View Full Version : tips, help, tricks of the trade, hints
Justonemore
08-25-2007, 11:24 AM
Hello everyone:
Been reading a lot of the post in the last few month, but just register last week, the board is very informative, thank you everybody.
So this is my story, been fishing for about a year now, mostly on balboa pier, and a little bit of surf also in balboa between the pier and the jetty, mostly is all Mac, and some sculpins, nothing to write home about, I have a couple of rods that I use one is a 8’ with a spinning reel and the other is a 6’ with a spinning reel, both with 17# lines
I do know a couple of knots and 3 rigging, c-rig high-low and drop-shots (I think that’s what the terms are). I do go to the beach at least once a week, sometimes more, if my work schedules allows it, I don’t have a deep pocket with family and all, but I do have a few dollars to spend here and there, if needed. So now I just want to get good at what I love to do, and that is fishing. I do read a lot of the older posts and that give me a lot of information, but I still have a few questions that needs to be address. If any old sea dogs can help a newbie out.
1. When I see someone ask for help, slot of time I see someone would say “what are you targeting�, so do I need a different “set up� for different fish. Or is there a “set up� that is good for most fish.
2. I started to fish the shore a little more, but I generally cant get there until about 8-9pm. And I try to stay as long as I can, so how late can I stay at the shore, I know the pier close at midnight. ( and yes I have my license and my stamp)
3. How man rods do most of you use?? One two, three, on a consistent base the you would take with you to where ever your going, ( granted you can never have too many rods and reels)
4. What is the difference with all this lures, swim baits, irons, and plastics, is it just a personal preference?? Or do I need an Uhaul truck to get my tackle box to the pier.
Thank you all in advance for your reply.
J
Fisher-of-Men
08-25-2007, 11:48 AM
You sound alot like me two years ago. LOL!
I thought one pole was good enough for all my fresh water expeditions; but now I have 6; all of which have their own reels. This would have sounded crazy to me 2 years ago but that's the reality of it.
Some poles are more sensitive than others on the tip, and others are more rigid for catching lunker stripers and catfish.
One pole I have is 9' long which gives me a much longer cast when fishing off the piers and jettys.
I have my little ulta light for backpacking and hiking up creeks for trout. Its small and compact; as not to get hung up in the brush as I have to blaze my own trail sometimes. :lol:
Basically every reel has a different # line on it ranging from 4 # to 20 #.
Once you get the gear; do all you can to protect it so it lasts. Proper storage is essential. When fishing, make sure that you have your pole set up in such a way that a fish won't pull it into the dink when you have your back turned. :bawl:
It happens. So far, I haven't had to deal with that problem yet. (knock-on-wood)
Fisher-of-Men
Nessie Hunter
08-25-2007, 12:54 PM
Hello everyone:
Been reading a lot of the post in the last few month, but just register last week, the board is very informative, thank you everybody.
So this is my story, been fishing for about a year now, mostly on balboa pier, and a little bit of surf also in balboa between the pier and the jetty, mostly is all Mac, and some sculpins, nothing to write home about, I have a couple of rods that I use one is a 8’ with a spinning reel and the other is a 6’ with a spinning reel, both with 17# lines
I do know a couple of knots and 3 rigging, c-rig high-low and drop-shots (I think that’s what the terms are). I do go to the beach at least once a week, sometimes more, if my work schedules allows it, I don’t have a deep pocket with family and all, but I do have a few dollars to spend here and there, if needed. So now I just want to get good at what I love to do, and that is fishing. I do read a lot of the older posts and that give me a lot of information, but I still have a few questions that needs to be address. If any old sea dogs can help a newbie out.
1. When I see someone ask for help, slot of time I see someone would say “what are you targeting�, so do I need a different “set up� for different fish. Or is there a “set up� that is good for most fish.
2. I started to fish the shore a little more, but I generally cant get there until about 8-9pm. And I try to stay as long as I can, so how late can I stay at the shore, I know the pier close at midnight. ( and yes I have my license and my stamp)
3. How man rods do most of you use?? One two, three, on a consistent base the you would take with you to where ever your going, ( granted you can never have too many rods and reels)
4. What is the difference with all this lures, swim baits, irons, and plastics, is it just a personal preference?? Or do I need an Uhaul truck to get my tackle box to the pier.
Thank you all in advance for your reply.
J
J ,, Welcome aboard.. Being new you wont find many that will give up the good info or spots etc... But some general help for your questions is easy.....
1. What you are targeting is important, baits, rigs, locations, and times all play into specific feeding times/locations of certain fish, or fish in general....
Surf?? C rig with 4 to 6# leader, 1/2 oz slider and small hook, some fish crack (gulp sand worms in Camo) and you will be on the Perch etc, A few live sand crabs (right below your feet in the sand) and Beans, croaker etc will be added to the menu..
That is fished between the first wave break and ankle deep water.. keeping light tension on the line as it washes in, So you can feel the bite & set the hook...
Lures (hardbaits, castmasters) or live smelt (caught with sabiki rig off dock or pier) and you get Sand sharks, Halibut etc (heavier line to handle fish size)...
Pier fishing, Heavier line, larger hooks or jigs depending on what is there and what you want... Look around on the piers always crowded and see what is being used and what they are catching...
Bait, any of the frozen stuff (sardines, Anchovies, clams, muscles, squid) fresh is better, live is best (again Smelt or any small fish from Sabiki rig)......
2. Time: the time is important due to light, surfers and crowds..
The TIDES are more important.. Surf is better on incoming & high then slows as it goes out, is pretty dead around low tide.. The surf fish feed as stuff is washed up as the tide comes in and is high.....
Crack of dawn or sunset, with incoming tide, would be my pick as BEST surf fishing.. Any incoming or high, start of outgoing, would be second choice....
Piers:??? dont know, havnt spent much time on them....
3, number of Rigs???
Surf fishing is hard with more then ONE.. You are casting and retrieving all the time... But having one way out, and casting the second is possible........????
Piers, dont think you can have to many, but 3 would probably do, Heavy, Med & light.. Cover all the basses with basic set ups... Time and watching others will be your best teacher........
4. Baits Vs artificial:
Question of the ages.. Most of us C&R guys like the artificials as it is 99% lip hooks and easy release, adds a bit of conquest to it also, outsmart the fish with color, shape, presentation etc etc & cover a lot of area with constant casting...
Most beginners use Bait, it is easier and they dont have to do anything but wait for a bite.. But you will get a lot of swallowed hooks and dead fish..... AND your hands will smell pretty bad for a day or more...
You need to be warned though....
Once you start to acquire rigs and artificial baits and catch a few fish.. You will be selling the house and in divorce court (if they can find you to serve the papers) as the addiction grows and consumes you..
Be afraid, be very afraid.
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
.
Justonemore
08-25-2007, 01:11 PM
nessie:
thank u very much for your info, I have only done surf fishing a couple of times and I do like it more then pier fishing, I like to in the action cast and retrive, better then cast and wiat like I do on the pier. will try your tips and will do more posting in time.
thank u
J
Hawkeye5447
08-29-2007, 10:11 AM
Wow nessie that was a lot of good info. Even some questions i have had for years were answered.
Granny Fish
08-29-2007, 10:51 AM
Great info Nessie! :thumb:
bchbum54
08-29-2007, 11:01 AM
nessie:
thank u very much for your info, I have only done surf fishing a couple of times and I do like it more then pier fishing, I like to in the action cast and retrive, better then cast and wiat like I do on the pier. will try your tips and will do more posting in time.
thank u
J
You should try some blue and chrome krock's or castmasters on the piers or jetties for bonito, tons of fun on 6-8lb test.