mmontelongo
New member
Conditions
Port O’Connor Pier Fishing Report – April 5th, 2025 (6:15 PM – 8:30 PM)
Conditions:
It was a windy one out there last night. Forecasts called for strong gusts, and they didn’t disappoint—steady wind whipped across the pier, churning up 2–3 ft swells and white caps that made bait presentation a challenge. But with some heavy-duty gear and a little grit, we turned those conditions into an advantage.
Setup & Bait:
We ran high-low rigs with 4oz sputnik sinkers—needed every bit of that weight to keep bait pinned down in the current. Our bait spread was a salty smorgasbord: salted shrimp, clam, and squid. Turns out, the fish weren’t picky about finesse—they just wanted the buffet.
The Action:
While most of the pier was slow, we were into fish non-stop. Hardheads and catfish were the main takers, with one undersized redfish (7”) showing up just to keep things spicy. The rest of the pier had been sitting cold for hours—one guy reported catching only a stingray on cut mullet. They had live shrimp, cut mullet, and even 11 rods fanned out at the end of the pier, but the bite just wasn’t happening for them.
The Difference Maker:
One of the locals asked us what we were using, and we broke him off a chunk of salted clam. Within minutes, he started hitting fish too. Sometimes it’s not just what you’re using—it’s how (and maybe a little seasoning doesn’t hurt).
Final Thoughts:
It was rough out there—wind howling, water bouncing—but catching is catching, and we had a blast. No trophies, but plenty of action and a good reminder that sometimes, unconventional baits and a dialed-in setup are all it takes to out-fish the pack.
Gear Used:
Pole setup was a 12ft Shimano Speedmaster paired with an Abu Garcia 6500 loaded with 20lb braid.
Port O’Connor Pier Fishing Report – April 5th, 2025 (6:15 PM – 8:30 PM)
Conditions:
It was a windy one out there last night. Forecasts called for strong gusts, and they didn’t disappoint—steady wind whipped across the pier, churning up 2–3 ft swells and white caps that made bait presentation a challenge. But with some heavy-duty gear and a little grit, we turned those conditions into an advantage.
Setup & Bait:
We ran high-low rigs with 4oz sputnik sinkers—needed every bit of that weight to keep bait pinned down in the current. Our bait spread was a salty smorgasbord: salted shrimp, clam, and squid. Turns out, the fish weren’t picky about finesse—they just wanted the buffet.
The Action:
While most of the pier was slow, we were into fish non-stop. Hardheads and catfish were the main takers, with one undersized redfish (7”) showing up just to keep things spicy. The rest of the pier had been sitting cold for hours—one guy reported catching only a stingray on cut mullet. They had live shrimp, cut mullet, and even 11 rods fanned out at the end of the pier, but the bite just wasn’t happening for them.
The Difference Maker:
One of the locals asked us what we were using, and we broke him off a chunk of salted clam. Within minutes, he started hitting fish too. Sometimes it’s not just what you’re using—it’s how (and maybe a little seasoning doesn’t hurt).
Final Thoughts:
It was rough out there—wind howling, water bouncing—but catching is catching, and we had a blast. No trophies, but plenty of action and a good reminder that sometimes, unconventional baits and a dialed-in setup are all it takes to out-fish the pack.
Gear Used:
Pole setup was a 12ft Shimano Speedmaster paired with an Abu Garcia 6500 loaded with 20lb braid.
