The Good Ol' Bait Run

Well, it’s back. You go to the ocean down here in Melbourne Beach and the activity in the surf is like something you would see on National Geographic. Hundreds of thousands of bait fish right along the shore. With this, comes larger fish trying to eat them. With this, our old friend the shark likes to show up as well.

It is no secret that sharks are pretty much everywhere in the Melbourne Beach area. It is almost gotten to the point where it is more uncommon to not see one in the lineup. That said, most are smaller sharks and we truly are not on the menu. If we were, I wouldn’t be writing this article!

Still, the abundance of bait running the shore is a little unnerving, especially early and late day. The fisherman, are in full force trying to catch snook. When that fails, many resort to the easy catch, sharks. They fight like hell and they become a rock star for all the tourists on the beach when they land one. For once I know it isn’t the fisherman drawing the sharks close to shore, so that helps with my slight disdain for the act of surf fishing.

Be safe out there and don’t let your feet dangle too much. It’s a spectacle to watch and keeps you on your toes when a bait ball gets attacked and you end up in the middle of it, wondering what sea creature is below you in hot pursuit.

The good news, it will all be over in a few months…LOL! Yeah, it lasts for quite a while. I don’t worry, as I have an agreement with the sharks. I don’t eat them and they don’t eat me. It’s been a harmonious relationship all these years and I intent to keep my end of the bargain.

Have fun out their shark kabob aficionados!!!