What the **** am I doing wrong

Saltwater Inshore Reports
1

So, I need some advice. Went to the Jetties today and brought back nothing, which has become the standard for me. I fished the South Jetty from around 1:30 - 4:30 (high tide at 3:10). I caught nothing but small BSB…really small.

I was using a Carolina rig with a 1-1/2 weight and mud minnows (tried shrimp the other day as well). I tried 2 spots on the North side of the South Jetty and 2 spots on the South side of the South Jetty with the same results. So I anchored close to the rocks, 20-25ft. I broke off 5 or 6 rigs on the rocks.

So questions:

  1. How close to the rocks do you fish?
  2. If really close, how do you keep from breaking rigs on rocks since you can’t drop straight down?
  3. What size weight should I be using?
  4. What size hook should I be using?
  5. Any other advice would be greatly appreciated

I spend a lot of time on the water but not much fishing, and I’m trying to change that.

I plan to go again tomorrow as I’m off work so ANY advice would be helpful!!!

  • Lee

Seah Hunt Ultra 234 Yamaha F250
Sea Pro 190CC Yamaha F150 (sold)

2

I wouldn’t get so hung up on the jetties (pun intended #9786;).

Even with your size boat, maybe give it a try anchoring in a creek or in the icw around some docks or oyster beds and throw out you mm’s or finger mullet. Cast some grubs or trout tricks while your waiting.

'07 198 DLX Carolina Skiff
FS90 Suzuki

3

Next time you go out there, take small hooks and throw 3 or 4 lines out with a half inch piece of shrimp on each hook. Wait for that first blue or whiting, then cut that sucker into chunks or strips and toss it back out on larger hooks. Crack a beer and sit tight, you’ll get something big, whether red, shark or ray.

2000 Aquasport Osprey 175 CC

4

Well if your aim is not sheepshead then I would not get up on the rocks. You could do it under the right conditions but don’t worry about it unless your sheephead fishing. So I guess since you were using mud minnows that you are targeting flounder, reds, trout ect. I would start using a billy bay cork with around 3ft of 20lb floro and a 1/0 kahle hook. With this rig cast around the rocks baited with live bait, shrimp, MM, mullet. You should find some fish and when you do mark the rock and anchor within casting distance. This time of year you should be doing well with live bait on a float. Good luck keep us posted.

I may not be a smart man, but I know what fishing is.

5

Thanks for the responses. Been making rigs so will try SOMETHING tomorrow. Going to throw everything I can at them and see what happens.

Seah Hunt Ultra 234 Yamaha F250
Sea Pro 190CC Yamaha F150 (sold)

6

depending on how deep it actually is where you’re fishing on the jetties, you’ll probably need more than 1.5 oz. I typically use 4 oz, I’m not expert by any means, but 4 oz keeps my bait down pretty much anywhere and at any current at the jetties.
Most of my success at the Jetties has been on (fresh) cut mullet/bluefish or quartered/halved blue crab. I’ve caught a few things on finger mullet/mud minnows/shrimp, but they usually get crushed by small Black Sea Bass.

I’d echo the point about not having to be so close to the rocks, I don’t get that close, with a heavier weight you can cast into the rocks and the weight will just stay there

207 CC SeaHunt
Yamaha 150

7

I fished the Jetties the other day in the rain on in coming tide. I fished live shrimp on a 2/0 circle hook, 1/8oz split shot on a 25lbs leader blood knoted to 15lbs power pro. I used the trolling motor about 20 yds off the rocks and threw right at the rocks and with a slow retrieve like a grub. We beat the trout and red fish pretty good. Just like a grub be ready to retie your line a couple times until your used to where you can and cant throw. The jetties are fun and very dangrous if you dont pay attention to where your at and when the large tankers come in so be careful.

8

What Knot said. I like to look for areas where the water is actually flowing through the rocks as well.

9

If the blue fish are around, it is fun to chuck a hopkins spoon at the rocks. When the tide is 2/3 up and rising, idle parallel to the rocks (gotta find a stretch with no boats), throw spoon to the rocks and pull out at a fairly fast retrieve. Target areas where water is flowing through or over the rocks. If the blues are around, you can get some heated light tackle action. If the spanish are there, it can turn into a melee.

17’ Henry O Hornet w/ Johnson 88 spl
26’ Palmer Scott project hull
14’ Bentz-Craft w/ Yamaha 25

10

theres always golf

“I am not involved in this thread, only helping Fred understand who he is dealing with.”

11

right, trade one frustration for another

12

Haha, I suck at golf too. I went out today and anchored in a creek off the Stono…just rays and whiting. I didn’t move around though…just kind of enjoyed the quiet. Going to try again tomorrow either Jetties or another creek somewhere. Thank you for all the replies…I’ll keep chunkin’.

Seah Hunt Ultra 234 Yamaha F250
Sea Pro 190CC Yamaha F150 (sold)

13

First (among many mistakes you made) was not shooting me an invite!!! that’s all for now

'a stranger is just a friend i havent met yet’jt

14

Haha, I should have!!! Let me know when you want to go!

quote:
Originally posted by tennispro24

First (among many mistakes you made) was not shooting me an invite!!! that’s all for now

'a stranger is just a friend i havent met yet’jt

Seah Hunt Ultra 234 Yamaha F250
Sea Pro 190CC Yamaha F150 (sold)

15

You can start here:
http://www.keywestboatsforum.com/topic429.html

I use a small and large setup
Small is a Penn Battle 2000 or 2500, 10-15lb braid, 20lb fluoro leader with Carolina rig. 1 1/2oz egg sinker 18" 20lb flouro 1/0 Gama Octopus Circle Hook. drag it around on the bottom. something will grab it.

Large rig is a Penn battle 4000 or 6500, 30lb braid, 80lb leader, Carolina rig, 4-6oz egg sinker, 24" 80lb flouro 7/0 Gama Octopus Circle hook.

Small rig is used to catch Spot, Croaker, Whiting, Blues for Bait.
Small pieces of shrimp or mudminnows works well. Squid can also be used and lasts longer.

Soak 4-6in chunks of bait on the bottom using the large rig.
Soak the rig 10ft or so from where the rocks stop on the bottom. Some areas the rocks come out much further than others. Side imaging really helps. Pull it away from the rocks until you feel smooth bottom.

1/2 blue crab is also a great bait. Break in half, cut off the swimmer, and run the 7/0 hook through the “swimmer” joint. I usually would go through a dozen crab a day. Check the crab every 10 minutes or so as the little fish will strip it clean.
2nd choice for bait would be chunked blue fish.
3rd choice is 3-4in live mullet hooked in the back.
4th choice is large chunks of mullet
5th choice is whatever you can pull up with the small rig.

I only fish the south Jetty in 3 places. Inside and outside near dynamite hole, and inside near the bend. Look for contour changes, rocks that push out further than the others and anything that changes the way the water flows. Got to get into the details, it’s not just a long straight stretch of rocks.

Last year was great, Redfish up to 42in, bonnet heads, large black tip shark, 20" Trout, Flounder.
This years has been tough. Not been out as much and when I go has been really slow. Largest red this year has been 34in so I’m well of my mark of last year.

16

Wow, thanks friogatto.

Seah Hunt Ultra 234 Yamaha F250
Sea Pro 190CC Yamaha F150 (sold)