There are a few things that you can do to avoid from getting snagged.
1
Fishing line> if you are using braid in jetty than be ready to get nicks on your line, and
lose big fish when you do hook up to one
What happens when you do get snagged you will get nicks on your braid that isnt anywhere near your leader.
So you don't even know it is there until a fish breaks you off or your rigs breaks off on a cast.
Save yourself some grief and add 50yds (or more) of a mono topshot.
Yes your mono will also get nicks, but unlike Braid it will take alot more punishment before it snaps.
Also this will save you alot of money in the long run, Why you ask??
Because its alot cheaper to take off the nick up mono and add some more than to do it with braid.
Go with the same amount of lb test as your braid main line, because if you do get snagged the mono
will give before your braid.
Use a low profile knot like the Albright to connect the mainline to your topshop of mono.
I also use long knock rigs, all this is a super long leader that you still can cast.
2
swivel> Get yourself some three way swivels, connect your sinker to one of the loops
with a foot or two of 10lb mono or a rubber band
This way if you getted snagged all you lose is the sinker...
3
Casting> Here is the tricky part...don't cast to far or two close, this comes with learning
your area (jetty/inlet) doing one or the another will end up in a snagged.
4
Don't be hardheaded> I see this all the time, if you get snagged in a certain area.
That means you have alot of rocks or something else there, so instead of trying to fight it....
MOVE!!! Thats the serect right there just move up or down the inlet.
But put that spot in your memory banks, because more than likely gamefish will be holding
there on a moving tide.
5
freelining livebait> first off chose a bait that will won't swim on top like mullets.
If you are fishing a hard current than you need to add some weight to get the bait down.
But only add enough that will bounce across or stay right on above the bottom.
Freelining also means walking your bait, this can be hard to do at times.
But thats part of fishing
Remember gamefish will face into the current, so you want to use as much of the current that you can.
6
Soaking live/dead bait> Put enough weight on it to hold in the current, cast it reel in some slack
and than leave it alone.
When you need to reel it in, than reel it in!!! don't do it slowly, lift your rod and pop your rig and reel.
7
Snagged> When you get "Snagged", don't horse it at first.
Give it some slack and walk far right or left of it and than try to reel it in.
At times you will get lucky and get your rig back, if this doesnt happen.
It times to lock everything down and try to straighten out the hook.
With braid anything is possible......
There you go a few things to do while jettyfishing, there is alot more to learn.
But that comes with putting time on the water....
When you are fishing Jettys you will get snagged and at times alot.
But once you learn your area, you will notice less snag and more fish.
If you get upset over getting snagged, than look else where.
Because Jetty fishing isnt for you......
Part 2<Zone's> Always go with a
"Game plan", and than have a handful of other backup game plans
.
The best way to fish any Jetty/Inlet is to break it up into
Zones, these are features of a
Jetty/Inlet.
In other words
"Structures" that attract Gamefish.
They can be rockpiles, bends, dropoff, holes, ledges, rips and anything that breaks up the current.
Channels are like game trails, so if you have one that you cast too, that would be a great area to soak bait.
You also have shallow flats inside of some jettys/inlets, these places can be gold mines at times.
Most of these Zones are easy to spot, but others can only be found by getting snagged up a 1000 times
in one spot.
Or you can get into the habit of doing
"Low tide" scouting. This is a must if you want to have a edge over other Anglers.
Remember most of these Zones are overlooked by people walking right by them
Now here is the curve ball> Most Zones will only produce at certain tides, and time of day and year
Keep in mind when one Zone is dead slow, another zone might be turning on.
If they are dredging you might lose a Zone, but you will always gain another one.
Jettys/Inlets will produce more at sunrise, sunset and night time.
But during a mullet run anything can happen during the day at a Jetty/inlet
As you are learning how to work certain zones make sure to fish it shallow, mid-depth and deep water.
I like to use a lure or live freeline bait when i am working a new zone, also IMO
lures are best used low light, dirty water or windy day, but others have done well on clear sunny days.
So that is something you will have to decide on....
Note= Jettyfishing isnt for everybody and if you can't or won't put in your time.
Than don't complain about not catching anything, and putting down a certain Jetty/inlet.
I wish i had a dollar for everytime i was told that Jettypark/Cape was a waste of time
Also remember at times you will lose more
tackle than catch fish.
Accept it as a learning curve, and trust me it will pay off in the long run
All inlets arent the same so it is up to you to figure out how your Jetty/Inlet is best fished.
Nothing is written in stone, so be willing to change things up, and try new things as they come along.
Fish the inlet the way it was meant to be fish, and not the way you think it suppose to be.
you know how it goes
