Thread: Beach access for fishing.

Just thought I’d relay an interesting interaction I had this morning concerning access for surf fishing. I went to set up on the surf just west of our condo,...which is where Kiva Dunes starts. Yes, there is a snow fence with signs saying “private property”, etc., but the beach is open to walkers and fishermen per federal law. As I was walking over, a spray tanned bow flexed cabana boy with Fabio hair came right on down and asked where I was going to set up. I said, “over on that point right there.” He said I couldn’t because this was private property. When I mentioned knowing about the Mean High Tide Line he just looked at me like I was from Mars. He quickly recovered though and said “but you have a cooler”

Huh?...Yes, I had a cooler and he said that Kiva has a liquor permit to serve to the water line and coolers weren’t allowed. When I said that was a load of bunk he said this whole beach qualifies as a “bar” and I can’t bring a cooler into a bar. He said he could call the Sheriff’s department and “get them down here”.

I said, no need,...I’ll just leave my cooler at the snow fence...and he REally didnt’ like that. As I went to leave he moved in really close to me and I got the feeling he was just trying to bump me or for me to bump him so he could start something. That’s the vibe I got.
I am not kidding about any of this,...it was surreal.

I said,...no worries,...I’m moving on, but I AM going to find out what the truth is about what you’re saying. Now I wouldn’t ordinarily fool with something/someone as absurd as this but this guy ticked me off. I called the local sherriff’s office that has jurisdiction and the Sheriff just laughed. I think he’s had to deal with these bozo’s before.
It is a load of bunk and Kiva just uses that line to keep people off their beach,...even though this morning there was not a single soul there besides myself.

I went back and Fabio had left and another guy was there. We spoke and he admitted I was right and started in with the whole “it’s my job, and my boss makes me etc.”
He was a pretty cool guy and I thanked him and said I’ll just set up down the beach enough to not be on Kiva beach. But i did tell him to let Fabio know the deal. He chuckled.

I don’t like confrontation, but i also don’t like being lied to and expecting me to believe the lie simply because you tell it with bluster.

So,...keep in mind,...you have a right to fish the beach, and you have a right to have a cooler. Strange but true story.

Since the whole beach is a "bar" no kids allowed I would have said, let him call the Sheriff.

Surf fishing party next Saturday morning at the waterline behind Kiva Diva Dunes. BYOB and a cooler. Sponsored by Fabio Bait & B.S.

I’d have probably capped the dude.

My tendency to open carry while surf fishing keeps 99% of the idiots at bay.

Not all beach boys are bad. Spring 2019 I spent two weeks on Perdido key surf fishing. I am old and walk with a cane so it is a struggle for me to get my beach buggy and stuff thru the sand. Several days there was a beach boy on sight and he stopped putting out his beach chairs and umbrellas and came over and pulled my wagon for me. Of course I tipped him and he tried to refuse but I insisted. Other days I had other beach goers come and help. There are still nice people in the world. I did well that trip with pompano and whiting.

....and it continues
Too bad they continue to control the beach south of their property especially when we are respecting staying away from anyone else when we fish.
Thanks for the update and I commend you for trying again.
Person in the office tower watching over the beach and cabana boys must love having that power over the employees cause when I went there after fishing so many years away from everyone it took absolutely no time for her to radio down to ask me to leave.

Chile you are a great American!

Haha,..true, but I couldn’t do what Chili does.... I wade out to cast sometimes, and the the Ruger P90 doesn’t like salt water. Can’t leave it on the beach either so it stays at home.

And 1000 Miles,...yea, it was weird. I remember you mentioning you’d had a similar experience a while back. But those guys can’t keep you off the beach. I go there because there is usually zero people there. And the Plantation beach has lots of people there. I’m trying to be considerate, but as you know,...no good deed goes unpunished.

Thanks for the info .

Yes Thanks for the info .