BigBendFishing.Net

First, I am only a newb to offshore action. For the past 14 years I have spent plenty of time loading up on inshore stuff, mostly on or around St. George. Gotta love fishign the rocks at the Cut, as you never know what you are going to pull up. I have caught trout, reds, black drum, flounder, sheepshead, cobia, jack crevalle, spanish, pompano, blues, and tarpon down there. So why would I want to start offshore? Well, I picked up a 1996 Wellcraft 190CCF from a friend's girlfriend's parents for a song, and just got it all legal-like and ready-to-go, so we are going to head out of Lanark on Monday morning to see what we can catch. I bought a good Eagle GPS/SONAR combo, and have been studying Garmin Mapsource Bluecharts for some spots to try. I am thinking we will probably hit Dog Island reef for some trolling with, from what I have read on here, some Stretch 25+ thingies, along with possibly some bottom action at some other spots a bit further out. Now for the questions:

1-Where would be the best spot to stop out of Lanark to load up on pinfish?

2-Any decent spots where us Newbs won't be screwing anyone up?

3-Any suggestions for fishing techniques we might find useful?

4-I am borrowing some gear from a friend for this trip, but I am looking around at what type of reels/poles to buy. Also not sure on what lb test to use...one friend uses 30, another says no way, use at least 50 or 60. I am looking at Okuma TG20 or TG30 reels, along with some kind of poles with nice roller tips. Any suggestions on reel speeds? Single? High speed? 2 speed? For the money ($200) I can't seem to find anything close to the Okuma's, but I am not sure how suited they will be for bottom fishing.

Thanks for all the good info on this site, and thanks in advance for anyone's help!

You will probably get lots of good general "where" info here. Spend a few more bf's and get an epirb.

Welcome aboard.

CoachDitka wrote: I am thinking we will probably hit Dog Island reef for some trolling with, from what I have read on here, some Stretch 25+ thingies, along with possibly some bottom action at some other spots a bit further out.
1-Where would be the best spot to stop out of Lanark to load up on pinfish?

2-Any decent spots where us Newbs won't be screwing anyone up?

3-Any suggestions for fishing techniques we might find useful?

4-I am borrowing some gear from a friend for this trip, but I am looking around at what type of reels/poles to buy. Also not sure on what lb test to use...one friend uses 30, another says no way, use at least 50 or 60. I am looking at Okuma TG20 or TG30 reels, along with some kind of poles with nice roller tips. Any suggestions on reel speeds? Single? High speed? 2 speed? For the money ($200) I can't seem to find anything close to the Okuma's, but I am not sure how suited they will be for bottom fishing.

Use #1 clark spoons with a small trolling weight, maybe 40 lb test mono leader to troll Dog Island Reef. Use the Stretch 30's and 20's for offshore.

Pinfish can be caught around Lanark reef or behind Dog Island anywhere there is 3-5' of water over grass. Use bream hooks and a small weight, plus bits of squid.

Decent spots would be the artificial reefs in the Dog Island Area. Check this web site for coordinates.

Those Okuma's are way overkill for a new fisherman. You can buy yourself a nice, medium action rod, say 20-50 lb class, 6' long, with either a 3/0 or 4/0 Penn senator, 40-50 lb line and you can catch a lot on the bottom. For trolling I like a standup rod, 5'6" long, and a Shimano TLD 20 with 30 lb line. Lots less money than those Okumas.

To save money, just start with the Senator outfit, you can troll with it too.

EJ