How to CATCH FISTS FULL of SAND FLEAS in MINUTES!

[@FishGum]

Come follow me on Facebook for a HUGE November GIVEAWAY! facebook.com/EXCITETHESTRIKE

[@Bananagogoyeet]

Please let strike zone Jacksonville stock up on your items, I beg

[@markendfinger2769]

I just ran into Tony on the beach during my vacation. I recognized him from his channel and walked up to meet him. I got a firsthand lesson on catching sand fleas. He was busy, but he gave freely of his time and knowledge. What a blessing!

[@FishGum]

Thanks Mark! Nice to meet you!

[@rosssciara3133]

This guys a joke

[@creepyzeek1]

I'm sure the sand fleas feel different. He is their worst nightmare.

[@frostytheiceberg1127]

@@rosssciara3133 That's cool and all, but *no*

[@feffo9908]

i have no idea why i'm watching this, but i like it

[@FishGum]

That’s funny! Lol

[@paperproblem2666]

Your telling me, I live in oklahoma. I am no where near catching a sand flea lol

[@amywill9185]

Haaa ikr?

[@Asoroa]

…. I don’t know why either

[@johnnyblack110]

I feel you.

[@charlyloman8837]

BACK IN THE 70'S MY DAD WOULD USE HIS HANDS AND SCOOP INTO THE COLONIES AND THROW THEM UP ON THE BEACH AND THEN SCOOP AGAIN IN THAT SAME COLONY. IT WAS UNBELIEVABLE HOW MANY HE WOULD GET. SUCH A GREAT CHILDHOOD MEMORY. IT WAS SO MUCH FUN. WHEN I SAW THIS RAKE THING FOR THE FIRST TIME I BUSTED OUT LMAO..

[@dfdbbrb]

two and a half minutes in and this is already the most informative sand flea video I have seen.

[@jaymcintosh331]

Agreed

[@vronp]

Yep. Excellent video.

[@Mr.CliffysWorld]

No doubt ! I never knew jack about them, now I feel like i'm capable of being a qualified sand flea catching novice . 😆

[@wm.d.nelson4912]

Very true!

[@m005kennedy]

How many sand flea videos have you watched?😉

[@trapzzzz1335]

I love how he's like, there's a colony right there, I can see them looking at me. And im there with my face in the screen trying to see something in the waves

[@xionnation9932]

Same 🤣

[@MKL1971]

Lmao

[@gawni1612]

I became one with my monitor.

[@rageingdragon6336]

Actually

[@neysaedwards-turnbull4494]

I saw it

[@rogermchenry1130]

First "how to" video on sand fleas that mentioned they can feel your vibrations, that is a GAME CHANGER! Thank y'all for that, and God bless!

[@FishGum]

They are an amazing creature.

[@SupremeLeaderKimJong-un]

Sand flea colony: exists Fish Gum: *Peace was never an option*

[@FishGum]

Took em out…..lol

[@chrisbennett7576]

Thank you for sharing your secrets.. I will support fish gum forever. I love to see a Brother succeed from his hard work. God Bless

[@darkskyatnight]

since I use a cast net to catch bait in the surf, often I come up with as many as 20 sand fleas on some throws. This video was very cool, and I had no idea that there could be such a method to the madness of sand fleas. I’m going to check this out as soon as I get out there again.

[@Deadplantssociety]

i don't need to catch sand fleas but something about this video is so pleasing.

[@Randylayhe001]

I use a "strainer bucket" on top of another bucket with quarter inch or larger (depending on what size you want) holes in the bottom this allows the little ones to dig down and drop into bottom bucket. When done toss little ones back and dump the big ones from top bucket into your "keep" bucket.

[@Randylayhe001]

@@johnnyangel57 personally I use them for bait when fishing for pompano, whiting, etc about every surf fish will eat them. I’ve heard people boil and eat but haven’t tried them.

[@donaldventrice6529]

This is a fantastic video. It is fun to watch you hunt for these by using the sun and your eyesight to guide you all while being aware of your presence. I feel like our ancestors hunted that way. It feels very primitive and that's why I like it.

[@FishGum]

Thank you!

[@gmolina1561]

Great timing for this video. Perfect sand flea rake arriving next week! Thanks so much for sharing!

[@rdo6566]

Finally! A video that shows how to actually find them! Most just show random digging with no info on what to look for to find them! Nice Job!

[@FishGum]

Thank you

[@clifford0311]

Man o man have I been doing it wrong! Great video! I knew how to spot them but I had no idea they could see and feel you coming. I watched a lady run in and out of the surf with her rake last weekend...I thought she was loopy, turns out she is a pro. Thanks Toni the great pointers!

[@FishGum]

Looks like you figured it out!

[@guacaquio]

Best video on KZbin on how to catch sand fleas, by far

[@FishGum]

Wow thanks

[@keeferkent]

I try to catch these in connecticut...blackfish love them! Now I know some better ways to catch them. Thank you

[@anflores294]

I would catch hundreds at rocky neck state park with our hands

[@lindayoung1954]

Best instruction vid on catching sand fleas that I’ve seen ! Subbed .

[@FishGum]

Thanks Linda!

[@zellykat]

I never knew that was what they were called. I used to collect them in a bucket as a kid and by the end of the day, I released them.

[@jeremyvarady7721]

I am coming back to Pensacola in June and I will be using the information of this video thank you so much for the help!

[@dgriffin6074]

Make sure the 3 mile bridge is open (damaged by barges hitting it during hurricane Sally). The alternative is the Garcon Point bridge but now with heavy traffic (4X the usual volume of traffic). It took us 1.5 hours to drive from north Pensacola to the beach in late September.

[@ncsupi]

Digging up sand fleas by hand was always one of my favorite things to do at the beach when I was a kid.

[@davidjohnson5349]

Coming to Alabama next week going to do some fishing. Just found your channel trying to learn all I can hopefully me and son will be able to catch some fish

[@RC-qw4zy]

Thank You. I am glad I found your channel. You are very clear and informative. I am a South West Fl. native but been away for years. I will be coming to Navarre soon, I have a home there and plan on getting down there more often.. Hope I meet you one day.

[@FishGum]

Thank you

[@vinhha3857]

I love to see a vid that you catch fish..I do learn how to get them in this helpful vid... thank you Sir and have a great day fishing...

[@LizzardFish1]

Sandfleas used to everywhere in Florida but for some reason are getting scarce in lots of areas. I’ll give your technique a try next month when I’m fishing Cape San Blas in the panhandle.

[@AverytheCubanAmerican]

Fish Gum whenever he spies the sand fleas be like: *I'm about to end this colony's whole career*

[@FishGum]

Lol done!

[@bloblife]

Extremely helpful video! I went out tonight for the first time and randomly dug around in the surf for sand fleas. And... I got some. Some. But it was obvious that I wasn't going about it in the most efficient manner. Other videos I've seen make it sound like you just drop to your knees and start digging. I had no idea that you could actually SEE the colonies before you start digging for them.

[@FishGum]

There is strategy to it! Dusk is the best time!

[@terrymurray4913]

Great Video! Love raking sand fleas. Good tips you gave. Love the aspect that you brought up the reflection of the sun. Nature has a way of telling on it's self. I do the same tactic clamming in clear water. Nice job!

[@tonyacain3029]

Just found your videos, while I can't get away to fish much anymore, I can enjoy both your videos and prayers. Refreshing and entertaining. A safe place for me and granddaughters to visit together. Keep it up and have a blessed day. Ed

[@gary-yj6sr]

our family moved to miami in 1957. i'd catch them with a little plastic shovel and bucket. then walk out on the wooden wavebreakers rgar would go out off of the beach and fish from atop them. so easy that i caught pompano at 5 years old. those days are gone now, as are the wodden wavebreakers. nice video. very informative.

[@shermantank6564]

As a kid on the East coast of FL, we caught these with our hands. They were everywhere and we never had to sneak up on them. Times sure have changed.

[@harrysachs2274]

Still like that in virginia and NC OBX.

[@The_Establishment_Is_Satanic]

@Sherman Tank did they ever bite you? Or do they even bite?

[@rogers4760]

@@The_Establishment_Is_Satanic no they can't, but they try to dig their way out of your hand and it can make people think their biting them. Completely harmless

[@delmonicofarquhar9893]

Great video. Gotta like a guy who's almost as enthusiastic about catching sand fleas as he is the fish he'll catch using them as bait. Bless you, Tony.

[@mulletman49]

Actually that was a darn good flea catching video ! Happy Fourth of July and May God Bless the USA!

[@josephjenkins7329]

Great video, You Only know what you don't know, great information about catching sandfleas, because there are alot of people who didn't know,

[@808Mark]

This is a absolute wealth of information and extremely entertaining to watch! Thank you for this! I just ordered myself a sand flea rake! I'll be using these to feed samoan crab in a vertical farm setup I'm making!

[@spikedmo]

I've always wondered how to catch fist fulls of sand fleas in minutes

[@emotionful]

Loooooool

[@ceciliacicchinelli4797]

God Bless you also. Thanks, learned a lot. Going fishing.

[@michelhernandez9063]

Good video!!! I learned something new sand fleas are a great bait for pompano fish they love sand fleas. Thank you for that video sir .

[@hk93shooter]

i came here to fish , now you got me catching sand flees. great tips.

[@bradwilson6601]

We dug with a shovel and used the scoop to filter out the sand.

[@JulieGreilh]

I used to catch those with my hands as a child when my family lived in Myrtle Beach, SC. That was long ago in the mid to late 1960’s. I couldn’t find any when I moved back in 2010 and wondered if they still existed! Oh! And we called them sand fiddlers.

[@nozzledrich]

Good video. Never used them as bait although I know many guys here in central NJ who do and swear by them. I'm going to go thru my shed and see if I have the stuff needed to make a SF rake. I'm retired and sitting here thinking about the upcoming season so this will get me going.

[@mk-xh6jt]

Great Video...can't find the one u said would show how to keep them extended period! Thanks 😊

[@Pizza_Master]

Nice.... What are you fishing for when using them for Bait? i am up north on Long Island NY... getting ready for the spring Striper Run ...

[@FishGum]

Drum, pompano, and gulf kingfish.

[@totalnoobfishing1753]

A science behind tracking and catching sand fleas... you sir are a genius...and I sir am now a SUB. Well done!

[@FishGum]

Thanks!

[@5883558]

Thanks for sharing.

[@renealbaladejo3698]

Excelente tutorial. Truly appreciate your video and concise information!!! ? What brand sand flea rake are you using? I would like to purchase one. Please send link🙏

[@willberk2920]

Thank you for sharing your technique, it was really helpful

[@1Divinelyinspired]

great video--but how do you identify colonies if there are lots of shells on /in the sand???....you can't tell between the ripples from all the shells and a colony of sand fleas?? We have tons of Coquinas and they are eveywhere in the sand

[@happilysingle8385]

I'm sure everyone is just happy that you rid the beach of sand fleas. You go dude.

[@Menelvagore]

I always used an old coffee can with a bunch of holes put in the sides along the bottom with a church key. Scoop and slosh in the water till the sand was gone. pick out what ya need and bait the hook. run out? scoop and go. Surf fishing for sheep head and pompano on Captiva and Sanibel this way when I was younger.

[@FishGum]

That’s a real nice hack.

[@SaltSquatch]

So much great information packed into this video!!

[@FishGum]

Thanks Phil, I learn it from watching you!

[@hadjarkonokene]

sand fleas are the mainstay of surf fishing.. 👍👍 Nice beach my friend.. 👍👍

[@FishGum]

It’s beautiful out there for sure!

[@davidturner7040]

Dang I'm a bait catcher for a living and you just helped me out!

[@FishGum]

Thanks

[@donniedarko1345]

Easy to spot here in San Diego from May-October. Millions of bait beneath your feet. Catching Croaker and Corbina like crazy right now while surf fishing. Good video man!

[@FishGum]

Thanks

[@chegadesuade]

I had no earthly idea sand fleas were that big, I assumed they were a small as regular fleas. I'm officially freaked out and never laying on the beach sand again.

[@Kay_G]

Luckily those aren't sand fleas. Sand fleas live in the bottom of the ocean and are GIANT pink fleas. These are some type of crab

[@mdtjack5777]

this is not the same sand flea. this is a type of crustacean. the real sand flea is actually just a flea that lives in the sand. they are tiny, have an annoyingly painful bite, and are notoriously hard to get rid of

[@chegadesuade]

@@mdtjack5777 Ohh ok, that's the kind of sand flea I'm used to. This video had me freaked out that I was getting chewed on by one of these huge crustaceous beasts whenever I laid in the beach sand. Thanks for clearing that up!

[@avaspongeriffic]

@@chegadesuade the SoCal beaches I went to would sometimes have massive sand flea population booms. they won't chew on ya, but you WILL feel them squirming around your feet when you stand in the surf!

[@fisherman702]

These are Mole Crabs, not sand fleas.

[@lsolrac]

Good info, thank you. Hey are sand fleas and sand crabs the same thing but in different coasts?

[@FishGum]

I think that’s right, I’ve even heard them called mole crabs

[@ObiWanShinobi1]

I typically bring some bait (I truthfully haven't found fishgum at Half-hitch) and if there are sand fleas about; the child and I have a blast catching them by hand, and have enough to last the day within a few minutes if they're around. I'm keeping the tip about cutting the enormo ones, though, cause I was just tossing them out for being too big for the hook.

[@Pizza_Master]

Lol... " its time to get a bigger hook"

[@FishGum]

Half Hitch will get some Thursday

[@brianc7782]

I had to watch this twice so I could let my little girl see it. She's a bait catching machine, and now it's not a blind hunt😬. Awesome video! Thanks for sharing. New subscriber after seeing your content list.👍👍

[@FishGum]

Man your welcome!

[@andrewgardner3071]

Great video, and tip! However, I couldn't see what you were obviously able to see by the reflection in the water. What am I missing in the video? Also, where can you find your rake?

[@rkw221]

nice info.... I've never put thought into sand crabs (we call then sand crabs out west here in California). just take my bucket and shovel. it was always a challenge to catch them before they burrow back after slinging out the shovel of sand you just dug up. I like your basket better... lighter and eliminates the post shovel chase though that's fun too. People think surf fishing is lazy guy's fishing... it is and isn't. One benefit of the shovel is finding the rare sand worm. We also get sand crabs big as my fist... mutants! Our beaches are around VAFB so we blame 'secret' nuke tipped ICBM warheads for the mutations. yeah, gotta think up stuff when fishing is slow, right? It's funny to me how few fishermen here even know these critters are idea bait here for larger perch, up to 4-6lbs. They never bother getting then using frozen baits instead. thanks for all the details about this bait I've always taken for granted.

[@FishGum]

Surf fishing is hard work for sure!

[@callmebigpapa2340]

You can eat them too. Soft shell and hard shell Sand fleas aka “sand crabs” can be peeled (hard shell) seasoned, breaded in Panko and fried up in oil. Supposedly they taste like a combination of shrimp and crab with a satisfying crunch!

[@FLG8r]

awesome ... thanks for sharing your technique; now I'm going to buy the rake on Amazon.

[@FishGum]

Exact Design is the name and it is awesome!

[@aaronkeene5744]

best sand flea video I've seen thus far. Are sand fleas present all year round?

[@Drum3rboi3838]

This is great to just watch and relax. Super satisfying

[@FishGum]

Thank you wow!

[@jamestaylor8860]

i learned something. Maybe a couple somethings. Very informative. Thank you. I'm a subscriber now.

[@OverlandOne]

But what good are these things? (We called them sand crabs back in the day) You mentioned bait but, what would you be fishing for using these? I only did a little ocean fishing...fresh water mostly so I really have no idea.

[@FishGum]

Saltwater fish love these, they are like crab nuggets

[@mdtjack5777]

never heard a sand crab get called a sand flea before. this is going to confuse so many people who have heard of real sand fleas

[@judyscheiber3661]

Agreed! These aren't sand fleas to anyone not in Florida.

[@knucklesskinner253]

@@judyscheiber3661 ? Don’t be so sure of yourself, we call them sand fleas in the north.

[@fisherman702]

It's not a sand crab either, it's a Mole Crab.

[@kevinpaquette6339]

@@fisherman702 I guess you fish with them do you eat them

[@fisherman702]

@@kevinpaquette6339 I have not, but I'd be willing to try them.

[@ss-xo4cn]

Best video so far 👍

[@cocuyona1]

Awesome information brother!!! thanks!!!..

[@FishGum]

Your welcome manny!

[@petebarrett2628]

Wish had saw this before last week vacation... we will try next time out!

[@FishGum]

Now you know

[@TheWinterShadow]

I just heard about these yesterday while fishing on the Chesapeake Bay shore. The waves were rougher than normal, but people were catching drum in the waves. I asked an old angler why there were so many drum in the waves and an old angler there said, 'sand-fleas, they love sandfleas.' So, I was curious to know what they looked like. Thanks for the video.

[@AMCAL2311]

Dude I've just got into this been fishing but not with sand flesh. Thank you for sharing this Secret...this should help me alot on Bait mullets and crabs get costly...man thanks again...fishgum...

[@flslingmaker8612]

Born and raised in Pensacola, and always used them for surfishing. Best all around bait, and you can eat them too. Night hunting is best.

[@FishGum]

I agree

[@travelguy1564]

Can you catch them in the winter months - like December and January - ?

[@ZakeirSnake]

I loved catching these little guys on the beach. Got lots of them on the Oregon coast near long beach. So cute and harmless. They tickle your hands when you hold them. I'm glad to see that catching them has a purpose, too bad I don't fish. Maybe one day. Still, hope you get some good fish!

[@josephward1704]

This is a little off subject but you are on Navarre beach a lot. Despite living in Santa Rosa county for most of my 53 years, I’ve never surf fished. I commercial fished offshore for Nichols seafood in the 90s so I’m not a beginner. I’m planning on giving it a try this upcoming Friday but I would like to know a little beach etiquette before I head out and upset a ton of people. I’m not a early riser on my time off so the beach could be crowded before I make it out. do you have any pointers on how to set up and stay out of peoples way? Can you continue to fish to the east or does the public beach end at the bases land?

[@FishGum]

Get out there early and the etiquette is on them!

[@michaelsanders4384]

Excellent video brother! I learned a lot from this.

[@FishGum]

Thanks

[@MikeMcInroe]

Where do you buy the best sand flea rake? Yours looks heavy duty and strong. Thanks for sharing, Mike

[@FishGum]

Exact design on amazon.

[@MikeMcInroe]

@@FishGum Thanks Tony. Always enjoy your videos and content...very helpful and informative! Mike

[@johnstamos5579]

How can I catch them without a rake ? Is there an alernative method ? I live in a beach town in Peru and there is not much avalaible, as far as fishng equipment. Thank you for the video and any information that will help

[@jeffro7475]

Awesome video! I never thought they felt us coming very interesting 🤔 Thanks

[@FishGum]

They are smart critters

[@saraivega171]

Great videos. I live in PA and my family is planning a trip to the Outer Banks NC in Oct this year if God permits and would love to order your product for our fishing trip. We enjoy your videos. God bless you, your family and your business.

[@redwood1957]

At what temperature do they come to surface I'm in Charleston sc. Did you cover them with water or just some water and sand? Thank you

[@jamesgreen5212]

Nice to see you on the Net, Good info says CincyJim

[@billlake7781]

Thanks for the great tips

[@timelapselajolla4158]

I've never needed to sneak up on them. I can be standing on them and still scoop them up.

[@FishGum]

It’s different here for sure!

[@ronjaime3493]

Same here in Texas I guess they aren't scared here

[@cheflegere]

Same here in SoCal. Unless the beach is crowded then I have to go in deeper water. I feel them with my feet.

[@Michael-mn4ef]

@@cheflegere yeah I've pretty much only been on beaches in cali and these things are all over the place

[@frankledford8096]

Found the GUM... In Gulf Breeze today in the wee hours of the morning, hit the beach and the surf this morning was horrible, 3 people fishing in my area, two departed real quick fishing was horrible. Started with shrimp on a double hook rig, green slime sticking to hooks and line, catfish on in first 30 min, swaped to the GUM, two minuets into the first cast fish on, first POM for me this year....thinking WOW may be something to this stuff, so re rig to a single hook on bottom with slip sinker, made a 3in strip of gum folded over about a 1/4in on one end inserted hook then split the remaining end to form a split tail, made a fairly long cast began a slow retrieval BAM , flounder on...well was on till I brought it thru the horrible surf..fish off...lol..but still ...moved to pier, whopped out a sabiki rig , two bait fish on, so cut tiny bits of gum to put on rig, 6 hooks over the rail 6 baits on , nice, took baits to bay fishing pier, ,,, nothing,,, re rig,,3in strip again 1hr later fish on , Spanish, small but a catch, second cast nothing , several cast later working it like a jig again big Jack on,,, lost him trying to bring in or up to pier....no body catching one person a black snapper and one several spade fish but a horrible day to fish , can't wait to try it on a good day....thanks Mr. Fish Gum Dude, awesome product and you were right it came off hook when I took it off hook nice and great product....

[@FishGum]

Thanks Frank! I’ll reach out about the other things you mentioned on email

[@DemetriGxC]

15:55 I thought this place looked familiar. I went to school at the Navy base in Pensacola

[@intothecountry74]

Are you able to catch year round? Does weather play a role in finding them?

[@FishGum]

They disappear during cold months

[@kenhibbard9883]

Very informative!

[@RibeyeSusie]

Great vid! Are these the ones that bite?

[@darthcyanide7620]

I used to live in Navarre! Now, I'm only an hour away from the city but I grew up there with amazing memories 😍

[@whiskyrider88]

Great Vid Tony

[@jeffsmith825]

First time I made a scoop at sand fleas, I caught 50 and had bait for the day. Thought it was easy as that. Next day in two hours I caught 9. Next day in two hours I caught 11. It's not that easy and takes a lot of effort. Great video.

[@FishGum]

It can be tricky

[@cheflegere]

Actual names are mole crabs. When the beach is crowded they go to deeper water.

[@FishGum]

They dig down!

[@hylianro]

My family called them sand crabs but I feel like fleas make far more sense considering "normal" crabs can live in the sand depending on the species

[@sphynxmagg7256]

@@hylianro My family calls them sand crabs and the little bugs jumping everywhere, smacking into your legs, we call those sand fleas.

[@judyscheiber3661]

Or Sand Crabs. These aren't sand fleas.

[@judygreen6003]

@@hylianro what do they look like up close

[@AnthonyCZeccaSr]

Very helpful. Thank you!

[@perdidomar]

Awesome video!

[@bzylvn]

Great info video! Lived on the Gulf Coast all my life and didn't know there was a science to catching them!!

[@ianlaccohee7180]

I caught live sand fleas on Apollo Beach for the first time ever on Friday, using my hands. I had the worst days fishing I've had in a long time lol. However, I did catch my first ever permit off the beach. Oh well, I'll try again next week.

[@FishGum]

Nice

[@volatile100]

I don't even know what a sand flea is or what they're used for, but it was a pretty interesting video to watch anyway.

[@Skart2007]

I've always wondered what those little things on the sand were, never managed to catch or even see one though. I'll try to catch some next time I'm at the beach