Guitarfish fishing

[Barracuda J]

Im wondering how I can catch a guitarfish from the san Clemente pier because I read that they are pretty good eating. Any tips, rigs, baits?

 

[shonuff88]

I usually catch em on high-low rig w/ squid as bait. GL!

 

[Mahigeer]

The SNGF has its mouth under his body, thus it is a bottom feeder

My recommendation is to use a Carolina rig. Squid or live bait are good baits.

There is a picture of a bearded man on the Hermosa Pier holding one.

 

[Ken Jones]

Both high/low rigs and Carolina-type rigs will work. And, most baits will work, both live bait and dead bait. Although uncommon, I watched Redfish catch two guitarfish one day on an artificial lure so if they’re hungry the sky’s the limit.

 

[Barracuda J]

thanks so much and do you recommend day or night where is the best spot on the pier

 

[EgoNonBaptizo]

I would use a fishfinder rig with a pyramid weight on a slider and an at least 60# wire leader with a 3/0-5/0 circle hook. For bait I would use a live/fresh dead medium-large sardine or small mackerel. Smelt is a good bait while still alive, and squid is o.k. when there's not much in the bait department. I would fish from where the breakers end to the midsection of the pier. I have hooked the majority of my shovelnose in the morning to noon, though I am sure they would eat at night. Just be prepared for leopard shark and bat ray bycatch.

 

[Barracuda J]

Thanks so much everybody

 

[Ken Jones]

Most are caught during the day although the largest one I ever saw was caught at night. And, most indeed seem to be caught from just past the breakers to the mid pier area. are caught in the mid-pier area. Having said that, guitarfish haven't read this thread and may show up from the shallows to the deep-water end of the pier. And, to some extent, every pier is different.