Pt. Beach 5/11 P.M.

[brian8980]

Before I get into my night, what is the proper rule of thumb for surf/jetty fishing; do you crowd someone if you see them catching and what about talking/sneaking up on someone.  Reason I ask is I had the WHOLE beach to myself tonight and it was just getting dark, I had just walked up from the surf to put another clam on my rig and out of no way this guy all in black comes up from behind me and asks what is going on.  Mind you I am jumpy to begin with, but with working for the DOD and being in not so nice places; you might now want to sneak up on someone holding a 7 inch knife at night, you might get more then you asked for by accident.  Now after he chats with me, he proceeds to go to the spot I was just at that I jsut explained I had caught a fish 20 minutes before had.  WTF.   Can someone explain proper manors to me, since I am new to all this.

Now my night, the wife let me out once again (god I hope she keeps this up     ) and I deceided to try dusk till 3 hrs past high tide.  Fished Point Beach with clams most of the time.  Caught 1 striper at 24 inches, a ton of skats and 2 sting rays.  I had a hell of alot of bumps, one being so hard I thought I got a hard on.

Leasons learned, I scare easy at night   
can switching from J-Hooks to Circle Hooks change my hook up?  Which one is better and why, Pros/Cons.  What is the best way to fish a Fin-S, weighted hook?  Never have and just trying to figure it out.  Thanks for the help guys.  Wishing I could get my first striper and well on the bigger action that is going on.  Guess I should complain for my first season getting stripers (7 totally from the surf so far).

Gimper

 

[Bucktail]

1.  Proper manners would have been for that guy to find his own spot.

2.  If you're fond of fishing from a sand spike the circle hooks might help you out as they set themselves.  I would suggest sticking with the hooks you have and holding the rod, so you can react quicker when you get a bite.

3.  Fin S can be rigged many ways, but on a jighead is the easiest and most productive way.  Rig it up straight on a jig that's just heavy enough to keep in contact with the bottom.

The pics below are from the Lunker City website (and how I do it).  http://www.lunkercity.com/jig_rig.html
I generally shy away from the LC jigheads in favor of either Kalin's or Oldham's jigheads.  You can also rig them on a bucktail jig.

4.  Seven stripers already this season?  So far you're doing better than me  buddy! 

[brian8980]

I actually am holding the rod, just missing the hook ups, not sure if I am to slow or what.  I guess a better question is, I feel the bump; I should try to set the hook or do I wait for the fish to take it?  Once again, i am new to this so bear with me.

Once again, I got a hell of alot of bumps and hits last night up to 2.5 hrs past high tide.  just couldnt land them on the hook.  Thanks for the help.

Gimper

[Noworries2009]

You didn't say what hook you're using. However, I use circles Gami 7/0 and bigger. Tie my clams on and spike the rods with lighted rod tips for after dark fishing. Small fish of all kinds will hit the clams but larger bass usually just eat it.Sometimes you just miss. Keep at it you're out there doin it. 

[Capt -Jerry P]

The Guy just might been looking for someone to shoot Bs with and Fish with rather than standing by himself... I noticed this alot when i beach fished a while back.

But i also understand where u are coming from!!!

I am still a Firm Beliver of the J Hooks... esp when fish are just bumping at the clam If they are really eating the clams circle hooks work great.

But when they are just bumping the clam and picking at da strings and bellies. I always Did better with the j hooks because it allowed me to swing on short bites.

Good luck and Thanks for the report!!!

[Pfishingruven]

Nice job!  The guy should have certainly gone somewhere else .  One of those people that thinks there is only one place to catch fish.

If you dead stick, circle hooks are the way to go.  If you are holding the rod, I like the J Hooks as well, like Capt Jerry said...that way you can actually try setting the hook when they really aren't committing to the bait.  Either way, when they are biting like that I would downsize the hook by 1 size and the amount of bait on there.  You always have to "trial and error" and be ready to change it up as needed.

You are having a great season so far with many more months of good fishing still !

 

[ped579]

I agree with most of what was said above.  As far as the hooks, I prefer the circle hooks.  I do both dead stick and hold the rod it depends how I feel.  A trick I have learned is to not set the hook to fast.  Once I feel the initial tap I count to 5 and start to reel in.

Bass have a tendency to mouth the bait and swim off slowly.  Once they turn you can just start to reel.  The circle hook will do its magic and your hook will be in the side of the jaw all the time.

I have not used J hooks for years now.  Why, I am for the most part a catch & release kind of guy.  If the J hook goes to far down the throat it will lodge in the gut or the gills and cause the fish to die in short time.  Ever switching over I have not had that problem.

Again only my $.02

Happy Catching

Paul

[brian8980]

I really appricieate all the help guys, really i do 

Gimper

[ped579]

Bottom line Gimper...Don't stop experimenting.  That is what makes fishing fun.

Happy Catching

Paul