My second trip to the pier will be on May 29, 2009

[poisonxvenom]

Hey, people after reading some of the posts on this forum, I learned a great deal of good info!

Anyways...

I have some questions in mind.....

My problem is that I've never used a conventional reel before.... I don't know how to set it up properly to cast it far... I only got nasty bird nests entangled on my reel.

So, I've read that some people use the balloon rig method, where a balloon is simply tied to the line and can be released with a simple yank of the rod.

Questions:

1) To catch groupers, should I use the balloon method to get the distance to the rock pilings?

2) How can I tie the balloon to the line so that it will release when yanked?

3) Are the sliding grouper rigs sold at the bait shop sufficient?

4) I think I can cast pretty far with my spinning rod, but what do you guys usually do to target groupers? a far cast?

5) How do you know whereabout the rock pilings are? any indications? (I've read the rock piling thread, but couldn't understand what they meant by the piling support?)

6) To target groupers, is it best to cast it off to the side of the rock pilings? on top? in front?



I'm sorry for all these questions.. I really really want to catch a gag on my next trip! I'll definitely post some pics if I ever do catch any..... ;D

I got all the gear ready, its just how do I put the bait in front of the grouper?

Please consider my questions~

Thanks,
Danny B.

[goindeep]

Danny

I'll leave most of your questions to the pier vets, but I can tell you you don't need conventional gear to catch keeper grouper at the pier (although you might for the REAL big ones). I've caught all of my keepers on spinning gear with 20lb mono (including my personal best 26.5 inch gag).

I fish for grouper/snapper all the time by just casting out to the rockpiles. On a good day you can see the reefs from the pier. Print out the sat pics and take it with you. You can figure out where the rocks are by using it like a map and counting the lightpoles on the pier.

Friday is a 2 tide day, so don't get your hopes up too much. You can catch fish on those days but generally the fishing is better on 3 or 4 tide days.

I'll let someone else field the other questions. Good luck and let us know how you do.

GD

[poisonxvenom]

Well, I am arriving there late at friday night...., so I will be fishing probably throughout the whole day on Saturday till Sunday morning, if I have to. How do I follow the tide charrt, its a bit confusing to me. If it is high tide then does the water current flow outwards to the east span of the pier?

[goindeep]

Here's a good thread on how to read and use the tide charts to help you increase your chances to catch fish:

skywaypiers.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=1046

[montylfl]

OK as for how to attach a balloon to a line. Here is a trick I learn that works great on the beach when the tide is going out and a light breeze out of the east.

Tie main line to a swivel then tie 4 to 6 feet of leader. Next on one of the swivel eyes tie a small line about three inches long. I like cheap 10 lb mono. Attach a life saver to the string then tie the balloon to the life saver. Just cast our about five feet and let the balloon take out your line After about 15 to 20 minutes the life saver will dissolve, releasing your line and dropping your bait over the rocks.

Hard candy life savers take a little long to dissolve

[truckyfd]

danny,i'll be on the ssp bout 530 am saturday!

be in a maroon minivan

be at pilling 152, bout 200 feet past last bathroom!


look for baby blue shirt with my nick on back!




we'll tune you up for all your fishin needs!


and ps!

you can catch keeper's under the peir!!!!!!!!



see ya!

[havetofish]

Danny,

Here's a little info from a previous thread. But, don't pass up the opportunity to meet up with Wayne ( truckyfd ). Nothing like learning from a seasoned veteren.

First off, you won't be casting a balloon rig, you'll be letting it drift out with the current.
Balloon size doesn't matter, just get some kids round 100% latex balloons.
If you want to freeline a live bait, just connect the ballon to the swivel via a snap swivel or paper clip, and use about 8-10 ft of leader. Length of leader depends on the depth your fishing. If you use to much leader, your live bait may get tangled in a rockpile before you get it out to far. If you use to little the bait may never be near the bottom. When you reel it in, you'll want to be able to grab the leader because the swivel or balloon won't pass thru the rod tip, and then handline the fish up or use a drop net.
If you want to deadstick cutbait on the bottom with a sinker, you can use a short leader and when you got it where you want it, break off the balloon by a quick jerk on the line. Sharkers use it this way to get the bait way out there and then send it to the bottom. Now the trick to this is to only connect the snap to a small piece of the neck of the balloon just between the knot and the balloon ring, so it will beak off easy when jerked. Kinda hard to describe, but you get the idea. Takes a little practice, but you can get a bait to the bottom as far out as you want this way. I would suggest you attach some balloons and pull on them with the line until they break off. This way you'll get an idea of how much of the neck of the balloon you'll need to grab.
Hope this helps

[poisonxvenom]

wow thanks guys for all the tips! I feel a lot more confident now! Hey truckyfd [wayne?] I hope I get to meet you, it'd be an honor.... But, I might head in a little late maybe around 11 a.m.~ 12.. (just got news that my dad will be running late from a business trip) T.T

But I really do hope I get to meet you! I'll be in a torqouise toyota sienna minivan. I'll keep an eye out for a maroon van~

[goindeep]

Danny

About those pilings....if you look underneath the closed (east) side of the pier, you will see concrete supports that the pier sits on...those are the pilings, and the ones underneath where youre standing line up with those. You can see them if you look down over the rail under your feet on either side. The piling numbers are painted on the rail on the concrete above the pilings on the west edge of the pier. Some are faded and hard to see but theyre there (not every piling has a number, every few do)

Now when looking under the east side, every few pilings you will notice that there is one with slanted supports, kinda like this when you look at them from straight across:

/ || \

See how the side supports slant out from the top? Supposedly, the rockpiles are located directly straight out form those pilings on both sides

Normal pilings look like this (no slanted supports)

||

So if you line up with a piling with slanted supports, and cast out, you will be fishing on the reefs (rockpiles). Test it out. Tie nothing but a sinker on your line and cast it out. Drag it back in. If you get snagged or can feel your lead hitting structure, youre on the rocks. If not, youre in between.

Also, fishing next to those pilings is a good place to start to look for snapper. My typical setup is a small weight (size depending on current - I almost always use 2oz), a short leader (preferably 20-30lb floro, about 2 feet), and a 2/0 or so hook. Fish as close to the piling as you can get without hitting it. You will get snagged there sometimes, its part of the game. Mangos are notorious bait stealers, so plan on a "drop/reel/re-bait/" marathon if you plan on giving it a shot. Once you get the hang of it, theyre pretty easy to catch and limit on during the summer. Some days you can pull one after another for what seems like hours. Its great fun, and they taste great.

Man, Im gettin ancy for Saturday just typin about it!!!

[bill jacques]

For drifting out balloons I put a loop in my line and tie the balloon around the two parts of the line that form the loop. When it gets out to the desired location I just give it a stong tug and the loop straightens out and the balloon comes off

[poisonxvenom]

I c..... That makes it easier to understand. Thanks! Boy, am I glad to find this forum... What do you bait with for snappers? cut bait? pin fish?

[montylfl]

I like using cut bait. sardines or greenback and shrimp