When it comes to stitching those lips together, international spies and underworld mobsters have nothing on a commercial fisherman.
Case in point …
Last week, it wasn’t easy getting confirmation of the Halifax River shrimp run. The commercial folks like to keep a lid on that bucket for as long as possible before the civilian cast-netting brigade begins its assault.
“You hearing anything about shrimp showing up in Daytona this week?”
“I heard nothin’. Pass the Tabasco.”
The lid is off, however, and everyone isn’t just talking shrimp, but jumbo shrimp, which isn’t always the case on the floors of the Halifax.
“It’s all I’ve been hearing about,” says Capt. Jeff Patterson (Pole Dancer charter). “I’ve seen them, and these are some big shrimp, especially for the river.”
It’s hard work, especially compared to the wintertime shrimp run of Oak Hill reds. Oak Hill shrimp stay high in the water column and migrate north at night with the current, only to be scooped from the water with handheld nets.
The only degrees of difficulty involve cold weather and potentially being out on the river at a time of night when normal people are hugging a pillow.
White shrimp — the summer fare found farther north in the Daytona/South Daytona area of the Intracoastal — are bottom dwellers. No scooping those crawlers. Cast nets are the only way, and in this heat, it’s work. Make dozens of casts with a net weighing between 10 and 20 pounds, and there’s a nap in your near future.
But at the risk of tempting Mr. Gout, most of us can eat our weight in shrimp. So for many, it’s worth the work. Or maybe find a better way …
Here’s the thing about local shrimpers: There’s only one thing they like better than cooking and eating shrimp they caught themselves: giving some to friends and neighbors.
This ain’t that.
Hey, you want some fresh shrimp?
If you haven’t heard that more than once, you need a new crowd.
Halifax/Indian River
Capt. Jeff checks back in to remind us of another summertime tradition that’s now upon us.
“The flounder bite has been hot, with a lot of nice 1-to-3-pound fish being caught,” he says.
He says the outgoing inlet tide has been delivering quality fish (reds, tarpon, snook), while the nearshore is thick with sharks.
Art Mowery likes to target trout in the Southeast Volusia waters, but says this week has also brought some very big redfish, along with mangrove snapper and, of course, lots of jacks.
Reports from Indian Mound Fish Camp in Oak Hill say the river is seeing a lot of tailing reds in the early-morning hours. Croakers are the bait of choice. And plenty of big trout in the “George’s bar” area of the lagoon.
Surf
Blake Abbey generally fishes from his kayak, but he likes to mix it up, and this week he sent along some photo evidence of quality flounder in the surf. You might want to try areas around the pilings at one of the local piers.
This is happening at the same time Marco Pompano is singing the blues. He blames all the sand being pumped from Ponce Inlet for beach renourishment north of the inlet. With south winds, a lot of the byproduct is flowing north and, Marco says, “has shut things down almost totally, except for catfish.”
Let’s put two and two together for a potential reason for both bits of news. Maybe all that drifting sand, while shooing away many fish, is luring the flounder, since flounder like a nice sandy or even muddy bottom. Not the worst reasoning ever found here.
But don’t ask Marco.
“I’m not in charge, I only fish here,” he says.
St. Johns
Wash, rinse, repeat.
Same news, different week.
Panfish are plentiful right now, while the sunshine (hybrid) bass are starting to make some noise.
Don McCormick fished out of South Moon in Astor this past week and found a mess of specks in 10-14 feet of water. He says he was using 16th-of-an-ounce jigs.
Hook, line and clicker: Send us your fish pics
We want to see your most recent catch. Email your fish photos to ken.willis@news-jrnl.com.
Please include first and last name of angler(s), as well as type of fish (we’re occasionally stumped).
Do I need a fishing license?
You can find all the license info, including exemptions, on Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Commission website: MyFWC.com. But the basics are: No: If you’re 65 or older, 15 or younger, you don’t need a license. “Probably” Not: If you’re fishing with a licensed guide or charter boat, both of which often purchase commercial licenses that cover their customers. Yes: Most everyone else, including visitors from other states. Yes: Even if you’re a shore-based angler (shoreline, dock, pier, bridge, etc.), and even if fishing with a shore-based guide. However: The shore-based license is free . . . But: You still need to register for that free license.
Where do I get a license and what does it cost?
Many bait shops sell licenses, as do the bigger retailers (Bass, Dick’s, Walmart, etc.). Florida’s FWC uses a third-party site for buying or renewing fishing licenses: GoOutdoorsFlorida.com. The cost: $17 for an annual license. Don’t forget: Whether you’re fishing fresh or saltwater, you need the specific license. Freshwater and saltwater licenses are both $17 annually.
I’m here on vacation, do I need a license?
Yes you do, and they’re also available at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com or certain bait shops and big retailers. Cost: $17 for three days, $30 for seven days, $47 for a year. Also: Non-residents need to purchase that license even if they’re just fishing from shoreline or shore-based structures. (Florida residents need that license, too, but they’re free.)
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Yes, yes, the shrimp run is on. Start spreadin’ the news. Summer flounder here too
Reporting by Ken Willis, Daytona Beach News-Journal / The Daytona Beach News-Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
