Thread: Headed down there this Thursday morning and looking to do a lot of pier fishing!

Hey y'all. I should hit town around 11 am thursday morning and plan to hit J&M up after a nice lunch and a couple cold ones. I've spent the last few days reading through this great forum you all have put together. I wanted to have some kind of plan rather than just popping in here and asking questions that a million other people have already asked. I think I have a good idea of what to do, but I would appreciate it if some of y'all would read over this and let me know if I have something totally wrong.
I plan on bringing 2 rods with me, a medium heavy 7'-6" catfish rod w/ 20lb mono and a medium action 6'-6" spinning set up. On the spinning gear I was thinking 10-12lb mono would work, but would Fluoro be better? I have a ton of baitcasters but I don't think they would work quite as well, plus I think they only have about 150 yards of 12lb mono on them.
From what I have read so far it sounds like I can catch pompano, sheepshead, and flounder on the spinning set up between the beach and about mid-way down the pier on either carolina rigged live shrimp or free lining shrimp. Further out it sounds like I could use the larger catfish rod to go after spanish, king, and blue fish using either large plugs, Looney Jigs, or bubble rigs?
Are steel leaders necessary or could I get by with a 50lb mono leader for most situations? I am mainly looking to catch a few fish to eat for dinner each night, but I would love to catch a redfish. I have tried a few times when I was kayak fishing over in St. Augustine Florida but I have never landed one. I am looking forward to meeting some of you on the pier. I will be the bearded, slightly confused looking guy, with a GoPro strapped to my head. I appreciate any help or comments you all have to offer. Thanks again.

You have studied well If someone asked me what to fish with on the pier and what baits to use I'd tell them pretty much what you have outlined I'd just say you can use your Medium action spinning outfit for bubble rigs looney jigs and maybe a few gotcha plugs for spanish and blues The bigger cat fish outfit will wear you out trying to use it for that and you don't need anything that heavy Don't need wire leaders either I use 30-40 lb florocarbon I use wire on my bigger plugs and on live bait Your plan is good and should put you way ahead of the game May want to bring one of your bait casters and use it for a sabiki rig to catch you some live bait Other than that just follow your outline and observe and watch what other sucessful fishermen are doing Don't be afraid to ask questions either Everyone I know that frequents the pier are glad to help You are coming at a good time so hopefully you'll have some good luck I'll be out there right with you so hopefully we can meet

I'm glad I saw this I am headed down next weekend for a little fishing trip and was planning on bringing a similar setup so. you echoed all the same thoughts and questions I had. there is a lot of information on this site and it is nice to find such helpful people. good luck on your trip and have a good time

Maybe add a couple of ribbon rigs with different size mesh.

I appreciate y'all taking the time to reply. I dug around in my garage and found 2 more 7'-0" medium action spinning rigs that I will bring too. I may keep the catfish pole as a backup or to try surf fishing. I watched a few videos on YouTube and noticed that most fish were brought up with a 3 pronged gaff on a long line. Do I need to get one of those or will there be people there with them? Also, is it customary to tip those guys that gaff your fish for you? One last question, I looked at my spinning reels and they are pretty light duty. Would it be wise to use a 10lb-12lb braid backer and then about 100 yards of 10lb-12lb fluoro as a top shot since I doubt those reels can get 200+ yards of 12lb fluoro on them?

I didn't mean not bring your catfish rod that would probably be fine to fish for King just don't need anything that big fish for Spanish and blue I think your idea of the braid Backer is good because you need some yardage 200 yards would be fine for the Spanish and blues I would get at least 300 on a reel for kings you don't need florocarbon either regular mono would be fine Just use florocarbon for your leaders Even then you can use regular mono for your bubble Rigs that will be people with nets and gaffs you really don't need one No need to tip everybody helps everybody you'll enjoy the experience

One other quick question. I will be spooling my lines tonight and originally bought moss green line. I have been reading that the water is really clear right now. Should I return the moss green adn get clear mono?

I would use clear mono