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The smaller fish are getting fat on my shrimp and sand fleas. I am thawing frozen bait (not the best) because it is inexpensive. Any suggestions? What should I use?
There seems to be hundreds of fish in the shallow water (near swimmers) and I am not sure if they are Whiting or not. Are they some type of young drum? I looked up white drum and Whiting and they looked very similar.
Thanks
Probably small "whiting" (Gulf kingfish) or "ground mullet" (Northern kingfish), maybe even 'runt' redfish or 'puppy' black drum.
In August- September the surfzone is also full of pinfish, catfish, and a variety of small jacks (juvenile Pompano, jack crevelle, Atlantic Bumper, Blue Runner and Ladyfish to name a few).
And crabs!
All of which are glad to relieve you of your mushy, squishy thawed out frozen bait!
IF live or fresh isn't an option try small artificials like Fish Bites, 2" Gulp Shrimp, tiny spoons, 1/4 or 1/8 ounce jigs, or even a small hooked sabiki rig (with or without tiny bits of shrimp, squid or cut fish).
You wouldn't believe how much fun even these small fish are on ultralight 'panfish' tackle of 4# or 2# test line ;-)
Fresh shrimp: Is this grocery store bought shrimp or from a tackle store?
Many bait shops don't have fresh. You will have to ask.
If not go to a seafood shop and buy the smallest fresh heads-on ones they have.
When I was there a couple of weeks ago I just went to Rouses and bought some fresh heads on shrimp at the seafood counter. It was only $5.99 lb and worked a whole lot better than frozen Walmart shrimp.
Buy some pink & white fishbites, they work great for whiting.