Jetty fishing is a great way to cast your line in saltwater. You can hit these rocks or structures from a boat or on foot, providing a mix of patience, effort, and tons of fun. Many species hang around jetties to hide from the tides or to munch on bait fish that feed on the algae and plankton. This, in turn, provides endless opportunities for hookups.
There are a few things to keep in mind when jetty fishing, though. The biggest factors you’ll need to consider are the weather and conditions. But, as we dive into this guide, you’ll learn the basics, tips and tricks, and much more. That way, the next time you’re out there on the jetties, you’ll feel like a pro!
What is jetty fishing?
Simply put, jetty fishing consists of fishing the salty waters surrounding a jetty. Whether you’re pulled up to one on a boat or you’re casting into the water from structure, you’re jetty fishing. Jetties are long – usually man-made – walkways that extend far out into the water. Typically, the farther you go the deeper the surrounding water will be. The main purpose of a jetty is to protect a channel or marina from rough conditions, currents, tides, and erosion. But plenty of species have made these areas their homes.
Why? Well, the walls of jetties and their surrounding rocks provide shelter from the elements and predators, while also giving the chance to larger fish to locate some food. Small fish live in between the cracks and crevices, while bigger species lurk around in search of a tasty treat.
Even larger species such as Tarpon and Sharks stroll around the outside in search of their next meal! As the water gets deeper, more life is often found, which is why fishing from the end of a jetty is often the most productive.
Top Jetty Fishing Species
Honestly, the list of species that you can expect to find near jetties is endless. Each region has its own unique species, so what you’ll see will depend on which fish inhabit your local waters. However, we can take a look at some of the most common and popular species…
First up we have our little critters that crawl and swim around the cracks. I’m talking species like Crabs, Clams, Shrimp, Sea Urchins, Pilchards, Mullet, and other colorful little fish. Moving up, we have common species such as Catfish, Mangrove Snapper, Sheepshead, Seatrout, Mackerel, Ladyfish, Jack Crevalle, Snook, and Redfish.
With bigger jetties that jut out into the ocean or big bay systems, large predators like Tarpon, Grouper, Barracuda, Striped Bass, Sharks, and others hang around waiting for unexpecting prey. If you’re in Southern Florida or northern coastal states like Maine, you may even come across some intruding Lobster or Eels!
How to Go Jetty Fishing
As I already mentioned, jetty fishing can take place from a boat or from land. But what does that actually entail? I’ll break these down for you, so you can know what to expect when fishing the jetties…
Jetty Fishing from Land
When jetty fishing from land, you’ll first want to find a spot that looks like it can produce fish. This may be towards the start, in the middle, or at the end of the jetty. It’s best to kinda move around to find where the actions at. When you look down into the water, keep an eye out for activity. If you see a lot of bait fish and some fish strolling around or peeking from the rocks, that’s a great place to start.
You’ll want to get your bait as close as possible to the jetty wall. Dropping your line a few feet past the jetty is key. If you can, try to bounce your hook around the rocks, but be careful not to get it stuck! It’s important to keep the line tight and once you feel that bite, give it a couple of seconds before locking in your hookset.
One of the biggest issues when fishing at a jetty is there’s so much structure that can provide a risk of breakage. Also, if you hook into a big guy like a Grouper, they can quickly swim into the rocks where it’s nearly impossible to get them out. So always keep an eye on your line and make sure to put up a strategic and quick fight once you get that hookset.
Jetty Fishing from a Boat
The idea of fishing from a boat near a jetty is pretty much the same, but the big difference is you’ll be fishing at a different angle. Instead of looking down into the water and pulling your fish up, you have the opportunity to pull them out and away from the jetty. This can be helpful when fishing tougher species like big Snook and Grouper who will instantly try to weave into the holes.
Cast your bait close to the jetty, try to avoid the rocks, and wait for your bite. You also have the option of letting your bait drift along the jetty to cover more ground. After your hookset, cup the bail and try to turn the fish towards the open water and away from the jetty. Line tension is a huge factor in this fight, and you’ll have to try your best to keep them from pulling towards the rocks. At the same time, you’ll have to keep an eye on the pressure and make sure the line also doesn’t get too tight and break. Once you can get this down jetty fishing will be a breeze.
Jetty Fishing Gear and Bait
While there are lots of factors that affect your jetty fishing success, the most important parts are your choice of gear and bait. After all, without these tools, you wouldn’t be jetty fishing in the first place! So let’s take a look at some options to bring on your next trip:
Gear
First things first, you’ll need a reliable setup. I recommend a 5K setup for jetty fishing. It’s not too big but not little either. A 5K reel paired with a medium-action rod is an excellent choice, often holding up against small to medium-sized Grouper, Snook, Tarpon, and even some decent-sized Sharks. I use my Shimano Nasci 5K and Plasma II Starrod for jetty fishing and it works great.
In addition to your setup, it’s also a good idea to have some type of storage options when visiting the jetty. Some jetties have paved walkways and even benches, while others are strictly rocky material. It’s a good idea to bring along a fishing wagon or a chair. Or, if you have to climb across some rocks, bring a backpack. A net can also be helpful when having to reach over difficult structure to bring up your fish. Cast netting your own bait is an idea, but to do that you’ll need to bring along a cast net, a bait bucket, and a bubbler to keep them fresh.
Bait
You can use both real and artificial bait when jetty fishing. If you want to stick to the live bait route, opt for mullet, pilchards, herring, crab, shrimp, squid, and other meaty and smelly bait. You can also use these guys for cut bait, as well as other species such as ladyfish. On the artificial side, look for weedless baits to avoid getting stuck, or stick to enticing lures like spoons, jigs, soft plastics, and other shiny options.
Top US Jetty Fishing Locations
Almost every coastal area will have a jetty nearby. Whether it’s to protect a marina or bay, or specifically designed for fishing, chances are you aren’t far away. With that in mind, the list below is far from exhaustive. But anyway, here’s my list of some regions with reliable jetties for you to get your fish on!
Jupiter Inlet
The Jupiter Inlet is an excellent location to try jetty fishing. Located on Florida’s east coast, this area contains a long jetty with surrounding waters full of marine life – as you can see above! This region is also known for its huge species that offer tough tough fights, such as monster Snook and large Tarpon, along with abundant wildlife.
Florida Keys
Staying in Florida, there are tons of jetties in the Florida Keys to protect the boats and marinas down there! I can speak from experience myself that there are lots of species hanging around them. From Lobster to small, colorful fish, and even bigger predators like Barracuda, you have numerous opportunities to find some critters to catch.
California
On the western coast of the United States, California is another state boasting great jetty fishing. In areas such as Bodega Bay (pictured above), you can hook up to species such as Rockfish, Salmon, Halibut, Trout, and Striped Bass.
Texas
Finally, we have the beautiful state of Texas! The Lone Star holds tons of rock jetties where you’ll have endless opportunities to catch some fish. Keep an eye out for species like Flounder and Redfish in spots near Galveston Bay, Laguna Madre, or anywhere else along the coast.
When to Go Jetty Fishing
You can go jetty fishing whenever you feel like it! But sometimes certain conditions can become dangerous. Therefore, the best time to go jetty fishing is when the weather is calm. If the waves are crashing onto the jetty it gives a high risk of slipping and falling into the water, so it’s best to go during low chop and low wind.
Early mornings and evenings are always the best time to go fishing as it’s when most species are most active. Going around high tide is also a good idea because creatures head towards jetties due to higher water.
When it comes to seasons, it really depends on your targeted species and location. However, summertime is usually the best time to go overall.
Jetty Fishing FAQS
Hit the Jetties on Your Next Fishing Trip!
I hope you’ve gained valuable knowledge and feel confident and ready for your next jetty fishing trip. Whether you’re heading out there on a boat or you’re fishing from the jetty itself, I wish you tight lines and can’t wait to hear about your next catches. The possibilities are endless, so get out there and start fishing!
What species have you caught while jetty fishing? Do you maybe have a favorite jetty you like returning to? Let us know in the comments below!
The post How to Go Jetty Fishing: The Complete Guide appeared first on FishingBooker Blog.
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