Rocks And Boats

• Jetties are long rock piles and they usually have sloped sides that can broadly extend underwater. Because of all the invisible rocks and the eddies and pools they create they are difficult to fish while standing on them. So the easiest way to fish a jetty is from a boat. Anchor the boat about 10 yards from the visible part of the jetty and cast toward the rocks. The top predators around jetties are usually white, striped and calico sea bass and halibut. Sometimes the bass hide in the rocks. Casting toward the jetty can draw these bass out and tempt them to strike.
  
  

Fishermen And Rocks

• When you intend to fish from the rocks you should first spend an hour watching where the successful fishermen stand. Their secret is knowing where their lines don’t get hung up. In most cases it is a good idea to stand as low on the jetty as possible and cast toward a sandy bottom. It can be difficult to maneuver around a jetty, so remember to use caution. Fish from jetty rocks wearing rubber-soled shoes. Don’t try to fish from the rocks unless you know how to swim or are wearing a floatation device. Never venture out onto a jetty in high surf.
  
  

Rods, Reels And Line

• Fish from boats near jetties with 6-to-8-foot spinning rods and reels using 15-to-30-pound test lines. Use at least an 8-foot rod when you are fishing from the rocks. Some fishermen use 10--to-12 foot bamboo poles to clear the sloping, underwater rock wall they cannot see. Bamboo pole fishermen use the pier fishing technique of dropping their 15-to-20-pound test line straight into the water. They then let it drift or bob the line up and down to create a motion fish will notice. Fisherman using spinning gear cast and retrieve over and over using 10-to-20-pound test line.
  
  

Baits And Lures

• Fish from boats by casting and retrieving lures called “swim baits” in 4- or 5-inch lengths. Cast the streamlined swim bait right into the rocks and let in drift toward the bottom before reeling it back in. The deeper the water the longer the lure you should use. Long-pole fishermen can use fresh bait like razor clams on a line with two hooks and weighted with what are usually called “bank” or “reef” sinkers. These sinkers have a cast eye and are less likely to hang up on the rocks than other weights. Fishermen using spinning gear from the rocks should start with spoons or plastic lures that can be retrieved quickly. Jetty fishing can be difficult to pick up so until you get to know one jetty well, you should expect to lose some equipment.