Headed out at dark 30 with my wife and neighbor and set up a few hundred yards north of Marineland. The sunrise was masked by the clouds, the water was fairly calm but clean. There was enough surf to identify the sand bars and it looked promising. After about an hour of not catching a thing, I texted a few members of the club to let them know where the fish were not. Sixty seconds later I get a nice bite and land a 14" pomp. Of course I'm convinced the bite is now on and about an hour goes by with only one whiting to show for it.
We decide to head south a few miles into Flagler county. We catch a few decent whiting but the bite is still slow. Then the rod tip starts dancin'. I jump up with excitement and it's still dancin'. I look out and notice two big birds have drifted into my line and one of them is flapping like crazy. I tried a couple of moves to disengage the line but it's too far out there and I decide to cut the line. The bird flies away and I'm one rod down. (Good thing I learned a tip about wrapping pre measured leader line around a cork at last month's meeting)
We catch a few more whiting but are mostly just enjoying a beautiful day with clear water. I start to notice the crabs in the water and small sand fleas in the surf. I grab my rake and manage a few about the size of the end of your pinky. I figure I need to try something different and I definitely need one more pompano because my wife has already laid claim to the first. I put these tiny fleas on my double dropper and put it out as far as I can. A few minutes later, the rod has a great bite and all I'm thinking is that it's got to be a pompano because the rod bend is too big for a whiting. It is really pulling hard and I'm thinking...maybe it's a record pomp or a lost permit...yes, this is gonna be great. I get it close and notice the tell tell signs of a BH in the water. I've never been so disappointed to have a BH on. I was amazed that this 10 pounder would hit pinky sized fleas on a 2 ot circle hook.
Well, it was exciting anyway. So we're about to call it a day and I decide to check my bait for one more cast. As I'm reeling in, I notice something feels heavy but isn't really tugging. I keep pulling and reeling and realize I'm hooked on another line. I check my neighbor and his line is clear. I reel in further and grab the line. I start "hand" reeling in this line and notice it's the same hi-viz line on my reels. Remember that bird story earlier in the day? I continue to pull in the line and not only do I confirm it's my line and terminal tackle, but FISH ON! ...if only it was a pomp!
Total tally was 1 keeper pomp, 4 keeper whiting, a few throw back whiting, 2 baby black tips, 1 hungry BHead and a great day on the beach. Time to eat!