Channel 5 Advice

[DBoyz]

Going to head down to channel 5 for a couple of days in 2 weeks(May 2nd & May 3rd).
I have fished there before, but would like some tips from the pros. You guys have some impressive catches and I enjoy the pics and the posts.
I think I am pretty well setup for rods and tackle. Variety of rods from light/medium rigged with sabikis for catching bait all the way up to some 7 footers with Shimano TLD and Penn 4/0.
What would be the best or personal favorite hook/leader/rig combo for snaps, permit ect?
Best to get to the bottom, surface or mid-way of the water column or have 1 rod for each?
Favorite baits? I usually use live shrimp,cut herring chunks and catch whatever I can on the sabikis.
I also usually put out a chum bag, good idea or not?
I know you pretty much have to adapt to what's biting at the time but it pays to ask so I know what to focus on and what not to bother with.
If anyone is around stop by and introduce yourself, beer is on me. I'll be there with my son and my Uncle(first timer for Channel 5). I'll be the one with the bridge/beach cart and a green chair.

[ringonose]

Your leader will depend on how the current is. Strong ripping current you want a short leader & longer leader for a nice current flow.

Snapper under ya, you will want a troll rite or just enough weight to go under water and where they are at. Have a lite setup for this as them big snappers at times will be picky. A nice chuck of bait works at times & shrimp work well but you have to find the bigger guys and the small guys will tend to hit it first. Permit, 40lb-50lb main, and a very long leader of at least 60lb. When not permit fishing put a small pinfish on the rod & drop it down & crank in a few turns. Now, if this rod hits.....YOU MUST BE NEAR IT AND CRANK LIKE IF YOUR LIFE IS ON THE LINE! If you dont you will be rocked and you might have lost a nice size grouper.

As for what best bait & ""best to get to the bottom, surface or mid-way of the water column"" You have to get what is fresh and so what they will hit. I will at times have different baits in each rod and see which one gets hits and switch to that bait when I reel in the other rods. At times it doesnt matter cause they will hit anything... I caught nice mutton/snapper with a troll rite & a a small piece of ballyhoo letting the line going out with the current (when it's not ripping)

Chum or not to chum. I don't, cause all the trssh fish it brings in..."BUT" this brings in other small fish and bait fish in & in turn can bring in other bigger fish in. I will use it only when the fish in very slow or when you need bait and there is nothing you are catch on the sabiki.

Now, if you are not catching and the bridge is not full....Move around cause they might be just a few more feet away from ya. Good luck!!!

SOLID report. I'm thinking of going down around the same time, life just isn't the same without fishing those bridges. One last bit of advice fishing those bridges. Never underestimate the power of artificials in those locations. I've caught all sorts of surprise un-expected things on gotya jigs and plugs and the like, just from tryin' somethin' new.

[DBoyz]

Good info, thanks. Where do the permit usually hang? Under the pier itself or the roadway? Anywhere along the pier or usually at a certain point?
Btw, I'll be on the south pier. I never fished the north one. Which is a better bet?

[dan]

good luck getting on the north pier of 5

[ringonose]

good luck getting on the north pier of 5

Obviously he didn't mean it that way!

[DBoyz]

good luck getting on the north pier of 5

I would assume there's no access to the north pier, if so I guess why I never fished there.

[clarence2society]

i have been wanting to hit up channel 2... if i do ok this week maybe i will come down and meet ya there...be nice to find a 40 dollar motel though heh