Noob on ocean fishing (Juno Pier)

[Senlathial]

I recently moved down to Jupiter, Florida for a new job. (For the locals, thanks to the county for voting yes on the new contract that keeps us here. Locals will know what I mean.) I've enjoyed fishing my whole life, but previouly its been panfish, catfish, and some rock bass--nothing major.

Luckily, one of my coworkers who moved here also enjoys fishing. We are both rookies at ocean fishing, however. This weekend we are going to try Juno pier. I admit, I will be fishing for information on how to pier fish as much as actually getting some real fishing done, but I thought I'd ask here since I've come to love this website.

I would like to ask some questions I haven't found answers to elsewhere on this site:

1) I plan on starting with cheap rods/reels until I learn the hobby more. From what I've read here, a 7-foot or so rod and a spin reel will be fine. Does it need to be a "thick" rod? Do I need a baitcasting reel? 15-20 lb test line? I am sure this depends on what I am fishing for, so please read the next question.

2) I have no idea what to fish for. This will be my first time fishing in the ocean (I'm not counting a charter my friend and I tried last weekend that was horribly crowded--we spent half our time just getting out of tangles), so something easy would be nice. I hope to bring home some to eat as well (and I am looking up size regulations), but since I don't know what is edible I'm still lost. Any suggestions? Should I try Mack (main site says Juno pier is good for those now) or Pomp? I'll have to look up what these look like.

3) Last question, and the dreaded one, is how do I fish for them? There is a bait shop on the pier, I'm told. I hope to strike up some conversations with people on the pier on how to fish, but I'd like to show up with some supplies and get fishing done myself as well. (ie. once I learn something, I can't run back to a store and get what I need.) Do I really just need a line and leader, and a slip weight? This is where I'm most lost.

Thanks for any advice that is offered. I appreciate it.

Sen

[kyfisherman]

yeah basically if your a beginner and would like to give the pier a try just use a 7 or so foot rod with a good spinning reel or conventional and probably 12-20lb line. There is so many different techniques that can be applied in pier fishing.. Sometimes it seems everyne on the pier is doing something different, and other times everyone is doing the same thing.

When I pier fished I just used a basic pomp rig with a pyramid sinker. I used fresh shrimp not frozen from a seafood market, as well as squid. Not sure what you'll catch at that particular pier but I bet you'll catch something. Also I would bring along a lil cheap pole for bait, just something really simple like a zebco. Buy you a couple sabiki rigs with fish skin on the hooks, and bounce it over the side of the pier to catch bait.

Take the bait, hook it through the nostrils with a circle hook and throw it out, maybe put a split shot a couple feet back up your line.

Ohhh and as far as the rigging for fishing with squid or shrimp, I'd just buy a few pre-made pomp rigs before I start tying my own stuff. Good luck!

[OkeeArt]

wow KY you have come along way since I first saw you here asking the questions... you've done your homework.

My suggestion on this too is if you are getting cheap temporary gear to start off with then check out pawn shops or flea markets for some even better deals on used ones.
Just about all my Rods and Reels have come from Ebay.
STick with the pre made rigs like KY said.

I'm not sure but I think that Juno is a no shark pier Bummer.
But last time I was there they had what was being caught listed on the board.

For species and such grab a handbook at most any bait shop along with the measuring stick that has size limits right on it.
If you forget that usually someone right around you on the pier will have one and are happy to help you keep from taking an illegal fish.

[kyfisherman]

thank ya okeeart, i've done about every kind of fishing here in freshwater and seem to have mastered each one except for muskie in the freshwater.. But the surf introduces a new challenge and I learned a lot in the week I fished down there, and besides that I continuously read about surf fishing, learning new techniques and different ideas not only for surf but general boatless fishing.

[BoatlessFisherman]

Yes props to you KY.

What I can add is make sure you have more than one rod "you are allowed 3", you will need a Bait rod that can double as a Mackerel rod.

On the heavier reel I would put 20lb test this will give you a better shot.

Since you will be at Juno you may get lucky and get a small cobia run, they are running singlar and this makes for bigger fish, I have heard they have allready had a couple of good days this past week so I expect this to continue for a week or two but they will be spotty.

For Cobia just take your largest rod and bait it with fresh Blue runner head on a bottom rig or use Squid, yes Squid may be your best bet and really if you hit the seafood market and get some nice large fresh squid they Love em and they have a good smell.

You could also use a Cobia Jig and worked up and down on the retrieve and they will hit on the drop and many times on the the first drop on the cast.

I would certainly try a little bit while i was there for a cobia and as mentioned Pompano and Spanish Mackerel.

You should have a good time.

[Senlathial]

Thank you all for the advice. I plan on going out and getting my cheap gear tonight. I look forward to my first pier fishing experience this weekend. I'll hop back on this thread afterwards and let you know how it went.

[BoatlessFisherman]

I moved your reply Senlathial to Palm beach Fishing Report area, that was your first fishing report Thanks

[Senlathial]

Np, thanks. Guess I should of thought of that.