South Florida Surf and Pier Fishing

Question
I am a northern inport used to fresh water but have been in Florida 5 years now. Have various gear for pier fishing and one long rod suitable for surf casting. I am still not familiar with types of fish at what time of year and what to catch them on. Can you advise as to where a beginner can to go and what to use for bait for some surf fishing ? I would like to get out in the early AM and am willing to travel north or south out of Ft Lauderdale.

Answer
Hi Bob,
Pier and surf fishing require about the same bait and tackle with the exception that at the end of a pier a long cast often connects with fish that rarely come into shallow water: kingfish (king mackerel) are an example. Use cut bait such as from mullet or whole, dead shrimp.  Live bait of any type is always good.  From where you are in F.L., you could go to Golden Beach (access always a problem) or to the pier at Baker's Haulover.  From now on all along the coast there will be pompano at these locations and especially farther north, all the way to Jupiter where you can fish north or south of the inlet and do very well.  In the fall expect mullet runs to attract migrating bluefish that are close in and Spanish mackerel a little farther out if you can cast that far.  In between you'll see tarpon for which live bait is always the best.  Pompano bite on sand fleas, crustaceans that live in the surf that can be raked up with special "flea traps" that you can buy or make.  Pompano also eat live shrimp and up around Melbourne cut up clams are good.  During the winter bluefish hang around the north area and other smaller fish can be caught: snapper, whiting, etc.  Snook are all along the coast when the water warms, starting in May or so.  Redfish are great in the surf and can be found still farther north: Melbourne all the way on up the coast. If you fish the surf with a long rod, be sure you use at least a 4 oz pyramid sinker to get you out and to stay there.  If you fished fresh water up north, then maybe you have  some casting equipment.  I would get some plugs, black or green backs with white or cream bellies, and cast into the surf for what I would consider a good bet.  And not to forget that just north of where you live, in Pompano Beach, there is a pier with some good fishing.  You should take a look at my book, FISH FLORIDA: SALTWATER for a lot more info.  Good luck.  Boris