The legalization of American Beach! 10/17

[fishhunters]

Got to American beach about 4pm after dropping some change on new tires and an alignment. It was very chilly but the conditions were actually pretty good. Water was fairly clean. The forecast called for NE winds at 14 so I'm thinking a lot of chop. Wrong. The winds were SW about 14 so the sea lay flat. There was still a lot of Sargassum on the beach but just a minute amount in the surf. All systems go!

Things started almost non-existent for the first two hours. It was just me and my three year old daughter, and she struck first with a Sea Robin. Next up was a ray. We'd started about 2 hours into the incoming and I know nine times out of ten you just have to wait it out. In the last 45 minutes things changed. Bronze fish with a spot. At first call Rat Red but upon closer inspection Bull Whiting! Spot was on the fin and he had the whisker on the bottom lip! Then came what I've been looking for for the past five weeks! Pompano! Legal! 13" to the fork. He hit on frozen flea. Missed a couple benders but got another Bull Whiting.

I'm learning the Pompano trend. I'd been told the keepers lead the way during their migrations. But my experience has been: Started catching palm sized Pomps in the early going. Then they started getting bigger. 7", 8" the the last two weeks 9 and 9.5. Finally the keepers! Dinner was good! Used salt, cajun blacken seasoning and butter. Under the broiler at 500 degrees and it's done!

Gonna hit it again on Friday. Either American of Talbot.