|
Post by burnz24 on Jul 19, 2010 16:14:46 GMT -5
OK... I am new to the board ...and enjoy reading all of the posts and information....NEED HELP!
I consider myself a decent fisherman but have NO luck at the pier...
This is what I have tried so far...
1 - used different baits - live pin fish - live greenbacks - cut bait - squid - plastics
2 - moved to different spots along both piers
3 - used google earth to "locate" structure
4 - used what I feel is excellent equipment...conventional and spinning reels
5 - fished incoming and outgoing tides
6 - fished at different times of the day
NO GROUPER , NO MANGOS, a few macks
Any ideas Thanks Burnz24
|
|
|
Post by permit53 on Jul 19, 2010 17:24:36 GMT -5
All i can say is put the time in. I was in the same boat a few months ago, and i dont fish at night, but i have had plenty of luck early in the am. I have not tried for snapper, but i knwo they catch plenty there. I mainly focus on grouper, and do very well there. All i can say is try floating baits out, and then try using differen size weights to put you on the fish? Again time is the key.
|
|
|
Post by havetofish on Jul 19, 2010 17:34:47 GMT -5
Yeah, it sounds like your going about it the right way. Believe me, although it may seem like some catch keeper grouper every time out..it just ain't so. With the Mangos, you got to move around a lot to find them. Stay mobile, if nothing is happening, move. That's easier said than done especially if its crowded or your like me and just plain lazy. Bottom line with the Piers is that you have to enjoy being out there anyway. Catching fish is a bonus.
|
|
|
Post by lutzfuji on Jul 19, 2010 22:31:45 GMT -5
Hey man , I'm in the same boat as you. I only recently really tried to catch some grouper and snapper at the skyway and for the past few weeks no luck. But at least I'm out there having fun and going out there. Try some different locations so you don't get bored like Fort Desoto ( no luck with grouper for me ) but there are plenty of things to catch off those piers, redington beach is also nice. Worse comes to worse your out on the water relaxing instead of at work doing the daily grind.
|
|
|
Post by jaeforceone on Jul 19, 2010 23:06:27 GMT -5
heading in the right direction, just need some more hints..
-Never fish at night unless its a full moon and you can literally hear the millions of bait fish splashing. If it is those conditions pick up a propane lantern and hang it over the rail. catch plenty of bait and maybe some macks if the tides are right.
-stick to greenbacks, cut greenback, pinfish, grunt. Anything you can catch with a small hook. plastics and lures will maybe catch a mack or a pompano but nothing else.
-with mango's use a dropper rig or a jig head, cut greenback ALWAYS best time is usually when the sun is setting.
-grouper have been coming up a little short lately, lots of folks catching them and releasing. just remember to freeline or float that sucker straight over the rockpiles
and lastly MOVE AROUND! give every fishing spot a try that isn't already taken.
|
|
|
Post by gerard1031 on Jul 20, 2010 8:39:58 GMT -5
Definitely keep at it, you are on the right track.
The think to be aware of...is whether anyone ELSE is catching....it doesn't matter what/how/where you are fishing...if at least a few aren't being caught then they just aren't biting.
If they are...then it's time to do some recon....walk and talk...see, hear, ask!
We've been out there many many times where I get maybe one decent bite the whole day/night.....and there are days where I can't toss a bait in the water without some kind of bite.
The other thing, that takes a little time, if you are in it for the long haul...keep a journal...you'll build your own data base of when, where, tide, time, wind...that will clearly start to paint you a picture of what to expect on any given trip.....here's from July 09...
"fished several weekends, skunked 5 times, D, caught a few short grouper, I caught nothin', went at dusk, a few keeper snapper, on cut bait, I had something on that pulled the swivel open again, same as about 2 weeks prior, no more snap swivels.. switching to barrel swivel and 50 lb. test leader. I caught a small shark"
LIke I tell my friends..."It's a blast and sometimes.... you catch fish!"
|
|