13.- Fort Lauderdale, Pierfishing and lobsters

I've tried this and it's a lot of fun. You should try fishing, too! The cost is about $1 to get on the pier, $2 for the bait, $10 to rent the rod and reel. It's a delightful evening of fun and the County has three piers: Pompano, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea (Commercial Blvd., where a fabulous restaurant called Aruba is found, and a tasty grilled breakfast is available with a view of the horizon), and the pier in Dania.

The season for catching lobsters is linked to the time of year when the lobsters are laying eggs. There is a "short hunting season" (the last weekend in July) and then the season is open from August until April. From April until July, the mother lobsters are growing their eggs, so please don't hunt for lobsters at this time! I work with a guy, Bruno, who loves to hunt for lobster. If you enjoy scuba, I'll introduce you to Bruno and you two can go underwater. A typical cost for diving can go over $50 (renting the equipment and hiring a boat), so swimming to the reef at the right spot can save you at least $30 (just ask Bruno!).

The third photo shows a sunset on Pier 66. Pier 66 is on the Intracoastal waterway, near S.E. 17th Street. Philips 66 fuel is available at this location and that association gave the pier its name. Across the water is a delightful restaurant called the 15th Street Fishery, where tarpon jump for snacks fed at 5:30 each evening (and pelicans wait for a morsel).

[Next »]