hook size

[STINK BAIT]

what size hooks do you all use when fishing off pier for spots and croakers?

will be in hags head week of july 20. maily be fishing off avalon pier.

when is it the best time to fish before high tide or after? do you use hooks with leaders already on them or make your own. are there different hook for salt water?

any advice would be thankful..

thanks

[bridgeman]

You can use something like a size 4 or 6 long shank, don't need a leader. Weigh it down just enough to hold bottom, sometimes 3/4 oz. is enough depending on the current sometimes it takes as much as 3 oz. Cut squid, bloodworms, shrimp pieces or fish bites (artificial bait available at the tackle shops) work for bait. Get a few gotcha plugs for blues and spanish mackeral that are around the pier from time to time. You need a section of 30 - 40# leader with the plugs and check it often for nicks, it requires a bit of effort but the faster you work the plug the more hits you get. Best to observe what others are doing that are getting results and do the same.

[STINK BAIT]

is it best to fish when the tide is changing or after it changes.

i notice alot of piers always post the times for high tides.

should i use the bottom rigs with two hooks?

thanks for the info.

[bridgeman]

IMO the tide has nothing to do with the bite when it come to bottom fish probably slow during the ebb. Two hooks are the norm, the sell pre-made rigs at the tackle shops you can rig your own simular to them.