how does one go about learning to saltwater fish?

[allisonmo2]

i am not exactly a kid(30) but i have no father figure or elder to teach me so i am on my own. i am heading to the jersey shore to do some bay fishing and have absolutely no idea how to fish. i have a boat. i have rods and reels. i have minimal freshwater tackle. i had planned on going to the local bait shop and asking for advice but i don't want to pester them for hours with my ignorance. is it rude to ask advice on bait and tackle and fishing spots/techniques? isn't that a bit what they are there for?
don't get me wrong i am a firm believer in the fact that a crappy day fishing on my own boat beats the hell outta any other day doing pretty much anything, but i would like to catch something.

where does a noobie go about getting training? as i can see there are no head boats that go out of barnegate just charters. i don't want to spend a couple hundred bucks when i could be on my own but as of now i don't even know how to rig my line for different fish.

 

[Bill D.]

There are many excellant source's of written instruction, but if you want a fast start in a local area I would suggest hiring a guide and spend a day or two fishing with him and learning the basic's. If you tell us a little more, such as what you want to fish for, and what you have done in fresh water, and what kind of tackle you have, it will be easier to give some advice. The local bait shop should be happy to show you how to rig for trolling, live bait, or casting. Still a day spent on the water with a guide can teach you more than you will learn in DIY mode for a whole season.

 

[allisonmo2]

i have been bass fishing in small ponds and lakes here in pa for 10 years or so. i mainly have small 4-8lb spiderwire, split shot,spinning lures,popper,worms etc...
i basically plan on starting out fresh with saltwater gear. i have a nice penn slammer rod and gti reel from some minor bluefishing i did a few years ago and some 6' freshwater rods with med/stiff action and spinning reels so i am after tackle and bait and line. i have a buch of weights from 2-4 oz also. no idea where they came from. i also have a leather glove,knife,needlenose pliers,long locking forceps for taking hooks out of tooth filled mouths.
i am going for stripers,weakfish,possibly flounder(i hear some say season ends sept10th) possibly rockfish. and anything else that will hold on long enough to get pulled from the sea.

 

[Bill D.]

I can't help with local knowledge, but your tackle sounds fine for the species. What you'll need to know is the type area your target species is being found in. The bait store should be able to give you some good info. Pay attention to bird action and they might put you on school fish hitting bait fish. Do not run into the school, but stand off and watch for direction, move ahead and off to one side and cast to the school as it works by. That way you don't spook the school and you and others can continue to fish them. If the school isn't moving ease up to a point where your drift will put you within distance. IMO, many people "over" tackle themselves when going into saltwater. Your bass tackle will handle a lot as long as you don't force the fish but wear it down, follow it with the boat if needed. With your basic knowledge and a few local tips you should be fine.

 

[Grand Slam]

Mike, you may want to start off going out on a head boat or a charter as Bill suggested, they have some that will do a bay trips. Check with the local tackle stores, they will be glad to get you rigged up and generally speaking they have a handle as to where the fish are. Don’t invest too much into tackle at first until you know what you want to fish for, just get what will catch fish today. There are also local publications you may want to pick up or even subscribe to and receive on a regular basis. One publication that comes to mind is “The Fishermen” it is a regional magazine so you will get local fish reports and instructions. Now you are ready to fish YOUR boat, after that the best way to “learn” to fish is go often. Good luck.