01 — The Expedition

There’s something special about surf fishing in Florida: miles of sandy beaches, the sound of waves, and the possibility of catching an incredible fish without ever stepping onto a boat.

For me, one of the ultimate prizes of the Florida surf is the pompano. They may not be the giant predators we chase on expeditions overseas, but these silver fish with golden-yellow fins are surprisingly powerful fighters and among the finest-eating fish in Florida.

What I love most is their accessibility. You don’t need an expensive boat or complicated electronics, just a stretch of beach, the right equipment, and an understanding of where the fish are feeding. Before we started fishing, though, we wanted to find something special for bait — hidden beneath our feet.

02 — The Fishing

TECHNIQUE / SURF FISHING WITH NATURAL BAITS

FINDING THE HIDDEN BAIT

Ghost shrimp are small, soft-bodied crustaceans that live in burrows beneath the beach. With a specialized shrimp pump, we searched the wet sand for the tiny openings. Once we found a promising hole, we pushed the pump into the sand and pulled its handle, creating suction that brought up sand, water, and — with luck — a ghost shrimp. Collecting your own bait is almost like hunting for buried treasure.

KEEPING SOFT BAIT ON THE HOOK

Ghost shrimp are fragile. Without securing them properly, they can fly off during a cast or get pecked away by small fish. That’s where Hey Skipper Bait Threading helps. We wrap its thin elastic thread around the bait and hook to hold everything together without complicated knots. It’s useful for other soft baits too, including shrimp and clams.

BRING MORE THAN ONE BAIT

Pompano can be selective, so we bring ghost shrimp, regular shrimp, small crabs, clams, and Hey Skipper Salted Baits. Our salted baits are tougher than many fresh soft baits and stay on the hook longer. Fishing different baits alongside one another lets the fish tell us what they prefer.

READING THE BEACH

One of the biggest misconceptions about surf fishing is that you always need to cast as far as possible. We look for troughs, cuts through sandbars, and areas where waves concentrate food. The 11′ Hey Skipper Surf Commander lets us reach farther water, while the 9′2″ Hybrid covers shorter casts and inner troughs that anglers often overlook.

We fish these areas with Hey Skipper Catch All Rigs with Floats, which help lift natural bait just above the sand. Sometimes a pompano bite starts as a tap; other times, the rod loads up as the fish uses its broad body against the current. There’s nothing quite like seeing silver and yellow flash in the shorebreak — especially on bait you collected yourself.

03 — Equipment Used

OUR FIELD SETUP

WHY THIS SETUP WORKED

The 11′ Surf Commander handles longer casts when fish are feeding beyond the sandbars. The 9′2″ Hybrid is easy to work in closer troughs. Our Catch All Rigs with Floats keep bait presented above the sand, while Bait Threading helps secure fragile ghost shrimp and other soft baits. We also carry Salted Baits as a tougher, longer-lasting option. The goal is simple: cover different feeding zones and adapt bait to conditions.

05 — Plan Your Trip

Florida has miles of beaches where anglers can target pompano without a boat. Spring and fall are often productive, but surf conditions, temperatures, food, and local fish movements make a difference. Start by learning to recognize troughs and sandbars, pack several baits, and fish more than one distance.

If you want to pump your own ghost shrimp, check local collection rules first, along with current pompano harvest regulations.