What are the fish favoring in the cold weather off beach fishing?
whats the top shore bait
Started by azfish · Jan 19, 2012 · 53 replies
shrimp
Had success with Rock Bass pieces a few weeks ago.
I like the bobber and meal worm technique...
Here is one of my favorite cold weather shore techniques:
Step 1: take a 1/4 - 3/8 ounce white or chartreuse jig (like a maribou crappie jig, horse hair, curly tail, etc)
Step 2: Tip it with a 2 inch strip of squid or peeled shrimp tail meat (peel a 16-20 size shrimp tail and cut in half lengthwise)
if fishing over rock, then cast, sink to bottom, and then vary the retrieve- jig it slowly, or drop to bottom, sit for 5 seconds, then rip it 5 or 6 cranks, then drop back to bottom, sit for 5-6 seconds.... repeat
or if fishing over sand, try sloooowly dragging the bottom on the retrieve.
Step 3: Take your flounder home and grill or broil it while basting with melted butter and fresh crushed garlic. sprinkle with lemon juice
Step 1: take a 1/4 - 3/8 ounce white or chartreuse jig (like a maribou crappie jig, horse hair, curly tail, etc)
Step 2: Tip it with a 2 inch strip of squid or peeled shrimp tail meat (peel a 16-20 size shrimp tail and cut in half lengthwise)
if fishing over rock, then cast, sink to bottom, and then vary the retrieve- jig it slowly, or drop to bottom, sit for 5 seconds, then rip it 5 or 6 cranks, then drop back to bottom, sit for 5-6 seconds.... repeat
or if fishing over sand, try sloooowly dragging the bottom on the retrieve.
Step 3: Take your flounder home and grill or broil it while basting with melted butter and fresh crushed garlic. sprinkle with lemon juice
moore_rb said:Here is one of my favorite cold weather shore techniques:
Step 1: take a 1/4 - 3/8 ounce white or chartreuse jig (like a maribou crappie jig, horse hair, curly tail, etc)
Step 2: Tip it with a 2 inch strip of squid or peeled shrimp tail meat (peel a 16-20 size shrimp tail and cut in half lengthwise)
if fishing over rock, then cast, sink to bottom, and then vary the retrieve- jig it slowly, or drop to bottom, sit for 5 seconds, then rip it 5 or 6 cranks, then drop back to bottom, sit for 5-6 seconds.... repeat
or if fishing over sand, try sloooowly dragging the bottom on the retrieve.
Step 3: Take your flounder home and grill or broil it while basting with melted butter and fresh crushed garlic. sprinkle with lemon juice
I hope I get to step 3.
azfish said:I hope I get to step 3.
Better yet....hit one of the markets on the malecon...pick up some nice fillets....take home....prepare...eat!
not exactly a top-water technique, but sounds like it works. I'm thinking a trip to Ranch market is in order, see if they have any flounder....
Mr. Moore,
I'll give your bait a try next time I'm down there shore fishing, but somehow I have the feeling I'm gonna get worn out taking 10-inch sand bass off my hook. In my limited experience I found that sticking with silver kastmasters and the like is the only way those sand bass will give me any peace. Of course, the flounder seem to leave me alone too.
I'll give your bait a try next time I'm down there shore fishing, but somehow I have the feeling I'm gonna get worn out taking 10-inch sand bass off my hook. In my limited experience I found that sticking with silver kastmasters and the like is the only way those sand bass will give me any peace. Of course, the flounder seem to leave me alone too.
joester said:not exactly a top-water technique, but sounds like it works. I'm thinking a trip to Ranch market is in order, see if they have any flounder....
lololol He wasnt asking for a top water bait, hes saying what's the top (choice) bait right now. lolololol
audsley said:Mr. Moore,
I'll give your bait a try next time I'm down there shore fishing, but somehow I have the feeling I'm gonna get worn out taking 10-inch sand bass off my hook. In my limited experience I found that sticking with silver kastmasters and the like is the only way those sand bass will give me any peace. Of course, the flounder seem to leave me alone too.
Using a cast and retrieve technique will not yield any flounder. Kastmasters are for action strikes and surface action. Flounder are not surface fish.
audsley said:Mr. Moore,
I'll give your bait a try next time I'm down there shore fishing, but somehow I have the feeling I'm gonna get worn out taking 10-inch sand bass off my hook. In my limited experience I found that sticking with silver kastmasters and the like is the only way those sand bass will give me any peace. Of course, the flounder seem to leave me alone too.
Hahaha yeah- I'd be lying if I declared I had some magic top secret technique for catching any species except spotted bay bass...
Usually flounder are found over sandy bottoms, or right on the border where sand and rocky bottoms meet.
I've had 1/2 ounce rock bass hit a one-ounce Kastmaster... which leads to another great point: if you do happen to hook a really small rock bass, then stick him through the shoulder right in front of the dorsal fin with a 2/0 live bait hook and a 1/2 ounce sinker and send him back out.... flounder and large Corvina will both eat a small rock bass who looks to be in distress; and who knows... you might even get lucky enough to hang into a roaming Pinto bass, Pargo, or leopard grouper.
you're right - too fast a read and too slow to understand....
enjoying some smoked salmon right now watchin football!
enjoying some smoked salmon right now watchin football!
I going to try something new, if it works Ill pass it on.
Mexico Joe said:Using a cast and retrieve technique will not yield any flounder. Kastmasters are for action strikes and surface action. Flounder are not surface fish.
Respectfully, I completely disagree with the Kastmaster comment. I have caught at least 30-40 flounder from shore over the years in Las Conchas and/or the estuary primarily using Kastmasters. Probably have caught another dozen or so flounder on Crocodiles.
I would agree that flounder are not a surface fish but if you are fishing in shallow enough water, as it usually is off shore, they will come up off the bottom to hit what appears to be "dinner" .
rplarry said:Respectfully, I completely disagree with the Kastmaster comment. I have caught at least 30-40 flounder from shore over the years in Las Conchas and/or the estuary primarily using Kastmasters. Probably have caught another dozen or so flounder on Crocodiles.
I would agree that flounder are not a surface fish but if you are fishing in shallow enough water, as it usually is off shore, they will come up off the bottom to hit what appears to be "dinner" .
Yea I understand that but Im not the guy out there dragging kastmasters through the sand. They get hung up on everything and if Im going to be fishing for Flounder Im going with a bottom rig. My friends dad loves the kastmaters worked slow as hell lower in the water table and off the bottom or dragging the bottom. Apparently it works for him but Ive lost $100 worth of kastmasters trying that technique. But yes you are right and I should be taking advice from you then with all those flounder!!!!! You're semi-pro?
My top 4, Kastmaster/casting lure, Sabiki Rig, Drop-shot, and Diamond Jig.
Sabiki Rig to catch bait fish,,, Then to the Big hook and lots of weight,, Drop over the side of the boat and drink Beer and Smoke good a good Cigar. Problem seems to be the beer gets warm and the Cigar keeps going out due to negligence while catching fish.
From shore, not sure why, but the gills of any fish you catch drives them crazy and they stay on the hook for several catches, the fish cant rip them off the hook, like they can other baits. You can catch fish with anything if they are biting, we caught lots of big sierra around the Konsag Rock, the small island between Rocky Point and San Felipe on cut up pieces of chrome car antennas, pulled out of my brother in laws sack of junk. He cut them up at home (San Felipe) flattened them out and rigged a hook to them.
lagrimas85 said:From shore, not sure why, but the gills of any fish you catch drives them crazy and they stay on the hook for several catches, the fish cant rip them off the hook, like they can other baits. You can catch fish with anything if they are biting, we caught lots of big sierra around the Konsag Rock, the small island between Rocky Point and San Felipe on cut up pieces of chrome car antennas, pulled out of my brother in laws sack of junk. He cut them up at home (San Felipe) flattened them out and rigged a hook to them.
Thats the word on the street, weight, car antenna, and a treble hook... seen it with my own eyes!
Trust me, a rig like this or similar, and tipped with your favorite bait will catch fish from shore, all species, and big Corvina jump all over it.http://www.ebay.com/itm/Conato-Natural-Feather-Saltwater-Mackerel-Cod-Bucktail-Rig-3x-2-0-Hooks-NEW-/170767358726?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27c2871b06
I tried a piece of wii game, and it didnt work. Just kidding. Im back in az and got skunked fishing this weekend. Maybe is was a bad spot. Seen a couple of people out on yaks, looked like they were getting something.
Mexico Joe said:Yea I understand that but Im not the guy out there dragging kastmasters through the sand. They get hung up on everything and if Im going to be fishing for Flounder Im going with a bottom rig. My friends dad loves the kastmaters worked slow as hell lower in the water table and off the bottom or dragging the bottom. Apparently it works for him but Ive lost $100 worth of kastmasters trying that technique. But yes you are right and I should be taking advice from you then with all those flounder!!!!! You're semi-pro?
Joe, I definitely feel your pain. Have lost a ton of lures as well. Should have put a disclaimer out there regarding that. Especially when I have run out or lost all the lures I brought down from the States and then have to spend $12-15 a pop at the dive shop (if they even have any in stock).
One little tip that I either got on this forum, or from someone who enjoys losing their kastmasters about as much as we do, was to take off the attached treble and connect a single hook (or could use a treble) to the lure using a short leader from your fishing line. Then, if you get hung up in the rocks, only the hook breaks off and you still have your $8 kastmaster. I've tried it a couple times and it does work. The downside is that it takes time to re-rig. With the tide so often coming in so darn fast, I have opted to take the risk of losing another lure vs. missing my 'tidal window' while fooling around with the hook and leader. If you have the time or have them pre set up before going out, that method can definitely help out the pocketbook.
As far as my quantity of flounder caught, I failed to mention that was over many, many years!
rplarry said:Joe, I definitely feel your pain. Have lost a ton of lures as well. Should have put a disclaimer out there regarding that. Especially when I have run out or lost all the lures I brought down from the States and then have to spend $12-15 a pop at the dive shop (if they even have any in stock).
One little tip that I either got on this forum, or from someone who enjoys losing their kastmasters about as much as we do, was to take off the attached treble and connect a single hook (or could use a treble) to the lure using a short leader from your fishing line. Then, if you get hung up in the rocks, only the hook breaks off and you still have your $8 kastmaster. I've tried it a couple times and it does work. The downside is that it takes time to re-rig. With the tide so often coming in so darn fast, I have opted to take the risk of losing another lure vs. missing my 'tidal window' while fooling around with the hook and leader. If you have the time or have them pre set up before going out, that method can definitely help out the pocketbook.
As far as my quantity of flounder caught, I failed to mention that was over many, many years!
Yea Ive heard that the single hook is easier to get unhooked from a snag but I like the treble hooks better. I just keep my kastmasters and other casting spoons away from the bottom now a days. If Im going to bottom fish I do it with a genuine bottom rig. I use swivels on all of my rigs so I dont get line twist and also to be able to quickly change rigs. I still havent ever figured out if buying my kastmasters from ebay is cheaper than going down to Phoenix Fishing Supply. Its usually so close in price I cant determine if there is a benefit one way or the other. Ebay = no sales tax and possible free shipping but a tad bit higher in price or PFS = tax, no shipping fee obviously and the "owner discount" that the owner always applies to everything you buy from him. Lol Ill take a handful of crap up to the register and the guy is always like, "6.50 + 6.50 + 6.50 + 2.50 + 7.50 + 6.50 + .86 = 36.00 , - 3.50 let's call it 32.50". He's always giving a discount at the end, it's pretty funny. Nice guys in there too, answer questions and shoot the ish without hesitation. I personally dont like throwing anything under 2oz now. With 2oz or more its seems like you can cast those things a mile!!
Are you guys fishing near any structures from shore? Or just casting into sandy bottom? Would I have any luck shore fishing right off the beach in front of my place in Encanto?
mondone said:Would I have any luck shore fishing right off the beach in front of my place in Encanto?
You better believe it... My wife and I used to rent a place out in Paradise Villas several times a year, and I have caught some really nice Corvina along that beach. Any time we would take a walk along the beach I would always have a 7 ft spinning rod with 12lb test and a one ounce chrome spoon in my hand as we walked... any sign of diving birds, jumping bait fish, or big splashes and I'd be casting and cranking like a crazy man... I've also caught many small Gafftopsail Pompano along that beach- although they are more for fun and sport than for good eating.
It used to be that you could drive west along the bottom road below Encanto, past the oyster farms, and you would eventually get to the mouth of the first estuary - I have fished that area many times through the years and it was always productive.
Mexico Joe said:Thats the word on the street, weight, car antenna, and a treble hook... seen it with my own eyes!
Hah... Sometimes you don't even need a car antenna for Sierra - if they are in a feeding frenzy they will eat a bare chrome hook, or a bright brass swivel... anything in the water that reflects sunlight will get slammed.
I learned that lesson the hard way... I would throw a jig or spoon, hook a fish, then lose the whole rig when another fish would hit the swivel at the top of my wire leader and sever the main line...
Now when I fish for sierra (especially the grandes that frequent the islands) I tie my wire leader direct to the mainline with an albright knot and only use a swivel at the bottom near the spoon.
It used to be that you could drive west along the bottom road below Encanto, past the oyster farms, and you would eventually get to the mouth of the first estuary - I have fished that area many times through the years and it was always productive.
Still can unless they closed it recently. That's one of my favorite spots to shore fish, and has been since before Terry's and those other houses were there. The only houses that were there back in the day were the one's past the adobe wall down below; the Marua estuary club.
Terry shows up & there goes the neighborhood!
moore_rb said:You better believe it... My wife and I used to rent a place out in Paradise Villas several times a year, and I have caught some really nice Corvina along that beach. Any time we would take a walk along the beach I would always have a 7 ft spinning rod with 12lb test and a one ounce chrome spoon in my hand as we walked... any sign of diving birds, jumping bait fish, or big splashes and I'd be casting and cranking like a crazy man... I've also caught many small Gafftopsail Pompano along that beach- although they are more for fun and sport than for good eating.
It used to be that you could drive west along the bottom road below Encanto, past the oyster farms, and you would eventually get to the mouth of the first estuary - I have fished that area many times through the years and it was always productive.
That's where I usually go, but maybe I'll try right in front of my place on west end of Encanto.
A really good bait in Lobos is a Cordell super spot. It works in Lobos . Maybe in RP?
Landshark, LOL, buts its a good hood.
When I shore fish I have a couple spots, one by Wrecked at the Reef and one on the west end of Cholla. I have been have good luck with a fireball setup over there, keeps me from getting snagged almost every other shot. Looks similar to this baited with cut fish, squid or shrimp and a heavy wait to sink it, think im gonna go peddle kayak this weekend though
I've tried a old Steel head method of fishing I used in the Pacific Northwest in both the Marua estuary, and the one we go to north of Jerry's in Santo Tomas and it works great!.... There called Corkies, and there simply cork with a plastic coating withe a hole through the middle. They like the fireball keep the bait suspended, and off the bottom. They come in a variety of sizes and colors, and can be bought on ebay or http://www.cabelas.com/bait-rigs-uv-lil-corky-lure.shtml, and other sites... I like the shrimp color or pearl blue. After you have the Corkie on the line, you simply slide a toothpick in the hole to keep it from sliding up. You can use colored yarn to make a streamer if you like.There are a variety of way's to rig it so the lead comes loose without loosing the hook. I was back in Mexico shortly after catching this Steelhead with a Corkie in Washington state, so as you can see, I've been using this method for a long time..LOL
Last edited: Jan 26, 2012 at 7:04 PM
The top shore bait can be found on Calle 13. Just ask.:rofl::puff:
Man I fished all day yesterday and all last night, nothing. WTF totally weird I usually clean house at those 2 spots
Hooch said:Man I fished all day yesterday and all last night, nothing. WTF totally weird I usually clean house at those 2 spots
Maybe it's the time of year?
Does anyone have an opinion about spring shore fishing, like maybe April, especially for Corvina?
I think all the smaller shore fish high tailed it for warmer waters.
audsley said:Maybe it's the time of year?
Does anyone have an opinion about spring shore fishing, like maybe April, especially for Corvina?
To my understanding the spring time is fantastic for Corvina and other surface fish like Sierra Mackerel and Pompano. March April and May are pry 3 of the best months for those species. I plan on doing a lot of fishing this spring!!
my go to shore fishing rigs are as follows. depending on how i want to fish...
bottom fishing - 1 or 2oz pyramid sinker at the bottom (depending on how the water looks) and a size 2 baithook about 16 inches above the weight to get the bait higher up in the water column. Hook tipped with squid or shrimp until i catch a tiny rock bass then i cut that up and use. (catches just about everything except a flounder ive learned)
cast and retrieve action fishing - 1-2oz chrome kastmasters, or i get these "dragonfly lure" brand lures from Phoenix Fishing in a silver/blue or silve/green color at 1oz and they work very well catching just about anything from shore or kayak (except a flounder)
messing around fishing - usually consists of a white 1oz bucktail jig that i bounce around or quick retrieve just to see what i can catch on it (have only caught rock bass on it)
still yet to catch the elusive flounder. going to spend most of my time during my feb trip trying a smaller chartreuse jig tipped with bait and bounced/dragged very slowly.....
have used similar bottom rig at night and yielded what looked to be some bonefish or the likes and a guitarfish...
bottom fishing - 1 or 2oz pyramid sinker at the bottom (depending on how the water looks) and a size 2 baithook about 16 inches above the weight to get the bait higher up in the water column. Hook tipped with squid or shrimp until i catch a tiny rock bass then i cut that up and use. (catches just about everything except a flounder ive learned)
cast and retrieve action fishing - 1-2oz chrome kastmasters, or i get these "dragonfly lure" brand lures from Phoenix Fishing in a silver/blue or silve/green color at 1oz and they work very well catching just about anything from shore or kayak (except a flounder)
messing around fishing - usually consists of a white 1oz bucktail jig that i bounce around or quick retrieve just to see what i can catch on it (have only caught rock bass on it)
still yet to catch the elusive flounder. going to spend most of my time during my feb trip trying a smaller chartreuse jig tipped with bait and bounced/dragged very slowly.....
have used similar bottom rig at night and yielded what looked to be some bonefish or the likes and a guitarfish...
I've caught a flounder on a crankbait. I'd think that bucktail jig would be a winner for flounder, maybe tipped with squid
A bass style Texas rig with a scampi tail tipped is the best bay but after that I go with the drop shot which is #ftw worked extremely slow. A drop shot rig is a finesse rig so you have to work it slow and pay attention. CKY when are you going down in February?
mexico joe im heading down feb 17th and heading back to reality on the 20th...
ckyevanjay said:mexico joe im heading down feb 17th and heading back to reality on the 20th...
Looks like we're about the same age, might try and get down there that weekend and wet a line with you.
sounds good let me know if you end up heading down or not....
Well my ratio is up to 1.34 trips per month so there's a good chance of it!!!
We havnt been down since June. Missing out on tons of good food and fishing...
March might be your best bet for the shore slam, February might be close to impossible. Any input from the experienced anglers? I dont even know if its possible to catch a corvina from shore in February...
http://wavewalk.com/ wavewalk...has anyone tried one of these...I mean the guy demoing it might be a circus performer and it isn't as amazing as the videos...
I have to catch a flounder first! Bonefish during the day seems hard too so that slam is nowhere close to being completed anytime in the near future.
Mexico Joe said:March might be your best bet for the shore slam, February might be close to impossible. Any input from the experienced anglers? I dont even know if its possible to catch a corvina from shore in February...
Boy, if the weather this year keeps up the way it did in January, then it might be warm enough by the end of Feb to maybe find a Corvina or two.
ParrotHead was telling me he saw a big feeding frenzy just off of Encanto beach last week, so something is roaming around out there.