The Recipe For Success When Fishing Nearshore Reefs
- By: Luke Simonds
- on
Is there a RECIPE for success when fishing nearshore reefs??
I haven’t really focused much on nearshore fishing in the past until this year.
But it has quickly become one of my favorite ways to target fish and get tight lines.
Take a look below at the #1 jig I’ve been relying on to consistently get the job done!
The Recipe For Success When Fishing Nearshore Reefs [VIDEO]
Head over to the Smart Fishing Spots Platform
FEATURED EQUIPMENT:
- Lure 1: Power Prawn USA – F.R.E.D.
- Lure 2: Power Prawn USA – Original
- Jighead: Hoss Weedless Football – 3/4 oz with 5/0 Hook
- Reel: Daiwa BG MQ – 3000
- Rod: TFO Tactical Inshore MH 10 – 20 lb line
- Mainline: Daiwa J-Braid x8 Grand – 20 lb
- Leader: Ande Mono – 30 lb with 40lb bite tippet
- Scent: Dr. Juice Saltwater Slam Exclusive Scent
Here are the nearshore reef combos that I have personally used and highly recommend:
$385 BUDGET
$305 BUDGET
$234 BUDGET
- Rod: TFO Pro MH 10 – 20 lb line
- Reel: Daiwa BG – 2500
My strategy as of late has been to actively jig the Power Prawn USA lure rigged on a Hoss Weedless Football Jighead in addition to a swimmer crab on a bait hook if we find them.
This approach has absolutely paid off on every nearshore trip.
The key is to remain stealthy and know the reef.
Don’t motor the boat across the reef and kill the bite.
If you know the reef in relation to the boat, you’ll be in the strike zone every time.
Smart Fishing Spots is the easiest way to stay in the right spot.
Head over to the Smart Fishing Spots Platform
How would you like to win a private fishing trip with Joe & Luke?
Or… a $900 Daiwa Exist Reel?…and TONS of other awesome prizes?
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How do you know when the fish is in structure?
If using braid and a sensitive rod, you can feel the line rubbing up against something.
Thanks for the nearshore video. That’s something that I had hoped for more of from Salt Strong and it looks like you’re adding it in. Thank you for that. Much appreciated. I come out of Gordon pass in Naples and it doesn’t look like you can see any of the reef structure in my area on the smart fishing app unless I’m not using it properly. Either way, please keep the near shore videos coming.
great
Hi Luke,
Happy to see your nearshore video on how to fish reefs. The tactics you review make a lot of sense as far as not spooking the fish. I would love to see more videos and tips on fishing reefs. On those fairly calm days it is a great option to try. I’m in the st Lucie inlet area that has a great number of artificial reefs to try. Any additional nearshore tips would be appreciated.
Great video! You might want to consider reaching out to Return Em Right (Return ‘Em Right: HomeReturn ‘Em Righthttps://returnemright.org) if you are going to do reefs. Great program offering free training and gear to get fish back down safely.
Honestly thats cool, but in MS not working as much
I fish out of Fort Pierce. I was wondering how you determine what part of the reef that you fish. Do you look for large ledges or do you look for fish on the depth finder?
Luke, great video! When you use the bite tipet, are you using a uni to uni type knot to tie them together? Why not just use a 30 or 40 lb leader and skip the tipet especially if you are going with the same weight as the leader?
I recommend the Blood knot for the leader to leader connection because it’s more streamlined and slightly stronger. The reason to not go with 40lb for the entire leader is to minimize the odds that the fish can see/feel the line going through the water.
Here’s a link to see the detailed way to tie it in case needed: https://www.saltstrong.com/articles/leader-hack-for-catching-big-fish-on-light-line/
How far out do you guy consider “near shore”
I consider near shore to be anything more than 1 mile away from shore.
So you consider nearshore anything more than a mile from sure not closer than a mile? If it is more than 1 mile, how much farther do you go, until you hit a good reef?
My apologies for putting the focus on the term “nearshore”… technically, this type of fishing can work for any area with bottom structure 10+ ft of water.
For example, there are many “reefs” that I fish using this same strategy that are inside Tampa Bay and Charlotte. Also, I fish bridges the same way and it works great.
So in general, just focus more on finding deep structure with life. And then bounce the weedless power prawns along the bottom to get into some fun fish catching action.
As for which reefs are considered good, it’s just like inshore fishing where we need to always have multiple to try out knowing that the fish will be moving around. Just like inshore fishing, I am quick to leave if I’m not seeing any birds or bait on the surface nor seeing any signs of baitfish on the fish finder.
Is there a video on tying a “Tip It?”