6/26 Picking on the Little Guys

[watchdog]

I was there Sunday, and spent 8 hours getting only mostly sunburned and frustrated. But there was a tiny lady there who hooked a 22" Grouper right next to us, and someone right next to them tied on an entire squid and hooked one just like it. But another guy next to us later, hooked into something that nearly pulled him into the water. His 4"9" high chest actually hit the cement. His mom was calling for his brother, who jumped out of the nearby van, and together they looked like the firefighters holding onto the American flag pole at 911 . That was when the line finally snapped.

Might have been a good thing though. They might still be some monsters pull-toy.

Maybe it was that submarine. 

[tears143]

Where you at NSP?

[imac813]

The love/hate relationship with the Skyway... I've watched people around me pull fish out of the water while I get nothing and vice versa. Better luck next time.

What rig setup are you using?

[YodaFisherman]

Something I always find amusing on the Skyway are novice fisherman using lite tackle equipment with small hooks and squid or frozen shrimp for bait catching pins, grunts and the like and putting them in their coolers. I'm assuming to clean and eat later. Then when I bring in something substantial they will ask what I'm using for bait and my answer is always "the fish you're keeping in you cooler for food, that's my bait. If you want something better move up the food chain."

Less than 50% of the time am I in competition with others near me that know what they are doing. Albeit I don't spend much time at the ends of the piers. Much more knowledgeable competition there and I have been just as successful in the middle of the SSP.

I have on a number of occasions taken one of my poles, set it up and baited it for someone near me. I love doing this when I can tell they are new to fishing or at least new to the pier and not prepared. Especially the kids. I take great pleasure watching novice fisherman catch a fish of their lifetime. The only thing I do is put a safety rope on the rod, just in case a dolphin or large fish pulls the pole out of their hands. Their reaction is so funny when I hook the rope on. But I do think it makes them more attentive.

Fun story: I was on the Flagler Beach Pier a few years ago and had two rods set up on the bottom with big chunks of bait. At the same time both started screaming, as did a few others near me. I locked the one and picked up the other. As I'm fighting the one on my line, a family was walking by who just came out to walk the pier. I grabbed the other rod and put it in the hands of the 10 year old boy walking by. Then noticed the your girl, about 12, with them who looked upset at her brother's good fortune, so I gave her my pole. It was a blast watching these two kids bring in two moderate sized Bull Reds. I had much more fun watching them than fighting them myself.

[eaglesfanguy]

Jun 27, 2017 10:31:25 GMT -5 YodaFisherman said:

Something I always find amusing on the Skyway are novice fisherman using lite tackle equipment with small hooks and squid or frozen shrimp for bait catching pins, grunts and the like and putting them in their coolers. I'm assuming to clean and eat later. Then when I bring in something substantial they will ask what I'm using for bait and my answer is always "the fish you're keeping in you cooler for food, that's my bait. If you want something better move up the food chain."

Less than 50% of the time am I in competition with others near me that know what they are doing. Albeit I don't spend much time at the ends of the piers. Much more knowledgeable competition there and I have been just as successful in the middle of the SSP.

I have on a number of occasions taken one of my poles, set it up and baited it for someone near me. I love doing this when I can tell they are new to fishing or at least new to the pier and not prepared. Especially the kids. I take great pleasure watching novice fisherman catch a fish of their lifetime. The only thing I do is put a safety rope on the rod, just in case a dolphin or large fish pulls the pole out of their hands. Their reaction is so funny when I hook the rope on. But I do think it makes them more attentive.

Fun story: I was on the Flagler Beach Pier a few years ago and had two rods set up on the bottom with big chunks of bait. At the same time both started screaming, as did a few others near me. I locked the one and picked up the other. As I'm fighting the one on my line, a family was walking by who just came out to walk the pier. I grabbed the other rod and put it in the hands of the 10 year old boy walking by. Then noticed the your girl, about 12, with them who looked upset at her brother's good fortune, so I gave her my pole. It was a blast watching these two kids bring in two moderate sized Bull Reds. I had much more fun watching them than fighting them myself.

THAT is fantastic. I do this for the wifey most times, as she just loves the salt air and easy living, she dosent want to put in the grunt work getting the fish. and i sit back and watch her tackle a big fish. Then the bischh wants to brag..lol.. i set baits out hook the fish hand her the rod and she claims credit! lmao gotta love her