Candy Ghost Shrimp Pump and Aluminum Spike from Surf Fishing Solutions

Last Updated on September 12, 2025 by Eric Bonneman

Avid is adding two purpose‑built tools from Surf Fishing Solutions to the surf rack. These pieces support bait gathering and rod placement on open sand, with construction that favors saltwater use and regular field abuse. The Candy Ghost Shrimp Pump and the 52 inch Standard Aluminum Candy Spike form a clean, practical pairing. The pump helps fishermen collect a prized natural bait. The spike locks a rod in place so a set can soak without drama. This article introduces the lineup, explains how each tool is built and used, and lays out care tips and responsible shoreline practices.

Why Ghost Shrimp And Sand Spikes Matter On Open Beaches

Ghost shrimp, sometimes called yabbies in certain regions, live in burrows in soft intertidal sand. They pump sediment and water to feed, which leaves small paired holes that reveal their presence when the tide recedes. In many surf zones, fish such as pompano, whiting, red drum, surfperch, and corbina key on these burrowers. A fresh ghost shrimp placed on a small hook can produce bites during gentle surf or after a tide change when sand fleas and clams are less active.

Rod stability on featureless beaches is another constant need. A sand spike gives a resting position that resists tip‑over in wind, keeps a reel off salt spray, and allows steady bait soaking. A well‑sized spike with a proper footstep and a rigid frame turns soft sand into a predictable mount for light and medium surf sticks.

Meet The Candy Ghost Shrimp Pump

The Candy Ghost Shrimp Pump is a hand‑operated suction pump designed for extracting ghost shrimp from active burrows at low tide. The build focuses on corrosion resistance and easy field service without delicate small parts.

Construction And Materials

• Tube: 2 inch high‑gloss furniture‑grade PVC, available in six colors.
• Hardware: stainless steel pump rod, washers, wing nuts, and fasteners.
• Handle: structural aluminum side handle with a rigid feel under load.
• Seal: urethane seal designed for efficient suction and durability.

These choices keep metal surfaces limited to stainless, place force on a stout side handle, and rely on a urethane interface inside the tube. The result is a pump that resists saltwater exposure and rinses clean without fuss.

Dimensions, Weight Class, And Fit In A Beach Kit

• Overall length: 32.5 inches.
• Tube diameter: 2 inches.

The length allows a neutral body posture during repetitive pulls. The 2 inch bore creates strong column suction in short strokes, which is useful when working through compacted sand on ebb or at hard‑packed swash lines. The tube body rides easily in a sand spike or in a cart cradle and can strap against the outside of a backpack with two simple loop ties.

Key Specifications At A Glance

• 2 inch furniture‑grade PVC tube, six colors
• Stainless pump rod and hardware
• Structural aluminum side handle
• Urethane seal
• Overall length 32.5 inches
• Price: 85.00 USD

Field Use Guide: Extracting Ghost Shrimp

Use the pump during low tide windows when burrow openings are visible. Tidal flats with fine, consistent sand work especially well. The process is simple and rewards steady pacing.

1. Walk the flat and locate fresh burrow pairs. Active holes often appear as small, damp dimples with a faint collar of collapsed sand.
2. Place the pump’s mouth over the hole, keep it vertical, and press gently to seat the tube without crushing the opening.
3. Draw the handle in a single smooth pull to capture the top column of sand and water. Lift the tube, angle it toward your bait bucket or sieve, and release.
4. Repeat two or three pulls on the same hole, then move to the next active pair.
5. Keep shrimp in a small bucket with clean damp sand. Change water as needed to retain lively bait until you rig.

Avoid rushing. A short, smooth pull keeps suction stable. A slight rotation while seating the tube can help when the opening collapses. When a burrow yields an adult shrimp, the shells and legs are delicate, so avoid squeezing the body during transfer.

Care And Maintenance

• Rinse the tube and hardware with fresh water after each session.
• Loosen the wing nuts, run a light freshwater pull to flush residual grit, and retighten by hand.
• Inspect the urethane seal. If buildup forms, a quick wipe with a soft cloth restores a clean edge.
• Store the pump upright or horizontal on two points to prevent a set in the seal.

Replace seals when suction begins to fade after heavy usage. The stainless hardware and aluminum handle tolerate salt exposure, yet routine rinsing extends service life.

Meet The 52″ Standard Aluminum Candy Spike

A sand spike lives in shifting sand, tides, and wind. The 52 inch Standard Aluminum Candy Spike uses a rigid frame, a high‑gloss colored tube, and a solid footstep to plant fast and resist side load from light surf rods.

Structure, Materials, And Finish

• Frame: TIG‑welded T6 aluminum.
• Tube: high‑gloss Candy colored PVC.
• Footstep: solid footstep positioned 14 inches from the tip.

The tube accepts common surf rod butts without scuffing. The TIG‑welded frame pairs stiffness with an easy rinse. The high‑gloss finish adds visibility on busy beaches and cleans without staining from wet sand.

Footstep Placement And Setup

The footstep sits 14 inches up from the tip. This placement gives leverage when you drive the spike and a stable platform when you lean on it. Planting is straightforward:

1. Choose a location above the active swash so waves do not wash out your base.
2. Angle the spike slightly away from the water to resist rod pull.
3. Place a foot on the step and sink the tip to a firm depth.
4. Pack sand around the shaft with two light stamps.
5. Seat the rod, set the drag, and adjust the angle for line clearance.

The height works for common surf rod lengths, keeps the reel above wet sand, and offers a comfortable grab point when repositioning.

Key Specifications At A Glance

• Length: 52 inches overall
• TIG‑welded T6 aluminum frame
• High‑gloss Candy PVC tube
• Solid footstep at 14 inches from tip
• Price: 60.00 USD

Stability, Safety, And Reel Protection

A firm plant reduces rod twist during line pickup. Keep the reel body above the splash zone, especially with bait presentations that sit during tide swings. The rigid frame avoids flex, and the smooth tube interior reduces butt wear on EVA and cork grips. At crowded access points, the bright tube finish helps other beach users spot your setup.

Responsible Harvesting And Shoreline Etiquette

Ghost shrimp populations support a web of shorebirds and fish. Gather only the bait you plan to use that session. Replace sand neatly over holes and avoid trampling fragile upper‑beach vegetation when walking to and from the flat. Know local rules for bait collection, daily take limits, and permitted zones. Regulations vary by county, state, and country. When in doubt, consult official fish and wildlife resources for your area before any harvest.

On busy beaches, place spikes in a straight line near your camp or cart. Keep rod tips clear of walking paths and use reflective tape or a flag on carts at dawn and dusk. A small trash bag tied to the cart keeps spare line, bait packaging, and food wrappers out of the wrack line.

Local Sourcing And Build Story

The Candy Ghost Shrimp Pump uses furniture‑grade PVC manufactured in Florida, with the maker sourcing nearly all build materials locally. That design choice reduces transit steps and aligns the tool with regional surf culture where ghost shrimp pumping is common. The 52 inch spike follows the same idea of simplicity and robust fabrication. Avid is proud to welcome Brian from Surf Fishing Solutions and to feature this lineup in the surf section.

Pricing, Options, And What You Receive

Both tools arrive ready for immediate use on the beach.

• Candy Ghost Shrimp Pump
  
  • 2 inch PVC tube, urethane seal, stainless hardware, structural aluminum side handle
  • Overall length 32.5 inches
  • Six color options
  • 85.00 USD
• 52 inch Standard Aluminum Candy Spike
  
  • TIG‑welded T6 aluminum frame
  • High‑gloss Candy PVC tube
  • Solid footstep at 14 inches from the tip
  • 60.00 USD

Color availability can shift with supply. If a preferred color is out of stock on a given day, staff can suggest a matching option for your rod grip or cart setup.

Pairing The Pump And Spike On A Typical Session

A dawn low tide followed by a slow incoming often serves this pair well. The plan looks like this:

1. Walk the flat with the pump and a small sieve or perforated bucket. Collect a modest batch of shrimp while the sand is firm and the holes are easy to spot.
2. Keep shrimp cool in damp sand with a splash of seawater. Place the container in the shade of the cart.
3. Plant the Candy Spike above the swash line where the beach face finds a stable grade.
4. Rig a small hook with a ghost shrimp threaded so the body sits straight and natural. Use a light surf rod, a sensitive tip, and enough lead to keep contact without burying the sinker.
5. Set the rod in the spike and watch for tap‑tap bites during the first push of the tide. Adjust position when the swash zone migrates.

This rhythm keeps bait fresh and rods stable while you reposition along a seam or trough. When moving, lift the spike by the frame instead of yanking by the tube. A quick rinse in a shore‑break wave clears most sand before you walk.

Care, Storage, And Off‑Season Checks

• Rinse both tools with freshwater after each session, including inside the pump bore.
• For the pump, loosen wing nuts for a short flush, then retighten by hand. Store upright if possible.
• For the spike, check the weld areas and the footstep plate. A light scrub with a soft brush removes packed sand.
• Inspect the urethane seal at the start of a new season and swap when it loses a clean edge.
• Periodically check hardware tightness to prevent rattle during transport.

A simple kit of a soft cloth, a small brush, and a bottle of freshwater in the vehicle covers most maintenance on the drive home.

Frequently Asked Questions

What bait sizes work with the pump?
The pump targets adult and subadult ghost shrimp that occupy shallow burrows in firm intertidal sand. Very small juveniles can pass through a coarse sieve. If you want a tighter size range, use a finer sieve and pour gently.

Can the spike hold a heavier surf rod?
The 52 inch length and rigid frame support common light and medium surf rods that fishermen use for ghost shrimp presentations and bait fishing in gentle conditions. For heavier rods, plant deeper to build a solid base and check local sand consistency before committing to a set.

What about rocky beaches?
The pump and spike excel on open sand with moderate compaction. Bedrock, cobble, and shell fractures reduce pump effectiveness and spike seating. Target softer zones and tide flats where sand depth is consistent.

How should I transport the pump?
Strap it to a cart side, place it in a spike holder, or secure it to a backpack with two straps. Avoid placing heavy gear on top of the urethane seal.

Are replacement parts available?
The design uses common stainless hardware and a serviceable seal. Staff can advise on seal replacement or simple field fixes if a fastener goes missing.

Putting These Tools To Work On The Sand

The Candy Ghost Shrimp Pump and the 52 inch Standard Aluminum Candy Spike reward steady technique and simple routines. A careful pace on the flat delivers lively bait, and a firm plant in the sand holds your rod secure while you wait out the tide. Used together, they give fishermen an edge in making the most of open beaches, where reading the surf and moving with subtle changes can be the difference between waiting and catching.

Avid is proud to bring Surf Fishing Solutions gear into the shop, and we invite you to stop in and see the full lineup for yourself. From shrimp pumps and spikes to the rest of your beach kit, our shelves are stocked with the gear you need for the next trip. Visit us today to get outfitted for your time on the sand.