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.