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RIGGING GUIDES & HOW-TO

SURF & PIER

Where To Fish

Popular locations include fishing piers, around jetties, bridges, manmade structures, areas with a rip tide, and shorelines area during high tide phases.

When To Fish

High tide is an excellent time to catch fish as food is washed into the shoreline areas. Excellent action often takes place immediately before or after heavy storms. Dawn and dusk are also excellent.

What To Use

Live bait rigs will catch a large variety of fish. Popular cutbaits include squid, mullet, bunker, shrimp and clams. Thread chunks onto rigs and cast beyond the incoming surf. When casting, rigged swirltail grubs and rigged shad are very effective.

Fishing Strategies

Manmade structures attract fish. Fish are attracted to the cover and baitfish activity that bridge pilings, long pier supports, and other structures provide. Fish as close to the structures as you can. Signs of actively feeding fish include large groups of circling, diving birds, jumping baitfish, and boils created by surface feeding fish. Cast into this activity when seen.

Basic Rigs and Techniques

The choice of rig and technique depends on fishing conditions.
The Clinch Knot is recommended for all rigs.

Here are some popular approaches to Surf & Pier fishing.

Single Drop Rig
This is excellent for fishing live or cut bait. The bait is suspended off the bottom while the sinker maintains the rig’s position. Use a pyramid sinker for sandy bottoms or the bank sinker on harder, rockier bottoms.
  1. Tie line to swivel.
  2. Attach hook to the snap.
  3. Attach the sinker to the bottom snap.
  4. Place a 1-in to 3-in chunk of cut bait (squid, fish, or clam) on hook.
Double Drop Rig
This is an effective rig for multiple bait presentations. It is good for stillfishing from piers, shorelines, and other saltwater areas.
  1. Tie line to swivel.
  2. Attach the sinker to the bottom snap.
  3. Place a 1" – 3" chunk of cut bait on hooks.
Sliding Sinker Rig
This rig is great for drifting or still- fishing. It allows the bait to move naturally and is good for finicky fish as it provides little weight or resistance as the fish picks up the bait.
  1. Thread line through sinker.
  2. Tie swivel onto line.
  3. Tie 2' – 3' length of leader to the other end of swivel.
  4. Tie hook onto end of leader.
  5. Place live bait or cut bait on hook.
How to Fish a Spoon
Spoons are very effective lures. Their wobble and reflective qualities make them highly attractive to fish.
  1. The slow retrieve is for cooler water and when the fish are near the bottom. Make your cast, let it sink to the bottom. Retrieve it slowly, allowing the lure to swim and wobble.
  2. Use the fast retrieve when fish are feeding near the surface. Retrieve the lure at a faster speed that simulates fleeing prey.