Minnesotan First Time Fishing Saltwater: Basic Equipment???

[AsianSensation89]

So after careful consideration, this is what I decided I would be bringing down to me during my Mississippi trip. Let me know what you think. I think for the most part I feel like I've got a decent amount of tackle that should work???

(Hard baits, plastics, decent sized hooks, sinkers, jig heads (1/4 oz), bucktail jigs, spinners, metal leader, stringer...)

[AsianSensation89]

will definitely watch out for those spikes

[fisherman-andy]

Having the right or good equipment is great. But I find more difficult for people who want to try salt water fishing not know what their going after to catch and what the rules and regulations are...

So make sure your familiar with the regulations while your down there and targeting whats in season or catchable from a stand point in the area. I think that will be the bigger challenge.

[tunrevir]

Looks like a decent arsenal. Make sure you wash all of the lures after using them and a spritz of wd doesn't hurt to stave off corrosion. We used 1/4-3/8th oz bucktail jigs and a small piece of shrimp for pompano, redfish, snapper and spanish mackeral and sea trout with decent success. They tend to stick with either white or yellow. Cobia have also been known to snatch up these baits and can be a real freight train when hooked! For sheer numbers bottom fishing with a whole live shrimp or a piece of one will probably give you the best bet at numbers depending on what types of fish are in the area. One other thing, if you are fishing off a pier or near other fishermen, take the time to ask questions and see what type of rigs they are using and this will help shorten the learning curve. Have a great time, take lots of pics!

Tunrevir~

[mainbutter]

Great arsenal, if there are fish that will take artificials, what you have will work. Hit up a bait shop at least for some info (if not a buck or two of shrimp) just to see what's around and biting.

[AsianSensation89]

Thanks for everything guys!

I feel a lot more comfortable going down now.

Just gotta run over some of the regulations and seasons and I'll be set.

Now all I gotta do is find some time around my schedule while down there to fish. Again, thanks a bunch!

[AsianSensation89]

BTW, does it matter if it's live or dead shrimp?

Would it make a difference if I just hit up a local grocery store

and buy some shrimp there instead? Called a bait shop earlier

and they're telling me they sell live shrimp $3/dozen. Doesn't

seem like a lot and seems like it won't last too long.

[tunrevir]

I'd go with the live bait, chances are it will be dead bait soon enough anyways. Whole live shrimp seem to get bit more often then soaking a dead one I think it has to do with the movment but when jig fishing I put just a small chunk on the hook and fish away. Fiddler crabs are good bait as well as cut bait like squid and herring.

Tunrevir~

[IamZombie]

I've been fishing down in Louisiana in the Mississippi delta areas a few times.

They typically use heavier rods, heavier mono, and bigger hooks.

Nothing like I'm used to using up here.

You might be better off stopping into a Wal-Mart or an Academy Sports down there and getting a cheap setup than dragging your own gear down there.

We always used live shrimp when possible and frozen as a last resort. My cousin liked to use artificials once in a while too.

We'd be going after reds or speckled trout, we'd typically use a rig called a "speculizer." It's like kinda like bobber fishing.

Throw it out there, and slowly reel it in and give it pops like you were using a top water popper, and letting it rest for a few seconds before popping again.

A fish glossary for down south...

Reds aren't redfish, they're red drum.

A drum is usually a black drum, my cousin caught a 25lb one once.

Sheepshead look like giant sunfish with black and white stripes.

Don't try to lip these guys though, they feed on shellfish and have powerful crushing teeth.

[mainbutter]

Reds aren't redfish, they're red drum

Correction: Red drum ARE redfish.. I've never heard of either called simply "Reds", but a quick wikipedia search says that all 3 are common names for the same species.

[IamZombie]

Correction: Red drum ARE redfish.. I've never heard of either called simply "Reds", but a quick wikipedia search says that all 3 are common names for the same species.

I stand corrected.

[AsianSensation89]

So after spending a week down in Mississippi, the first few days out on the beach I was sort of "feeling out" the waters...

met a few fishermen and asked what they were catching, using, etc...

came down to mostly croakers, catfish, and mullets.

Didn't really have any time to fish, but on my last night there I was able to go out and did a few casts. Out of my surprise, my first saltwater fish ended up being a stingray, which someone accidentally got snagged on my hook. After that I was able to catch two catfish but nothing of an impressive size (maybe 7-9 inches?). Had some buddies just watching me fish and they were getting cold so decided to head back and call it a night. I guess overall the experience was pretty interesting and fun though. Can't say I didn't catch anything and can't say I didn't try!

Thanks for all the input!

Happy fishing and stay safe.

[AsianSensation89]

The only really kind of good catch I saw this guy had while on my night out was a few white trout, but again, of no impressive size (maybe 10-11 inches?).

[fishtank]

Check the state regulations, because it can vary. Go to a bait shop down there and they can supply you with all the info you need. They will also have frozen shrimp/squid in there to purchase, or you can try to catch your own on the inland ocean waterways. It can actually be quite fun, like pan fishing.