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Post by tyke1215 on Sept 18, 2012 10:32:53 GMT -5
My last couple trips I've been fishing under the south pier for snappers or grunts at night but the pinfish seem to destroy my baits almost instantly. I haven't been walking the pier much, but so far, the pins seem to be everywhere I've dropped a line and I've only managed a few midget snapper inbetween pinfish. I'm using cut bait, mostly threads and greenbacks that I catch on a Sabiki. I'd like to try smaller live baits but everything I catch is 4" or better. Will mangos take a bait that big? Are the pins really everywhere or should I try moving more to get away from them? I'm really frustrated with the nibblers, do you guys have any tips to avoid them?
Thanks,
Tyke
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Post by havetofish on Sept 18, 2012 11:49:13 GMT -5
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Post by tyke1215 on Sept 19, 2012 11:29:35 GMT -5
Thanks. I'm going again Friday night and plan on being more mobile this time. I might also try live instead of cut bait even if it's a bit too large, with a small treble stinger hook in the tail. Maybe I'll get lucky.
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Post by SkyJay on Sept 19, 2012 13:11:50 GMT -5
Friday is a 2 tide day/night. If you're lucky it won't be that crowded but I doubt it. Forget about fishing the west side rocks on the overnighter cuz the tide will be running inward at a pretty good clip and you'll have a better shot at the Goozers under the bridge around the pilings. Keep in mind that Snapper hate people and the bigguns did'nt get that way being stupid. Also keep in mind they generally school by size and are very territorial, and roam the entire length of the bridge. They'll vacate the premises or all together shut down when a spot starts getting hammered/pressured. Snapper are very sensitive to noise and human pressure and are in my opinion the most inteligent of all the resident fish at the Skyway bridge. If you think they aren't aware of loud music, screaming kids, loud voices, castnets, baitbuckets, and big ole football sinkers constantlly hitting the water you are seriously mistaken. Pinfish/Skyway Pirahanas are'nt afraid of any these things and are pretty much brain dead. CONTINUED
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Post by SkyJay on Sept 19, 2012 13:39:10 GMT -5
PT 2 An eating machine with a one track mind, Pinfish roam around looking for their next meal and trying to avoid being eaten. Snapper on the other hand will hang tight to cover, in ambush mode, facing in to current waiting for their food to come to them much like a Snook. When a school of big Snapper have set up a feeding station, they simply won't stand for any competition from any other intruder to their territorry. They will agressively defend an area once they set up shop. While there is some truth to the theory a school of Pinfish feeding will atract and exite a loner or 2 into attacking a bait if your goal is a mess of keepers you would be better of hitting spot after spot until you find the school. You will know you're in the right spot when you notice the absence of the tell tell tap tap tap of Pinfish. When a Snapper hits you'll feel a subtle thump and if you have any bait left followed by another thump until your bait is gone or you hook the fish. Remember... Just reel. Stealth is the key. CONT
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Post by SkyJay on Sept 19, 2012 13:39:47 GMT -5
PT 3 Your tackle should be as light as you feel comfortable using. I use 12 to 17 lb test Mamoi mono #1 or 1/0 hooks and as little lead as possible depending on current. 1 or 2 oz. will generally do it. Although expensive I like live Shrimp the best. If you have a cast net and you can get the little fry baits they're great to. Just remember to match your hook size to the size of your bait and use as light a leader as possible. Better to cut the bigger baits up. A good tactic is to feed em a couple livies to get em fired up, and then switch to small pieces cut directly from a live or very fresh dead bait. Believe me they know the difference. Don't rush right out to the end to fish in a crowd. Theres some good Snapper spots between the toll booth and the 1st restroom believe it or not. Stay mobile and away from crowds of people splashing in the water. Gently pitch your bait slightly upcurrent of your targeted structure and let the current gently carry your bait in. I like to park and walk from piling to piling
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Post by SkyJay on Sept 19, 2012 14:38:47 GMT -5
PT 4 Plan on losing lots of tackle to get the bites. Stock up on 1 and 2 oz lead and whatever termimal tackle you prefer. Ask yourself the question- would I rather get a bite on light stuff and take a chance losing a fish or 2, or have the Snapper swim up to my bait and shy away from my 30 or 40 lb leader? I'll take the bites. Remember them fish are smart and used to people attempting to trick them so you have to think like a Snapper! I take a bucket with a rag, some bait, neelenose pliers, some bait and scissors and I walk the mile till I find em. Don't forget to stuff yer pockets with extra tackle. Another clue is to look for spots where Ladyfish are actively feeding on the surface. There are Snapper close by trust me. AVOID getting into the habit of setting up camp in one spot, unless you really find em. Even then you'll want to keep your spot as inconspicuous as possible unless you want lots of company fast. Good luck. Hope this helps. And thanx to all the folks who taught me these Skyway secrets.
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Post by havetofish on Sept 19, 2012 16:10:54 GMT -5
Great info Jay.
Never knew about the ladyfish deal..always learning something. I'm gonna try and put this in the Master Info Sticky thread after a few days.
Tyke1215,
Ditch the idea of the treble stinger hook..they will see it.
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Post by SkyJay on Sept 19, 2012 17:24:54 GMT -5
One thing I forgot to mention. As you work your way along look for eddys created by crooked repair pilings and be sure to thouroghly work these areas on both sides. The real mogans like to get right up in the corners so they dont have to fight the current as much just like the big Sheepshead do. John if you do sticky this ie it would'nt be to much trouble, could we dedicate to Blackie and Curtis, Scooter and Paul and all the old greats who at one time or another called the Skyway home. Thanks guys for patiently let me and the kids pick your brains for all those years. It's a cryin shame we can't save those piers.
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Post by blacktip on Sept 19, 2012 18:53:56 GMT -5
Great info as always Skyjay. Hope this forum Comes alive again!
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Post by tyke1215 on Sept 20, 2012 10:20:55 GMT -5
Thanks SkyJay, that went way above and beyond the call of duty and I appreciate it brudda. The noise and commotion factor never occured to me so I'll definitely keep that in mind. Sounds like I need to stick with fresh cut bait or buy some shrimp instead using bigger live stuff. I've been using 15 lb. braid, 1 or 1 1/2 oz. egg sinkers, a small swivel, a 2' 20 lb. floro leader, and a size 1 light wire circle hook. I have a spool of 12 lb. floro so maybe I'll try that. The couple times I've been to the south pier, I noticed that the crowd thins out and things settle down significantly around midnight. Looks like Friday's out and I'll be switching to a Saturday afternoon/night trip. Thanks again, I'm excited to give it another try now.
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