Saltwater Baits

[I.rar]

I'm looking for some suggestions for some saltwater hard baits. These would be fished from shore at a marina and off a jetty with a LOT of rock and other snags. Small cuda, snapper, ladyfish and others being common in the area.

I'm not looking to fill a tackle box but just a few lures to cover water when I don't have time for cut or live bait. Something I can throw with a casting setup would be nice but I have a spinning rig I can use if needed.

[A-Jay]

A Bucktail jig with a pork strip trailer.

 

A jig can be worked at various levels in the water column and a single jar of pork will last a while.

 

With toothy critters around a wire leader would be a good idea.

 

Good Luck

 

A-Jay

[I.rar]

A 1 - 2 ounce bucktail jig with a pork strip trailer.

A jig can be worked at various levels in the water column and a single jar of pork will last a while.

With toothy critters around a wire leader would be a good idea.

Good Luck

A-Jay

That's a bit too heavy for my gear but bucktails are on my list.

I plan on using my bass gear so 1/4 - 5/8oz would be the weight I'm after.

[A-Jay]

That's a bit too heavy for my gear but bucktails are on my list.

I plan on using my bass gear so 1/4 - 5/8oz would be the weight I'm after.

 

 

If you're fishing in any current, which is often present off the beach and around jetties, a bucktail works well.

The weight will play a role as will the depth of water.

 

A-Jay

[I.rar]

I may need a new rod to handle the weight if I go that heavy.

Here's the location I plan on fishing. Around the marina and the jetty. During high tide, the last half of it used to be underwater. Not sure if they've improved it since.

https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=25.54066,-80.329585&safe=moderate&ie=UTF-8

[A-Jay]

Someone with local knowledge can provide you with info on tackle and baits.

 

Prior to any purchase, perhaps you could contact a couple of the tackle shops in the area and inquire as to what will be needed.

 

A-Jay

[SirSnookalot]

I might be able to shed some light, knowing the waters and the fish quite well.  I do not recommend the rod, but if that is what you have you can use it.

You really don't need much in the way of lures.  A silver spoon is essential, bucktail jigs catch everything, 1/4 oz painted or unpainted jig heads for use with plastic fluke type baits, I like to use them with curly tail grubs too.  Don't need anything else, especially for use with a light outfit as you will be using.  For a little extra fun toss in a mirror lure twitch bait, I personally use the Catch 2000.  Wire leaders are a good idea for cuda and bluefish, 20 or 30# should be fine, use a mono leader for all other fish.

[I.rar]

Thanks, snook.

That's what I needed. A small list of things to get me going that I can fit in a pocket. Similar to what I do with my freshwater baits.

Never fished a spoon before. Are they snag prone? This place in notorious for snatching lures.

What about hard baits like bombers, rapalas , etc?

At the moment, the heaviest leader material I have is 10# p line cxx that breaks close to 20#. Should I go heavier?

[I.rar]

Also, I may eventually get a heavier rod for salt but I'm not sure how often I'll go. But if I keep getting skunked at the lakes and canals, I'll be there more.

[SirSnookalot]

Any lure with an exposed hook is prone to get snagged, IMO a fluke on a jig head may get snagged less but it still happens.  There is always the option of fishing a fluke weedless.  I think 10# leader is a little light but for the gear you planning on using it will work.

 

You will get skunked plenty in saltwater now, it's not that time of the year yet, when the baitfish start running is the time.

[I.rar]

When would be a good time to expect fish?

I'm guessing incoming tide would be better than outgoing?

Sorry, but I'm clueless when it comes to saltwater, lol.

[SirSnookalot]

When would be a good time to expect fish?.........Hopefully late march or April

I'm guessing incoming tide would be better than outgoing?....Incoming for cuda and outgoing for snook

Sorry, but I'm clueless when it comes to saltwater, lol....let the fish do the thinking

[Pz3]

Im no saltwater expert but I love this Bomber.

 

[MidwestFishing]

I have done a lot of surf fishing with light tackle in Port St. Lucie area and intercoastal waterway and as stated above, the Buck tail jig and spoon is hard to beat. Choose weights that fit you your rod/reel. Also, watch for baitfish because the predators will be close behind.

[OkeechobeeAngler]

Midwestfishing when your back in town send me a message. Im up in Ft. Pierce.

[john81]

I like sting silvers from the shore, also bucktails with some kind of fishbelly works well also. also yozuri crystal minnows work awesome but add up if you lose a few.