How to Fish for Rockfish

fishing image by Greg Pickens from Fotolia.com

Rock fishing requires a light outfit and a simple set up. At a depth of less than 200 feet, you jig your line off the bottom of the water as your boat drifts over a rocky area. The light outfit and tackle used to rock fish make it easy for many young anglers and most adults to catch fish using common lures. You don't have to travel far from the shore and pulling in a rock fish is easy because of its low weight.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Small floater reel
Red line
Sliding sinker
Hook
Squid strips
Bucket

Step 1

Use a light outfit no more than a couple pounds. A light outfit such as a small floater reel for Calico bass fishing or freshwater bass fishing is sufficient.

Step 2

Thread your reel with a 10 to 12 pound red line. Use a 15 pound test line for larger rock fish.

Step 3

Add a sliding sinker, hook and cured squid strips. (Opt for a red hook if available.) Pin the hook to your reel with a squid strip.

Step 4

Cast your line at a depth of approximately 100 to 200 feet. Expect to fish between 100 to 150 feet for the most part.

Step 5

Bounce your line off the bottom of the water. Wait for a fish to bite your line.

Tips & Warnings

Cured squid strips are available in four colors per jar with approximately six strips per jar.

For artificial bait, use a B52 jig buck tail. White, green and yellow buck tails are available.

The best time to fish for rock fish is between July and September.

Rock fishing is safe for young anglers.

Resources

"Song Slinger": Rock Fish Species

Article Written By Charlie Gaston

Charlie Gaston has written numerous instructional articles on topics ranging from business to communications and estate planning. Gaston holds a bachelor's degree in international business and a master's degree in communications. She is fluent in Spanish and has extensive travel experience.

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