BOATING & FISHING
SPACE COAST
SUMMER 2022: 61
With 72 miles of beaches, the
Space Coast offers plenty of
opportunities for surf fishing.
With calmer seas and warmer weather,
summertime can be one of the best
seasons for newbies and youth to learn
the sport.
There is plenty of free advice and
information available — from resources
that can be accessed online to
professional Surf Charter guides to area
bait and tackle fishing outlets. The good
news is that it doesn’t have to cost a lot
when first getting started.
“Fishing is not hard, fish will eat
anything at any time,” said Joey
Antelloni, a longtime Brevard fishing
guide and expert angler.
Born and raised in Palm Bay, Antelloni
learned to fish with his father and
grandfather on the beaches of
Indialantic. He has since made fishing
his career. The most important advice he
offers is to be patient, safe and have fun.
Known as the YouTube guru of fishing
on the Space Coast, Antonelli has been
sharing his knowledge and fish stories
via the web since 2006. He has reeled
in nearly a half-million viewers who
regularly visit and subscribe to his site.
He also was a guest speaker at the Florida
Sport Fishing Association meeting in
April where he shared his knowledge
of surf fishing — from baits, tackle, rod
selection, best spots and more.
WHERE TO FISH
All of the beaches along the coastline in
Brevard are divided into several sections,
based on topography.
Troughs form offshore from the shore
break, and they can vary, depending on
the slope or steepness of the beach into
the water.
At the north end — from the Canaveral
National Seashore New Smyrna to Port
Canaveral — the bottoms are sandy and
these troughs are less pronounced.
From Patrick Air Force Base in Satellite
Beach south to Indialantic, there are
coquina ridges. Attached to these small,
reef-like structures, are colonies of
sabellariid worms. Farther south, from
Melbourne Beach to Sebastian Inlet, the
troughs become more pronounced, as the
slopes are more vertical.
As shallow water from sandbars prevents
water from flowing back to the ocean,
the incoming pressure grows inside these
troughs — until it forces breaks.
For swimmers, this scenario can cause
dangerous rip currents, but for surf
fishing anglers it can provide a gold mine
where small invertebrates such as sand
fleas and other bait fish are dislodged
among the waves. Predatory fish wait
along the edges of the bars to feed,
creating a super fish highway.
Everything from whiting, croakers, pompano,
bluefish, mackerel and even snook
can be found lurking along these troughs.
“Seasonal rules relating to bag limits and
species also come into play,” Antonelli
said. “Before venturing out to the beach,
it’s always a good idea to check the >>
Surf fishing beginners
will need a minimal
investment that includes
a rod, reel, some surf
fishing rigs, rod holders,
baits, a bucket and a
small tackle box.
GINA RAGAN