I really would like some info on freeline fishing?
Yes, that's basically it. Pin it on, cast it out, let it swim. But it's not quite as simple as that. You have to hook the bait in such a way that it can swim as freely as possible, and cast it out so it lands relatively softly so the impact doesn't stun it when it hits the water. Then you have to keep the line relatively straight to the bait so you'll be able to feel a strike, but not so tight that it drags the bait in the current (that doesn't look natural) or just pulls it back in towards you, and also so you know where the bait is at (you don't want it hiding under the pier or hanging out two feet from where you're standing). I usually use conventional reels. I fish in freespool, so I can feed out line as the bait runs or the current carries it along, or spin the spool in to pick up line if the current is driving the bait back in towards me. When I do use a spinning reel, I fish with the bail open, but I control the line with my finger so it doesn't just spin out freely. When a fish hits, you may have to let it carry the bait for a bit while it gets it into its mouth -- this depends on the relative size of the bait and the gamefish, plus the way the fish feeds. I flyline live anchovies and sardines (3 to 8 inches or so), squid, and mackerel to about a foot long for various species off California, so I can't give you specifics on how to hook the various baits you mention, or whether the tackle is appropriate for the fish you're after.
How do you fish with live bait on a pier?
do this: use octopuss hooks small like 8's use a carolina rig with the weight being 1 oz for every three feet of wave face size. use 12 pound flourocarbon leader on 10 or even 8 pound test and make your leader no more than twenty two inches long. I suggest lo vis green for the main line. fish within four rows of pilings behind where the waves are breaking and fish back under the pier. Use the sabiki bait rigs in the smallest size you can buy( always break off the plastic balls on each hook and cut the feather looking stuff off at an angle headed back from the top back right at the length of the hook and I use oatmeal and bread all mushed up in a water mix and keep it in a milk gallon I wad up some of the pasty bread mix and drop it into the water and it trails down looking like a bird dropping and the bait run for it and I drop the bait gig into the center of it. keep a bucket of fresh salt water in the shade in fact a black bucket will keep the bait the right color as they are in the water a white bucket makes them lighten way up in color when in them. I always collar hook bait or nose hook smelt and grunion. this is key ! *never set your rod down with a live bait.* by the time your clicker announces you've been bit you have also been wraped around a piling. I fish slow and deliberate and bring the weight back allowing the fish to swim in cirlces over it along with moving with the current. kind of like plowing the field between the piling rows holding up the pier after you get real good at placing the bait in between the pilings you should expect a bite on each cast. if you don't?? Just move out to sea to the next row of pilings and keep moving until you find the depth the fish want to be in. if the waves are overhead to surfers come back another day if the pier isn't long enough to get out past the heavy surge. the ocean is a desert and the pier? Well it is the oasis!
While fishing, the fish keep taking the bait but they are not getting caught on the hook, what can I do to prevent this? I am fishing for mangrove snapper and I am using shrimp as bait.
The snapper are taking the bait?....Are you using whole shrimp (with the head)?...If so position the hook towards the head.....Let the fish take the bait...Most people rip the bait out of the fishes mouth because they feel the jerk of the fish....Let the fish take the bait...Setting the hook upon a jerk is not good...Setting the hook on a tug is more effective....
What are tips for fishing in salt water piers?
There are iften more fish under the pier and around the pilings - than swimming in the waters at a distance from the pier.use an abrasive resistant line ( braided line / spider wire)Chum: crab scraps and ground bait fish - frozen (about 2 lbs per plastic bag ) and placed in minnow traps frozen (remove plastic)- or other similar fine mesh (weighted) baskets.Use (place the) chum baskets (2) on the uptide side of the pier - fish your baits in the chum slick on the down tide side of the pier - one chum basket at mid depth and one on the bottom.Expect flounder on the bottom in the chum slick- use minnows, pinfish or cut bait.Expect anything else in the mid water chum slick - bait and their predators will both be present (in Fl - cobia, shark, tarpon, king mackerel, spanish mackerel and blue fish. Whole live bait fish - cut bait - eels (for Cobia).Winter: cracked clams and oysters pitched over board on the uptide side of the pier are good for sheephead and Tautog - fidlercrab and blood worms are great baits.A pier landing net (suspended by a rope) may be necessary for large fish.
Surf fishing in South Carolina in September... What is the best bait and method to catch red or black drum?
Well, #1, even your odds by fishing near a jetty or inlet. Red/Black Drum like to move with the tide, (and bait). Reds like Inshore waters- so fish INSIDE not outside. If your intent on fishing along the shore, look for baitfish by watching birds. Birds can alert you to baitfish. #2. Reds are easier to target with lures, (Jigs/Curly-tailed grubs and Weedless Spoons) than bait. Why? You can cover water more quickly- eliminating dead water. Reds will readily take lures- pinfish will not. If you want to use bait try a live Shrimp threaded onto a Jig. (But, in my opinion, Lures will keep your line in the water longer.) Here are some lures to try: A. Mikes Spoons- http://aquadreamliving.com/spoons.html B. Berkley Swimming Mullet- http://www.basspro.com/Berkley-Gulp!-Ali... C. Berkley Jerkshad- http://www.basspro.com/Berkley®-Saltwate... A simple chartreuse-colored 4-5" Culry-tailed grub with a 1/4-1/2 OZ Jighead is excellent. (Remember to ALWAYS spike your lures with a good saltwater fish attractant.) Hope this helps?
What does a sheepshead bite feel like?
Have you ever heard the old saying, " you have to set the hook before a sheepshead strikes?" These fish are notorious bait thieves. As for the feel, it's something you have to experience over and over again to time your hook set. Sometimes you will just see your line twitch, sometimes you'll see your line start to move a bit. It's very frustrating at first until you get a rhythm going. As for a Pin Fish, these are hard strikers. You can set the hook but 9 out of 10 times you'll miss because your hook is too big. A Sheepshead strike is more of a nibble as it bites chunks at a time from your bait. If you ever had a chance to look at it's teeth you'd understand why they're so hard to catch. Keep trying, feel the rhythm, and set the hook exactly at the right moment. It's takes time but you'll get the idea. ~good luck catchin'.
How do I acquire bait for fishing?
The easiest way is to go to your local bait store. They will stock the sorts of baits that are popular for the fish in that area. The owner will know which baits are best for the fish you are targeting and can guide you the the best choices.If you want to get your own bait, one popular bait for ffreshwater fishing is worms. Nightcrawlers are large worms that are popular for catfish, bass and panfish.If you go out on a damp summer night with a flashlight or headlamp in a grassy field you wil likely find nightcrawlers on the surface looking to mate. They will usually be mostly out of their hole. Simply put your hand on the worm right at the hole. This will keep them from retreating back inside their hole, then with your other hand grab it and pull it gently out of the hole. Sometimes they are on the ground completely out of their holes, in which case you can just pick them up. You can get dozens in an hour of two of hunting.Smaller garden worms are popular for trout and panfish. Old leaf piles are often productive places to find these. Dig through the leave pile with your hands and you will probably find enough for several days of fishing.Baitfish such as shiners and herring (a.k.a.alewife, sawbellies) can be caught in a minnow trap , using a throw net or dragging a siene. Check your local regulations regarding harvesting bait fish. There may be limits to how many you can catch, when you can catch them, or the size of your net. I’ve also done pretty well with a flyrod and a small dry fly, catchig golden shiners.Crayfish can be a good bait for bass, especially smallmouth bass. You can catch them in sreams by turning over rocks, which then tend to hider under. Use your hands or a small dip net. You can also used a baited crayfish trap, which are available at many fishing stores and online.If you are surf fishing in salt water, sand fleas (a.k.a. sand crabs) are good bait. Go to where the waves wash over the sand. When a wave retreats you will see bubbles coming out of the sand. Start digging in the sand quickly where you see the bubbles and you will find a sand flea a few inches down. You can fill up a bucket of them in short order.
Saltwater catfish vs. River catfish?
Gimme is right., Saltwater Sailcats aren't bad if you soak them in buttermilk or milk for (at least) 3-4 hours (and maybe some granulated garlic) and cut any bloody, dark meat out. After doing this make sure to ONLY fry Sailcats, (peanut oil being the best oil), in either a cornmeal mixture or Tempura. Regular saltwater Cats are "un-salvagable" as an eating fish.Med- large "Sailors Choice" taste better than regular salt Cats! FYI: "Sailcats/Gaft-top Sailcats" are similar in appearance to saltwater Cats. The major distinction is the rather large top fin and their general larger size than saltwater Cats. Sails have a "sweeter" meat when properly prepared. Hope this helps ya? Good luck fishing! UPDATE: Bob- Not everyone has the expertise, flats/bay boat, or time to catch a limit of Reds/Trout/Flounder/Drum/Mangroves/Snook Sheephead ETC! And if you mostly fish on a beach, (Bob) you should know that your average catch is going to be either Sailcats, "Trash" Cats, Whiting, & Croaker. If your trying to feed a crowd of people (or your family) Sailcat fillets can come in handy...... Bob, you should try a well-prepared fried Sailcat fillet. It is very similar (in taste) to a Whiting fillet.
Is saltwater better than freshwater fishing?
Honestly it all depends on the angler what they want to catch and their level of experience. Honestly I grew up on a freshwater lake in Indiana and I grew up fishing on Lake Michigan. I now live in the Florida Keys and I would not trade it for anything. I fish in my front yard everyday catching barracuda, snapper, pinfish, parrot fish etc. The fish bite faster and more frequently here then they do in freshwater. The fish are more edible and less polluted than in freshwater and it beats paying for them. Face it all the good fish you can eat that you order in restaurants and you buy in the store all come from saltwater (except salmon of course) Cobia, hogfish, yellow tails, albacore, grouper, mahi, tilapia, are just some of the best eating fish available. And for sport you have marlin, sailfish, shark, tarpon, Wahoo, permit, bonefish etc. there is no comparison in my opinion saltwater is the only way to go. There is just so much more variety and excitement involved in saltwater fishing.