Fish on the beach? This Virginia Beach angler knows what can happen

Boat rides.

Waves.

Slimy baits.

All the basic elements of fishing on the Chesapeake Bay and surrounding waters.

All were intricate parts of Shannon Ferguson’s world growing up along the shores of the Western Branch of the Elizabeth River and fishing with his dad.

Unfortunately, there also was a not-so-pleasant bonus plenty have had to deal with -something the lucky ones never have to experience.

Ferguson’s water-born life simply dealt him a bad card.

“I got seasick a lot,” the Virginia Beach resident said.

Ferguson opted for a more stable situation - one that still focused on his love of fishing.

And over time that move earned him the reputation of being one of the top surf anglers in the country.

So now, Ferguson has added something new to his angling resume.

He now wears the uniform of a member of the USA Surf Fishing Team that will compete next month in the 42nd Surf Casting World Championships that will take place near Sardinia, Italy, where the men’s and women’s shore angling teams from around the world will wet lines.

Seniors will compete Nov. 7-13 - arriving on the 7th, holding practices on the 9th and competing the 10th through the 13th.

All events will be take place along the remote beaches of the Arborea-Oristano area of Sardinia.

It will be the first time the United States has competed in the games - which some are hoping will someday soon join the lineup of Olympic team sports.

Prior to heading to the Mediterranean, the USA team has been busy raising funds, securing equipment donations from fishing companies, buying specialized equipment and studying how things work along the Italian shorelines that lead into mostly shallow, crystal clear waters.

To put it mildly, it’s a world apart from the surf fishing scene along the central coast of the United States - where some of the best from-the-beach fishing in the world takes place.

Especially at this time of year, when red drum tournaments fill schedules and attract hundreds of anglers from upper Delaware to the middle of the North Carolina Outer Banks.

Along the shores of the Mediterranean, everything will be different, Ferguson said.

Finesse will be the key because few fish topping a pound or two are caught. Numbers and ounces are as important as being able to cast.

Some of the eligible species are garfish, mullet, striped bream, common pandora, scalopfish, seabass and weevers.

“They use things like 7- to 9-foot rigs,” Ferguson said. “They use two or three hooks - super small hooks - with 20- to 30-pound leaders.

“Our 13 or 15-foot rigs will get bait out, but the structure is shallower. It’s like big surf fishing for small fish with overall light tackle.

“Ninety percent of it is perseverance and challenging yourself. We’re only going to be looking at 8, 9, 10-inch fish.”

All a far cry from the 30- to 60-pound red drum currently being caught along the coast.

But differences and quickly learning to handle them are what make anglers a different breed. A good fisherman or woman can figure out the scene, the air pressure, the fishes’ patterns, the right baits and add up the equation into a winning performance.

All those things and then some will have to be used for the USA team to make the kind of noise it wants to.

Ferguson grew up in the Western Branch section of Chesapeake and graduated from VMI. The 51-year-old Chief Financial Officer of Marcom Services, he serves on the board of directors of the Virginia Beach Anglers Club that recent held its inaugural Red Drum Classic tournament along the beach at Sandbridge.

For decades, Ferguson learned more about saltwater fishing from his father than he figured he ever could handle.

But because of being prone to seasickness, he decided to takes his hook-and-line knowledge and desires to a place more suited for his kind.

Land.

Shorelines.

And in this region, surf fishing.

“I went over to Assateaque Island (National Seashore) and caught fish,” he said. “That sealed the deal.”

Wetting a baited hook from the sand along the East Coast is nothing shy of religion for legions of anglers.

It’s a scene and commitment few are able to deal with - much less master.

And even less of them become so good and knowledgeable that they can cash in on a chance to represent the United States in the world championships.

“Surf fishing is a different monster,” Ferguson said. “And I have an addictive personality. I started learning to hone the craft. Before long I was parking at the Back Bay Refuge parking lot and walking five miles to False Cape.

“So my wife bought me an eBike to make it easier to travel down there because no motorize vehicles are allowed.”

In Italy, things will be far more than a little different than fishing from a region that includes the Eastern Shore’s barrier islands, the coast south of Sandbridge in Virginia Beach’s southeastern-most end, and North Carolina’s Outer Banks - considered by many to be the sport’s epicenters.

Ferguson lately has been spending considerable time along the shoreline.

“My wife has had to put her foot down a few times and tell me ‘not this weekend’,” he said of Lorie, who he knew while competing as a three-sport athlete at Western Branch.

Getting named to the USA team, Ferguson felt, was a wild shot.

Earlier this year, Ferguson saw several social media posts that the team was looking for anglers make the competition squad.

He had to fill out forms and send in a resume of his fishing history. He felt good through it all, but after a 45 minute phone interview, things went silent.

“I knew there were hundreds of candidates,” he said. “But in June I was told I was one of 25 finalists and then I found out I had made the team.

“It made me humble. I knew how many incredible surf anglers there are. I’m just really thrilled with this.”

According to the USA Surf Fishing website, the six-man team joining Ferguson will be Bob Zak and Chad Bayless, both of Delaware; Paul Chapman of Rhode Island; Tracy Mastin of North Carolina; and team captain Matt Bryson of Pennsylvania.

Squad members devoted time to secure sponsorships from angling companies BASS Pro Shops, Cabelas, Penn, Fishbites, Cox & Rawle and Varivas, to name a few.

Ferguson said the group doesn’t want to get ahead of itself, but conversations concerning the 2027 championships in South Africa - where he said conditions are much more suited to his style - are already underway.

Until then, next month and the biggest challenge of his angling life rise on the horizon.

As departure time draws nearer, he’ll pack up all the information he’s gathered over the years and put all the new stuff right on top.

And if he happens to feel a little nauseous, there will be no need to worry.

He’ll know it’s from nerves and not being in a boat.

And he’’ll know something else.

“This is going to be amazing,” he said.