Reel Fun

Ok here goes, I just started getting intosaltwater fishing and it's not as easy asI thought. Just got where I can afford it. I got a bigger boat this year so I could brave to go further out. I get on here everyday to read what you guys have to post and got a lot of great info and good spots from you guys but every time I go out my luck stinks. I still have a hell of a time though !!!! I go to the Oriskany, coal barges, rock piles, bridge rubble, you name it I'm there. Every time no luck. I bottom fish mostly haven't got enough knowledge to troll yet. What the heck am I doin' wrong? What do you guys use for bait and frozen or live, how do you rig your line for bottom fishing. I know a lot of this depends on what your fishin' for any help would be greatly appreciated. :bowdown

Last Chance

Your right,we really need more info as to what your wanting to target so we can steer you in the right direction as how to setup.When i am bottom bumping for snapper i use a carolina rig with around 4 ounces of weight and a #6 to #8 hook.I prefer live cigar minnows,but i always take one or two boxes of frozen just in case.They like squid also.Give us some more info on what you want to target and we can help you a little more.

Reel Fun

Mostly snapper, and grouper I have been using frozen bait though squid, cigar minows, and shrimp. Never used live bait yet cause I didn't know where to get it and can't master the cast net yet. A few people have already e-mailed me with info on where to get live bait so next time out I'm gonna get some. I live in Milton but recently found the launch off scenic hwy.and I was looking for places that sale live bait in the area of the launch. As far as the rig. setup I was way off until you guys set me in the right direction.

talleyban

One of the best things you can do is go on a fishing trip with a friend. Don't worry about getting the numbers. Just Shut-up listen and learn. You will find everyone has their own special way to boat the big one. Some will bump the bottom while others will swear by working the column.

You should think about investing in a cast net. If you don't want to do that you can visit the bait boat on the way out of the pass. Live bait will always out fish the frozen stuff.

Leader choice is also important. You want to use the smallest size possible. Fluorocarbon if you have it.

Good luck!!! I learn best by watching others then taking the techniques I think are the best.

sniper

Trolling isnt that difficult. I never had anyone teach me. I just stuck a rod in the rod holder facing the back and put a strech 30 on it and I get something damn near everytime. My sure fire lure is the Red/ white strech.

As far as bottom fishing goes. Big fish like big bait. Instead of buying live bait try this:

Find a spot and anchor up. Start with small hooks and the squid you got. Send it to the bottom and reel it up a couple cranks. Something small will most likley hit it. It will bore the big fish but they will watch. Reel up what you catch. If it is legal use it as bait. Move to a bigger hook and send it down, reel up a couple cranks and wait for it. If you cant get anything to react to it reel it up a little at a time. Bigger fish are usualy higher up in the column. If you bring it up slow and cant get a bite, bring it all the way back into the boat and butterfly it. ( Cut the meat not the guts from the tail toward the gill but just enough to make it flappy.) Dont go all the way to the gill. Stop a little from the fin. send it down and HOLD ON!!! The bigger the bait, the bigger the fish! Sometime it takes a little longer for the big ones to bite but watching the little ones eat makes them hungry and territorial.That is why I like to start fishing the little ones first. Also remember if you are using a J-hook you have to set it and if you are on mono and in deep water there is a lot of strech. If youuse a circle hook just reel and the hook will do the work for you. Good luck.

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sniper

Forgot to add. I use no less than 6oz usualy 8oz or you may get cleaned off before you get to the bottom. I rig a fishfinder set up with about 4 foot of leader for bigger fish. FOr smaller I rig up a bottom dropper with 2 hooks and a pyramid weight on the bottom. I still use either 6 or 8 oz. Current will also play a big part in where you bait lands. Too little weight and you are off the rig by a long shot. watch your line as it drops and see if it starts drifting off. If it does figure how that will be on the bottom. If it drifts a lot use more weight. Also on the trolling thing. I never got bit off by a king but they can and you lose a $10 lure. You may want to use wire leader.

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bonita dan

Maybe take someone out fishin with ya that knows differant techniques. Post in the take a sorry azz for a ride section and someone similar to me,may take ya up on an offer to go fishing on a boat! Trolling ain't that hard either,again first hand experience face to face is much easier than trying to type what to do and will stick further in your brain:mmmbeer

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Elbow Room
'85 Wellcraft V-20 Step-lift Express
PFF Redfish Regatta Trash Talkin Champion '07,'08,'10. Robbed in 2011!
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Captain Woody Woods

live bait is overrated for snapper. biggest snapper i have ever caught or seen caught was on either strips or massive chunks of dead bait. for grouper, it's my #1 choice, followed closely by a butterflied northern mackerel or bonita. Noone fishing with jigs can outfish me on a rig for amberjack if I have a variety of live bait. Not trying to boast, just trying to point out that live bait is king for amberjacks. Also, if you're workin the most public spots (which it sounds like you are), I wouldn't have your expectations too high. Troll one day over the edge and just watch your bottomfinder and start markin spots. Every time I run out, I probably snag around 6 new bottom spots, just from watchin my bottom finder.

JOHNJOHN205

i agree with the above post. a good bottom machine can be your best friend.a lot of the areas that you are trying to fish is not the bait rig etc it is the fact that the areas that you fishing are just to over fished.

David Ridenour

You can waste a lot of time,gas and get very frustrated learning everything on your own. I wish I had a forum like this when I started fishing to save a lot of "lessons" learned the hard way.Learn by others mistakes because you won't live long enough to make them all yourself. Take Dan's advice as well as the others but take a guy that knows what he's doing and do yourself a big favor. Click the link below and offer a free trip in exchange for a few pointers and you won't be dissapointed.Or, you can contact one of the Captains on here and see what they would charge to go out with you on your boat using your stuff. Nice rig by the way! It looks capable of about any type of fishing offshore you could do in the area.

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD class=SmallTxt>Need A Crew? Need A Ride?
<SPAN id=_ctl1_ctlViewForumGroups_ctlForumGroups__ctl12_ ctlPanelBar_ctlForums__ctl3_lblForumDescription><T ABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width="3%"></TD><TD width="97%"><SPAN class=SmallTxt>If you have an opening and need a crew member, post it here. If your boat is in the shop and you have the fever, post it here and let folks know that you are available. You'd be suprised!</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>