The Best Saltwater Lures for Pier Fishing
- Hard-bodied plugs. For surface-feeding fish, the most exciting option is popping plugs.
- Bucktail jigs and soft-bodied leadhead jigs. Overall these are probably the best saltwater lures for pier fishing.
- Casting spoons and jigging spoons.
What is the best setup for pier fishing?
The best rig is a modified paternoster. The weight should be attached on a rotten bottom, with a flowing trace attached (by a dropper loop or bead-trapped swivel) a short distance above it. This should be around 3ft to 6ft long and be no lighter than the main reel line.
What is the best time to fish off a pier?
Generally speaking, the best time to fish from a pier is either early morning or sundown. This is when moving tides attract a lot of baitfish to the area, which in turn, brings out the big and hungry of the fish world, too.
What weight should I use for pier fishing?
Fishing lines between 20lb and 30lb are a good choice. Mono line, not braid, as you will need a bit of stretch to absorb your fish’s attempts to shake itself free, and have less propensity to hang up on the pier or structure below.
What size hook should I use for pier fishing?
Hook sizes depend on the size and species of fish being targeted, but Nos. 4 to 1/0 should handle most situations. The best baits to use will be live or cut specimens of whatever fish are feeding on at the time.
What size rod is best for pier fishing?
In general, rods between 6 and 9 feet are the norm on jetties and piers, with 7 foot rods being the most common choice. In fact, short rods can be more rewarding when pier fishing because they are more sensitive and easier to control, which helps to handle large fish, commonly found in deep waters.
Do fishing piers attract sharks?
Shark experts say piers are where sharks often gather. Fishermen cast bait from the pier, the bait attracts fish and the fish attract sharks.
Is shrimp good bait for pier fishing?
Of course. We can’t talk about the best baits for pier fishing without mentioning shrimp. In fact, shrimp should be on the list for any type of saltwater fishing.
Do I need a weight for pier fishing?
A heavier sinker will give you more stability and help keep your bait where fish are most abundant and feeling safe to eat. A good weight in pier fishing is therefore a determining factor for success. Sinkers that are too light are also a bad choice when trying to cast far.
Is pier fishing better at high or low tide?
High tide is definitely the best tide for pier fishing.
Conversely, low tide lowers the water level and makes it shallower and less comfortable for most species. As a result, you should expect fewer bites at that time.
Are Circle Hooks good for pier fishing?
The short and confident answer is YES. Circle hooks are great for surf fishing. The automatic hook-sets they provide without gut hooking the fish make them the way to go for novice surf anglers and those who want to release some of their catches alive.
Can a lure be too heavy for rod?
If you have too light of a lure, the rod will not load properly and result in a shorter cast. If you’ve got too heavy of a weight, the rod will load too much and have a sluggish cast. If you have the right weighted lure on, the rod will load properly and achieve optimal casting distance.
What are sharks favorite bait?
Mackerel — Another pungent and oily fish, the mackerel makes an ideal shark bait. Most species of mackerel are available year-round and have an open season. Mullet — is excellent shark bait. They range from 9-19 inches and make good live bait or chunk bait.
Why are fish attracted to piers?
PIER STRUCTURE ATTRACT FISH
The cement or wood pillars become encrusted with barnacles and mussels, which also attract fish. Fishing piers are supported by large stones, which provide food and cover for schools of blue runners, sardines, finger mullet, and herring.
Are piers good for fishing?
Fishing from a pier is a great way to get started, as a limited amount of saltwater fishing tackle is required. It is also exciting and diverse because of the range in water depth covered by many of these structures and the range in species you may catch.
Are lures good for pier fishing?
Casting spoons and jigging spoons.
These usually bright metal products are among the best saltwater lures for pier fishing for several reasons. Thick-bodied casting spoons work well for covering a lot of territory as well as distance and can be retrieved at varying depths and speeds.
What is the best bait for saltwater pier fishing?
Shrimp is a go to bait for saltwater anglers. This all-purpose bait works because shrimp are common in saltwater environments and fish are attracted to the scent and movement. Dead or alive shrimp can be used to catch fish onshore or offshore.
Does garlic attract saltwater fish?
Garlic: This is another one that has anecdotal evidence that it attracts fish or at the very least neutralizes odors that can repel fish. I guess it is worth a try if you happen to have some garlic around on your boat. It might be a good way to get the smell of sun screen or bug spray off of your hands.
Is it better to pier fish at high or low tide?
High tide is definitely the best tide for pier fishing.
Conversely, low tide lowers the water level and makes it shallower and less comfortable for most species.
How long should a pier fishing rod be?
Experts say that the best size fishing rod for pier fishing is about 7 to 8 feet in length.