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Need help
Jul 28, 2017 23:59:56 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by jforsong23 on Jul 28, 2017 23:59:56 GMT -5
Tonight the wife and I thought we would take the kids and go do a little bit of fishing on the sp. the question I am asking is what am I doing wrong. I am running 20lb mono with a 30lb leader with a 2 oz free weight. We had tons of hard bites facing away from the bridge. I was casting pretty far out. Once I would get bites I would wait till I got the big tug and I would go to sink it In and nothing. This would go on for a while. Am I using the wrong hook or am I just flat out doing it wrong?
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Post by Mackerelman on Jul 29, 2017 7:43:30 GMT -5
If You are Fishing Far out, then You may be waiting too long for that Tug. If You are Fishing for Snapper, they are Fast Eaters. The Tons of Bites may be Pinfish. They will Rob Your Hook.
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Post by SkyJay on Jul 29, 2017 8:21:36 GMT -5
Crank don't Yank !
that far off the water, and fishing that far from the bridge will put some major bow in your line, much like fishing deep water. your line is tight enough to telegraph bites, but not tight enough to set the hoook. When you snatch, you're only removing the length of your rod from the bow in your line. While this works fine for fish that are running away from you, fish feeding in a somewhat stationary mode are harder to hook with all that line out. Try reeling as fast as you can when you feel that thump, and keep reeling even after you come tight on the fish. Once you get the fish coming your way you can slow down a little but dont allow any slack to occur in your line, as this is a sure fire way of losing your fish. another thing that could be working against you is a too flexible rod. 2 ounces of lead is gonna need a stick with a pretty fast tip and at least some backbone. also you might try using a little bit smaller hook if I had to guess. Good luck, hope these tips come im handy.
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Need help
Jul 29, 2017 8:50:09 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by jforsong23 on Jul 29, 2017 8:50:09 GMT -5
Thank you for the input. My rod I a Med heavy rod this is just going to be a trial and error. Could there be pinfish out that far?
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Post by SkyJay on Jul 29, 2017 9:31:04 GMT -5
lots and small grunts and Spottails and God knows what else. usually when a Mango bites you will feel a thunk much like the tap you feel when a Bass hits a plastic worm. Followed by either another thunk and a slight take, or nothing cus he just got your bait. The grunts and pins ect bite in rapid vibrating nibbles a taps give a key west grunt enough time and they will usually grab and run and hook themselves. the Snapper are alot easier to hook under the bridges by the pilings.
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Post by havetofish on Jul 29, 2017 9:33:01 GMT -5
You bet there are pinfish, lizard fish etc. out there. If you were to bait and cast a sabiki that far you would catch them. Your hook is probably too large for them, so they are just stealing your bait. Then again you may be having snapper bites, if its a hard thump, but like other have said, just reel and make sure the hook size is appropriate.
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Post by Mackerelman on Jul 29, 2017 10:30:22 GMT -5
Pinfish are found near bridges, piers, marker pilings, and around natural and artificial reefs. Out on the Rockpiles where You are Fishing, it is an artificial reef. Reefs attract all kinds of Fish. Not only are the Rockpiles a Protective Barrier for the Skyway Piers but a haven for a lot of varieties of Fish. The NS & SS Piers are loaded with Various Types of Baitfish, Pinfish, Grunts, Squirrelfish and Sand Perch. Predators of the Smaller Fish would be Grouper, Snook, Snappers, Mackerel, Sheepshead, Ladyfish and Bottlenose Dolphins. So Basically out at the Piers, We have the Best of Both Worlds; Baitfish & Fish to take Home & Eat minus the Bottlenose Dolphins. Best of Luck to You !
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bman
Rod Polisher
Posts: 161
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Post by bman on Jul 29, 2017 10:37:02 GMT -5
Your setup sounds ok. Like Skyjay said. Get into the habit of just reeling when you feel those tugs. If you reel like flipper is after your catch, your hookup ratio will go up! As far as hook size, I use a 2x strong 1/0 circle hook. I've never had a problem with them and I've caught 30+ inch snook using them. I wouldn't target grouper with hooks that small, but it doesn't sound like you're after them anyway. I also use 1oz weights with no problem. I'll step it up to 1.5oz if the tide is running strong. Main thing is to reel, reel, reel... Keep at it and you'll be pulling more fish in!
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Post by imac813 on Jul 29, 2017 23:46:50 GMT -5
Your setup sounds ok. Like Skyjay said. Get into the habit of just reeling when you feel those tugs. If you reel like flipper is after your catch, your hookup ratio will go up! As far as hook size, I use a 2x strong 1/0 circle hook. I've never had a problem with them and I've caught 30+ inch snook using them. I wouldn't target grouper with hooks that small, but it doesn't sound like you're after them anyway. I also use 1oz weights with no problem. I'll step it up to 1.5oz if the tide is running strong. Main thing is to reel, reel, reel... Keep at it and you'll be pulling more fish in! Circle hook is key for the pier. Gamakatsu and owner are my favorites to use. 1, 1/0 and 2/0 are my preferred sizes to match with you bait. Also make sure the hook point does not embed into your bait, this will cause you to pull the hook out of the fishes mouth and preventing hook set. Like everyone else said reel fast and try to refrain from the monster hookset jerk we were all taught to do as children.
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