Which sandbar?

Looking at the water midway out, is this the first or second sandbar?

http://pictures.escapia.com/GULFVR/2640360518.jpg

http://pictures.escapia.com/GULFVR/9439880093.jpg

First. You should have a have a 2-4 foot tough between it and the beach

Actually there is only one sandbar in those pics (a longshore sandbar).
There is a hint of a beach sandbar but it is not truly separated from the shoreline by a trough.
IMHO this is only a mundane spot to fish as there is no break in the longshore sandbar or beach point to concentrate the fish and the longshore bar is a loooong cast from shore (more than 200 feet).

You want to look for spots where a sandbar and nearby trough create a 'feeding station' for fish.

Attached is a screengrab with some beach nomenclature superimposed showing some examples to help 'read the beach':

http://www.gulfshorespierfishing.com...tid=5046&stc=1

So you want to look for a longshore trough that is deep and/or close so easier to reach? I normally wade out until it starts to drop off and cast as far out as I can. When I have my kayak, I just paddle up and down just beyond the longshore bar. I've only caught a couple Sharks like that though so tell me if I'm doing it wrong.

If you are shark fishing, you are doing it right.
But you are casting past the whiting, redfish and pompano. Whiting will be in the surf, sometime literally right at your feet.
Redfish and pomps will be in the troughs.

That is an excellent graphic, Mr. #r. Would a cut or break in the longshore bar be an added benefit to the feeding station?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bodebum

That is an excellent graphic, Mr. #r. Would a cut or break in the longshore bar be an added benefit to the feeding station?

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ABSOLUTELY, that is 'The Promised Land' for beach fishers!
The pan fish Carl mentioned use those locations to enter and exit the troughs like we use an off ramp on the interstate.
Those long stretches with no break in the longshore bar are not unlike the long stretches of interstate hiway with no off ramp to get a burger or find rest.

I highlighted the breaks in the sandbars (visible by darker colored water or lack of waves breaking...
http://www.gulfshorespierfishing.com...tid=5048&stc=1

Hope this helps.

BTW, sharks like to wait and to feed outside any breaks in the longshore sandbar where these smaller fish congregate, especially on an outgoing tide.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CarlF

If you are shark fishing, you are doing it right.
But you are casting past the whiting, redfish and pompano. Whiting will be in the surf, sometime literally right at your feet.
Redfish and pomps will be in the troughs.

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No, I definitely have no desire to target sharks intentionally. I'm trying to decide if I'll go to the pier or fish the beach first thing in the morning. No bait, and not sure if my cast net in the surf will be effective, especially with my pathetic casting technique

Youll be surprised at what you catch with the cast net. Ive thrown mine a ton, and I mean a ton, been trained, tutored and toliet trained with it and I still suck at it, the fish start blowing bubbles laughing when they see me coming with a net, but sometimes you get lucky and get some. Keep at it and good luck.

Be careful what you keep with your cast net. I caught a bunch of little jacks that I thought might make good bait, then realized that they were baby pompano---that would have been a helluva fine for that many undersized pomps.