Thread: Newbie gear questions

I strongly second the motion that you pay a visit to J&M Tackle. They will set you up with what you need and they can do it to fit your budget. There might be a new, inexpensive rod and reel in your partner's future. The sales people are fishermen and know what to set you up with. Good luck with the fish.

if you want to make the best of limited time I would hire pier #er as you pier, jetty, and shore guide.

Thanks to everyone for the help. We will probably be visiting J & M Tackle during our stay. I know we'll try fishing from the beach near our condo early mornings and/or late afternoons. And we'll at least visit the pier to watch the fishing while we're there.

looks like im going to j&m's tuesday. im in the same "boat'' too i would love some pointers from you pier pros.im coming with my son and dad on tuesday through sat just to fish!!!we bass fish here in arkansas but have little skill in saltwater.i went to the pier last year and caught a nice redfish but i dont think they are biting now.what should i expect to catch off the pier next week?
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i used a sabiki to catch the LYs and put it on a good hook? is that somthing you guys do there all the time or is it too early for lots of baitfish?

Medium spinning reels that will hold 150 yds of 12 lb mono, 6'6'' rod, 40 to 50 pound fluorocarbon leader, very small spro swivels. You can use his set up to catch spanish that are biting now. You can throw Looney jigs, gotchas and bubble rigs to catch them.

You'll need a very small rod and small reel with 8 lb line to use a sabki rig with 8 to 10 size hooks(green heads). You can use this set up to catch bait.

You can use the bait to fish for larger fish like Kings and spanish which are biting now. You'll need a reel that will hold 300 yards of 12 lb Big Game Trilene maybe 15 lb. depending on how clear the water is. There is a link to tie your leaders on here that is helpful. You'll need those same swivels, 7 strand steel leader(surf strand will work fine) 20 lb to 30 lb depending on water clarity. Owner or VMC 4x strong, #4 treble hooks.

If the water is clear, smaller line and leaders will help you get more bites.

J & M tacke store can help you with these products. Wal Mart wil have some of the stuff.

Go out on the pier and observe for awhile. Then catch em!

Originally Posted by sperry7773

i used a sabiki to catch the LYs and put it on a good hook? is that somthing you guys do there all the time or is it too early for lots of baitfish?

The LYs were in a large school last week under the pier between the two platforms.
They should be coming back in even increasing numbers as the water clears and gets warmer.
Live bait seemed to turn more bites (for kings) than cigar minnows or lures, but that is not always the case. Especially when live bait is scarce.
Plenty were caught using sabiki rigs, but I was using a 3/4" mesh ribbon rig to target 4" LYs for larger spanish mackerel.