Thread: still learning

What do you guys mainly use in the bays and flats?what kind of equipment mainly?Do ya'll use 12 pound line?Or is that to light for the fish in those areas.im just trying to learn.l pretty much understand pier equipment.I have a flats boat.and i'd like to learn how to use it,and what I'll be catching?And what to use,equipment wise

From a boat and inshore on top of that 12# line is heavy enough for practically everything. In fact it is way too heavy under certain conditions.

Agree, I generally run 10# line for inshore fishing, but keep a reel or spool of 6# in the box.
Ultralight-Light spinning gear fills the bill nicely on Reds, Specks, whiting, Flounder & etc.

Depending on all the different factors, baits, personal preference, structures and so forth it all depends. The past few months I've been fishing Fish River, Magnolia River, Bon Secour Bay, Mobile Bay and all the surrounding reefs. My two reels I use for inshore are spooled with 4lb and 8lb. I haven't lost many, if any fish due to loo light of line. Most of the fish that I loose are boat side and me being too lazy to grab my net.

I landed a 8-10lb B Drum a while back on the 4lb test, I just used my trolling motor to keep up with it around pilings.

Again it's prob more personal preference than anything.

Where you fish at?

l havent fished with my boat yet.l'm putting my rear platform back on.l've been using it as a bass boat the past couple of years.l've fished several times from the pier.lt's real enjoyable.l love the fights.but l've never been bay fishing .thats why,l know so little on equipment.do you need alot of yardage with 12 pound line?

You don't need much line capacity for inshore fishing from a boat. If you have been bass fishing, then you have bass fishing gear. Bring the bass gear and you'll be fine.

most of my bass tackle is low profile bait casters.i've always heard guys say thats not enough line yardage.that you get more line from spinning tackle.im just trying to understand the specifics.i understand it ultimately is users choice.but heck,its hard to know where to start.for example here,l know when l go bass fishing a 100 yards of twelve is plenty.in another forum mr.DRH you said ul equipment really has no plac e in salt water.in your opion would a couplehundred yards of 12# be considered to light?i understand guys like to fight on ul stuff.i just hate losing the goods from being ill equiped.

l'm sorry mr.DRH.you said ,besides inshore duty.Does that mean the bay areas?Do ya'll consider that inshore?

Charles, fishing in the bay would be considered inshore. A low profile baitcasting reel is more than adequate for inshore duty. I know more than just a few that use nothing but baitcasting gear for inshore. About the only thing that you may hook that can give you a hard time would be a jack crevalle or shark.

Some of us fish UL, not for the challenge or to increase the perception of the fight, but to get more bites and hence catch more fish. Ultralight tackle is a lot stealthier and allows for better action with small lures or a more natural movement from live bait.