Basic pier fishing setup? Help

What's up everyone, I'm new to the forum and the pier fishing. That being said I'm an avid freshwater angler from Louisiana. I came down in July and visited the pier twice just to watch and really enjoyed it so I vowed that on my next trip I would be fishing on it instead of watching. I've been to J&M a lot but am still puzzled at what I need. I guess I would really like to target reds, so what do I need as far as rod and reel, tackle types and sizes, bait, nets, etc. I know you guys get these questions a lot so hopefully one more wont hurt. I'd really appreciate any information.

Thanks!

-Hunter

A good seven foot medium heavy spinning rod with a good reel that will hold 300 yards of 12 lb mono will be a great start and give you lots of fun. Though I am the world's worst for only trying to catch kings, targeting one fish and ignoring what is biting isn't always the wisest thing when fishing the pier. Larger species need bigger tackle. Spanish are fun on my crappie rigs and even hit the jigs pretty good. Get some 50 lb floro leader and some 30# wire and some black swivels and 4x trebles. For reds in the surf and other stuff, think a Carolina rig with heavy leaders. Lots of info on here. Use the search feature for "tackle" or "redfish" or "leaders". Enjoy good reading. If you want to catch fish, a search on "bait" might help. You need a good bait rig. Learn by watching.

Yeah, HB2392, what Rich1 said; if you really want to learn what everyone likes, and why they like it, this is the place for you! Dig into the archives. Reading past posts made my last visit to L.A. the best ever, and I say that after fishing the Gulf for almost forty years. And, btw, welcome to the Forum.

A willingness to learn is the best asset. There is a wealth of information on this website. Spend a few hours on going thru the pages and you will learn what it took me years of trial and error to learn. The best investment you could make to learn quickly is hire a guide to teach you. The best around is probably Pier#r and he specializes in pier and in shore techniques.

Thanks for the information so far! Actually just got back from the pier, helped a gentleman pull up a 6lb red, no net around. He told me he was using two hooks with cut bait on one, and a sand flea on the other. I may contact a guide, not sure yet. I was thinking just cutting up minnows or squid and trying it out for the reds. Would shrimp be worth a go? I would love to find a good artificial for them, but I know fresh or live bait usually gets the ticket. I believe I'll be going to J&M tomorrow and getting a set up and trying it out tomorrow night.

J&M is a great choice....good luck, take pictures, post a report. :)

If you want a guide, I would strongly recommend Pier#r

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Rich1

J&M is a great choice....good luck, take pictures, post a report. :)

---

+1

http://www.gulfcoastfishingconnectio...c/NeedPics.gif...........http://www.gulfcoastfishingconnectio...sc/fishing.gif....http://www.gulfcoastfishingconnectio...isc/giggle.gif

Went and fished the pier for the first time tonight from 7:30-9:30. Fished a little before the T and the rest past the T about halfway, mostly dropped close to the pier. Carolina rigged with live bulls, no bites. Tied a jighead on with some gulp grubs and fleas, still nothing. Only things I saw being caught were catfish and about three sharks were hooked. Critique me.

The best thing you can do is hire Pier#r. The second best thing is to get somebody else to hire him and tag along.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Haywire

The best thing you can do is hire Pier#r. The second best thing is to get somebody else to hire him and tag along.

---

+1 - Ditto - I second that motion :cool:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by HB2392

Went and fished the pier for the first time tonight from 7:30-9:30. Fished a little before the T and the rest past the T about halfway, mostly dropped close to the pier. Carolina rigged with live bulls, no bites. Tied a jighead on with some gulp grubs and fleas, still nothing. Only things I saw being caught were catfish and about three sharks were hooked. Critique me.

---

Some folks I fished with last week have been getting (occasional) slot reds on 1/2-3/4 ounce silver spoons jigged almost vertically.
Also some small spanish and a variety of ladyfish and other jacks along with bluefish.
Those reds are in the trough and down current (wind) of the sandbar feeding on small LYs. That's why the spoons are working now.

Try that or some live small LYs (or cut sardines) in those same areas in the morning when the tide is falling and the wind is lighter...

Haywire, you crack me up. Your point of view is must be laser guided.

Thanks pier! And yes haywire I would love to hire him, already tried but he's tied up and we leave Saturday. Gonna try tonight though and see what happens.

Thanks, guys. I'm hoping that, if I'm good, the Great Oz will one day give me a brain. HB2392---I may get out to the pier tomorrow afternoon, so if you see a fat man with a goofy cap pulling a cart with a "Haywire" flag on it, come say "Howdy". Maybe we can pool our ignorance and outwit a fish.

Will do it Haywire. Ill be out there tomorrow too. Just got back, caught a nice size ladyfish, few small ones and a catfish. Had a good time!

Would like to do the meet and hand shake when I return in March..sralman308

Steve, I hope my flag will still be waving in the dawn's early light next March, but I have a severe conflict that month because it's spring turkey season. Decisions, decisions---turkey gobblers or sheepshead and early mackerel.