If you fish much or guide on the left coast of Florida between Crystal River and the Keys, you know how awesome these little silver and green fish candies are. You also know that in the summertime we get a fresh hatch of baby scaled sardines that can turn your 3/4″ mesh cast net into a fishy “Christmas tree” if you throw on the wrong school of bait. You’ll spend an hour picking those little boogers out if you’re not careful with where you throw your net and/or you’re not armed with a 1/4″ mesh net.
So how do we avoid this summertime aggravation?
Well, the first thing to do is get yourself a good 1/4″ mesh net. That way if you do throw on a school of small bait they most likely won’t get hung up in the mesh. When you do pull that 1/4″ net in full of 1 inch sardine, don’t just throw them out. At least keep a few scoops full of them. They make great chum and even better Mangrove snapper bait. The other thing you can do is avoid the temptation to “just throw on them and see if their are any bigger ones mixed in.” If I had a dollar for every time I succumbed to that temptation… well, I wouldn’t be a millionaire but I would have a lot of 1 dollar bills.
So how do I find bigger bait when all their seems to be is the small stuff?
Network. You need to have a network of skilled fishermen that you trust that you can call. Now, I don’t advocate asking anyone where fish are. It’s one of my pet peeves. I don’t care how good of friends you are. I believe everyone should find their own fish. But bait? You should have a small group of guys that you can call on when the morning is wearing on and you’re baitless. But don’t make that call until you have exhausted all your bait spots. Don’t spend hours chumming. Hit each spot for about 5-15 minutes and keep searching. Once you’ve given all your bait spots a good once over, it’s time to phone a friend. But do not do so until after 8:30am. Otherwise your friend is going to think you haven’t worked for your bait and you’re just looking for an easy out. Don’t be “that guy”.
So what if I’ve done all the above and I still don’t have anything to show for it?
Suck it up and throw the net on that school of miniature bait. Fish will eat them you know. Shoot, I won a redfish tournament last year and I didn’t have a single bait over 1″ long. Besides, spanish mackerel, trout and snapper eat those tiny baits up. Just make sure your buddies help you pick the net clean after your last throw of the net. You can also pick up some pinfish and grunts. Snook love pinfish and grunts on the beach.
Some people will spend all morning looking for the ideal bait. Don’t be that guy. You headed out to go fishing so go fishing. Give it your best, follow my advice but don’t waste the best part of the day looking for something you may not find.
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