Last week after work a swing and a miss

[BLACKJAW]

Last week after work I set up a trolley rig on the SSP.  5 min after setting up with a nice Spanish mackerel for bait a pelican buzzed the line tangling up everything.  The pelican did not get tangled, but when it's wing hit the line at that fast speed, it messed up everything.  Later, with the tide going out, I hooked the mackerel under a balloon and went to the end of the pier.  I hooked into something big and fought it for a bit, but my wire broke.  I have used wire before and caught some good fish.  My guess is that there was  a human error factor involved this time, figures.  Probably done with the pier for this year.

[havetofish]

At least you were out there and gave it a shot. Anyone who fishes the piers at one time or another has the bird problems. One of the reasons I went to Hi-Vis yellow braid, it helps, but not fool proof.

[Mackerelman]

Dec 8, 2017 9:00:11 GMT -5 BLACKJAW said:

Last week after work I set up a trolley rig on the SSP.  5 min after setting up with a nice Spanish mackerel for bait a pelican buzzed the line tangling up everything.  The pelican did not get tangled, but when it's wing hit the line at that fast speed, it messed up everything.  Later, with the tide going out, I hooked the mackerel under a balloon and went to the end of the pier.  I hooked into something big and fought it for a bit, but my wire broke.  I have used wire before and caught some good fish.  My guess is that there was  a human error factor involved this time, figures.  Probably done with the pier for this year.

Sometimes I have found it very advisable to attach a 1oz. to 1 1/2oz. weight to the line about 6" up from the Fish or Bait in this case to avoid the birds. 

I have done it & it works Me & Others.

If the bait is close to the top of the water, the birds can see it like in your situation. 

If the weight is too heavy for your Balloon then just attach another balloon to Your Rig.

Best of Luck next time.