Sand fleas
Drewthecanuc
Posts: 5 Greenhorn
hey guys, surf newb here and got the surf fever already. Hauled in a couple black tips and some whiting so far but bait is getting expensive when the crabs want a feast. Keep seeing everyone talking about catching sand fleas and just wondering if anyone could point me in the direction or post a how to or guide on catching them. Bought a "sand flea" rake the guy at the bait shop said was a must but not really to sure what I'm looking for or how to go about it. Thanks in advance.
Replies
Sometimes they are right where the wave crashes on the beach, other times up where the wave wash up onto the shore. You have to try different locations until you find where the big ones are at.
In this case they are usually where the waves are breaking or right above them. Look for a small drop off right next to shore and dig on the edge.
That is a cool video.
Places on Atlantic coast from Flagler Bch to Ponte Vedra Bch that had routinely held Sand Fleas years ago & where I learned how to catch them, have been wrecked by both beach erosion & beach renourishment. In recent years it's become hit & miss, making it much harder to find a bunch.
Had found it was easier at low tide when the Sand fleas were concentrated at the bottom of the beach. Areas with lots of Coquina shell was more promising than plain sand. Trick was to get down in the surf zone & watch the 'suds' from each retreating wave, sliding back to ocean, very carefully looking for tiny tell tale V's produced by the Sand fleas as they dig themselves back into the sand.
Once you understand how Sand fleas come out & rebury themselves with each wave running up a beach & learn what the V's from rushing water going past them looks like - you can find them. If you don't see the V's it can be almost futile. You only have split seconds to locate them & either plunge hands in sand, to throw it up beach, or drag rake in right spots - to catch Sand crabs.
Never tried near Naples.
I like it very nice and instructive. Video thanks
:signs Same here, but I never caught that many fleas. I always looked for the little black V in the sand as the water retreats. That V is the flea digging in, be quick and scoop a handful of sand... You'll have at least one bait.:cool:
That's a fact. They've really taken a hit on the Space Coast.
Yes. Don't blind-rake or you'll wear yourself out wasting your time.
They look like a rough patch in the smooth sand of a receding wave. They feed by extending antennae into the receding wash of a wave, filtering out bits of food. Beware of fool's gold: rocks, shells and periwinkle clams make rough patches too.
This is what I usually do to catch them. The bigger ones are sometimes deeper. You have to separate them from the sand. Toss them up on the dryer sand and pick them up as they flee. It is helpful to have kids around for the round up.
PS - the best way to get sand fleas is to buy them but I'd call ahead to the bait shop first