We fried the trout and flounder in vegetable oil over my double-burner propane stove. We dredged the fillets in flour and corn meal, then dropped them sizzling into the pan. The next night, we ate bluefish and more trout and flounder, this time brushed with oil, sprinkled with Everglades Seasoning and grilled over oak charcoal, next to a can of green beans.

This couple had it pretty well wired, fishing off the back of their pickup.

The fallout from the election would be ultimately as anticlimactic as Y2K, but somehow, huddled around the fire, we felt we’d escaped something.

We didn’t talk much politics, and gradually, as often happens on truly good fishing trips, even fishing ceased to be a subject of conversation. We laughed about the kayakers, laughed about our college days, and laughed—a lot—at Mark’s zany attempts to cling to civilization.

“Why drive to town for dinner, Mark, when we have a 2-gallon can of beans?” Jim inquired, casting his vote to stay with demonstrative sound effects.

Little Talbot and Beyond

Little Talbot Island State Park, on Heckscher Drive (A1A), is a fine day-access point for surf-casters. If you’re lucky, you’ll get a Patriotic Slam: redfish, whiting and bluefish. Admission is $4 per vehicle. There’s ample parking, three bath houses and an outdoor shower. The park is open 365 days a year. The hours—8 a.m. to sundown—are a bit of a bummer for hardcore anglers. Overnighting at one of the park’s 40 campsites, for $19 per day, gives you all-hours access. The very fishy Myrtle Creek (reds, trout, flounder) touches a small pier and an unimproved boat ramp behind the camping area. Bring your fat-tire mountain bike—you can cover lots of ground at the beach.

Kayak and canoe rentals are available at Long Island, on the south side of A1A on Heckscher Drive between Little Talbot and Talbot Island. Call Kayak Amelia, 888-30-KAYAK.

Amelia Island State Park, just north of Nassau Sound, is one of Florida’s last vestiges of multi-use vehicular beach access: Jeeps and horses (www.kellyranchinc.com) share the “road.” The beach is open 24 hours, but you can only drive during daylight hours. Excellent surf fishing, particularly near the jetties.

Trailer boats can launch at the Talbot Island State Park ramp, on the north end of the island on Sawpit Creek. Fee is $3.

The George Crady Memorial Bridge, arching over Nassau Sound, is a popular spot for pier fishers. Nassau Sound Bait and Tackle (904-277-9772), on the Amelia Island side, offers live shrimp, frozen mullet, snacks, tackle, rod rentals and enough advice to ensure no one goes home without fish.

FS