COCOA BEACH, Florida – It is that time of year again when sand fleas gather in colonies for the mating season along Central Florida’s east coast.

Sand fleas (also known as mole crabs) are perfect bait for surf fishing for redfish, black drum, pompano, and sheepshead.

Digging up sand fleas is also a great discovery and learning activity for preschool and elementary-age children.

Sand flea colonies can be found all along Brevard County beaches this week, including Cocoa Beach, Florida.

They are easiest to find as the high tide is coming in and the crustaceans scramble to find new real estate to bury themselves in wet sand between the ebb and flow of the waves onshore.

The incoming tide makes the wet sand slushy which helps with the ease of digging up the sand fleas.

Due to the hot summer days in July, be sure to refresh your bait bucket with cooler ocean water to keep the sand fleas cool and alive after you have caught them.

How To Catch Sand Fleas By Hand

This video explains how to find sand flea colonies in the wash zone and dig them up by hand.