A Fishy Situation
Though salt marsh ecology tours were more enjoyable for me, I sometimes offered fishing charters. To measure the level of interest, I always asked a few questions up front. For example, I might ask “How serious are you about fishing” or “do your dinner plans include fish caught today?” I discouraged those who expected to catch fish. Instead, I’d send them off to a real fishing guide.
To take a large group “fishing”, one needed options. My typical fishing charter included some who wanted to fish, some who wanted the periphery, and some who wanted both. Surf fishing offered enough options to satisfy most. Fisher-people could fish while others explored…and the rolls were interchangeable. And sometimes we caught fish.
Along the way to the fishing spot, a few well-placed casts caught plenty of finger mullet, shrimp, and possibly some squid. This stop included a lesson or two on salt marsh ecology and stewardship. Into an aerated 5-gallon bucket the live bait went. The bucket also served as an aquarium for young fish viewers. Since mullet regularly jumped from the bait bucket/aquarium, the less squeamish kids aboard became “escaped mullet retrievers.”
Eventually, I’d land behind a suitable sandbar, then anchor. Once everyone was across the bow and onto the beach, I’d rig rods. The few eager fisher-people watched me intently while the others drifted off to explore the island. I’d space the rods in PVC sand spikes about 50 feet from each other along the shoreline. Each rod was rigged with a circle hook, an 18-inch leader, and a fish finder rig with a 3oz. pyramid sinker attached. Regardless of the group size, 4 or 5 rods actively fishing the surf were plenty. Once the bait was cast into the surf, we’d wait for a strike.
Depending on the level of rod dips, cut-offs, and especially fish caught, members of the group wandered into or out of fishing participation. If a fish was caught, I’d always suggest releasing it, which is mostly what happened. On the trip back, we released the bait and watched it swim away to new schools.
Fishing is hoping. Fisher-people are optimists, at least about fishing. But both optimism and hope have a shelf life. If the fish won’t bite, take a walk. Switch rolls. Explore. Enjoy the periphery for a while.
Capt. Anton DuMars, a longtime local resident and coastal geologist, enjoys surf fishing and the periphery fishing includes. Contact Anton at sailspartina@gmail.com. I’d love to hear from you.
