Will be taking some time off next year & heading out on my bike. What type of rod is needed for pier fishing from Florida to California ? I will be packing no more than 2 rods. Like some suggesttions Being I'm from Kansas & dont do this type of fishing much.... Jeff
North Carolina ,,hatteras and morehead piers are good and Stacey 5 headboat ,,,myrtle beach 2nd ave pier skipp that one. For the Atlantic side of Florida a spinn reel and a 4/0 with 80lb braid ,,,,thats what i take ?,,,,hit Daytona beach pier and de Brooks fishing corner in fort pierce there's a really nice pier there and the headboat a must"lady struart" and you can come in or out of Okeechobee it's a nice ride
Out in Cali I like a 9-10 footer for fishing the local pier. 1 rod for 30-40lb and one light spinning rod for catching bait on sabikis. Holler if you'll be by Santa Barbara we can wet a line, lobster season now too.
Thanks, guys ! Keep the info coming about individual peirs & gear. I think a light spinner combo is going to be a must have. Hatteras in North Carolina IS A MUST STOP !
I'd take a small Penn 200 to 400 yard reel and a three piece nine foot rod rated 20-30 lb for 3/4 to 2 oz. Also a small baitcaster on a lighter rod rated for 3/8 ounce lure. If you look for salmon/steelhead blanks there will be many to choose from. I'd do a jetty wrap but as log as you keep the handle and fore grip slim you should be able to get one or two rods in a three foot piece of 1.5" PVC pipe with end caps. One rod in a 1.25" piece of pipe. The trouble with spinners is the guide size. Big guides are going to need a big piece of pipe.
I love fishing piers. You can see everything imaginable and it's an easy place to strike up a conversation.
-steve
There's some piers in Sarasota and clearwater I have heard great stuff about and I was there and did not get to fish them,,,, :D
Quote from: oc1 on November 02, 2017, 05:50:02 AM
I'd take a small Penn 200 to 400 yard reel and a three piece nine foot rod rated 20-30 lb for 3/4 to 2 oz. Also a small baitcaster on a lighter rod rated for 3/8 ounce lure. If you look for salmon/steelhead blanks there will be many to choose from. I'd do a jetty wrap but as log as you keep the handle and fore grip slim you should be able to get one or two rods in a three foot piece of 1.5" PVC pipe with end caps. One rod in a 1.25" piece of pipe. The trouble with spinners is the guide size. Big guides are going to need a big piece of pipe.
I love fishing piers. You can see everything imaginable and it's an easy place to strike up a conversation.
-steve
Steve, this seems to be very sound advice. My Penn Torque 12 will cover both the midsize & small baitcaster. Comfortably fishing 20 - 60 lb. line by just changing a short leader. Also Blake at Charkbait packed 200 yards of "SOLID BRAID" on this little reel..... I know.... looking at my receipt I couldnt believe it myself. I called & talked with him & he said, yes as unbeviable as it was, it was correct.
Spinning reel should pack easy enough. Being it will be an ultralite setup, primarily for bait. Other reel will be a 4/0 of some type. I hope to fish some rivers on the way for big cats & a 4/0 size reel will do fine for some smaller sharks.
I have 2 two piece 9' rods I've used for beach fishing in mexico and costa rica. Both are lamiglass, a glb1002mh for 30lb and a xsh10824mt for 15lb. Caught a lot of fish on both and 4 1/2' on a plane wasn't bad, should be doable on a bike. I built both conventional so guides aren't an issue. Lamiglass are good blanks and the have a huge selection.
That 4/0 would be good for piers along southeast and Gulf coasts if there are kings or ling/cobia, jacks, tarpon, sharks, etc. Bob Hall Pier and Horace Caldwell Pier.
-steve
Thanks for that Steve. Would it be worth it to pack one of my cast nets for bait? Or a light foldable bait trap ? Or are the bait fish around piers like perch in fresh water in they can be easily caught with light tackle & appropriate bait ? ....Jeff
Maybe. You will be able to buy frozen bait and hook-and-line bait fish. A cast net is a lot of weight and some piers do not allow them. A minnow trap is a lot of bulk and probably not worth it.... IMHO. They both work better in tidal creeks and marshes. Also, check state regulations. They're all different and you may need a license.
-steve
Oh wow ! Never thought twice about needing a license for any trap or net. All new stuff for me. Great info ! .... Jeff
Usually it's covered under the general fishing license, but check to be sure.
-steve
In SoCal you can't use nets for bait fish at all. Don't need a license to fish from a pier or manmade structure like a jetty but need one to fish on the beach. For very small bait there's tiny sabikis with #8 or 10 hooks.
I use the gulp blood worms to catch bait fish,,,but just like you ,,,,I like to know more good piers are :D
give us an idea of what your schedule will be like. we all have back up gear!
Quote from: Swami805 on November 06, 2017, 01:42:20 PM
In SoCal you can't use nets for bait fish at all. Don't need a license to fish from a pier or manmade structure like a jetty but need one to fish on the beach.
so, you dont need fishing licence to fish from a pier or jetty but need one for fish on the beach?
Quote from: alantani on November 06, 2017, 06:53:30 PM
give us an idea of what your schedule will be like. we all have back up gear!
Alan, well... not sure exact time just yet. Be next year between spring & mid summer here in Kansas... Jeff
Generally you are covered under the pier license when you pay your fee at the door. No state license needed. Otherwise yes you need a license.
I spend ALOT time on the piers in the Outer Banks in the summer and this is the case in North Carolina.
As far as your gear goes, if you are only bringing 2 rods, my suggestion would be two medium heavy 7' spinning rods loaded with 15-20lb braid. One for throwing plugs at spanish, bluefish, etc. The other for bottom fishing with shrimp, bloodworm etc. Check pier regs as far as braid goes. Some piers forbid it.
No need for heavier rods, in my opinion. If you were targeting big Red Drum, Cobia, King mackerel my suggestion would be different.
Quote from: 1badf350 on November 07, 2017, 05:33:48 PM
Generally you are covered under the pier license when you pay your fee at the door. No state license needed. Otherwise yes you need a license.
I spend ALOT time on the piers in the Outer Banks in the summer and this is the case in North Carolina.
As far as your gear goes, if you are only bringing 2 rods, my suggestion would be two medium heavy 7' spinning rods loaded with 15-20lb braid. One for throwing plugs at spanish, bluefish, etc. The other for bottom fishing with shrimp, bloodworm etc. Check pier regs as far as braid goes. Some piers forbid it.
No need for heavier rods, in my opinion. If you were targeting big Red Drum, Cobia, King mackerel my suggestion would be different.
Thanks for the info. Like I stated prior this will be pretty much new to me. As far as set ups I've decided on taking a medium spinning rig, Torque 12 loaded with 60 braid & a 4/0 either a Baja / US113 which I have or HX Raptor or Penn 12VISX. A 4/0 size reel is a must to my way of thinking. Since I will be river fishing & doing some lite sharking... Jeff
Quote from: steelfish on November 06, 2017, 07:59:40 PM
Quote from: Swami805 on November 06, 2017, 01:42:20 PM
In SoCal you can't use nets for bait fish at all. Don't need a license to fish from a pier or manmade structure like a jetty but need one to fish on the beach.
so, you dont need fishing licence to fish from a pier or jetty but need one for fish on the beach?
In CA, at least for saltwater, this is the case. All of them I've been on so far limit you to two fishing devices (hoop net, rod/reel, crab trap etc).