Rickenbacker 2009 -10-11-12-13-14-15 Fishing Reports Only

snapperfanatic18 · Post by **snapperfanatic18** » Wed Oct 28, 2015 7:53 pm

Nice to know...kinda early for shrimp, but this past blow and moon, it doesn't surprise me that they have. Will do rare...I have to make sure it does blow NE cuz it's a long drive for me and I don't wanna drive up north for nothing...lol...

kblue · Post by **kblue** » Wed Oct 28, 2015 11:42 pm

They were selling a dozen of live shrimp for 99 cents...

snapperfanatic18 · Post by **snapperfanatic18** » Thu Oct 29, 2015 2:19 pm

Where at?!?!?! Lol

Rare · Post by **Rare** » Thu Oct 29, 2015 4:33 pm

Yellow bait house I believe is where I saw it at and "" fresh"" gogs from day days ago

kblue · Post by **kblue** » Thu Oct 29, 2015 7:32 pm

And bait shop next to race track on the way to keys

snapperfanatic18 · Post by **snapperfanatic18** » Fri Oct 30, 2015 11:09 pm

Oh ok..well that,explains it...LOL...

xtremeh18 · Post by **xtremeh18** » Sat Oct 31, 2015 11:03 am

I have a couple of questions about mack fishing. It will be my first time fishing for them and don't know what to use so any tips would be highly appreciated. The gear I'm going to use is my 4500 reel with 12# and a 6000 with 15#, all Ande pink. So far I bought a gotcha red / white lure, white jig heads, and long shank number 2 J-hooks. I'm planing on using the gotcha lure tied straight to my 12# mono line. On the other rod with 15#, I'm either going to use the white jig heads or the long shank hooks. If I end up using the J hooks should I rig it on a fish finder? As for bait, what's a good bait that they will hit? We are planning on using live shrimp, anything else I can also use?

bigyellowtuna · Post by **bigyellowtuna** » Sat Oct 31, 2015 12:53 pm

gotcha tied directly to 12lb test is a bad idea. You will most likely get cut off and it sounds like you only have one? A much better idea is a foot or two of 40lb leader tied to your 12 lb test and then to the gotcha. Use an albright or uni knot to connect line to leader….I find the albright knot easier to tie.

Mack's I've seen caught on shrimp were when using a more natural presentation than fish finder rig. They were using a split shot if any weight, and casting into current and letting current bring shrimp back towards the pier. Expect some cutoffs doing this also, but the long shank hook will help land some.

Alex07 · Post by **Alex07** » Sat Oct 31, 2015 1:40 pm

xtremeh18 wrote:I have a couple of questions about mack fishing. It will be my first time fishing for them and don't know what to use so any tips would be highly appreciated. The gear I'm going to use is my 4500 reel with 12# and a 6000 with 15#, all Ande pink. So far I bought a gotcha red / white lure, white jig heads, and long shank number 2 J-hooks. I'm planing on using the gotcha lure tied straight to my 12# mono line. On the other rod with 15#, I'm either going to use the white jig heads or the long shank hooks. If I end up using the J hooks should I rig it on a fish finder? As for bait, what's a good bait that they will hit? We are planning on using live shrimp, anything else I can also use?

You cant go wrong with a white marabou crappy jig and 24" of 25lb test flouro leader.

Moose · Post by **Moose** » Sat Oct 31, 2015 4:45 pm

Alex07 wrote:
xtremeh18 wrote:I have a couple of questions about mack fishing. It will be my first time fishing for them and don't know what to use so any tips would be highly appreciated. The gear I'm going to use is my 4500 reel with 12# and a 6000 with 15#, all Ande pink. So far I bought a gotcha red / white lure, white jig heads, and long shank number 2 J-hooks. I'm planing on using the gotcha lure tied straight to my 12# mono line. On the other rod with 15#, I'm either going to use the white jig heads or the long shank hooks. If I end up using the J hooks should I rig it on a fish finder? As for bait, what's a good bait that they will hit? We are planning on using live shrimp, anything else I can also use?
You cant go wrong with a white marabou crappy jig and 24" of 25lb test flouro leader.

x10.....use the big rod as a down rod with a live sardine or finger mullet and jig with the crappie jig....if you have a hard time casting it or jigging it in the current you can put a small splitshot at the head of the crappie jig or all the way up the leader....guys use a popping cork above the leader as well...for me best has always been at the start of the outgoing.Youre going to want some kind of east wind...if they dont hit the jig you can try feelining live baits or strips of baits

snapperfanatic18 · Post by **snapperfanatic18** » Sat Oct 31, 2015 6:17 pm

I don't use anything heavier than 12lb outfit...remember, these fish aren't gonna overpower you, so you'll be good to go...I use a uni knot on all my setups (25-40lb leader) and use a loop knot on my jigs(better presentation and action). When live baiting, I freeline..never have I used the cork method, but it works for the regulars. I just love freelining! Lol...NE blow is best, but good SE will push fish in close.but its more effective to spring time fish heading back north. Good luck!

cantseeme47 · Post by **cantseeme47** » Sat Oct 31, 2015 6:18 pm

Why the outgoing tides guys? I thought it would be better incoming where the current is running from the bridge.

Moose · Post by **Moose** » Sat Oct 31, 2015 6:48 pm

cantseeme47 wrote:Why the outgoing tides guys? I thought it would be better incoming where the current is running from the bridge.

i've done best with the start of outgoing when it comes to the crappie jig...makes it look more realistic with the current flowing towards the bridge...once the current picks up it can be a challenge to jig though...

i agree 100%...SE winds are better for the spring

xtremeh18 · Post by **xtremeh18** » Sat Oct 31, 2015 9:41 pm

Thank you all for the feedback, I appreciate it.

sweetmerlin · Post by **sweetmerlin** » Sat Oct 31, 2015 10:18 pm

Went to Rick today from 6 to 9:30 PM. I haven't seen any action while I was there. Tried crappy jig and gotcha with fast and slow retrieve to work the surface and a bit to the bottom but nothing. There were a bunch of houndies at the surface.

cantseeme47 · Post by **cantseeme47** » Sun Nov 01, 2015 9:50 am

Moose wrote:
cantseeme47 wrote:Why the outgoing tides guys? I thought it would be better incoming where the current is running from the bridge.
i've done best with the start of outgoing when it comes to the crappie jig...makes it look more realistic with the current flowing towards the bridge...once the current picks up it can be a challenge to jig though...

i agree 100%...SE winds are better for the spring

Interesting gonna try that tide see how it goes

Old School · Post by **Old School** » Sun Nov 01, 2015 12:39 pm

cantseeme47 wrote:Why the outgoing tides guys? I thought it would be better incoming where the current is running from the bridge.

Most predator fish are always in front of a structure facing the current while feeding. It doesn't matter whether its a bridge, wreck or a rock pile. This also applies to many different species. The exception might be fresh water trout in a fast moving stream.

sweetmerlin · Post by **sweetmerlin** » Sun Nov 01, 2015 8:54 pm

I went to the Rick again between 4-7 PM. Caught a small spanish mack on the outgoing tide with a gotcha plug. I had a few more strikes but action died down very soon and once the lowest tide hit... nothing but houndies lurking on the surface..

sweetmerlin · Post by **sweetmerlin** » Tue Nov 03, 2015 12:19 pm

Went to Rick between 5-8 AM before going to work.. Only saw around 5 people fishing. I used got-cha and didn't catch anything but pesky houndfishes. A guy caught two macks freelining pilchards but he too caught mostly bunch of houndfishes (that he was very happy to bang to the floor and let em die on the bridge). There are tons of them close to the bridge and I am beginning to understand the frustrations they are causing... just look at them littering the bridge.. There were 1-6 of them following my lure with almost every cast and made me believe they are making it difficult for the macks to have a go at my lure

My silver body gotcha is covered in their bite marks.

lol

Regarding the Spanish Macks, do they only bite at sunset and sundown? Can they also be caught at night between 9PM - 3AM ? Thanks!

Old School · Post by **Old School** » Tue Nov 03, 2015 12:33 pm

Spanish Mackerel are seldom caught at night. Of the three mackerel species in S. Fla. only the King Mackerel is nocturnal. Spanish are usually active from first light to about 10:00 or 11:00 AM. Late PM is seldom as good as the early morning bite.

swordfish · Post by **swordfish** » Tue Nov 03, 2015 1:14 pm

Old School wrote:
cantseeme47 wrote:Why the outgoing tides guys? I thought it would be better incoming where the current is running from the bridge.
Most predator fish are always in front of a structure facing the current while feeding. It doesn't matter whether its a bridge, wreck or a rock pile. This also applies to many different species. The exception might be fresh water trout in a fast moving stream.

This is worth its weight in gold two or threefold... This alone is more important than anything you are fishing, be it lures or live bait... Tide is not as a big a deal as applying that concept.

-Swordfish

sweetmerlin · Post by **sweetmerlin** » Tue Nov 03, 2015 1:15 pm

Old School wrote:Spanish Mackerel are seldom caught at night. Of the three mackerel species in S. Fla. only the King Mackerel is nocturnal. Spanish are usually active from first light to about 10:00 or 11:00 AM. Late PM is seldom as good as the early morning bite.

Thank you for the information

snapperfanatic18 · Post by **snapperfanatic18** » Tue Nov 03, 2015 8:18 pm

I have caught them at night there and on the reefs, but for the most part, early mornings and late afternoons are your best bet. Trust me, the houndies are endless..lol...but on occasion, when the macks are there (still a tad early) you will more frequently get bites from them even when the houndies are present. I usually have this train of thought that after thanksgiving, the macks and blues push thru and have taken up residence in our waters, but that's just speculation on my behalf..lol..either way, good luck!

cantseeme47 · Post by **cantseeme47** » Tue Nov 03, 2015 10:14 pm

snapperfanatic18 wrote:I have caught them at night there and on the reefs, but for the most part, early mornings and late afternoons are your best bet. Trust me, the houndies are endless..lol...but on occasion, when the macks are there (still a tad early) you will more frequently get bites from them even when the houndies are present. I usually have this train of thought that after thanksgiving, the macks and blues push thru and have taken up residence in our waters, but that's just speculation on my behalf..lol..either way, good luck!

With this fall weather i think after thanksgiving is the right idea. Its still hot

Old School · Post by **Old School** » Wed Nov 04, 2015 2:20 am

snapperfanatic18 wrote:I have caught them at night there and on the reefs, but for the most part, early mornings and late afternoons are your best bet. Trust me, the houndies are endless..lol...but on occasion, when the macks are there (still a tad early) you will more frequently get bites from them even when the houndies are present. I usually have this train of thought that after thanksgiving, the macks and blues push thru and have taken up residence in our waters, but that's just speculation on my behalf..lol..either way, good luck!

The "mackerel" i have seen caught at night at the Rick have all been juvinile kingfish. The locals call them mackerel and never release them.

snapperfanatic18 · Post by **snapperfanatic18** » Wed Nov 04, 2015 3:14 am

Yes, u can catch "snakes" but trust me, after thousands of spanish macks, I know when I see one..lol....but it's not like it's totally out of the question...

xtremeh18 · Post by **xtremeh18** » Wed Nov 04, 2015 8:05 am

How's the current there usually? Is it strong like at Bill Baggs? I'm just curious to know what weight to put on my bottom rod ahead of time.

sweetmerlin · Post by **sweetmerlin** » Wed Nov 04, 2015 1:13 pm

Awwww.. I was anxiously waiting for the cold front to hit sometimes next week or so close to mid November for an awesome Spanish Mack fishing. I guess, we will have to see until after Thanksgiving

Also no kidding with the houndfishes! There are tons of them and its like they spawn immediately as soon as one is caught... its endless.

Since I cast gotcha plugs and crappie jigs only, I can't comment much regarding how the current conditions at Rick affect bottom fishing. But based on what I have seen while there, the current seemed fairly stagnant at lowest or highest tide and made great conditions for fishing the bottom when it's not too windy (so around 1/4 to 1/2 ounce sinkers). At outgoing tide, there is a bit of a current when fishing mid-bridge. If you fish during mid day and on weekends, there are some boat activities that splash and send waves here and there.. so I would assume 1-2 ounce sinkers... But then another important variable will be wind conditions... so I guess try an assortment of 1/4 to 2 ounce sinkers depending on wind conditions?

xtremeh18 · Post by **xtremeh18** » Wed Nov 04, 2015 2:38 pm

Awesome thanks bud! I have a 3/4 egg sinker on my old man's rod for now, going to try that first. I'll be throwing the 1oz gotcha red/white plug this weekend hopefully.

HJared · Post by **HJared** » Wed Nov 04, 2015 2:52 pm

Get a silver gotcha fck the red and white sht

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