Three’s A Charm For Pier Success |
| The Rigging Station | |||
| Written by FSF Crew | |||
What about targeting bull redfish off an East Coast pier? Anglers fishing Tampa Bay along the Sunshine Skyway Fishing Piers routinely nab keeper grouper and hoards of tasty mangrove snapper. With the passing of Hurricane Ike the Deerfield Pier was a hot spot for prized demersals like mutton and yellowtail snapper. Other South Florida piers routinely post catches of kingfish, Spanish mackerel, sharks and even highly prized pelagics like dolphin and sailfish. Now don’t get the wrong impression, not every pier will produce quality catches day in and day out. To be a successful shore-bound angler you not only need to know what’s biting and what seasonal migrations/patterns are occurring; you need to have the right tackle and know the most effective rigging techniques. 
Rig It Right!You don’t need a vast arsenal of outfits to be a successful pier angler. During a hot-bite when the conditions are just right, chances are you’ll be rubbing elbows and sharing the rail with a handful of anglers and the only rod you’ll be able to attend is the one that’s in your hands. Having the correct tackle and rigging your rods appropriately will make or break you when it comes to landing that trophy fish. With only three rod and reel combos you can be well prepared for whatever crosses your pier path. As a rule, avoid bulky rigs with unnecessary hardware. Heavy black wire leaders and 12oz. pyramid sinkers have no place when fishing piers. Keep your approaches subtle and stealthy for maximum success. The water around piers is often clear and with all of the commotion going on, nearby fish are usually spooky. Anything out of the ordinary will simply go ignored. Sabiki SlayerUnless you’ve purchased a supply of bait or put in your dues collecting live sand fleas from the shoreline, you’re going to need a way to catch bait. A light-action 6 to 10lb. test spinning outfit rigged with a #8 Sabiki will work well for small baits like pilchard, pinfish and threadfins, while a larger #15 Sabiki will be better suited for targets like goggle-eye and blue runner. A tiny piece of squid impaled on the hooks may be the trick needed to attract the attention you are looking for, especially when ballyhoo are present. No matter what species you plan on targeting be sure to keep your live bait rod rigged and ready at all times. When a bait school moves within casting distance you need to be able to quickly deploy your rig and load up on frisky offerings. While an aerated pail will suffice as a makeshift livewell, pier pros know a better way. They drill a bunch of one-inch holes in a five-gallon bucket and sealed shut with a lid, they tether it off the pier. It’s an excellent alternative; just make sure there are numerous holes drilled near the bottom of the bucket. Dance The JigThere are many options when it comes to artificial baits and depending on your targeted species, the way you work jigs and lures will also vary greatly. Whether you’re after pompano with a Doc Goofey jig or Spanish mackerel and bluefish with a Got-Cha, which are two of the most effective and widely used pier offerings, you’ll need a medium-action 12 to 15lb. class spinning outfit with a fast tip. Banana jigs and goggle-eye bugs are two more killers also designed to be fished with a light or heavy exaggerated flip of the rod tip. The fast tip will also assist in detecting subtle strikes which often occur as the jig flutters toward the bottom. Bucktails are, of course, another proven option and are usually fished with a steady retrieve throughout the water column. Add a curly tail, and you’ve got yourself a serious cobia crusher. Fresh line and an 8-foot rod will help achieve maximum casting distance. Live Bait RigFor fishing live baits, which often attract the largest quarry, you should be armed with a 7 to 8-foot, 20 to 30lb. class conventional outfit. This sort of gear will hold enough line and be beefy enough to handle just about anything you will encounter. A basic pier bait rig consists of a triple swivel rigged with a pyramid sinker. Select the length of your leader based on your targeted species, however, it’s important that your leader isn’t too long or it will greatly hinder you casting abilities. Another option is a two-hook chicken rig or dropper loop rig – an effective option when targeting smaller quarry like snapper and pompano. For catching larger targets patrolling the surf many anglers employ a sliding egg-sinker fish-finder rig. Another alternative is the trolley rig and a quick Google search will provide you with many variations to this very unique rigging technique. When it comes to pier fishing the simple truth is that if you come well prepared, you’ll go home a winner! – Staff Report East Coast
West Coast
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