mind pointing me in the right direction?

Being a newbie to saltwater I've been attempting to research bottom fishing set-ups. Jigs, swivel, leader combs.  I have tried a few searches here and the Norcal site but havent had much luck with specifics. I can't imagine it hasn't been covered in a thread or two? could someone point me in the right direction? Or, if u have some advice and maybe a photo that'd be great! Thanks in advance.

Jigheads with grubs/swimbaits are popular with folks here on NWKA and work well in my experience for what its worth.

I've been stockpiling jig heads, grubs for months in hopes to hit the salt when I could.  Even grabbed some crippled herring Jigs when Joes sank.


 I guess I'm more curious about the meat and potatos. How you all tie them up....basic bottom fishing rigs....knots, how many do u run etc.  Thanks for the quick feedback M.

I've been stockpiling jig heads, grubs for months in hopes to hit the salt when I could.  Even grabbed some crippled herring Jigs when Joes sank.


 I guess I'm more curious about the meat and potatos. How you all tie them up....basic bottom fishing rigs....knots, how many do u run etc.  Thanks for the quick feedback M.

These common knots work, nothing special

Uni-Knot
Improved Clinch
Palomar

etc

I usually have one jighead to minimize snagging, but other people here tie in a dropper hook above the jighead. Trailer/stinger hooks can help with the short strikes but increase chances of snagging.

Example of bottom fishing setup for lings and rockfish:

30# braid 25# leader tied onto 2oz. jigs with gulp grubs or big hammers

Use anywhere from 1 to 6+ oz on the bottom jig.  I usually use around 2 or 3 oz.  The main idea is to not be fishing sideways.  You want your line as vertical as possible so you can minimize getting hung up on the bottom.  You can use dropper loops spaced two to three feet apart above your jig and run shrimp flies to increase your hook-up chances, but this usually means more hang-ups since you have more hooks.  Losing a jig and two shrimp flies can be a bugger if your top hook gets hung up since you have to retie your whole rig.  I would stick with one jig on the bottom until you get a good feel for jigging the bottom in the ocean.  My first few trips out on the salt I lost a lot of jigs.  I would stick with a leader of no more than 20 lb. test for your first few trips on the salt since you may have to break off a few jigs, 17 lb. works well.  Then increase the weight of the leader line after you aren't getting hung up as much.

Oh yeah, Kalin's grubs work well in addition to what micahgee said.  Any colors will work as long as they are white, rootbeer, and glow.

I've heard some guys like gulp grubs too ....

Another successful method is getting a 1oz jig with a 3-4" grub and casting it, letting is sink down, and slowly reeling it to you, just fast enough to keep it off the bottom.  Most of my biggest rockfish were caught with that method.

Thanks fellas....Gulp! Check.....Kalin's in 'rootbeer' and white.....check!.  It's not like the swell is gonna cooperate any time soon but.....

Found a couple of great deals on jig heads on eBay so I'm in pretty good there. Installed a rod holder (in addition to the two that came with it). Now I'm shopping for a huli-proof fish finder (i know, no such thing).

I appreciate the info from all. The salt bottom fishing is new to me. I've had a lifetime of salmon and steelhead experience.

If you are just prospecting and the reg allow, it's hard to beat a simple sinker, hook, and herring or other bait. When you find fish the artificials work every bit as good if not better.

Easy lazy way to fish an area by drifting.

Saltwater Gulp!  Big red, white, or glow grubs.  I rarely use less than a 3 oz lead head, favorite is 4 oz, but go up to 6 oz in wind and current, and that's in Puget Sound.  Watch your regulations for closed rockfish, depth restrictions, barbed hooks, multiple hooks, and multiple rods.  I use 50# braid and 20# fluoro leader so I can break it off if needed.  I've also fished with droppers and use an even lesser leader (15#) on the ball weight than on the hook (20#).  However, I like the simplicity of just a leadhead.  Palomar or improved clinch knots. 

Can't beat a beefy Ugly Stick for bottom fishing.