What are some techniques and tips to catch fish?

Question

I am fishing off of a pier, not a boat. If it matters

Answer 1

Pier Fishing Tips and Techniques
General Tips
Fish are migratory. Try different sides of the pier and pay attention to times and weather conditions when you are catching fish. Use a good log book to take notes.
Fish the Break Water
Watch for birds. Where the gulls or terns are usually so are the fish.
Look for cloudy water and fish right where it meets the clear water.
Try dropping a line straight down instead of casting. Fish like to be close to the pier.
Unless you plan to surf fish leave the long rod at home, they can get cumbersome on a pier.
In summer time try fishing at night.
Consolidate your tackle so you only have to make one trip to the pier, an old golf bag, although strange looking serves this pupose quite well


Accessories
Cooler(s)
One-handed coolers are convenient for holding fish and bait. Any fish that is intended to be eaten should be iced immediately. Avoid soaking your fish in water; drain cooler frequently.

5 Gallon Bucket
A five gallon bucket with a board for a top can serve multiple purposes. If the day is cool a bucket can be bait bucket, cooler, and tackle box. Cut notches in the top of the bucket then suspend your favorite lures from the notches. Put ice and bai into separate plastic bags. Cool your catch with the ice.

Other Essentials
Pliers, knife, plastic baggies, fish ruler, rag, hat or cap, bottled water, sunblock, and sunglasses

Fishing Knots
Know your Knots. Click here to find out how to tie many of the most popular and useful knots.



Terminal Tackle
Terminal tackle refers to snaps, swivels, connectors, leaders, weights and bait rigs you attach to end of your line. Use terminal tackle sparringly, use only what is needed. To much terminal tackle can confuse and distract fish.

Use swivels and snaps to allow for quick changes of lures and baits.

Use a flat finished swivel , black, gray, or olive green are good colors.





Pier fishing weights come in a variety of sizes and shapes. Round Sinkers allow for rigs to drug across the bottom. Pyrimid Sinkers dig into the bottom to allow the bait to float free and realistically



the above are some of the tips to follow

Answer 2

Right place, right time, right bait. Ask questions. Most lie, but some may tell you something about the pier you will be fishing on. Yes, fishing off a boat is different because with a boat, if there's no fish it's easier to move somewhere else to find the fish. With pier fishing you just fish that pier, or maybe a nearby pier. Yet the pier is a nice piece of structure that attracts fish.

Answer 3

I have posts about pier fishing on my web site, http://flafin.blogspot.com. Check them out and also check out the web sites of the piers I get the reports from. Most of them contain message boards where you can pick up great tips from the anglers who fish these piers on a regular basis.

Answer 4

I use squid right on the bottom at my pier .I cast out as far as I can . We catch alot of back rays . Or if you want perch use clam on a small hook under the pier with a very flexible pole /.

Answer 5

Can't really help ya' when it comes to the pier fishin', but here be a link that'll help you out with proper fishin' knots (all knots are animated for easier tyin'). Think RP forgot ta' enter knot link, no biggie we're all guilty of that at times. As for anything else he pretty much covered it and his credit is due ;)...

http://animatedknots.com/indexfishing.php?LogoImage=LogoGrog.jpg&Website=www.animatedknots.com