Targeting Bass & Halibut from Jetties and Pier ( Part Two )

[Max Estep]

Rigging Plastics, Grubs and Small Hardbaits

-Plastics

Basically you can either tie a regular plastic from line to lure or line to swivel that so you can exchange lures quicker. if you want better representation go with the line to lure .. Better representation = More fish. Also if the current or wind is up go with a reverse dropper loop ... With the reverse dropper loop it has a bit of a steady up and down motion which will attract the fish alot better plus you can throw is a bit farther with a weight attached.

Ex.


This rig is killer for the Spotted bass and Sand bass because for one, it's out of the structure suspended. And you can set the hook with a higher percentage of bringing in the fish.

But just using the plastic by itself is an advantage to because not only it's closer to the structure but it's closer to the bottom which is where the Halibut are so you can either get a Bass or Butt'.. One down side to using just the plastic is that you can loose it in structure... as for the Reverse Dropper loop Rig you might only loose the weight which isn't really a big deal.

-Grubs

Grubs have the same basic features as the plastics but instead of using a lead head I would use a circle hook with a reverse dropper loop..

How to set-up a Grub Rig

1.
- take circle hook and attach it through the tip as so..


2.
- take other part of hook and hook it through the middle of grub and slide the tip up to the eye of the hook where your line goes though..


3.
- make a reverse dropper loop and attach it to the rig..


Once again another killer rig for the bass..
( Wind on fish DO NOT SET HOOK !!!! )

- Small Hardbaits

A cool way to throw these small hardbaits is by using either a carolina rig or even a regular dropper loop. With the dropper loop it will keep the bait off of the bottom just enough so that the lure will not be " dragged " on the bottom.

Ex.



A fun and different way for catching Bass and Halibut..

-Hardbaits

For EL' Hardbaits just attach it straight from line to lure or line to swivel so you can exchange baits faster and just use the bait as it self no dropper loops or anything special...

Seeking The Catch

- Now it's finally time to explain where to find the fish.

Jetties

-Halibut-
You can find the Halibut up and down the Jetties. But the first thing you should identify for catching the Halibut is a Sandy bottom with none or a little structure.. Just bump you plastic or grub slowly and patiently REMEMBER halibut are lazy bottom sitters which want there food served to them... If you just Bump,Bump,Bump your plastic or grub off of the bottom your chances are greater of getting a halibut because of the slow pace you are going. Halibut really like hardbaits that are slow straight cranked over sandy bottoms too anything slowly ! AHA

- Bass -
Bass are also found up and down the jetties as well, but one difference is that they are closer into structure and reeds.. When presenting your grub or plastic you can slow crank and give it a few twitches here and there with a few less bumps... If the water is warmer you can speed up the process, but if the water is cooler slow down the process with a slower speed and just a straight crank with just more twitches than anything. And when you use a reverse dropper loop just crank really slow and just lift up the tip of your rod every other crank..Some times slower is better..
And yes this is for Sand bass and Spotted bass...

Piers

-Halibut-
Targeting Halibut from a pier is way more difficult. You never now if there will be rocks or salad underneath the water. So I would just go right next to the shore and use a reverse dropper loop with a grub or plastic and you basically do not have to put any action into it because of all of the waves and current above it, once again present it with a slow crank..Also this would be a good time to use a Megabait and just bump it off of the bottom every time you give the reel a crank...
You can use just a Plastic which is just as good as a reverse dropper if not better just closer for the halibut to eat...

- Bass -
I believe fishing for bass off of the pier is one of the most difficult things to catch.. It's almost a hit and miss deal.. you have to know the pier and know what is sorrounding it.. If you find out that there is a reef or rocks toss your lure towards that direction and either bump or straight crank over the structure.. If a Bass see's anything in it's path the fish's natural reaction would be to either attack or eat the intended thing it has seen. Also the only kind of bass you will see being caught off of a pier is either Calico,Sandbass,or Spottedbass... and maybe even a C-bass if your lucky..


I hope this helps out Hook Up...

I was bored and wanted to kill some time..


Max Estep

[JAY'SAFISHHOLIC]

Yes Sir Your Right Nice Post