Rod, weight? Anyone up for this afternoon/evening?

[AnimalPA]

I don't think I was getting down to the depth of the fish yesterday as at least two others near me were catching them on same spots i fished and one guy had a nice slot fish and +28" fish. From what I had read I was afraid that my jig heads were not heavy enough but I sure gave it a try!

What weight jigs should I be throwing? When they are deep on the pilings as apposed to the rocks, I understand 1-1 1/2 oz and in strong tides 2 oz? If so I will need a stiffer rod than my current ML; I used it with a 3/4 oz and it was like slinging a brick so I went back to 3/8 and 1/2 oz with poor results.

One thing about kayakers and to an extent salt water fisherman is that they will pull up with you on the water and discuss things. I did so with one boater and a kayaker yesterday and met two nice people. That would never happen on the tidal Potomac with LM bass fishermen.

At least the two I met were throwing the same type baits as me and I'm not way off the mark; just slightly discouraged.

Anyone up for another try on the BB around 2:30-3 p.m. today 5/17 Thur?

[yakersaltlife]

Animal,

I use a MH fast action rod and it seems to be enough. I have a 4000 series cabela's reel on it, and the setup seems to be very good for the pilings. Only thing I can say is that it seems a little heavy for fishing all day long while on a boat. this is my first year kayak fishing, so all of my knowledge is coming from fishing from boat, but the logic should be the same. I have found that 3/4 to 1 oz jigs have been helpful for just learning this technique and when I was out a few weekends ago, I had to use a 1oz the whole time due to the wind pushing me.

Just for reference, did you fish the East side pilings or the West?

[J.A. Veil]

I suggest that you get a copy of Shawn Kimbro's book that came out last December. He devotes a lot of time to describing light tackle jigging.

I have tried to fish the pilings before with a ML rod -- as you discovered, that is not a optimal set up. M to MH rods will serve you better. You want the lightest jighead that will allow you to reach bottom. With the strong currents near the Bay Bridge, that often is at least 1 oz, and can be higher.

You will increase your learning curve by going out with a local guide for a day of LTJ fishing. Walleye Pete (and probably other guides) offer "walk-on" trips where you pay only for your share ($75 to $100) and don't have to worry about paying for the full charter.

[HJS]

aminalPA - I've fished the BB from a big boat many times and almost always use a 6'6" MH rod with 10# to 14# Fireline, 20# leader. If big fish a known to be in the area then I switch to a H action 7' rod rigged with 14# Fireline. The jigs range from .5oz to 1oz, lures from 5" to 7" soft plastics. I've caught many nice stripers very near bottom at the rock piles, I'm talking mid/upper 20"s. That calls for the 1oz jigs, short casts with a rapid descent to the bottom. Sometimes during the late summer into fall a mix of schoolie stripers and smallish blues will start breaking around the rock piles and pylons for extended periods of time, good action then for low 20"s stripers and 10"-14" blues (nice frying size, good eats).

When fishing the shallower pylons near the ends of the BB then a .5oz jig is used rigged with 4"-5" bass assassins. BTW, if it ain't chartreuse it ain't no use. I prefer the chartreuse silver glitter.

So far I haven't ventured to the BB in my canoe with troller and I doubt I ever will, too risky. I know I won't be comfortable out there in water that big.

[AnimalPA]

Thanks

Ive been reading his web site, good stuff. Thanks for all the advice. I wanted to get a idea of what I needed prior to buying as I make that mistake too often. The guide is a good idea and one I've used in the past in other types of water. I'll have to look into doing so here also. thanks again.

[AnimalPA]

West side

Animal,

I use a MH fast action rod and it seems to be enough. I have a 4000 series cabela's reel on it, and the setup seems to be very good for the pilings. Only thing I can say is that it seems a little heavy for fishing all day long while on a boat. this is my first year kayak fishing, so all of my knowledge is coming from fishing from boat, but the logic should be the same. I have found that 3/4 to 1 oz jigs have been helpful for just learning this technique and when I was out a few weekends ago, I had to use a 1oz the whole time due to the wind pushing me.

Just for reference, did you fish the East side pilings or the West?

I launched at SPSP and fished he west side from SPSP to the main channel where the far end of the western cables anchore to the rock pile; the span closest to the lower main bay. I fished the down current side of the pilings casting up current past my target and as close to pilings as possible.