next beach trip, stop by Strike Zone Fishing in Melbourne! Your one-stop shop for all your surf-fishing needs! Whether you’re stocking up on bait, gathering supplies to tie your own pompano rigs, or getting ready for a family afternoon in the sand, keep our local tackle shop in mind. Support local, get geared up, and go catch supper!

Thanks for taking the time to read, stay safe, be happy, and my your lines be ever tight… Until next time!