Are Sand Fleas Good Fish Bait?
Sand fleas are a popular bait for many species of fish. They are most abundant during the months of March to April, and you can easily find them in the surf or water that runs off of the beach. To catch them, find their V-shaped antennae in the sand, and then scoop them up and use them as bait. They are a great bait for sea mullet and pompano.
Sand fleas are available in different sizes, shapes, and colors, and you can even color them by adding some food coloring and additional salt. These baits are usually good for a couple of days, but should be kept out of direct sunlight, out of heat, and in the freezer to keep their flavor.
You can purchase sand fleas at bait shops or catch them yourself. While they are not particularly easy to keep alive once hooked, they do have an advantage over many other baits: they tend to burrow under the sand to bury themselves, which makes them an excellent fish bait. For the best results, you should use a hook with a 1/0 or 2/0 kahle. You should also make sure to place the hook into the shell from both the top and bottom side.
While sand fleas are not endangered, they do have healthy populations along the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic coast. They are not good for humans, however. They contain little meat and are too crunchy to eat. Additionally, if you decide to eat sand fleas, you should boil them first. This will kill the parasites and soften the hard outer shell. After boiling, you should consider adding spices or herbs to give them a more tasty taste.