Which regulations to follow? & Rod and Reel setup

[ahaga09]

Hey guys,
New to the forum here...My wife and I are coming to the Keys the 2nd week of June. I am wanting to catch some snappers/groupers to stink up a pan if you catch my drift. I was wondering what regulations you are suppose to go by when fishing from the bridges such as Channell 2 and 5 (gulf or atlantic?). I also would like some help with rod and reel setup as I have not fished for snappers/groupers before. Most of my saltwater experience is with inshore fishing the Carolina's (flounder, reds, and trout). Would a shimano 4000 be enough reel? Also, what size/spec rod would you pair with it?...I will also be bringing a 2500 (bait) and triton casting reel. Sorry for the long post and all the questions...thank you for your time and consideration


-tight lines

[PhishingPhanatic]

Monroe County follows the Atlantic fishing regulations.

4000 reel is light, unless you're going to be fishing the pilons for mangrove snapper.

And I wouldn't go down there with any expectations of bringing home any keeper grouper from the bridges. They are few and far between.

[ahaga09]

Monroe County follows the Atlantic fishing regulations.

4000 reel is light, unless you're going to be fishing the pilons for mangrove snapper.

And I wouldn't go down there with any expectations of bringing home any keeper grouper from the bridges. They are few and far between.

Thank you for your response...I didnt think the bigger grouper would be there...I would ideally like to catch a limit of snappers....so would a 4000 be ok for that? Would I need a net to bring them up? Thanks again for your help...any advice for rigs? Up here i usually use an egg sinker (w/ bead) to a swivel with a leader (carolina rig) using mullet, shrimp, or cut...is that similar to what yall use there?

Sorry again for all the questions...newbie trying to learn


-tight line

[Moose]

viewtopic.php?f=12&t=1045

Here's a great place to start.

[PhishingPhanatic]

The best advice I have for someone casually fishing the bridges that just wants to catch a few fish for dinner, is to get a few dozen live shrimp (the biggest you can find), a medium spinner, and some trollrite jigheads (available at any tackle store), in a couple sizes. Travel light, and fish the calm water on the pilings straight down. Keep your bail open and let the shrimp drift naturally, and watch for the smallest movement in your line. I use a 4000 reel with straight 12 lb mono for this, sometimes I use a 20 lb flouro leader but usually not.

Keep trying different pilings until you find one that has keeper-sized mangroves on it, once you catch one, you'll usually get a few more from the same piling before they get smart. You won't get many huge ones doing this, but usually can get a limit of 12-16" fish within an hour or two, if you move around enough. If you're getting your shrimp pecked in half, move to a different piling, it's either small snapper or other reef fish. The bigger ones will eat the whole thing.

[HJared]

for fish under 16 inches and a good rod you dont need a net, but if you are using an inshore or weak rod you could break it flipping them. With 20 or 30lb leader i never need a net unless its a 20" fish really

[ahaga09]

Thanks guys for the great information...I will def check out that link you sent me...any advice on a two piece rod that travels well? All mine are 1 piece and we are flying down so baggage is an issue plus we are getting a small suv rental...thanks again and keep the advice coming


-tight lines

[SaltyDog]

Just buy a cheapo and bass pro and throw your reel in a suitcass unless you re going to use 2 pc and biscuit back where you live

[Sandbar]

2 pc and biscuit?

sounds like a KFC special

[StoneJackBaller]

I heard this thread had a 2pc and a biscuit.

[ahaga09]

Two piece and a biscuit??? Yall guys got me on that one...no clue what you mean haha...I do plan on using the rod again for my trips to the Carolina's

[Sandbar]

Saltydog was probably posting from a mobile device and it must've tried to auto correct a misspelled ''bring'' with ''biscuit''. I think he meant to type "use 2 pc and bring back where you live".

If you think you can pack a 2 piece rod with the luggage, it would probably be the best option.

[kblue]

i liked my St Croix 2 pc before I broke it...

[Rare]

i liked my St Croix 1 pc before I broke it...

Yes, blue, but now its 2 pc

[kblue]

i liked my St Croix 1 pc before I broke it...

Yes, blue, but now its 2 pc

3 pc lol

[SaltyDog]

No i meant 2 pc and a biscuit........ Paulie just what i call 2pc rods ask kblue the reel is the biscuit im hungry

[kblue]

On that highstick day, I brought my 3 pc and a biscuit where I live...lol

[STRIZ]

No i meant 2 pc and a biscuit........ Paulie just what i call 2pc rods ask kblue the reel is the biscuit im hungry

Dang Scotty

Munchies found me again 2 LMFAO

[SaltyDog]

LOL Ron sour d

[ahaga09]

Any preference for rod length when fishing from the bridges? I was thinking a 8-9' medium action would work...or do yall think it needs to be medium-heavy? Thanks for your time again

-tight lines

[kblue]

Any preference for rod length when fishing from the bridges? I was thinking a 8-9' medium action would work...or do yall think it needs to be medium-heavy? Thanks for your time again

-tight lines

I think med is good for snapper... it may be hard to find 2pc less than 8'

[ahaga09]

So I picked up a shimano socorro 8000 for a steal and was thinking of pairing it with a 9' sea striker beach runner...Has anyone had experience with the beach runner surf/spin rods? Thanks again for all your help yall are a great group of guys on here and I can't wait to get down there in June.

-tight lines

[Moose]

So I picked up a shimano socorro 8000 for a steal and was thinking of pairing it with a 9' sea striker beach runner...Has anyone had experience with the beach runner surf/spin rods? Thanks again for all your help yall are a great group of guys on here and I can't wait to get down there in June.

-tight lines

i love the beach runners on miami beach....but they're usually 5'3-5'9....and made in south america....no complaints thought...

[HJared]

Lol moose I agree

[ahaga09]

[/quote]i love the beach runners on miami beach....but they're usually 5'3-5'9....and made in south america....no complaints thought...[/quote]

haha I hear ya...would a 9' surf rod be good enough to use from the bridges?