It was the poet Alfred Lord Tennyson who told us, “In the spring a young man’s fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love.”

Had Tennyson visited Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in the Spring Break hey-days of the early ’80s, I doubt his report would have included much about fancy or love…or poetry, for that matter.

Still, I’d wager that even an uptight Victorian would get misty-eyed at a recent proclamation from the Fort Lauderdale Convention and Vistors Bureau:

“Spring Break is absolutely gone.”

Yes, Broward County chased away youth in favor of bankers and bluehairs, but I’m happy to report that Spring Break is still alive. It’s just been moved around a bit.

Curiously enough, the Spring Break diaspora settled in some darn good fishing locales. We’d like to think that’s because today’s youth are as goggle-eyed for big snooters as they are for big…well, let’s just say the connection probably has more to do with seasonal fish migrations and sunny, subtropical ports.

With that in mind, let’s look at some popular spring break destinations for 2005. Happily enough, some perennial favorites are right here in Florida. Others are just a short hop from our major airports.

Whether you’re coming of age and anxious to escape the dorm, or a so-called adult nostalgic for your glory days, it’s our hope that this little guide will help put you in the action. Fishing action, of course.

Panama City Beach

This sun-bleached town on Florida’s Panhandle Gulf Coast explodes with an influx of ’breakers fleeing midwestern and southern colleges. Some would say the catalyst was MTV setting up shop here in the ’90s—hailing the kind of organized intemperence not seen since the good old days of Lauderdale. We’d say it had more to do with crystal clear water, giant cobia, Spanish mackerel, grouper and a very respectable charterboat fleet.

According to Capt. Jeff Timson at Half Hitch Tackle (850-234-2621), the second and third week of March usually sees the start of cobia season. This is an excellent chance for a small group of buddies to chip in on a half-day charter, usually about $100 an hour, according to Timson. Cobia sight-fishing is a perfect match for the Spring Break spirit—as it consists of motoring along the beaches, scanning for shapely bodies (of fish, of course). Treasure Island Marina and Capt. Anderson Marina are host to dozens of boats. Farther offshore, dropping for grouper and AJs on the reef is a sure way to pump up your beach muscles. Sadly, red snapper season is closed until late April.

Surf fishing, if you can divert your attention long enough, can be worthwhile this time of year. Try casting 3⁄8-ounce bucktail jigs, sandfleas or bits of shrimp for pompano and whiting. Spoons produce mackerel when they’re running close to shore. St. Andrews State Recreation Area ($5 admission per vehicle) has two piers and some long stretches of fishable sand. Call (850) 233-5140 for park information.

—Jeff Weakley

Daytona Beach

College kids know that Daytona Beach is the “fun-and-sun capital of the world.” With warm Atlantic waters, wide-open attitudes and sugar sand beaches you can drive on, this Florida destination draws spring breakers from ’round the country.

Ponce Lighthouse, Daytona Beach.

The simplest way to reel in something other than another partier is to visit one of the local fishing piers—Main Street or Sunglow Surf fishing, like students following a long, winter semester, comes alive in March. Pompano and whiting fishing hit their respective peaks, according to the guys at the Fishin’ Shack (386-788-2120) and if you’re lucky you can experience some phenomenal fishing, without even packing a rod-and-reel combo. Both piers rent fishing gear and visitors don’t have to worry about purchasing a fishing license. That’s included in the nominal, few-dollar fishing fee.

Seeking bigger kicks? Scope out the charter fleet moored at Inlet Harbor, Adventure Yacht Harbor and Down the Hatch docks lining Ponce Inlet along Peninsula Drive. Many nights, live bands belt out tunes to put partiers in the swing of things. And that swing frequently includes fishing. Where else can you sit down to a plate of fresh fried seafood, cold drinks and stroll down the dock to chat with local charter skippers? Captains here book six-pack trips (sound righteous?) where they take six anglers, so it’s not cost prohibitive. Some even put your name on a list so you can book the boat with other fishermen hunting for someone to split costs with.

Just off the beach, cobia are the main draw. Farther out, dolphin become the hottest game in town with fish pushing 40 pounds. Hook into either of these and you’ll quickly sweat out last night’s indulgences.

For quiet, slip-back-to-nature angling, make tracks for Tomoka State Park (386-676-4050) on the north end of town. The Park, which sits at the junction of Tomoka Basin and Tomoka River, has 100 campsites within a short distance of the beach and offers canoe and kayak rentals. Prices average about $7 an hour with redfish, trout, snook and sometimes tarpon only a short paddle away.

—Frank Bolin

Key West

Fishing Key West in March depends on the wind, of course, though the harbor is always a good bet with plenty of big fish passing through. If it’s blowing too hard for the harbor, then you’re better off exploring the live music on Duval Street, only a few yards away.

There are plenty of charterboats at Garrison Bight, which is the city’s inner harbor, and no shortage of local guides with trailerable boats. Walk the dock (and talk the talk) if you want to see what fish the boats are bringing in, and arrange a trip.

Down time at Mallory Square.

For boating without fishing, college kids today like the big catamaran sailboats. These huge cats carry 80-90 people and offer free drinks, which remain popular.
They sail out to the reefs on half-day trips, and everyone can swim. There are eight or nine of these boats making these runs, including Sunny Days, Fury and Sebago.

Camping is great out at the Dry Tortugas (68 miles offshore), with two large and fast, catamaran ferries making daily runs (try Sunny Days Fleet, 800-236-7937, or Yankee Freedom, 305-294-7009). They only haul six campers per trip, with up to three kayaks.

“Not many kids camp at Fort Jefferson, because of the expense,” said our source. “A lot of spring breaks are done on a shoestring budget. The round-trip ferry daytrip costs $134 (or $124 with a student ID). Overnight ferry roundtrip is now $164, though you can stay out there for a week, if you want. There are also entry and overnight camping fees of $3, but the ferry fee covers the park fee. Other college kids save up for the overnight camping trip. They’re the ones who enjoy getting away, and escaping the noise. We’ve noticed they’re mostly seniors and graduate students.

“March is delightful, however. It’s not too hot, the water is warming up, fishing can be good. Wind arrives with each cold front, so kayaking can be a challenge if the wind is blowing 20 knots out at the park. You can fish the big dock at Fort Jefferson, of course. Kayaks are rented in a number of locations around Key West, and they even deliver them to the ferry. There are more protected kayaking routes in the mangroves, just north of Key West.”

Lower Duval Street can get a little crazy at night, of course. That’s not as much spring break traffic as 20 years ago, when it was pretty crazy. There are noise ordinances now, even downtown. This town is not exactly an episode from Girls Gone Wild. Visitors have to behave themselves, to some extent. The night clubs are still good at night. But the locals go home and hide until it’s over, and that means from mid-February to Easter.

Contact the Key West Chamber of Commerce (305-294-2587) for information on fishing, accommodations and darn near anything else.

—Joe Richard

Cancun/Isla Mujeres

Most everyone arrives in Mexico ready to cut loose. After all, you’re in the land of outlaws, no matter if the rest of the gang are also in their 20s and scrubbing off trying semesters filled with tedious studying and exhausting finals.

Rebel rousin’ aside, cool breakers return from Isla Mujeres and Cancun quacking about the fishing. You see, Mexico’s harsh, yet lush Caribbean shorelines border angling adventures that boggle the mind.

Cancun and Isla Mujeres lie only about five miles apart, but the difference is amazing. Cancun has all the Disney-esque attractions of Orlando plus gambling, clubs on nearly every corner, fast-food shacks and beaches lined with rowdy spring breakers. Isla is much more laidback. No casinos, no fast-food joints, no Mickey Mouse, but plenty of sun, fun, beaches and clubs await you at this island retreat. Norte Beach also has a reputation as one of the best bare-skin strips around. Throw in beachfront bars and you get the picture.

No matter how many colored wristbands you collect from the clubs, if you’re a fisherman it’s tough to ignore the lure of the water. Miles and miles of azure blue lap at these shores, hinting at magnificent angling prospects.

Sailfishing is king here and for good reason. It can be world-class on any given day, particularly in early spring. Gather a few friends who’d like to pitch in for a charter (local boats are cheaper than their American counterparts) and get out there. Do your homework if possible and line up a trip before landing in Cancun. Try surfing the Web for the latest info. Pull up Google, type in Cancun Mexico fishing or www.isla-mujeres.net (click on Things to Do left rail) then explore the possibilities. If you can’t scare up a partner or two, investigate “share” fishing where captains combine customers to fill the boat.

Another idea is to pack a light 4-piece spin rod, some jigs and head for the beach at daylight when the all-night rousers are just heading for home. Bonefish, tarpon, snook, mackerel and snapper are some salty customers you may hook on the empty beaches. Later in the day, jump in. Clean waters surrounding Isla Mujeres and Cancun beckon divers and it’s a great way to cool off without taking an afternoon siesta.

—Frank Bolin

Port Lucaya

Their Web site lends the notion that Las Vegas landed in The Bahamas, but the reality is different. If you avoid the high-rise with casino across the beach road, the rest of Lucaya has this easygoing ambiance, Caribbean colors, inexpensive restaurants and free torchlit, dance troupes at the bandstand by the harbor, among other things. Lucaya was spared all but superficial damage from last hurricane season, and was operating smoothly last November. (Port Lucaya Resort and Yacht Club is one place to stay, surrounded by water, 242-373-6618.)

Sources at Port Lucaya, which is part of Freeport in The Bahamas, say March is the end of wahoo season, with offshore trollers hooking up with more tuna and mahi-mahi. There are more kingfish around, too. If you’re hungry for bluewater trolling, you can hop on board for $90, without having to recruit friends; at least one charterboat signs up individuals until a crew is made up. Fishing time is almost four hours, since blue water is only 20 minutes away.

There are no bonefish guides working out of Lucaya, because it’s on the deepwater side of Grand Bahama Island. They would have to run a long way to the flats, 40 miles. However, Capt. Phil and some other guides keep flats boat on the north and east sides of the island, and pick up their customers with a car at Lucaya or wherever they happen to be staying. Phil can be reached at (242) 353-3960.

Port Lucaya’s scenic marina has plenty of boats and daily departures. They have charterboats for pelagic fish, snorkeling boats, glassbottom boats, catamaran sailing, small boat rentals and charterboats that specialize in reef fishing with light tackle. Try Freeport Reef Tours (242-373-5880). All are 4-hour trips, or thereabouts, making two runs each day. The harbor is also shared by the Underwater Explorers Society, which takes out shark feeding dives and other reef trips on a daily basis, with their own vessels.

“Oh, we get thousands of kids during Spring Break, lots of outdoor activities, plenty of live entertainment at the harbor’s bandstand,” said an employee who rents boats at the harbor. “Some of those kids stay up all night. They like the bars and Dominos Pizza, I know that. Gambling in the casino I’m not sure about; I haven’t been in there. They also have big bonfires on the beach at two locations every other night. Nearby Taino Beach has one, and the other is east of town.

“
In March we get maybe a week of windy weather, then it swings around to the south and gets nice. That’s when we get a lot of sunburned people, from all over the States. Some of them don’t realize what the sun does to them, either.”

—Joe Richard

Costa Rica

Tourism is big business in this friendly Central American nation—and while it’s not known for the rowdy parties of some other Spring Break destinations, suffice to say you won’t be disappointed, no matter what you’re looking for.

—Jeff Weakley

Sailfish are a big draw in Costa Rica.

March is the peak of the dry season, which means easy travel on the coastal roadways, through towns like Jaco, Quepos, or even farther north to Tamarindo. If it’s mainly fishing you’re interested in, travel agencies like South Fishing (800-882-4665) and Tico Travel (800-493-8426) can put together some great package trips, sorting out the details of airfare, lodging and charters.

On the other hand, if you’re reading this a few days before you fly off with your surfboard and your pals, odds are you’ll be hunting for a charter on your own. Some general thoughts: For Pacific sailfish (which are caught by the dozens this time of year), plan to book a full-day, likely between $500 and $1,000, depending on the size and quality of the boat. Closer to shore—and with fewer hours and fewer colones—panga and skiff fishing can be productive for roosterfish, snapper and sierra mackerel. Offshore boats generally have ample tackle, but for inshore action, it’s a good idea to pack a multi-piece spin or plug rod, outfitted with 12- or 15-pound test. Half-ounce jigs, topwater chuggers and flashy crankbaits will keep your drag washers warm. There’s also good snook fishing in the surf near rivermouths; just watch out for the crocs.

Sportfishing is a universal language among Ticos, but it helps to know a few words of Spanish—such as “Yo quiero sacar pez vela,” and, for the bar later, “Tu eres muy hermosa.”