How does everyone decide where in the water column to fish when fishing off bridges in passes? I've always anchored my baits to the bottom, but the last time I was out the guy next to me, who had no weight or balloons, just freelined, got two hookups while I had none. So how do you decide how to fish? And when suspending baits under a balloon, how much line do you put between the balloon and the bait, especially when the current pushes the bait up? Thanks guys for all the help, I'm always trying to learn.
You have to get a feel for the place you are fishing,time of the day, the tide ,,it's strength,the lack or abundance of seaweed in the water,the depth of the water ,the size of your bait all these things will determine how you fish a certain spot.
Some of the guys fish a balloon or water bottle tied with sewing string just to get the bait out and away from the bridge then they pop of the bait off the balloon so it will sink,some of the guys fish straight down on top(JD Hammer loves this technique)and some let it go to the bottom a bit away from the bridge.
To find the sharks on the bridges try and find a deep channel next to the flats with as few obstructions as possible to minimize your chances of getting cut-off.
Obviously if there is alot of seaweed flowing through and you leave your bait on top all the seaweed will catch on your bait and your clicker will be slowly going out all day and night so when this happens place your bait right in front of a wide piling wher the current flows and eddies around your bait.You may have to let it sink to the bottom in these conditions which is often.
I like to fish two rods spread apart one close in but away from the bridge, and the second one my Monster rod I fish with a live jack or cuda 100-200 yards away from the bridge this way if I hook a big hammer or bull I know he more then likely will not shoot straight under the bridge as the big ones sometimes do on the close baits.
When possible try to use a live bait such as a jack or cuda but if not use fresh bloody bait.
When targetting big bull sharks use BIG BAITS when targetting Big Hammers use live small to medium sized baits .
Best months for big sharks in the Keys
MARCH /APRIL/MAY and they are right around the corner
Best of Luck
SOUTH FLORIDA SHARK CLUB -President SFSC-Founding Member est 1983 SFSC-Website Administrator BIG HAMMER SHARK TOURNAMENT -Founder Rene Memorial Sharkathon -Founder NMFS Shark Tagger