I'm new to ocean fishing, but I figured I try and pick up on fishing rock fish and work on up to lingcod this season. Went out to the south jetty in Westport about 6:30 this morning, walked about about 1/3 of the way and rigged up a 4oz dart jig with a small rubber minnow on the hook. I was out until the tide started coming back out, and I left without getting a single bite. Am I doing something wrong with my rig, not going out far enough, or was it maybe a bit too rough on the ocean (it was definitely not calm out). Any tips are greatly appreciated, I really don't know what I'm doing in salt water, lol.

I would start with a larger jig head, 1/2 to 1 oz., this is not the best time of year for rockfish off jetties. Closer to late winter ,early spring is better. That being said, there are some out there, and any number of other bottom dwellers lurk all year long. Plastic grubs and hoochies have worked out there as well. Be prepared for larger fish , cabs and lings lurk. Being careful is a must, sneaker waves can knock you right off your feet, and a bad tumble going out or coming back can be a day wrecker. Bob R

Thanks Bob! You mean .5 or 1oz larger than the 4oz jig I was using? (aka 4.5 or 5oz jig) I was already thinking my 4oz jig was overkill, lol. It was a bit sketchy out there today, high waves and a lot of wind made me a bit nervous.

I think he means .5 to 1oz jig heads for casting off the rocks.

Yeah, I thought there was a decimal point in there, thought you meant 1/4 oz. 1/2 to 1 oz is about right, good luck. bob r

Black Rockfish are most likely what you will catch from the jetty. I'd suggest you use one half to one ounce lead head jigs with a six inch black or white , plastic curved tail. On occasion you may see Black Rockfish feeding on the surface from the jetty.

If you can find a copy of New Techniques For Catching Bottom Fish which was written in 1977, you'll find a lot of information that will help your bottom fishing efforts.

I have seen the book available on Amazon.com on occasion. It may be in some libraries.

Be very careful about waves on any jetty, I always watched a series of
waves hitting the jetty before venturing out.

What Sebastes says. He did write the book on rockfish!!!

My only suggestion would be if you are able bodied enough, you need to move more. Any of the above gear will work if you get into a school of them. Terminal rigs don't matter if you are not fishing where the fish are. Certain spots on the jetty produce more than others, due to the rock structure.

Sometimes just 100 yards of distance can change things. They get more plentiful in a couple months, but are always looking for an easy meal when you find them.

Thanks a lot guys!