Fishing in a fast current from shore

[patindaytona]

Hello, I haven't been catching much at all on the local pier the past two months and want to try Ponce Inlet in daytona. I have tried it before and all I got was snags. Also, the current is very, very fast. Is their a "best"way to deal with this situation? I'd like to bottom rig if possible, but the current will take about any wieght with it quickly. I'm an onshore fisherman. Thanks,
Pat

[rattler]

either go with the flow or use a bigger weight...storm, tongue styles work well...sputnick even better...make sure your rod will handle the load...

[sprtsracer]

When fishing off the ponce jetty, the rocks are on the inlet side, and they will snag you if you aren't using the right equipment, and/or you don't get your bait far enough out. On the opposite side, it is mostly sand, so I normally fish that side and use a pyramid sinker on a slide above the leader. If the current still takes it, switch to a heavier sinker. You can fish the inlet side, and depending on the time of year, tide, etc, there are a ton of fish there, but it's better to do so down on the rocks themselves and not up off the concrete walkway.

[patindaytona]

Thanks! I'll have to check out a map as to how to get to the "other side" of Ponce Inlet.
Pat

[patindaytona]

I just checked a local map..i see a small road(South Peninsula)that seems to go so far, but then do you have to do some walking after that? Talking about the south side of the inlet.
Pat

[skiffisher]

One of my favorite ways to fish is in a good current, drop down to a single hook rig with an egg sinker and aproriate weight, bait with desired bait and cast up current and reel up slack as it sweeps by,just cause its moving doesnt mean it is not on bottom, it is a little more work but can be very effective, when your line is down current reel up and repeat process
Remember standard curtisy applies and this may not be possiable to do with a crowded stretch of shore.
MATT

[sprtsracer]

I just checked a local map..i see a small road(South Peninsula)that seems to go so far, but then do you have to do some walking after that? Talking about the south side of the inlet.
Pat

No, I'm talking about the same jetty you were talking about. When you go out on the jetty, instead of throwing off the south side of the jetty, throw off the north side...less hang-ups, etc. Because of the currents, the bottom there is all sand and no rocks. The only rocks on the north side are up close to the jetty and the concrete walkway. I have caught several pomps, flounder, whiting, blues, etc off that side. Try that and see if you have better luck.

[derekxec]

use the rocks! cast out and let it bump along the rocks till it gets hung up...when a fish hits it will knock it off the rock and youll be fine

we do it all the time at the jupiter inlet you cast out it bumps along the rocks till it finds the one it likes then gets hung fish hits pulls it off the rock and you are good to go

[patindaytona]

..i understand(the "ocean side") of the jetty...is best..got it! hope you don't mind all my questions..here's another..use stringer? What to anchor it with? I normally have been using my ice chest at the pier under Dunlawton Bridge up till now.
Jig heads..never used, but sound like they really are good. I guess you aren't supposed to be able to cast them very far out because of the light weight, right? They are good in deep water such as the Halifax too?

[patindaytona]

I have a ton of questions..wish I caught one fish for every one of them! Your theory sounds pretty good..allowing it to be caught on the rocks(I'm not being sarcastic here)..i think that in the jetty a fish would come by before any crabs to eat the bait...or is the crab population the same everywhere you go?
Pat

[Lipyourown]

Not around jettys but yeah, using an egg sinker or bank sinker on a lonely beach with ripping current is great. Rig a carolina rig and go with the flow walking down the beach keeping the bait out there and right in front of you. One cast can last upwards of 100 yards and it is just deadly covering all that territory.