Fishing School
Finding The Fish – Beginner Module
Welcome to the Salt Strong Fishing School!
This is Lesson #1 in the BEGINNER module.
Mobile Users: all 3 modules are found down below the video lessons
Equipment Used In This Video
- Real Shrimp: Texas Rigged Shrimp
- Lure: The Prawn Jr rigged on 1/2 oz Weedless Football Jighead
As mentioned in this lesson, there are often WAY more fish under bridges than most people think.
Here’s a fun video showing exactly how many are down there when a camera is dropped down close to the underwater structure.
Homework
In order to ensure that you can quickly find the best spots to catch fish, make sure to watch this quick lesson that shows a fun homework assignment that’ll result in you have at least 3 great spots to fish the next time you have some open time.
As always, please use the Comments section below if you have any questions… we’re here to help.
Tight Lines!
Um what is the name of that software online again? can i do this with a garmin?
I recently joined and passed my first Beginner Section fishing Quiz with 100%! I wish they have fishing test when I was in high school AND anyone ever take a fishing course in college?
Great work Hugh! Yes, it sure would have been nice to have had fishing classes to take in high school and college.
Hey guys. Awesome videos! I was wondering if you pay attention to the solunar tables to determine best feeding times. Does that play into your strategies very much?
I do not personally pay much attention to the solunar tables because I believe that the current flow is the more important factor. That being said, the current flow is typically good during the good solunar periods because the position of the moon is the main driver of currents.
I just asked about hook size and weights/sinkers, but I also forgot to ask about advice on using a leader line and what lb test I should be using?
The most common leader size for all-purpose inshore fishing is 20 lbs. If you’re targeting smaller fish with small chunks of bait, then it’s smart to go lighter.
And if you’re fishing zones with bigger fish and you’re using full sized baits with higher odds of hooking bigger/stronger fish, then it’s smart to go with a stronger leader up to 40lbs (or even higher is lots of big fish and strong current).
I’m a beginner, just starting out with inshore fishing. I’m taking my younger kids (13-14 years old) and want them to get ANY action. I’m not worried about the size of fish or anything, just want them to reel in some fish. What type and size hook do you recommend for fishing live shrimp near bridges as you did in this video? Also, any recommendations on weight size?
Hey Andrew, the hook size used should depend on the size of the bait that you’ll be using. For shrimp fishing with kids, I most often use a 1/0 to 2/0 sized circle hook since it fits chunks of normal sized shrimp nicely for catching a wide variety of species.
As for the weights used, that depends on depth and current speed… the goal is to have just enough weight to be able to keep the bait on the bottom without getting carried off by the current flow. When I fish bridges, I typically target them during the low current periods so they are easier to fish, and I’ll most often go with a 1/2 oz weight for the 15ft to 30ft bridges. And a 1/4 oz weight or lower for shallower bridges.
I have been inshore fishing for a couple years now, mostly surf fishing. I’ve had some luck catching pompano, but not consistent. I have been trying to inshore fishing for redfish and trout since early fall I have fished a couple times a week since September and have only Caught 2 keepers, so I joined this group because I’ve figured out I must be doing something wrong! After watching this 1st lesson boy I was right ! I’m excited to be a part of this group of anglers willing to teach an old dog some new tricks. Thanks for making this learning experience easier for me to learn how to not come home skunked and broke from losing tackle and not having any fish to show for the loss. I can’t wait to receive my fist order and take the slam shady for a 1st try
Thanks so much for making time to post the nice comment Ronald! So glad to see that you’re enjoying these lessons.
Good lesson. I have never fished from a bridge but you’ve convinced me to give it a try. I usually fish from a kayak or a boat, but frequently the current is too strong and I don’t have a trolling motor yet. Now I can add fishing from a bridge to my arsenal 🙂
Lots of information that I can use especially the Contour portion of the lesson. I am on the intercoastal and the Atlantic and I fish from the shore or from Bridges. I have never caught a fish in the intercoastal here across from my house. So I look forward to trying the spots with the greatest Shelf. I love the smart fishing spots because they have a public land layer where I can find parks or public lands from which the fish. I am 10 miles or more from the inlets at Sebastian and at Jetty Park in Cocoa Beach. I don’t believe we have much current being that far from the Jetties. Do I need to move closer to the inlets? am 4 miles from the beach and have a Surf Rod and gear all set up already. Can anybody recommend anything different I would need to do at the beach or direct me to some lessons are groups that meet who are interested in surf fishing. I’m going to deal out for my first try never had a dad never learned to fish so it is something I’ve always wanted to do with my daughter and granddaughter. Thanks a lot for these lessons and for any help I can get.
During this period of downtime for me, fishing, I have dedicated myself to reviewing the fundamental fishing techniques. As I have consistently emphasized to my field paramedics, regardless of one’s advanced training level, mastering the basic techniques is paramount for ensuring the safety of the patient. Therefore, I am actively practicing and performing the basic fishing techniques as a student, not a teacher.
Thank you, Luke. I did indeed acquire some fundamental techniques, which I promptly applied during my subsequent fishing excursion.
We’re so glad to see that you are enjoying the Fishing School lessons. Yes, learning and practicing good fundamentals is crucial for so many activities to be able to get noticeable improvements in results.
Would this work with a popping cork as well or do the big fish only hang in the bottom- hence the weight? Thanks!
It can certainly work with a popping cork too, but the bottom is where most feeding activity takes place, so getting the shrimp down to the bottom is a good way to maximize results of catching fish.