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Post by odoggmcnewbie on Jul 5, 2023 11:45:47 GMT -5
Hey all!
I've enjoyed reading the latest posts and I'm going to check the stickys next... figured a drop a post to see if anyone bites...
I've got the week off for the 4th and looking to take my 9 year old fishing on the pier tonight and/or tomorrow night.
Hoping to clean up some old Penn 209s I inherited from my grandfather and let them see some action again.
I'm not new to fishing in the least (live in NPR and catch Sheepshead, Snook, and Reds in the tidewaters near me) but my son's been watching YouTube videos of pier fishing and is dying to go...
What's biting this time of year? What kind of rigs/baits are y'all using?
I know, I know... I'm coming straight out asking for the secrets but if anyone has any advice for how I can put a fish or two on the line for my son (or even better a few on the cooler!) I'd appreciate it!
Thanks in advance!
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Post by shot33gun9 on Jul 5, 2023 12:13:40 GMT -5
Not to discourage you but the tides are very strong coming off the full moon. Tidal coefficients are in the high 80s and that's fast at the piers
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Post by tears143 on Jul 5, 2023 13:09:32 GMT -5
tides will be outgoing from afternoon into after midnight. Fish the role piles... check the imagine to find where they are.
use small bait fish with a fish finder rigs... probably 1.5 or 2oz depends on current.
once tide changes... fish under the bridge under the baitshop for snappers.
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Post by odoggmcnewbie on Jul 5, 2023 13:11:02 GMT -5
Not to discourage you but the tides are very strong coming off the full moon. Tidal coefficients are in the high 80s and that's fast at the piers Good to know. I may need to pick some other fishing for now then. Appreciate the response! I suppose an option would be hitting it around slack tide though...🤷 |
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Post by odoggmcnewbie on Jul 5, 2023 13:12:16 GMT -5
tides will be outgoing from afternoon into after midnight. Fish the role piles... check the imagine to find where they are. use small bait fish with a fish finder rigs... probably 1.5 or 2oz depends on current. once tide changes... fish under the bridge under the baitshop for snappers. Thanks a bunch! |
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Post by carlf on Jul 5, 2023 13:42:30 GMT -5
209s are the most ideal reel for pier fishing but you can make them work. Make sure to tension the spools correctly, so you can drop or swing out your bait easily but without having it backlash.
Also, don't use too large of line on them. for snapper, 15 or 20# mainline is plenty.
I have some 209s that are about 30 years old. I used them offshore Alabama for vermilion snapper, porgies and triggerfish, a base of 50# dacron with a 100 yard topshot of 50# braid, in 80-150' of water.
The levelwind's tend to strip out after a while but otherwise they are indestructible.
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Post by odoggmcnewbie on Jul 5, 2023 13:54:59 GMT -5
209s are the most ideal reel for pier fishing but you can make them work. Make sure to tension the spools correctly, so you can drop or swing out your bait easily but without having it backlash. Also, don't use too large of line on them. for snapper, 15 or 20# mainline is plenty. I have some 209s that are about 30 years old. I used them offshore Alabama for vermilion snapper, porgies and triggerfish, a base of 50# dacron with a 100 yard topshot of 50# braid, in 80-150' of water. The levelwind's tend to strip out after a while but otherwise they are indestructible. Appreciate insight for sure! I've had these laying around for years (they are levelwind) and am happy to put them to use even though it's probably not the best application. I've got a couple 9's too so I may just rig them up. Either way, once again I appreciate the response. It's looking like we may go tomorrow night now. I'll report back if we do any good! |
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Post by odoggmcnewbie on Jul 5, 2023 14:00:53 GMT -5
 Really looking forward to cleaning these up and giving my old grandad's reels some use again. 😀 |
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Post by carlf on Jul 5, 2023 17:16:35 GMT -5
Looks like they are in pretty good shape! Get a tube Penn Lube to lubricate the moving parts, add some new line and you're probably good to go.
If you ever do a party boat offshore in the offseason, using lighter rods and reels like these lighter 209s loaded with 20# line and a medium rod is the way to catch more fish. No leader, just tie your droppers directly to the main line and add a couple of 1/0 circle hooks and a 2 oz sinker, and some live shrimp.
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Post by shot33gun9 on Jul 5, 2023 17:23:46 GMT -5
Looking at those old reels/rods makes me proud to be a sucker for the new stuff
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Post by odoggmcnewbie on Jul 5, 2023 17:54:50 GMT -5
Looking at those old reels/rods makes me proud to be a sucker for the new stuff I definitely dig newer gear, but the nostalgia of using the same reels my grandfather used is pretty damn cool too. |
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Post by odoggmcnewbie on Jul 5, 2023 17:59:20 GMT -5
Looks like they are in pretty good shape! Get a tube Penn Lube to lubricate the moving parts, add some new line and you're probably good to go. If you ever do a party boat offshore in the offseason, using lighter rods and reels like these lighter 209s loaded with 20# line and a medium rod is the way to catch more fish. No leader, just tie your droppers directly to the main line and add a couple of 1/0 circle hooks and a 2 oz sinker, and some live shrimp. Right on. I'll definitely keep that in mind! 👍 I took apart the Senator about a year ago, cleaned it all up and put it back together only to realize I need to replace the drags. It's on the list of to-dos. |
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Post by shot33gun9 on Jul 5, 2023 18:04:02 GMT -5
Not to me, my grandfather used a cane pole, not cool. Regardless, if it feels right for you then do it. This quote option is not working for me
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Post by stuckintherocks on Jul 5, 2023 19:38:34 GMT -5
I fished the pier Monday night.. July 3rd so I knew it was gonna be packed but my only night to fish so tried anyway… drove up and down the pier all night trying to find a decent spot but I saw a ton of action through out the night… most surprising thing being a huge barracuda caught in the shallow area by the dumpsters, also saw reports of a lot of juvenile tarpon and a large hammerhead shark caught in the same area. I tried for snapper, sabiki’d up a few tiny grunts and mini sand perch and chucked em at the rock piles. The current is ripping but the first hour of the tide change and slack produced lots of large grunts and only one bigger snapper at 14inch.. there are a few larger snapper out there this time of year but you gotta get the right baits to the right spots.. I’m gettin tempted to start using balloons to float smaller baits like small grunts and sand perch out to the backside of the rock piles to try n get a real big one.. 8-10foot leader an jus leave em on the balloon.. might be worth a shot
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Post by shot33gun9 on Jul 6, 2023 9:37:23 GMT -5
Barracuda? Man you gotta start taking pics. Ballon method will work, get those with glow sticks built in
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Post by stuckintherocks on Jul 6, 2023 10:34:18 GMT -5
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Post by stuckintherocks on Jul 6, 2023 10:35:24 GMT -5
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Post by stuckintherocks on Jul 6, 2023 10:42:04 GMT -5
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Post by shot33gun9 on Jul 6, 2023 11:11:47 GMT -5
Holy mackerelman, that Cuda is a beast, amazing that it was landed. Nice snapper too
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Post by stuckintherocks on Jul 6, 2023 11:35:24 GMT -5
Holy mackerelman, that Cuda is a beast, amazing that it was landed. Nice snapper too That’s the only cuda I ever seen caught at the pier, although one time I did see another very large one swim past with a big chunk taken out of its back. Cool stuff, figured while I was at it to throw in my big snapper, and the lady fish the size of the concrete slab just to show I ain’t makin this sh*t up. Although the action may not be what it used to be, there are still plenty of fish around the piers and everytime you fish you still have the chance at a once in a life time catch ! |
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fishtailz
Rod Polisher
Hour and a half drive to get there but love the skyway piers. Big fish available.
Posts: 119
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Post by fishtailz on Jul 6, 2023 12:04:52 GMT -5
After fishing the NSP three times and the SSP once and not really catching squat, it's the chance for a once in a lifetime catch that keeps me fired up. Any of you other fisherman got a once in a lifetime story to tell, to keep some of the rest of us ready to get back to the piers? Asked a couple guys catching chum once what the biggest fish they ever caught at the North Pier was, and they said they hooked an 11 foot hammerhead once. Bring it on, I can always get new braid.
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Post by shot33gun9 on Jul 6, 2023 12:51:37 GMT -5
Biggest fish I've caught there was a 30" gag, he stayed in the rocks for over 15 mins and finally made the mistake of coming out and I got his butt. A few 10-15lb false albacore over the years. While snook fishing around the short bridge once a behemoth goliath came up and grabbed a 6" Bomber, like having a dump truck pulling me around
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Post by stuckintherocks on Jul 6, 2023 13:58:58 GMT -5
I have yet to get a true once in a life time fish off the skyway, hoping this is my year. 30in gag and 20in snapper are the ones I’m hoping to check off this year. Both are remarkable catches but completely possible.
I have had a day where there was a sheepshead feeding frenzy under the pier, they were stacked like a school of mullet and destroying any crustacean that crossed their path. It was an easy limit ranging from 18-14in and a sight to see. I have jumped off many 6+foot tarpon, and also landed a couple 10-15lb false albacore. Last year there was a consistent Jack feeding frenzy daily in the shallow waters, some very big ones in the mix. That was fun. I lost my giant Spanish mackerel right at my feet due to not having a drop net, it was a giant though and I thought it was a kingfish until I saw it. Probably around 26-28in.
Not a once in a life time but did battle a giant 7-8foot 300+lb nurse shark for 2 hours and then got it to the pier… that was exhausting.
My fish of a lifetime was caught at apollo beach from shore, 48in cobia, caught from the beach. Now that was a catch of a life time hahaha
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Post by shot33gun9 on Jul 6, 2023 15:20:59 GMT -5
Apollo Beach, meaning the powerplant?
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Post by SkyJay on Jul 6, 2023 15:24:49 GMT -5
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Post by stuckintherocks on Jul 6, 2023 15:39:05 GMT -5
 yes, the power plant. |
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Post by stuckintherocks on Jul 6, 2023 15:43:42 GMT -5
Skyjay;
Your posts from many years ago have taught me how to fish the pier, even if you may or may not get out there anymore, your fishing tales and story telling has captivated the interest and addiction to the pier for many more people than you may ever realize. Thank you for that.
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Post by shot33gun9 on Jul 6, 2023 16:28:16 GMT -5
That Cobia is a hawg, how long ago was that?
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fishtailz
Rod Polisher
Hour and a half drive to get there but love the skyway piers. Big fish available.
Posts: 119
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Post by fishtailz on Jul 6, 2023 16:37:35 GMT -5
Interesting posts. Like hearing stuff like that. Get me pumped for the next trip up there. Don't eat jacks, but real fun to catch. Going to take a closer look next visit. Thanks.
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Post by shot33gun9 on Jul 6, 2023 17:14:51 GMT -5
For me it's all about tide selection, for snappers and sheepshead I like weak to just above tides, don't fish for gags much but if I did I would fish the same tides. If it's ripping only fish I'm after is macks, but only on a falling tide, ripping incoming tides are so strong I can't work my spoon properly, the current just overwhelms my spoon
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