By "Billy T."
Posted 6.18.03
Catch reports: plenty of white bait out there, mangrove snapper in good numbers (size ) leaves a lot to be desired, mackerel-here and there -schools coming and going (want them set chum slick out to hold fish. some real nice size fish being caught.
Grouper-they are a main stay-plenty of lil fellows-and again for those that fish hard are the ones that connect with the keepers.
cobia-more sighted then caught but showing in good numbers throughout the day matter of getting lucky though as far as hooking one-those who seek get a pair of good glasses and keep eyes clued and watch those rays and weed that comes by.
bluefish-again there one minute and gone then next-although never the sizes seen on our east coast they do become a blast when schools come in, they sure put up a fight for their size. most running about a 1 1/2 to 4 pounds/ jacks-seem to run the pier day and night and good scrappers and sure to wake ya up when things get quite with other species.
ladyfish-although not a prime target their numbers increase daily, pain in the neck at times breaking lines. If you catch one check your line before casting as they are good at fraying lines. trout-although not in great numbers they are there for those who seek them-if you want them the closer to sure line and entrance booth the better-standard cork with shrimp is best, sizes range between two pounds and for those lucky devils around five.
redfish-heard more rumors then seen fish caught but the word is that they are there -again not in numbers to make it a major target, mostly a bycatch for those fishing for other species. pompano-word from those who seek them out and know the ins and outs are said to have done well not great but worth while.
grunts-all makes and models abundant pinfish-more then one might want-fun for the children but hard on the pocket book if using shrimp better to use squid-those silver dollar size make great grouper candy.
flounder-word is there being caught as a by product fishing for other species-not in great numbers nor great sizes-but some legal sizes caught here and there by the lucky fishermen and women. Rays-big and small-those big rug mats will give your heart and muscles a work out and liven things up. although once seen on end of line disappointment sets in but it will give a wake up call when things are slow-maybe more then enough around, schools roaming pier from entrance booth to end of pier. goliath grouper-not many fishing for them as they must be released but a lot of fishermen and women are learning that when they feel they hooked bottom that bottom does not move.
tarpon-the word is a few hookups late at night being better-have not heard of anyone bringing one to top. for those that seek out this species its better to use tackle heavier then one would if fishing from a boat. reason is you either hook them and bring the fight to a short conclusion and give the fish a chance to live another day.
If one is fortunate to hook one that is, although not in great numbers those who seek them out say sizes are up from years past.
kingfish-haven't seen any and haven't heard anyone catching one lately but many claim they are there because of hooking onto a bullet train only to loose their tackle. heard that one unfortunate fellow lost a rod and reel, others were lucky just to have their spools stripped. snook-talked to a few fishermen that claim that sightings and hookups have increased lately-also told closer to shore line the better the odds.
Sheepshead-hardly a piling out there not having a few feeding on barnacles black drum-sure looks like their mixed in with the sheepshead not big but there never the less spadefish-again along with the sheepies and drum they are there around same pilings. well there you have it-plenty of fish of all different species of fish to choose from word to the wise of you like holding your rod fine but if fishing like most with a few rods by all means make sure you have them secured in some fashion as fishing on the piers either north or south one never knows what lurks beneath.
p.s.-almost forgot but securing fishing poles reminded me ( SHARKS) SEEMS TO BE THIS THE SEASON) blacktip more abundant then others but a lot of hammerheads also. SIZES-well listening to those that seek them out they say range from a few feet to jaws. kind of hard to belief jaws but talk to those that fish for them and listen to the stories told about freight trains that cruise the spans and hit and run so fast all one can do is hold on for the ride. and these fishermen are not useing zebco's there useing from 4/0's to 10 and one or two 12/0's now that is monster fishing-the biggest that I myself have seen before was an 8ft bull shark trying to catch my catch for dinner while bringing it in.
THIS IS PIER FISHING NEVER KNOWING WHAT ONE CAN CATCH, EXCITEMENT, HEART THROBBING, MUSCLE STRAINING, GUT BUSTING ACTION DAY AND NIGHT. BUT USE YOUR SMARTS BRING THE RIGHT TACKLE I KNOW I SAID THAT BEFORE BUT IF YOUR NOT FAINT AT HEART AND YOU SEEK THE THRILL OF JAWS AT THE END OF YOUR LINE BETTER HAVE THE RIGHT COMBO WHETHER YOU GET IN OR NOT.
ALSO HEED MOTHER NATURES WARNING SIGNS-WATCH THOSE BEAUTIFUL CLOUDS THAT BUILD UP IN WHAT SEEMS SECONDS TO NASTY DARK CLOUDS WITH THUNDER AND LIGHTENING BURSTING ALL OVER THE PLACE AND IF IT HAPPENS SEEK SHELTER QUICK, THOSE WINDS CAN GO FROM A STANDSTILL TO SEVENTY MILES AND HOUR DURING ONE GOOD SQUALL, AND DON'T FORGET YOUR OUT OVER WATER THE BAY SEES ITS SHARE OF WATER SPOUTS.
ALSO A STORM TEN MILES AWAY CAN MAKE A LIGHTENING BOLT HIT WITH THE SUN SHINNING. MANY HAVE GOTTEN STRUCK IN THE HEAT OF THE DAY WITH OUT A CLOUD TO BE SEEM.
BEST TO KEEP A RADIO TUNED IN TO A WEATHER STATION-IF YOUR LUCKY TO HAVE A NOTEBOOK AND HAVE THE WEATHER BUG ONE CAN SEE JUST WHERE THESE STORMS ARE AND WHICH WAY THERE HEADING. Perhaps this is where night fishing may out do day fishing, as most of the storms are over and its certainly is much cooler. And perhaps hearing your drags clicker sound off in the dark will make your hair stand strait up with excitement beyond belief.
The summer season is upon us, the species caught will change very little from week to week, the stories will vary The storms will be on the increase, the heat of course will be with us till the first cold front in the fall. And hopefully we will not encounter any hurricanes or tropical storms within our area And the threat of red tide (well lets not even utter those words ever again) Well don't keep reading this and sitting there the fish are there and hungry, take the other half in your life with you and if you can take the children.
Watching your children and wife, catch a fish and utter words one cannot understand because the excitement is to much is a ball in itself.
Try it you'll like it.
Billy T
