Hoping some of you can help me out.
I plan to get out and try Jetty fishing for the first time this week. It will be at Jetty Park in Surfside. I'm a total neophyte to this type of fishing. I am looking for enough info to go out and have a little success on my first outing. What line to spool, basic setups and baits. Fish the bottom, under a float???

Any help appreciated.

This time of year, I'd probably fish the bottom (3-way) with fresh dead shrimp. Might hook into some whiting, sheepshead or maybe even a redfish. Bring a lot of tackle.

However, the local bait stores will probably have the best advice.

Good luck!

The little bit of jetty fishing I do is with flies, so I can't offer you pertinent advice. It might help those who offer help to know what you hope to catch.

Thanks for the input MulGogiHunter.



Like everyone, I want to catch the biggest and the bestest. This is a new treat for me and I just want to get out, have fun and make the best of my time here.

When you read about gulf fishing, you hear redfish and trout. It would be fun to target either/both if practical.

I guess my question should be, if you were here for just the next two months, what would you target. where should I start.

Thanks all. If anyone has questions about hunting/fishing AZ maybe I can return the favor.

Throw a live shrimp out there and you can catch just about anything from Specks and Reds to Whiting and Hardheads. If nothing's biting, downsize your hooks and bait and you should catch at least SOMETHING every few casts.

With cold water as now, fishing jetties is not much of an advantage, save the presence of structure. That means that you may get hung up on something.
Bring lots of terminal tackle - sinkers and hooks.
I will agree that shrimp using shrimp should allow for some frequent bites. FishBites is also a great option. I have never used it, but always heard and read that blue crab is the way to go for big reds and black drums in winter.

As water warms up hitting the bays may also be productive.

Should have added, used 1/0 circle hooks and let the fish take it without settihng the hook. May upgrade to 3/0 circles, as I have caught whiting as small as 6" on those and hooks still fit their mouths.

Thanks everyone, we have been getting out and are catching fish, so good times.