Thread: How close am I?

Ok guys first this site is awsome! With out it I'd be lost on the pier! I will be down for 9 days beginning June 14th, and will be on the pier as much as I'm able to swing. Id rather buy 2 decent rods and be set for future trips than rent rods or buy some cheap junk. I'm looking less than $150 each but the lower the better obviously, still want the poles to last though. I'm still very green but by reading I think I will try for Spanish and possibly a few kings, also plan to slip a few night trips in and seems flounder are best at night? I bass fish a lot back here so I plan on brining a spinning rod for sabiki rigs, any hot colors to pick up? Also bringing a few spoons and flukes to try artificial off the pier.

Pole: narrowed down to 8' ugly stik big water
Reel: penn fierce 6000 series
line: 12-15 mono.

How does this set up compare to J&M's rod reel combo that everyone talks about? The poles will get used back home on large catfish so if something were to happen and I break one bps is a whole lot closer and pretty good about replacing rods.

Last landing the fish, frabil makes a colapsable net that would be good for packing back and forth, but what about mackerel eating through the netting? Would a mini gaff be better to pick up in addition? A big gaff is really out of the question because it would be a pain and take up a lot of room while traveling. I understand that most people are willing to lend their equipment but night fishing I may get suck with out help, and honestly I'd rather build a simple and effective outfit and not have to worry about it in the future.

Thanks again guys for all the help!!

I think you'll do well with the outfit you described, and your bass tackle will be fine for fishing the shallows for flounder, whiting, pompano, etc. The bass rigs will do good service for Spanish fishing, also---I use 4000 range spinning reels and 7' rods with 10 or 12 # test line. Unless you plan to fish the pier a lot, you don't need to worry about a net or gaff because there's nearly always somebody there to lend you one---the frabil would be a good backup though, especially at night. The macks won't eat through the net immediately, but will eventually do so, and you'll have to have it replaced---just the price of doing business. You can also get a good pier net for $25-35 and not have to worry about packing it---could probably get part of your money back by selling it before you leave---just talk it up on the pier and somebody might want a backup. Sounds like you've been paying attention to forum talk and I bet you'll do well. If you see me out there with my "Haywire" flag on my cart, come say howdy.

Thanks, look forward to experiencing what y'all have! From what Iv read gotchas, and hair jigs are the norm for artificals with some using flukes? What about the ribbon rig for bait is it something local bait shops have or is it a local thing? Any andvantage over ribbon to sabiki?

J&M has ribbon rigs. Other Bait shops might. Ribbon rigs target LYs, while sabikis will catch sardines, cigar minnows (when they are there) as well as crazy fish & hardtails. I like ribbon rigs better cause then I don't have 6 little hooks tangling everything in reach.

Arki, if you get a net when you're down and then DO want to sell it let me know. I may be interested in buying it at a used price.

i have the net you are talking about works great. hook a 4 oz weight to the bottom of the netting with a snap swivel before you get to the pier really helps out . i have hauled some big spanish with it but if the kings are biting just let someone gaff it for you. if they are biting there will be plenty of folks around willing to help you out with a gaff.

For everything else that net is very good. have even netted about a 30 lb red with it.

By the looks of it LYs are preferred? Seems as they are what is brought up most anyways. Also any particular section of the pier for Spanish right now. Figure Ill start by watching and then with Spanish. We'll be there June 14-23 so if any of y'all are around I sure wouldn't turn down any help.

Spanish can be anywhere from the bathrooms out to the end, changes day to day.

We have a net @ BPS (rigged with drop rope) for $23.99