Post by: jackelope on March 25, 2023, 04:53:32 PM
Westport? Not really sure. I’m going to figure it out though.
Post by: Jake Dogfish on March 25, 2023, 05:17:33 PM
Anyone well versed in fishing the jetties for rockfish and the like? I’m hoping to give it a whirl this year. Really I’m hoping to give it a whirl with a fly rod but I’ll bring a backup spinning rod because I don’t like to not catch fish. Anyone interested in meeting up?The walk gets tougher about half way out. I would think fly fishing would be really difficult with no room for backcast. Good luck!
Westport? Not really sure. I’m going to figure it out though.
Post by: dilleytech on March 25, 2023, 05:44:55 PM
Post by: jackelope on March 25, 2023, 05:58:13 PM
Post by: Sliverslinger on March 25, 2023, 07:27:29 PM
Post by: Longfield1 on March 25, 2023, 10:02:42 PM
Post by: trophyhunt on March 25, 2023, 10:19:45 PM
Post by: MeepDog on March 26, 2023, 07:13:10 AM
Post by: dilleytech on March 26, 2023, 07:32:59 AM
I’ve fished the south jetty at Westport around 10 times from a boat and usually catch a few lingcod each time also cabezon. Haven’t caught a rockfish once. I fish the sunken jetty though. The bite changes throughout the season seems to be easier at the opening and they get more picky towards the end in terms of bait. Be careful traversing the rocks to get to the point. A friend of mine got a concussion out there years ago after taking a tumble.
There’s a few spots that the rock fish are always holding at along the jetty. Trick is to find the fish first then park on them with the correct lures. If you are only ever catching lings my bet is your gear is to large, the rockfish can be surprisingly picky on jetties. But I do think the sunken jetty is more of a ling thing. The rock fishing along the jetty can be shockingly good.
Post by: jackelope on March 26, 2023, 07:40:43 AM
Wanna try from a boat? Might have a seat this spring/summer.
Let me know for sure.
Post by: jackelope on March 26, 2023, 07:50:42 AM
I can handle the casting restrictions with the fly rod, no problem.
I’ve read a lot about soft plastics and swim baits and such for gear fishing. My question on this topic. I see guys using these rods that look like they’re 14’ long and rated to fish great whites. Is it possible to use a steelhead/salmon type rod with some 15# test or something like that? I get the rocks are tough on gear and all that. Doesn’t look like they’re casting super far and the fish aren’t that big.
Thanks.
Post by: Longfield1 on March 26, 2023, 08:08:53 AM
I’ve fished the south jetty at Westport around 10 times from a boat and usually catch a few lingcod each time also cabezon. Haven’t caught a rockfish once. I fish the sunken jetty though. The bite changes throughout the season seems to be easier at the opening and they get more picky towards the end in terms of bait. Be careful traversing the rocks to get to the point. A friend of mine got a concussion out there years ago after taking a tumble.
There’s a few spots that the rock fish are always holding at along the jetty. Trick is to find the fish first then park on them with the correct lures. If you are only ever catching lings my bet is your gear is to large, the rockfish can be surprisingly picky on jetties. But I do think the sunken jetty is more of a ling thing. The rock fishing along the jetty can be shockingly good.
Your probably right. We use 4 ounce bullet jigs with split tail soft plastics.
Post by: Bullkllr on March 26, 2023, 08:37:52 AM
My question on this topic. I see guys using these rods that look like they’re 14’ long and rated to fish great whites. Is it possible to use a steelhead/salmon type rod with some 15# test or something like that? I get the rocks are tough on gear and all that. Doesn’t look like they’re casting super far and the fish aren’t that big.
Thanks.
Yes. I'm far from a jetty expert, but have had success several times over the years and you are basically describing what we always used.
I see people using those actual 'surf rods' for perch and they're so overmatched it's a bit ridiculous imo. Those seem designed for much bigger game.
A bigger factor is gear that can take a beating, imo, with the VW sized rocks covered with bird crap and slime. And I don't see it mentioned much, but felt soles or better yet felt with studs really help with footing.
Post by: dilleytech on March 26, 2023, 11:43:51 AM
Thanks for all the replies.
I can handle the casting restrictions with the fly rod, no problem.
I’ve read a lot about soft plastics and swim baits and such for gear fishing. My question on this topic. I see guys using these rods that look like they’re 14’ long and rated to fish great whites. Is it possible to use a steelhead/salmon type rod with some 15# test or something like that? I get the rocks are tough on gear and all that. Doesn’t look like they’re casting super far and the fish aren’t that big.
Thanks.
Most people are using salmon gear. If you hook something you want to yrd it in though or they will likely swim into the rocks. You have the potential to hook a 15-20# lingcod. Which will likely defeat you. But that’s not the norm.
Post by: dilleytech on March 26, 2023, 11:47:14 AM
I’ve fished the south jetty at Westport around 10 times from a boat and usually catch a few lingcod each time also cabezon. Haven’t caught a rockfish once. I fish the sunken jetty though. The bite changes throughout the season seems to be easier at the opening and they get more picky towards the end in terms of bait. Be careful traversing the rocks to get to the point. A friend of mine got a concussion out there years ago after taking a tumble.
There’s a few spots that the rock fish are always holding at along the jetty. Trick is to find the fish first then park on them with the correct lures. If you are only ever catching lings my bet is your gear is to large, the rockfish can be surprisingly picky on jetties. But I do think the sunken jetty is more of a ling thing. The rock fishing along the jetty can be shockingly good.
Your probably right. We use 4 ounce bullet jigs with split tail soft plastics.
If you add a dropper loop about 3’ above and fish a small 3” swimbait, 2-3” squid or something of that sort you will catch the bass. If they are there. You will catch big 5# blacks on tiny lures.
Post by: Parasite on March 26, 2023, 10:58:39 PM
I've also caught black rockfish from the south jetty via boat. A boat is much easier so you can cover more ground, cast easier, use your electronics, and is safer.
I wanted to go on the opener this year but the weather was not the best so I stayed home. I would like to try a swimbait with a weedless hook, size 0 spin-n-glo, and a 1oz weight about 2 foot above the bait. Basically, trying to keep the lure slightly off the bottom to avoid all the snags in the area.
A steelhead or salmon rod will be fine. I usually use a 8' 12-20# rated rod. But I spool up with 50# braid main and 40-50# floro leader. Mostly due to the abrasion resistance and if I get snagged, I can usually pull it free. Several of my snags have actually just been hooking starfish and they hold on to the rocks surprisingly well.
Post by: plugger on March 30, 2023, 05:22:41 AM