pier fishing info needed

[ebbtide176]

i didn't know what all to list in the subject line...<br /><br />i was thinking about getting a dip net to use from a pier. my pop has developed a strong urge to catch flounder in the last couple of years, and my mother said they had a hard time getting them from water up to the pier without breaking their line. she said there was a guy with a dip net attached to a rope that she thought would be what they need. we're getting together this spring over at the coast of SC, so i'd like to get ideas on several things:<br /><br />-anyone know where i can find a net that is like a dip net without the handle, hard frame, with rope attached around it to keep it level when hoisting fish up the 10+ ft to the pier? <br />-or anything better to use instead?<br />-feel free to give tips on what structure, line to use, and how to catch the flounder also. <br /><br />(i will also run a search here for the old posts when i'm not pressed for time.)<br /><br />-is April a decent time for flounder fishing, near Beaufort SC, specifically Hunting Island? <br />-what fish would you try for at that time, saltwater fishing from the bank or pier?

 

[Fishbusters]

Re: pier fishing info needed

First off I would go anywhere but Hunting Island please go anywhere I promise the fishing would be much better.<br />As to the drop net around here any S/W tackle shop has them and they are a life saver from a pier or even high dock. Make sure you get the one with the heavy round rim and tie it so it hangs level. As to fishing assuming you do not have a boat the pier is good to try as is the lagoon. I would say more flounder caught by bank anglers come from the lagoon rather than anywhere else. I would also fish around the bridge coming onto the island as well as along the river till it enters the ocean. Another good place is the trees that have fallen into the water and around the roots because usually their is a deeper hole scoured around them. As far as fish species it would depend on how warm it has gotten but flounder, trout and spottail are year round residents. I usually catch mine on artificials but good baits are mud minnows, finger mullet or shrimp. The minnows need to be alive and the others make better live baits but can also be used whole or cut. I do like to peel my FRESH (food quality) shrimp as it gives off more scent. Usually the cut baits do best for spottail s/w panfish and such. The fall is a better time of year for all three though with another peak in late spring early summer for flounder. As well you can catch small to good sized sharks fishing off the beach and in both rivers and this might be the best choice of action. Sharks like a fresh killed cut bait the bloodier the better but will also take almost anything depending upon their mood. Around the pier you may also run into sheepshead as well as out front on the trees. You also catch the other three species as well as an occasional shark off the pier. Most S/W panfish such as spot and croaker will not be in yet but you can put a rod out with a #6 to #4 hook and a piece of peeled FRESH (food quality) shrimp out to check and this also attracts spottail. What may be the problem is time of year. The inshore and offshore waters may not have warmed up enough making baits as well as gamefish hard to find. Slower is better especially with flounder and is almost critical this time of year unless we are blessed with a lot of warmth. Usually I cast net my own baits as what is running is best to use but you can purchase some at the tackle shop at the pier. One more time if using dead shrimp use stuff from the grocery store and not the bait shrimp they sell either but fresh like you would buy to eat yourself. <br />Once again keep in mind the fishing at Hunting Island sucks. I would recommend going to Myrtle Beach or somewhere anywhere else LOL.

 

[ebbtide176]

Re: pier fishing info needed

dang! talk about raining on my parade...

LOL<br /><br />thanks for the info. i might just try to find one of those nets to get for christmas(if i hurry). i'm pretty much stuck with Hunting Island, as its more of a get-together than a fishing expedition. are spottails good to eat?

 

[ebbtide176]

Re: pier fishing info needed

i have not had any luck finding the net i mentioned anywhere on the internet, yet... do you know the name of it, or who makes it?

 

[Fishbusters]

Re: pier fishing info needed

Yes spottail bass are good to eat. They are just a little on the low in numbers side so please release any and keep the flounder and trout if you get any. As far as name and such on the net I have no clue. I don't fish much from a pier and the cost was a little more than I needed to spend for the amount of time I would use it. <br />As to Hunting Island I guess you have never been there. I also bet you can't tell I was being sarcastic. But forget I said that the fishing at Hunting Island sucks go anywhere else and leave the oysters alone because they taste horrible and the shrimp are diseased ETC and so forth. LOL

 

[Boatist]

Re: pier fishing info needed

A crab net would work for lifting fish up. Can get them anywhere near the ocean out here.

 

[ebbtide176]

Re: pier fishing info needed

10-4 on the spot tails there PFB. We have been there once before, @ 5yrs ago, when my nephew was a Marine weapons instructor. But we didn't fish much, just did a little crabbing. Now I know a little more about proper (crabbing off a pier) manners, thanx to derwood. If we do crab next time, we'll be sure to stay far from people fishing i think most everyone on the pier was crabbing last time, but not sure. <br /><br />anyway, we'll try the lagoon, as you said before, and the river and beach. i have a surf rod. who knows, maybe me & pop can sneak off to Myrtle Bch.<br /><br />i didn't even think of using a crab net! i only had the metal cage type, and pyramid type traps, but saw some asians using the net types, now that y'all mentioned it. that's what i'll look for next. that'll keep those who don't have patience or touch to fish the rod/reels. i've not caught a flounder, except maybe once, a long time (15yrs)ago, off jetties, so i want to catch one pretty badly.

 

[flagler_beach]

Re: pier fishing info needed

EBB,<br /> I know this is way, way late but I was surfing the net and ran across your message about looking for a pier net. I had the same problem and found nets that fit your parameters but most seem to have hard rings of 30-36" in diameter.<br /> Then I found this one and bought it. It's great and collapses down to 10" in diameter to fit into a 5 gal. bucket.<br /> http://www.eangler.com/eangler/proshop/productdetail.asp?prod_id=4605