Hey MsgMills,

I was about 100 miles east of you, on St. George Island FL. - I fished two days, about 2-3 hours each day.

Day one: fished with shrimp on the bottom, same as you, from a sand bar. With a big 3/4 oz. egg sinker I could cast into pretty deep water. First cast I caught a 20" mackerel. Jumped out of the water about 5 feet immediately upon being hooked, what a blast. I was hopeful I'd catch more of them but...

Sea catfish after sea catfish. I probably caught 20 anywhere from 8 inches to 2.5 pounds.

Day two: waded out to my little honey hole again, caught a catfish on my first cast, let him go, and looked down to see my bait bag had come loose from my waist. (Yes, I know I might as well hang a sign on me that says ALL YOU CAN EAT SHARK BUFFET HERE).

I waded onshore, went up to the rental house we were in and cut up an uncooked pork chop into cubes. Discovered sea cats like pork chops too. Caught 5-6 before one finned me so bad I quit. I discovered that sea catfish have some serious venom in their spines. My finger swelled up so bad I had to take my wedding band off and it hurt 10 times worse than the jellyfish sting I had earlier in the week.

One thing I also learned: clean your rod/reel well--REALLY well--after surf fishing. It still doesn't feel right, going to take it apart tonight.