Beautiful day, perfect water on Blue Mountain Beach

We arrived at the easternmost access of Blue Mountain Beach at about 8:30 am last Saturday. We took the pompano rigs. When Bruce goes to the beach on his own this time of year which is most the time, he takes his casting reel and walks the beach looking for a good spot to try his luck. He usually gets a ladyfish or maybe a Spanish mackerel when he does that. This day I helped him take all the gear he likes to have when he goes for pompano. Pompano are out there but harder to find this time of year so he doesn't bother when he's by himself. The poles are larger and he takes two. He takes a bucket with all the just in case you catch something stuff and 2 pole holders. We also took 2 chairs, a little cooler with breakfast beverages and snacks, towels, and an umbrella so it's a bit of a haul. He picked a spot in front of a private beach owner's home but the owner that lives there is a full-time resident and doesn't chase you off for no reason. I have to admit because so many private beach owners are militant about their property rights these days I get nervous figuring out where we are allowed to be. It's really sad to be worried that you will be chased off but it happens. This spot was close to a public point where not many folks go so if we did have to move, we wouldn't have to go far to be legal. The day was spectacular. A few light waves on the sandbar so could paddle around. Crystal clear water so I could see everything around and under me which I like a lot. I know shark swim in close sometimes, I've seen a shark between me and the shore. But to me, the key is to be able to see them if they are around so I can stay away from them. Sharks aren't particularly interested in us as a food source but I don't want to intrude on them. It's their environment after all. Bruce was able to wade out and cast to the trench between the sandbars. Sometimes the waves are strong and casting in chest-deep water with waves hitting you is pretty challenging. There was a nice breeze. The sun was hot but not too. Everything was comfy in the shade of the umbrella. An osprey was flying high overhead, terns darting in and out of the water and a few folks on kayaks and SUP boards far enough away that we didn't have to worry about the fishing lines. There were big schools of little tiny fish looking like big shadows in the shallow water that I find very entertaining. Their presence might be why Bruce liked the spot. He caught a small bluefish and a pompano. Both let go. We could have taken the pompano but it was just at the legal size so he sent it back so it could grow up and get bigger. He wants something big enough for a meal that can feed us both. Pompano are such pretty fish as are, in my opinion, most fish, however, not all fish are good to eat. But I do love pompano pan-fried in butter with a few capers, rice, and a fresh salad. A pompano caught from the shore is a fair honest catch. We are thrilled and very grateful for such delicious bounty. We stayed out for a few hours. One small fishing boat got close enough to get tangled in the lines which was a little complicated. Then it wasn't too long before I started to get stressed when some children in their floats started to drift toward the lines. That was the most drama we had. We went home feeling we had our fair share of a really excellent day.